Pentax HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR Lens

A zoom lens is by nature a bit of a compromise, but the compromises this one makes fit a lot of people's needs well. It's not excessively large and heavy and thus good for shooting wildlife and sports where a lens with a larger aperture would have needed a larger/heavier front element to gather that extra light, thus making the whole affair unwieldy when you're trying to swiftly swivel the camera to keep up with the action. But it'll still open plenty wide even at 300mm to capture a seagull in mid-flight in sharp focus with the sea nicely out of focus behind him. The only real warning I have is that this is *not* a macro lens. If you think you're going to get an ultra-tight view of a bee that is on a flower three feet away from you, think again. It won't focus that close. It's a lens for shooting wildlife and sports at greater than arms length distances, generally in full daylight, and for that purpose it shoots amazingly distortion-free and sharp at both the near and far ends of its zoom range where most zoom lenses really only work well in the middle of their zoom range. It is also relatively fast to focus despite the screw drive, which is always helpful when attempting to catch a flock of pelicans in mid-flight. Only real downside is the cost of the WR model versus the non-WR model of this lens. Surely seals can't be that expensive? Still, if you have a Pentax body this is the best zoom of its type (i.e. relatively compact 50-300mm class zooms for photographing wildlife and sports), handily beating the third-party offerings in quality and, of course, weather resistance (the WR part of the model number).

I purchased this zoom lens for my Pentax K-70. This lens is very well built. It's a bit heavy but not too heavy. The auto-focusing is quite loud and not the fastest (my Sony G series zoom/prime lenses are much faster at focusing, for example) but it works fine. Furthermore, this lens takes some getting used to in terms of using it correctly. When the lens is zoomed in to 200-300mm, it is very hard to get a sharp image without a tripod, so definitely have one handy if you plan on capturing subjects far away. The lens hood is very nice and I like how it clips onto the perimeter of the len's body. Overall, I recommend this lens as a good starter lens for your Pentax camera.

I have heard a lot of good things about this lens but don't really need this lens since I have Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Sigma 100-300 f/4, Pentax 50-135 f/2.8. I bought it because I need WR even though the Pentax 50-135 is WR but the range is a little on the short side. I was not expecting much optically. It shares the same optical formula as the DA-L version which is priced very competitive. However, I am extremely happy with image quality. I have little concerns using it in place of the other three, However, I must emphasize that the aperture is definitely on the slow side. Subject background isolation is limited. Nov 12 2014 update: I have used it a couple times since the original review but there is no change in opinion. I want to update because I found out that it works really well with an inexpensive 1.4X tele-converter (Vivitar Series 1 1.4X TC). The combination in conjunction with a K-5 IIs had no problem focusing under fairly dim condition at all focal lengths. IQ is more than acceptable even wide open, at least in the center. With this result, I decided that I will only bring this zoom for an upcoming trip to cover the tele part of the focal length instead of the three faster zooms mentioned above.

I purchased this for a specific purpose, team sports (my kids school athletic events). It was a good decision. The zoom is very good, effective 82 to 450mm on the Pentax K3 II. It is reasonably sharp, and the f4 to f5.8 range is excellent for daylight long distance (track, soccer, etc). I have yet to have a chance to use it for night time sports. Since they play in a small school league, the average football game is lit by what feels like 2 150 watt light bulbs at opposite ends of a 100 yard black tunnel. I look forward to seeing what this lens will do. The lens is not as sharp as I would like, it feels ever so slightly soft, but I am also investigating the cameras jpg conversion function as well as other functions that may affect apparent sharpness. Focus is fast, and usually precise, but in "burst" mode the camera loses focus on rapidly moving targets (like runners coming towards you). This could be the camera or the lens. For tracking sideways motion with decent depth of field it is not noticable. The brightness and ease of zoom make this a joy to use to find and center on tight action shots. However, as an overall sports lens, not overly expensive, lens for the K3 II it's really a great value. Recommended.

First time using a lens not made before the 80s and works great. The motor is a bit noisy but it works very quickly and precisely. It is on the noisy side but the birds don't seem to care.

It is well made and VERY sharp. Wish it had a fast lens and wish it did 18 to 300. That would make it the perfect all round lens. I sent it back because it can only focus about 5 to 6 feet away from the object. Bought a lens that focused within 13 inches, but alas, it is not a Pentax and not weatherproof. And almost as sharp. There are trade offs, this is NOT a macro lens and does not focus close, but it is FAST focus an great for sports etc that are more than 6 feet from you. I love the Pentax quality. I do a lot of flowers and wildlife that is closer that 6 foot. Other than that I liked the lens.

I was lucky enough to find mine on Amazon used as new for a good price. I’m a photography enthusiast with several Pentax items,but I’m not a pixel peeper who can give detailed information about a lens.Bottom line for me…I unboxed it and immediately shot motorsports.I felt the right from camera images were sharp and had honest color. At most I carry two lenses.This will be one of the two. My advice on reading reviews is this.Know what you want and don’t want.What shortcomings would cause you no issue.And what you get for the money.

Very satisfied with this lens. I am only getting back into SLR photography after a number of years using point-and-shoot digitals so don't feel like I have the expertise to comment on the optics and all the technical aspects...I do know that it feels solid, it responds quickly and smoothly when auto-focus kicks in, and the zoom ring is solid, yet smooth. This lens was a quick replacement for a Sigma 70-300 zoom that had a very quirky feel in the zoom ring...once it hit about 200mm, it would only move in jumps and bumps to get to 300mm. It may have been a unit problem - I've had other Sigma lenses that worked just fine - but I knew immediately, I wouldn't be happy with that feel. Upgraded to the Pentax and it feels much better.

PENTAX K-3に装着。18-55、50-200、 18-135mmなどのラインナップに中距離から遠距離撮影を一本でカバーしてくれて重宝しています。

Perfecto. Es un lente anterior, ya existe una versión nueva. Pero este es un lente medio paso más luminoso. Enfoca perfecto y ls imágenes son nítidas (aun en ISO-1600).

Excellent objectif. Excellent rapport qualité prix. Le piqué est bien meilleur que sur le 50mm 200mm, même à 300 mm. Très très bon pour l'animalier notamment, d'autant qu'avec son faible encombrement une fois replié, il peut s'emporter dans toutes les aventures. Ouverture faiblarde à 300mm mais à ce prix là, pour un boitier tropicalisé et avec la finition Pentax, on peut se lancer les yeux fermés !

Pentax Obiettivo HD DA, 55-300 mm, F/4-5.8 ED WR - rapporto prezzo/prestazioni *** ottimo ** Premesso che non sono un fotografo professionista, la mia recensione cerca di fornire delle informazioni oggettive per permettere di avere più informazioni nella valutazione del proprio acquisto. Detto questo non vi tedierò con tutti i dettagli tecnici reperibili ovunque ma cercherò di riassumere quelle che sono le caratteristiche un po' meno note. --- La garanzia è 2 anni e europea, pertanto nella valutazione del prezzo considerate che una garanzia italiana fornisce 4 anni di garanzia --- Intanto partiamo dalla confezione esterna marcata RICOH. All'interno troviamo l'obiettivo con in dotazione il paraluce circolare (più ovviamente i due classici tappi anteriore e posteriore), il tutto contenuto nella custodia antistrappo, antipioggia ed anche imbottita. Sono presenti inoltre garanzia (europea) e manualetto (1 pagina) in lingua inglese. - Il peso dell'obiettivo e paraluce è di circa 530 grammi. - Il diametro frontale è di mm 58 - I materiali di costruzione sono tangibili e si sente la classica qualità Pentax, l'intero obiettivo è considerato WR (Weather resistant). - Le lenti sono trattate con il processo Pentax "HD High Definition" - La messa a fuoco minima è purtroppo a circa 1,5mt - Non ha possibilità di selezione meccanica/ottica della modalità marco - Ha la funzione quick focus che permette di lavorare contemporaneamente con l'autofocus in prima battuta e, se necessario, utilizzare la ghiera manuale per un ulteriore affinamento (più facile a farlo che non a spiegarlo). Inoltre, sempre nella fase affinamento, sulla mia Pentax K-x, è sempre disponibile l'avviso acustico ed ottico della corretta messa a fuoco. - Il motore di messa a fuoco è il classico Pentax degli obiettivi in dotazione sempre molto veloce. Ovviamente alle focali estreme bisogna abituarsi anche interagendo con la modalità di messa a fuoco. - Non certo è luminosissimo ma su questa fascia di prezzo non credo si possa trovre di meglio ed in ogni caso si comporta bene anche con luminosità non ottimale (foto scattate pomeriggio di marzo, giornata un po nuvolosa) - Acquistato da Amazon a circa 320 euro può essere considerato superiore ad altri (non Pentax) sulla stessa fascia di prezzo anche per la perfetta integrazione tra obiettivo e corpo macchina. Per quanto riguarda la resa credo che la cosa migliore sia vedere le foto scattate a 300 mm, ad una distanza massima di 15 metri (alcune intorno ai 4) con la macchina Pentax K-x a 12 MegaPixel. Le foto non hanno subito ritocchi e tranne che per il soggetto luna (utilizzo del cavalletto e posa manuale) tutte le foto sono state scattate a mano libera con la "shake reduction" attivo utilizzando l'autofocus. Rimango comunque disponibile per eventuali domande su quanto descritto. Grazie per aver letto questa recensione,spero ti sia stata utile.

This is a favourite lens for my older Pentax. Love the range. Have not been able to find a similar range for my newer camera. This lens makes a day out so easy because you’re carting only one lens instead of several. It is easy to use. Very versatile lens.