Great review Lee. I was on the fence, tossing and turning at night while sleeping with a constant argument of which 55-300 to get. The HD or the HD PLM. After I finally locked up my nonsensical self in a dungeon, I made the PLM purchase. I honestly think that lens was an accident lol. No lens at that price should be able to put out the quality this delivers. I mean, creamy bokeh at F/8 and F/11? Perfectly sharp wide open? It's the best accident I've ever witnessed.
Lee I just bought this lens, I've had it for 2 days and I've done some test photos, I think it's a good lens I do not think it's a fantastic lens what makes it fantastic is the price the image quality is good to great with my copy, I might have some back focus issues because I've been doing some close-ups of flowers K3 on a tripod with plenty of light. This lens is almost as good as my 50 mm 1.7 m. I guess that says a lot right? Yes I think most people will be happy with this lens except for those that are expecting $3,000 image quality. Great video thank you very much.
This was my second lens purchase after the 18-55 kit with my K-70 a couple of years ago. I agree with everything you said, especially about not spooking wildlife.
Lee I got my 55-300 two weeks ago also I have not used it on my K70 yet but I used it on my K-50 killer lens for wildlife Super fast focus . I went hiking this afternoon and took my *istDL ( lightest camera) with my Tamron 28- 200 I could not believe how noisy and slow the focus was compared to the PLM lens
Great review, Lee. I had the immediate predecessor to this and loved it - apart from the screw drive! As soon as I knew this one was going to be availabe, I pre-ordered it and I have never been disappointed with it. The only gripe I have with it is the two-stage zoom, i.e. the two tubes, instead of the single tube on the earlier model. To me, it's not such a smooth zoom action but that small annoyance is far outweighed by the sheer performance on my K-3 II. Now all I want is for Pentax to bring out a PLM version of the 200mm f2.8 to replace my SDM version. Along with my 16-85mm DC lens, to me, I would have the perfect lens combination.
I'm so intrigued now that I own the HD DA version how much better this one is. I know the focusing would be a big benefit from what I've read, but now I'm curious about the sharpness. I have to shoot my HD DA at f11 at the long end, anything below just doesn't cut it. And I'm not even that picky lol. Would be neat if I could get away with f8 or maybe lower.. anyway, thanks for the info.
Just watched your video, Nice! I have not used the HD copy. I used the 1st version years ago. It was very good. Better than the Tamron 70-300mm. I am not sure but the HD might be the same optics as the original da just with HD coating. Pentax did that with several lens. I remember reading a Pentax forums article test comparing the smc to HD coating. There really wasn't a difference. As far as sharpness, I would always stop down to f/8 at 300mm for better sharpness with any xx-300mm zoom. I was shocked that I didn't have to stop down the PLM at 300mm. It is sharp wide open.
While I like the enthusiasm around this lens, its not DA* quality. The PLM is very good because it has to be nowadays, as certain mirrorless manufacturers have put out kit lenses with sharpness double the resolution of dslr kit lenses. The DA* 60-250mm still takes the PLM to school on sharpness and IQ. Pentax forums did an article comparing the two lenses, I can't find the article now - maybe they took it down - but the 60-250mm is still boss!
@@scottl3739 Nowhere does he state this lenses diaphram is electronically controlled and incompatible with many older cameras like my K5. It's useless to me.
Really? I'm shooting birds but it is quitr hard to find consumer supertelephoto zoom for pentax. If the PLM works great with 1.4 tc, i ma give it a try.
@@alexmurdock9694 exactly! No long zoom live for Pentax from Tamron or Sigma (Pentax 150-450mm $1,800!); just ran across possibility of using this with teleconverter-otherwise, next option is buy another camera (Canon and a 100-400mm or 150-600 to have a better wildlife setup; keep Pentax for other pictures). Would be great if you could post if you try telex option THANKS
Hi Lee, my copy (on a KP) can't do AF in live view mode when I press shutter button, regardless of settings, scenes or focal lengths that I tried. Any ideas?. Weird thing is no issue through view finder, or video mode.
With my K-5, I use the older 55-300 DA ED WR with the Pentax 1.4X teleconverter and have seen quite acceptable IQ with that. Not quite as sharp as my Pentax 300 mm prime and, I'm sure, the PLM Lee reviewed, but pretty decent, I think, for wildlife / nature photography.
Lens "only wide open" on my K10D, K5 or K-01. C'mon Lee, got to worn us older Pentaxians when a reviewing new lens that won't stop down and is incompatible with older models.
Great review Lee. I was on the fence, tossing and turning at night while sleeping with a constant argument of which 55-300 to get. The HD or the HD PLM. After I finally locked up my nonsensical self in a dungeon, I made the PLM purchase. I honestly think that lens was an accident lol. No lens at that price should be able to put out the quality this delivers. I mean, creamy bokeh at F/8 and F/11? Perfectly sharp wide open? It's the best accident I've ever witnessed.
I bought this lens a few weeks ago after this review brought it to my attention and I was not disappointed.
Glad you like
Thanks, Lee. Shared to Pentaxians United.
Lee I just bought this lens, I've had it for 2 days and I've done some test photos, I think it's a good lens I do not think it's a fantastic lens what makes it fantastic is the price the image quality is good to great with my copy, I might have some back focus issues because I've been doing some close-ups of flowers K3 on a tripod with plenty of light. This lens is almost as good as my 50 mm 1.7 m.
I guess that says a lot right?
Yes I think most people will be happy with this lens except for those that are expecting $3,000 image quality.
Great video thank you very much.
This was my second lens purchase after the 18-55 kit with my K-70 a couple of years ago. I agree with everything you said, especially about not spooking wildlife.
Lee
I got my 55-300 two weeks ago also I have not used it on my K70 yet but I used it on my K-50 killer lens for wildlife Super fast focus . I went hiking this afternoon and took my *istDL ( lightest camera) with my Tamron 28- 200 I could not believe how noisy and slow the focus was compared to the PLM lens
Great review, Lee.
I had the immediate predecessor to this and loved it - apart from the screw drive! As soon as I knew this one was going to be availabe, I pre-ordered it and I have never been disappointed with it. The only gripe I have with it is the two-stage zoom, i.e. the two tubes, instead of the single tube on the earlier model. To me, it's not such a smooth zoom action but that small annoyance is far outweighed by the sheer performance on my K-3 II. Now all I want is for Pentax to bring out a PLM version of the 200mm f2.8 to replace my SDM version. Along with my 16-85mm DC lens, to me, I would have the perfect lens combination.
I have the K70 with 18-135 kit plus the 50mm. This could be a nice addition for my set. Thanks for the review.
I'm so intrigued now that I own the HD DA version how much better this one is. I know the focusing would be a big benefit from what I've read, but now I'm curious about the sharpness. I have to shoot my HD DA at f11 at the long end, anything below just doesn't cut it. And I'm not even that picky lol. Would be neat if I could get away with f8 or maybe lower.. anyway, thanks for the info.
Just watched your video, Nice! I have not used the HD copy. I used the 1st version years ago. It was very good. Better than the Tamron 70-300mm. I am not sure but the HD might be the same optics as the original da just with HD coating. Pentax did that with several lens. I remember reading a Pentax forums article test comparing the smc to HD coating. There really wasn't a difference. As far as sharpness, I would always stop down to f/8 at 300mm for better sharpness with any xx-300mm zoom. I was shocked that I didn't have to stop down the PLM at 300mm. It is sharp wide open.
In case you missed the wide open comparison video ua-cam.com/video/7-MuhqkcBUQ/v-deo.html
Great lens without compromise! Great review! Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Just got mine today, a new one, from B & H for $396. Fits nice on my K-3ii. Thanks for the recommendation!
Enjoy it
While I like the enthusiasm around this lens, its not DA* quality. The PLM is very good because it has to be nowadays, as certain mirrorless manufacturers have put out kit lenses with sharpness double the resolution of dslr kit lenses. The DA* 60-250mm still takes the PLM to school on sharpness and IQ. Pentax forums did an article comparing the two lenses, I can't find the article now - maybe they took it down - but the 60-250mm is still boss!
Why would anyone give this a thumbs down?
@@rayjennings3637 that makes perfect sense now... I guess someone always has to hate.
@@scottl3739 Nowhere does he state this lenses diaphram is electronically controlled and incompatible with many older cameras like my K5. It's useless to me.
Informative.....It.would be very interestimg to see that comparison to a set up of 3000.
WOW ... this lens is really great
hmm i was saving for the DA* 300 but i after see that chimp monk i am having second thoughts xD
Great review Mr Lee, like comment and I subscribed
Much appreciated!
Now the birds will only get spooked by the extremely loud shutter of the k70
I use this lens with a 1.4 teleconverter to shoot dragonflies. The sharpness is incredible.
Really? I'm shooting birds but it is quitr hard to find consumer supertelephoto zoom for pentax. If the PLM works great with 1.4 tc, i ma give it a try.
@@alexmurdock9694 exactly! No long zoom live for Pentax from Tamron or Sigma (Pentax 150-450mm $1,800!); just ran across possibility of using this with teleconverter-otherwise, next option is buy another camera (Canon and a 100-400mm or 150-600 to have a better wildlife setup; keep Pentax for other pictures). Would be great if you could post if you try telex option
THANKS
Hi Lee, my copy (on a KP) can't do AF in live view mode when I press shutter button, regardless of settings, scenes or focal lengths that I tried.
Any ideas?.
Weird thing is no issue through view finder, or video mode.
How does it act on a K1ii ???
see it here ua-cam.com/video/qlXygtZ5ipQ/v-deo.html
Is this lens weather sealed?
yes WR weather resistant
Good with a K1?
in crop mode yes
Did you shoot this video with the Pentax K70?
yes most of reviews I do are shot with the k-70
Having a K-5 and a K-1, the PLM version unfortunately would not be a good choice for me.
With my K-5, I use the older 55-300 DA ED WR with the Pentax 1.4X teleconverter and have seen quite acceptable IQ with that. Not quite as sharp as my Pentax 300 mm prime and, I'm sure, the PLM Lee reviewed, but pretty decent, I think, for wildlife / nature photography.
Lens "only wide open" on my K10D, K5 or K-01. C'mon Lee, got to worn us older Pentaxians when a reviewing new lens that won't stop down and is incompatible with older models.
I do hope that those are Zildjian's cymbals.