Summary: Nice telephoto zoom

Comment: A very nice telephoto zoom, but a bit lacking in light gathering since the lowest f number is 4. Just getting started using it and have some excellent fall pictures.

Summary: pentax da 55-300mm ed lens

Comment: lens is awesome - some minor focus issues as with all the pentax products but the lens is what I needed for sports photography (indoors with a flash)

Summary: Excellent lens and value

Comment: Excellent Image Quality, Solid with good balance. I have shot several soccer matches and wildlife photos with my K20D without any problems. Good results at 300mm handheld with shake reduction ON and shutter speed > 1/250 sec.

Summary: There is better for less!

Comment: First of all, no, this is not a bad lens. I love Pentax lenses. However, you can get a better Pentax lens for a lot cheaper. I currently have the FA J 75-300mm (made originally for 35mm cameras, but works great with digital). I bought the DA lens thinking it would be an upgrade. I did a lens comparison test by shooting items using both lenses and the exact same settings and focal lengths on a tripod. I wasn't originally doing this to see which lens was better, as I was sure it would be the DA 55-300mm. I just wanted to see how much better the DA was. Well, it turns out, the FA J 75-300mm had sharper images, across the board. I was blown away! I got that lens a year or so ago on Amazon due to the low price of 125.00, which is less than half the cost of this one. Now, the DA is of sturdier construction, it has a little more focal length (55-74), and it seems it may focus a bit quicker. However, that (to me) does not trump the fact the FA J is a sharper picture and it costs so much less.

Summary: Pentax 55-300mm zoom with Pentax K10D camera

Comment: I was worried about this lens because of the confusing reviews on several "pro" websites. I shoot weddings and needed a fairly fast lens for candid distance shots and headshots. I am extremely pleased with the lens upon shooting my first wedding with it in an evening setting.One picture from 60 ft of a guest reclining in the shade was very impressive. It was so sharp that the hairs on the back of his hand were clearly visable in Photoshop when zooming at 200X. I can't afford an F2.8 lens yet but this f4 lens with the internal Image Stabilization of the K10D definitely will do for now. It is lightweight and has no problems focusing sharply. The minimum 55mm range was perfect for shooting across tables in reception hall shots.