HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Review
Specifications
The Pentax HD 55-300mm WR zoom lens is designed exclusively for Pentax digital cameras. While there are no full frame (24x35mm 'full size' sensor) Pentax cameras currently, this lens would still not be compatible should Pentax release one. This is because the lens is specifically designed for APS-C (1.5x crop) sensors, which is the physical size of the sensor fitted in all Pentax Digital SLRs as of this review's publication.
Below are the official specifications for the HD DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR. Additionally, for your comparing convenience, we will provide the specifications for the smc PENTAX DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM lens as well since the addition of weather sealing in the former offers a consumer alternative to the more expensive professional grade lens.
| Official Lens Name |
| smc PENTAX DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
|
| Optical Formula | 12 elements in 8 groups | 15 elements in 13 groups |
| Extra Dispersion (ED) Elements | Multiple | Multiple |
| Image Circle | APS-C only | APS-C only |
| Autofocus | Traditional Screwdrive (w/ all Pentax DSLR's) | Built-In SDM Motor (w/ K10D or newer) Traditional Screwdrive (w/ K100D or older) |
| Field of View |
|
|
| Maximum Aperture* | F4-5.8
| F4 |
| Minimum Aperture* | F32-22
| F32 |
| Aperture Blades | 6 (rounded) | 9 (rounded) |
| Aperture Ring | No - controlled via camera body | No - controlled via camera body |
| Max. Magnification | 0.28x (1:3.6) | 0.15x (1:6.6) |
| Min. Focusing Distance | 140 cm (55.2 in) | 110 cm (43.2 in) |
| Internal Focus | No | Yes |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| Filter Diameter | 58mm | 67mm |
| Cap | O-LC58, included, plastic pinch type | O-LC67, included, plastic pinch type |
| Hood |
|
|
| Case | S80-160, included, soft nylon case | S100-200, included, soft nylon case |
| Diameter x Length | 71 x 111.5 mm (2.8 x 4.4 in) | 81 x 168 mm (3.2 x 6.6 in.) |
| Weight | 466 g (16.4 oz) | 1120 g (36.7 oz) |
| Mount Designation | KAF2 | KAF2 |
| Full Time Manual Focus Override | Yes - Pentax Quick-Shift | Yes - Pentax Quick-Shift |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No | Yes |
| Price |
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(*) EDITORIAL NOTE: It is obvious there are gaps in the focal length ranges listed here for the HD 55-300 WR. Although the zooming is unimpeded in between these ranges, to include the witnessing of smoothly increasing magnifications and no 'zoom jumping,' the camera was unable to record any focal lengths not listed in the ranges here. Multiple iterations were attempted with multiple camera bodies, however the exif data continued to be recorded as only the focal lengths listed here. No instances of actual inconvenience should be expected in real-world use.
As this is a DA-series lens, modern Pentax DSLRs will support in-camera distortion and aberration correction when this lens is mounted.
The front element is SP (Super Protect) coated like on the predecessor. SP coating repels grease, water droplets, dust, and finger prints and is easier to clean should it get dirty.
