Pentax-DA HD 55-300mm f4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens

The Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4.5-6.3 PLM WR is a compact, weather-resistant telephoto lens designed for use with Pentax KAF4-mount DSLRs, such as the K-70, K-1, K-3 II, K-S2 and K-S1. It provides focal lengths of between 84.5-460mm when used on an APS-C sensor camera, and has an upgraded AF system that assures quiet, high-speed AF operation, particularly when used with the new Pentax K-70. At just 89mm in length and an approximate weight of 442g, it is entirely weather-sealed, making it a convenient lens to use when shooting outdoors. Incorporating extra-low dispersion (ED) elements in its optics, the Pentax 55-300mm f4.5-6.3 WR Lens is guaranteed to deliver high-resolution, fine-detailed images with rich contrast.

Key Features: Pentax 55-300mm f4.5-6.3 DA PLM WR Lens

• Short minimum focusing distance of 0.95m
• KAF4 is PENTAX's first K-mount with electromagnetic diaphragm control system for a quiet sound operation during movie recording
• Rear focus system and PLM (pulse motor), direct drive lead screw system for a High-speed AF
• Compact telephoto zoom lens thanks to its collapsible structure
• Weather-resistant construction
• ED lens elements for brilliant sharpness and saturated colours
• HD coating to optimize light transmittance and minimize reflection
• Quick-Shift Focus System to instantly change the AF mode to MF by twisting the focus ring
• SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease
• Rounded diaphragm to produce a beautiful bokeh

Pentax lens compatibility:

This lens features a KAF4 lens mount compatible with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system. In order to use this lens, the camera's firmware must be upgraded to the latest version (except for the Pentax K-70). If this lens is mounted on a camera without proper firmware upgrade, its diaphragm control mechanism becomes inactive, making it impossible to obtain correct exposure. Cameras compatible with this system: PENTAX K-70, K-1, K-3 II, K-S2 and K-S1.

Firmware Downloads

Check out the latest firmware and software updates from PENTAX to enhance the performance of your digital camera.

High-Speed AF Operation

• The focusing lens is driven using a pulse motor (PLM) which allows the zoom lens to operate faster, by approximately 8.3 times at its wide-angle end and 1.7 times at its telephoto lens, and quieter than the existing model (HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4-5.8ED WR).
• An improved AF algorithm exchanges AF data between the new Pentax K-70 Digital SLR camera and the lens, to provide smoother and faster AF operation with dimly lit subjects, and greater precision.
• The rear-focus system means that the focusing lens is approximately 93.6 percent lighter than the existing model (HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4-5.8ED WR).

Quiet AF Operation

This is the first K-mount lens to feature an electromagnetic diaphragm control system. When used in combination with the new Pentax K-70 digital SLR camera, it can shift the aperture and exposure settings automatically, and has a smooth AF tracking operation.

High Quality Images

• The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE lens has 14 element, 11 group optics with an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) optical element to minimise spherical and chromatic aberrations while delivery high-resolution, fine-detailed images with rich contrast.
• This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.95m, and a zoom of 84.5-460mm (in the 35mm/APS-C format).

Compact and Portable

The lens is only 89mm long due to its retractable (RE) construction, and weighs just 442mm (with the lens hood removed).

Weather-Resistant Construction

This lens features a dependable weather-resistant construction consisting of 11 sealing parts that prevents the intrusion of water into the lens. Combine this lens with a weather-resistant Pentax Digital SLR camera body to create a durable digital imaging system that will perform even in the most demanding environments.

HD Coating

Treated with high-grade, multi-layer HD (High Definition) coating, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE Lens is guaranteed to have higher light transmittance and less reflection, allowing it to deliver bright, high contrast images free of flare and ghost images.

Other Features:

• Quick-Shift Focus System allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation, even when the camera's AF system is in operation.
• SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease
• Rounded diaphragm with nine blades to produce a smooth, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.

Lens terminology breakdown:

• HD - HD Coating
• DA - Digital, for APS-C sensors
• ED - Extra Low Dispersion to reduce chromatic aberration
• PLM - Pulse Motor
• WR - Weather Resistant
• RE - Retractable