I received my own DA55-300 yesterday, so here are a few of the obligatory first shots.

Firstly, I was surprised that it came with it's own lens pouch, usually they only come with the more expensive lenses.

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9150%20copy.jpg

It's not much longer than the DA 16-45 at it's shortest.

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9152%20copy.jpg

Went for our usual Sunday stroll around Slimbridge Wildfowl Reserve and saw this sign and thought of our friends in Oz and couldn't resist. ];-)

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9332SP%20copy.jpg

Some bird shots

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9313SP%20copy.jpg

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9315SP%20copy.jpg

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9326SP%20copy.jpg

Does it work with the Tamron 1.4x TC? Yes it does, and seem's pretty reasonable, but is it better to crop than use the TC? You judge! (Taken with tripod and 2 sec mirror up delay.)

Without TC

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9302SP%20copy.jpg

With TC

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9301SP%20copy.jpg

100% crop without TC

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9302SP%20copy%202.jpg

Resized to match and 100% crop with TC

http://www.bitz4.co.uk/richard/photog/DA55-300/RGD_080713_9301SP%20copy%202.jpg

What do I think of the lens?

It feels nicer in use than my Tamron 70-300 LD Di, the AF seems to be more positive, although still not the fastest kid on the block, I used the quickshift to get reasonable focus and then use the AF to nail it, that prevents any tendency to hunt. Zoom action is nice and smooth, seems to expose better and is less variable. The 55mm end is nice to have. I don't miss the macro feature as I'd rather use a proper macro lens, I was never that impressed with the Tamrons macro performance. Really nice colours and balanced through the zoom range (where the Tammy tends to get a bit muddy at the long end) and appears sharp through the range. I have done some comparisons and the Pentax is a bit sharper, especially as you stop down, it just gets better and better, where the Tamron tends to peak and fall away. Still has some lateral CA which is correctable, but the big bonus is that the PF is gone (especially with sunlight reflections off water)! :-)

It will do very nicely as a lightweight wide range tele-zoom. I suspect I will keep it in my lightweight day bag even when the DA*60-250 arrives, due to it's size, as the DA* isn't going to be a small light lens!
--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK