I use the 55-300 PLM a lot, but I recently managed to track down an old film era 80-200 f2..8 powerzoom. Optically it is vastly superior , but it's a heavy beast to carry so I only use it when I know I'm not going to be moving around a lot. It works really well on my K3-iii snd K3. I tend to use the lens with the powerzoom feature switched off as it can be fairly annoying especially if you brush against the zoom ring accidentaly. It might be ok on a tripod, but definitely not for hand carrying especially when you're looking for a wider shot and it decides to zoom out to 200mm. I've used the 55-300 at rally's and mud runs and never had any issues and if you have to move around a lot, the weight saving is a major advantage . Another advantage is the size as it easily fits in a backpack. I wish I could find a dealer who has the newer DA lenses in stock so I could compare the image quality of both with my 80-200 to sed how close it comes At just over £400 used I think it was a bargain as it was much sharper than my friends 70-200 f2.8 Nikon lens on his D850.
Those 80-200 f2.8 are pretty hard to find so well done on that! sounds like you like the 55-300 PLM for the same reason as myself, compact, light-weight good all rounder. I used to own the DA*200 f2.8 prime lens which again optically was top notch, and it was also pretty light been a prime lens. It was the old SDM that was the deciding factor in selling that lens.
Lee Interesting comparison now I want to take my old Tamron 75 - 300 lens from 2005 and use it on my Pentax k3 Mark 111 camera and see how it performs Another interesting point I've had the Pentax K3 Mark 111 for close to two years i have used nothing but Pentax weather sealed lenses and I have not had to clean the sensor compared to my other cameras with non weather sealed lenses which I have not used as much and had to clean quite a few times.
Thanks mate. It's interesting trying different lenses on the older camera bodies & then on the K3iii. I sort of wish that I had kept my DA*50-135 & DA*200 so that I could have tried those on the K3iii as it may have helped out to some extent with the slow SDM motors in those lenses?
It's really hard to beat the 55-300 PLM as an all 'rounder lens. Just the range alone is great, the close focus distance is great even zoomed to 300. Its compact, light weight, great image quality for the price and that quick, decisive AF on whichever KAF 4 Pentax camera you mount it to. Going up a tier in the lens range becomes a more "specialist, select your precision tool" where you lose the wide ranging focal length but you gain image quality and muscles due to the heavier duty construction of higher grade lenses. So, ya, as an all 'rounder, the 55-300 PLM all day.
I agree, the DA 55-300 PLM is one of those products that any manufacturer make's that potentially hurt's sales on other products because it's puncing above it's price tag. Again if I could only choose one lens . . . DA 55-300 PLM it is!
I'm one of those "not too many out there" shooting action. All I want is for Pentax to develop an autofocus system that's quick and reliable. It doesn't have to be class-leading with eye AF or special choices for planes, trains, automobiles, etc., just more reliable. My 55-300mm PLM lens was reliable, but it broke, which makes me wonder about the build quality. I would love for Pentax to make the 50-135mm lens with a PLM autofocus system.
Nice to read there's at least another Pentax action shooter! I would say that what your looking for in terms of autofocus performance already exists in the K3iii. I'm not sure how much better they could take that tech with DSLR's. I think the K3iii is very comparable to the Nikon D500 & Canon 7Dii for autofocus performance, with those two cameras setting the bench mark for APSC DSLR cameras capable of capturing fast action. I 100% agree I'd also love to see a new variation of the fantastic DA*50-135 with PLM, I've said for a long time that would no doubt be my go too lens!
I dropped my DA 55-300 PLM into a muddy pond. I was at the top of a steep slope, so even though I chased it down the hill, it got there first. I could see where it was because it was sending up air bubbles. Not a good sign! As I reached down for it, I slipped and fell in, further slowing down its retrieval. I was sure it was doomed. Doomed! But I pulled it out and drained out the water and took it home and dried it on top of an air filter fan, and to my amazement, no dirt got past into the optics. As good as new. Even with the air bubbles coming out, which means water going in. So it may only be WR but the sealing is no joke. That said, at 300 the (very heavy) DA* 300 prime is so much sharper that I rarely use the 55-300. I compared the 55-300 at 300 with the 100 Macro prime, and I found that a crop on the 100 was the same as the zoom at 300. So I suspect that the 70-210 cropped is as good as the 55-300 at max zoom, or better. So my opinion, if you can't afford a better lens, the 55-300 is really great, but if you can afford something better you'll probably prefer it.
Again I can't advise on sliding down a muddy slope for a quick dip in a pond with your camera & lens but I take my hat off to you for efforts 😂 In all seriousness I'm glad your gear survived the mishap! For me it all depends on what your looking to shoot as to which lens is best suited. It's not all about image quality, the same as it's not all about auto focus speed, weather sealing or even price (to an extent). It boils down to what suits your situation the best. For myself, I need a setup capable of capturing fast action in demanding shooting conditions on a consistent basis, which is why the DFA 70-210 ticks the right boxes for me. A portrait photographer shooting in a studio would go for the setup that serves them best, as would a landscape photographer and a still life photographer. Or we could all contract GAS and buy everything twice 😂 Cheers
Nice review, brilliant photos. The K1 will apply an APSC crop and operate as a 16mp camera with APSC lenses so vignetting shouldn’t be a problem. The more I see of the K3III the more I gravitate towards it.
Thanks mate. Ah that's fair enough, so it sounds like the K1 will only use the centre of the lens when mounting compatible APSC lenses at 16mp? I appreciate the K3iii even more after using it side by side with the original K3, not that the original was a bad camera far from it . . . But the K3iii is just so much better in every sense.
Thank you Lee, valuable information and helpful insight. I use a K3iii and a K1 and I think the 55-300 would be the lens for me. I use a FA 28-105 (sometimes with teleconverter) or the DA* F4 300 but I also have the behemoth FA 150-450. I don't mind some underexposure, I can fix that in Lightroom.
@welshskies Cheers mate. I do miss my DA*50-135 & DA*200 but the old style SDM was just a bit too slow for what I needed, a shame really as the image quality was fantastic! I'm still yet to try the DA*300, from what I've seen/heard it's also pretty great, so I might have to keep my eye out for one of those on the used market.
@@LeeIveson The DA* f4 300 is a great wildlife lens, the image quality is first class. Although I love Pentax I also own an OM-System OM-1 for fast moving subjects, if you get a chance to try one do give it a go, especially with the F4 pro 12-100 lens. I enjoy your channel. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I have not been able to use my Pentax 150- 450 this year I had surgery in June and I'm still not back in shape yet. Is there any recommendations on a better carrying system for that lens other than a monopod over the shoulder as it would be better at the local wetlands than the Pentax 55 - 300 PLM because of the longer reach and sharpness of the lens
Personally, I think the 70-210 is a good value used from the likes of MPB. I have a K3 as well as the K3iii, don't recall noticing much of an issue with the jitters you described with the AF with the 70-210, I may have to try it again as I picked up a K3iii quite soon after so did not use the combo for long. I did notice an improvement in AF on the K3iii when using my Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM, the AF is not especially quick with this lens, but it now locks on so much better.
Yeah the price point of the 70-210 at least here in the UK is pretty high from New. I haven't checked to see what they are going for used, I'll have to take a look. The Sigma 120-400 looks Interesting, I really wish we had more third party choices for the K-mount.
nice video as always. If they make a K-1 III I would end up buying the 70-210mm. but for now and my style of shooting I love my 55-300mm plm on my KF. Cheers
Cheers Lee. That's a good shout, the DFA 70-210 would be amazing on a K1iii if that camera came with the same AF updates the K3iii received. And I don't blame you for sticking with the 55-300 PLM I love mine too!
As I’ve said before I’ve used both but kept the 55-300 PLM and sold the 70-210 which just didn’t suit me at all. That said I still use (occasionally) my old screw drive Pentax F 70-200 which fills my needs.Excellent content though.
I totally get it, and I would say to most that the DA 55-300 PLM is going to be the lens to go for (especially when using older Pentax cameras). It's purely for the reasons I went over that the DFA 70-210 fit's my needs better than the DA 55-300 PLM. But I'll be keeping them both haha! Cheers mate
Personally, I think your spot on. As an owner of the 55-300mm, I can say that the lens is great either way you look at it and the 70-210mm would be more for professional use. I still want it though. LOL😂🤣
Thanks mate. For most I would say go for the DA 55-300 PLM as it can do everything well. It's only due to the needs I have of a lens that the DFA 70-210 is a better fit for me. Now . . . if Pentax ever chuck the PLM into say the DA*50-135 or DA*200 I may need to revisit this (and my bank to see what they can do for me 😂)
Another good comparison video Almost forgot from the last comment that I made I am also talking to a person on eBay about a used excellent condition so they say until I look at the front and rear elements 18-270 for my all over the place camera that lens will actually live on that particular camera which would be the all black version of the K-70 and a 62mm K&F concept dark CPL plus a 10x macro front magnification lens which will come off and a .53 wide angle conversion lens adapter both 62 mm that way I have my all purpose lens put the 10 times conversion in the front for my macro shots Yes the edges will be soft but that's to be expected and if I need to do a wide-angle I have that attached with it as well so I have three lenses all in one I know strange concept so that would be one camera one lens the filter that will stay on the lens and the two small additional filters threaded design extensions
Thanks mate. That's a pretty good idea your looking at doing, your pretty much covered for all ranges with that lens & the adaptors. Granted it won't be the best quality you could get, but your going to find the range you prefer shooting at the most without having to even change your lens!
My experience over the last 2 years with the 55-300 is that the resolution at 300 mm is a bit soft. At 250 mm and below seems good. Several people I know and others on TH-cam have mentioned this. I like the focus speed and the light weight and I use it frequently. However, my go to lens in that range is the DA* 60-250 and I don't mind the slow focus speed for most of what I do.
I would agree that wide open at 300mm my copy is also a little on the soft side, but totally usable. I can imagine the DA* 60-250 is much better than the DA 55-300 PLM optically, but if the SDM in that lens is anything like what my old DA* 50-135 was like then it would most likely frustrate me when trying to capture fast action consistently. As with most things neither lens is the wrong choice, we should all choose what works best for us.
@mitchellwnorowski6747 I have a Pentax K50 I nought the 55-300 PLM lens and my autofocus speed increased quite a bit it is a much better lens for the Pentax system over a Sigma ( 18- 250) which i have and the Tamron( 75- 300 ) which i also have
I can't speak on the Sigma 70-300, but I have a Tamron 70-300. The DA 55-300 PLM is in my opinion the much better lens, I should really do a comparison video on those lenses as it may help anyone on the fence looking at upgrading.
Do you have the link for the tamron version of the 70-210 I've never seen one And I had to cancel the order for the 55 to 300 Red band The guy didn't want to technically sell me the thing and kept telling me take the money and buy something else in my shop I said no I'm going to go ahead and get a cancel on that order so that's a kick what I did and now I'm just waiting for Wanda show up but again I would like to have a link to that 70-210 from Tamron thank you very much
@@LeeIveson BTW Pentax lost me as a 50+years customer Do too much in camera software and hardware that was already being used is now behind payWalls out the ass
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I use the 55-300 PLM a lot, but I recently managed to track down an old film era 80-200 f2..8 powerzoom. Optically it is vastly superior , but it's a heavy beast to carry so I only use it when I know I'm not going to be moving around a lot. It works really well on my K3-iii snd K3. I tend to use the lens with the powerzoom feature switched off as it can be fairly annoying especially if you brush against the zoom ring accidentaly. It might be ok on a tripod, but definitely not for hand carrying especially when you're looking for a wider shot and it decides to zoom out to 200mm. I've used the 55-300 at rally's and mud runs and never had any issues and if you have to move around a lot, the weight saving is a major advantage . Another advantage is the size as it easily fits in a backpack. I wish I could find a dealer who has the newer DA lenses in stock so I could compare the image quality of both with my 80-200 to sed how close it comes At just over £400 used I think it was a bargain as it was much sharper than my friends 70-200 f2.8 Nikon lens on his D850.
Those 80-200 f2.8 are pretty hard to find so well done on that! sounds like you like the 55-300 PLM for the same reason as myself, compact, light-weight good all rounder. I used to own the DA*200 f2.8 prime lens which again optically was top notch, and it was also pretty light been a prime lens. It was the old SDM that was the deciding factor in selling that lens.
Lee
Interesting comparison now I want to take my old Tamron 75 - 300 lens from 2005 and use it on my Pentax k3 Mark 111 camera and see how it performs
Another interesting point I've had the Pentax K3 Mark 111 for close to two years i have used nothing but Pentax weather sealed lenses and I have not had to clean the sensor compared to my other cameras with non weather sealed lenses which I have not used as much and had to clean quite a few times.
Thanks mate. It's interesting trying different lenses on the older camera bodies & then on the K3iii. I sort of wish that I had kept my DA*50-135 & DA*200 so that I could have tried those on the K3iii as it may have helped out to some extent with the slow SDM motors in those lenses?
It's really hard to beat the 55-300 PLM as an all 'rounder lens. Just the range alone is great, the close focus distance is great even zoomed to 300. Its compact, light weight, great image quality for the price and that quick, decisive AF on whichever KAF 4 Pentax camera you mount it to. Going up a tier in the lens range becomes a more "specialist, select your precision tool" where you lose the wide ranging focal length but you gain image quality and muscles due to the heavier duty construction of higher grade lenses. So, ya, as an all 'rounder, the 55-300 PLM all day.
I agree, the DA 55-300 PLM is one of those products that any manufacturer make's that potentially hurt's sales on other products because it's puncing above it's price tag. Again if I could only choose one lens . . . DA 55-300 PLM it is!
I'm one of those "not too many out there" shooting action. All I want is for Pentax to develop an autofocus system that's quick and reliable. It doesn't have to be class-leading with eye AF or special choices for planes, trains, automobiles, etc., just more reliable. My 55-300mm PLM lens was reliable, but it broke, which makes me wonder about the build quality. I would love for Pentax to make the 50-135mm lens with a PLM autofocus system.
Nice to read there's at least another Pentax action shooter!
I would say that what your looking for in terms of autofocus performance already exists in the K3iii. I'm not sure how much better they could take that tech with DSLR's. I think the K3iii is very comparable to the Nikon D500 & Canon 7Dii for autofocus performance, with those two cameras setting the bench mark for APSC DSLR cameras capable of capturing fast action.
I 100% agree I'd also love to see a new variation of the fantastic DA*50-135 with PLM, I've said for a long time that would no doubt be my go too lens!
I dropped my DA 55-300 PLM into a muddy pond. I was at the top of a steep slope, so even though I chased it down the hill, it got there first. I could see where it was because it was sending up air bubbles. Not a good sign! As I reached down for it, I slipped and fell in, further slowing down its retrieval. I was sure it was doomed. Doomed! But I pulled it out and drained out the water and took it home and dried it on top of an air filter fan, and to my amazement, no dirt got past into the optics. As good as new. Even with the air bubbles coming out, which means water going in. So it may only be WR but the sealing is no joke.
That said, at 300 the (very heavy) DA* 300 prime is so much sharper that I rarely use the 55-300. I compared the 55-300 at 300 with the 100 Macro prime, and I found that a crop on the 100 was the same as the zoom at 300. So I suspect that the 70-210 cropped is as good as the 55-300 at max zoom, or better.
So my opinion, if you can't afford a better lens, the 55-300 is really great, but if you can afford something better you'll probably prefer it.
Again I can't advise on sliding down a muddy slope for a quick dip in a pond with your camera & lens but I take my hat off to you for efforts 😂 In all seriousness I'm glad your gear survived the mishap!
For me it all depends on what your looking to shoot as to which lens is best suited. It's not all about image quality, the same as it's not all about auto focus speed, weather sealing or even price (to an extent). It boils down to what suits your situation the best.
For myself, I need a setup capable of capturing fast action in demanding shooting conditions on a consistent basis, which is why the DFA 70-210 ticks the right boxes for me.
A portrait photographer shooting in a studio would go for the setup that serves them best, as would a landscape photographer and a still life photographer.
Or we could all contract GAS and buy everything twice 😂 Cheers
Nice review, brilliant photos. The K1 will apply an APSC crop and operate as a 16mp camera with APSC lenses so vignetting shouldn’t be a problem. The more I see of the K3III the more I gravitate towards it.
Thanks mate. Ah that's fair enough, so it sounds like the K1 will only use the centre of the lens when mounting compatible APSC lenses at 16mp?
I appreciate the K3iii even more after using it side by side with the original K3, not that the original was a bad camera far from it . . . But the K3iii is just so much better in every sense.
Thank you Lee, valuable information and helpful insight. I use a K3iii and a K1 and I think the 55-300 would be the lens for me. I use a FA 28-105 (sometimes with teleconverter) or the DA* F4 300 but I also have the behemoth FA 150-450. I don't mind some underexposure, I can fix that in Lightroom.
@welshskies Cheers mate. I do miss my DA*50-135 & DA*200 but the old style SDM was just a bit too slow for what I needed, a shame really as the image quality was fantastic! I'm still yet to try the DA*300, from what I've seen/heard it's also pretty great, so I might have to keep my eye out for one of those on the used market.
@@LeeIveson The DA* f4 300 is a great wildlife lens, the image quality is first class. Although I love Pentax I also own an OM-System OM-1 for fast moving subjects, if you get a chance to try one do give it a go, especially with the F4 pro 12-100 lens.
I enjoy your channel. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I have not been able to use my Pentax 150- 450 this year I had surgery in June and I'm still not back in shape yet. Is there any recommendations on a better carrying system for that lens other than a monopod over the shoulder as it would be better at the local wetlands than the Pentax 55 - 300 PLM because of the longer reach and sharpness of the lens
Personally, I think the 70-210 is a good value used from the likes of MPB. I have a K3 as well as the K3iii, don't recall noticing much of an issue with the jitters you described with the AF with the 70-210, I may have to try it again as I picked up a K3iii quite soon after so did not use the combo for long. I did notice an improvement in AF on the K3iii when using my Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM, the AF is not especially quick with this lens, but it now locks on so much better.
Yeah the price point of the 70-210 at least here in the UK is pretty high from New. I haven't checked to see what they are going for used, I'll have to take a look. The Sigma 120-400 looks Interesting, I really wish we had more third party choices for the K-mount.
nice video as always. If they make a K-1 III I would end up buying the 70-210mm. but for now and my style of shooting I love my 55-300mm plm on my KF. Cheers
Cheers Lee. That's a good shout, the DFA 70-210 would be amazing on a K1iii if that camera came with the same AF updates the K3iii received. And I don't blame you for sticking with the 55-300 PLM I love mine too!
As I’ve said before I’ve used both but kept the 55-300 PLM and sold the 70-210 which just didn’t suit me at all. That said I still use (occasionally) my old screw drive Pentax F 70-200 which fills my needs.Excellent content though.
I totally get it, and I would say to most that the DA 55-300 PLM is going to be the lens to go for (especially when using older Pentax cameras). It's purely for the reasons I went over that the DFA 70-210 fit's my needs better than the DA 55-300 PLM. But I'll be keeping them both haha! Cheers mate
Personally, I think your spot on. As an owner of the 55-300mm, I can say that the lens is great either way you look at it and the 70-210mm would be more for professional use. I still want it though. LOL😂🤣
Thanks mate. For most I would say go for the DA 55-300 PLM as it can do everything well. It's only due to the needs I have of a lens that the DFA 70-210 is a better fit for me. Now . . . if Pentax ever chuck the PLM into say the DA*50-135 or DA*200 I may need to revisit this (and my bank to see what they can do for me 😂)
Another good comparison video
Almost forgot from the last comment that I made I am also talking to a person on eBay about a used excellent condition so they say until I look at the front and rear elements 18-270 for my all over the place camera that lens will actually live on that particular camera which would be the all black version of the K-70 and a 62mm K&F concept dark CPL plus a 10x macro front magnification lens which will come off and a .53 wide angle conversion lens adapter both 62 mm that way I have my all purpose lens put the 10 times conversion in the front for my macro shots Yes the edges will be soft but that's to be expected and if I need to do a wide-angle I have that attached with it as well so I have three lenses all in one I know strange concept so that would be one camera one lens the filter that will stay on the lens and the two small additional filters threaded design extensions
Thanks mate. That's a pretty good idea your looking at doing, your pretty much covered for all ranges with that lens & the adaptors. Granted it won't be the best quality you could get, but your going to find the range you prefer shooting at the most without having to even change your lens!
My experience over the last 2 years with the 55-300 is that the resolution at 300 mm is a bit soft. At 250 mm and below seems good. Several people I know and others on TH-cam have mentioned this. I like the focus speed and the light weight and I use it frequently. However, my go to lens in that range is the DA* 60-250 and I don't mind the slow focus speed for most of what I do.
I would agree that wide open at 300mm my copy is also a little on the soft side, but totally usable. I can imagine the DA* 60-250 is much better than the DA 55-300 PLM optically, but if the SDM in that lens is anything like what my old DA* 50-135 was like then it would most likely frustrate me when trying to capture fast action consistently. As with most things neither lens is the wrong choice, we should all choose what works best for us.
@@LeeIveson the DA* 50-135 is a good portrait lens for the studio, not action shots.
I shoot birds an k-50 and k-70 with a sigma 70-300. Wondering if the pentax 70-300 plm would be an upgrade for me ? Thanks.
@mitchellwnorowski6747
I have a Pentax K50 I nought the 55-300 PLM lens and my autofocus speed increased quite a bit it is a much better lens for the Pentax system over a Sigma ( 18- 250) which i have and the Tamron( 75- 300 ) which i also have
I can't speak on the Sigma 70-300, but I have a Tamron 70-300. The DA 55-300 PLM is in my opinion the much better lens, I should really do a comparison video on those lenses as it may help anyone on the fence looking at upgrading.
What af setting did you have on the K3iii ie type 1 2 or 3 and stability or tracking modes and do you use back button focus
AF.C | AF Select (S) | AF Point Tracking TYPE 2 | Focus Sensitivity 5
I always use back button AF 👍
@LeeIveson Thanks Lee
Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM Autofocus Lens very good us 900
I'm sure it is fantastic! For the stuff I shoot I think being stuck at 300mm would limit what I could get from the shoot.
Do you have the link for the tamron version of the 70-210 I've never seen one
And I had to cancel the order for the 55 to 300 Red band The guy didn't want to technically sell me the thing and kept telling me take the money and buy something else in my shop I said no I'm going to go ahead and get a cancel on that order so that's a kick what I did and now I'm just waiting for Wanda show up but again I would like to have a link to that 70-210 from Tamron thank you very much
Shame about the 55-300, hopefully another will pop up soon. The Tamron 70-210 is not K-mount compatible, hence the Pentax DFA 70-210.
@@LeeIveson
BTW Pentax lost me as a 50+years customer
Do too much in camera software and hardware that was already being used is now behind payWalls out the ass