SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED: Features

Pentax generally make compact lens designs and this is no exception, tipping the scales at just 440g, or 470g complete with the supplied bayonet hood. This version is the one with metal mount, although a lower cost plastic mount DA-L zoom is available with the same optical construction.

The metal mount version however has the hood included, essential in my opinion, and also the superb Quick Shift function that allows tweaking of the focus point manually, without resorting to switching from AF.

Construction is 12 elements in 8 groups, including an ED, extra-low dispersion glass. Closest focus is a useful 1.4m (4.67 feet), offering 0.28x magnification. Although not a macro lens, this is close for a lens of this focal length.

The lens measures a maximum of 71mm diameter x 111.5mm long, its compact dimensions needing just 58mm filters. Focusing is continuous and there are no macro switches to contend with.

The finish is the usual Pentax black and all the markings are clear and precise. There is a very broad zoom collar, easy to grip even with gloves on, and an adequately sized manual focus collar at the front of the lens.

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