Pentax DA* 300mm F4?????

rdrum76 · 08-19-2007, 06:21 AM

First off, does anyone think the Pentax DA* 300mm F4 will be on time??

Second, does it pay to wait for this critter and go 2xTC to use for wildlife??
(600mm lens, too much!)

If so, which TC that won't damage the DA element??

Last, has anyone heard of future DA* TCs from Pentax?

Thanks to all!

roscot · 08-19-2007, 06:29 AM

Don't know, but I'm waiting for this lens my self.

rdrum76 · 08-19-2007, 06:38 AM

What will you use your 300 for?

Tom Lusk · 08-19-2007, 08:03 AM

My guess is that it may be up to a year late from the original roadmap.

Also- who knows what the DA*300 will cost? $1500+?

Pentax can't seem to be able to produce any volume of lenses even with the help of their Vietnamese facilities.

Have you considered an FA*300 , F*300 or A*300?

Proven IQ at relatively reasonable cost, and work well with TC's.

rdrum76 · 08-19-2007, 08:28 AM

What would be the best brand TC for the F* 300?

Do you think I could use a 2X TC?

The quick difference between FA*; F*300 and A*?

Thanks

*borno* · 08-19-2007, 12:44 PM

hey rdrum, I think the problem with a 2x and a 300mm f4 may be tough to focus. I have a tamron 300mm f2.8 manuel (manual) focus and with the 2x it's hard for me to get it focussed when i'm in a hurry. Bird in flight is tough to follow with 600mm too. I'm getting a 1.5x for mine now and will post some samples when I get it. Here is one with 2x 300mm f2.8 tamron hand-held from my truck had to sharpen +2 in PPL and +1 in faststone after resizing and cropped some. still not too bad I think- might be just as good with a 1.5x and cropped- I'll have to do some testing. The pentax is no doubt sharper.

vievetrick · 08-20-2007, 07:45 AM

Not to get to far from the subject but WOW TOM. That is an amazing shot. Sure the sticks are a little distracting but that is a good sized fish in his claw.

*borno* · 08-20-2007, 02:04 PM

thanks pat,
It would have been nice except for those durn sticks

I think 2x tc would be good for 8x10 with a good lens maybe a little bigger but I have a hard time focusing maybe I'll get a focusing magnifier and see how it goes.

roy · 08-21-2007, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by borno

hey rdrum, I think the problem with a 2x and a 300mm f4 may be tough to focus. I have a tamron 300mm f2.8 manuel (manual) focus and with the 2x it's hard for me to get it focussed when i'm in a hurry. Bird in flight is tough to follow with 600mm too. I'm getting a 1.5x for mine now and will post some samples when I get it. Here is one with 2x 300mm f2.8 tamron hand-held from my truck had to sharpen +2 in PPL and +1 in faststone after resizing and cropped some. still not too bad I think- might be just as good with a 1.5x and cropped- I'll have to do some testing. The pentax is no doubt sharper.

i got that lens yesterday and i can't see how anything else could be sharper. amazing piece of glass.. here's a shot at 2.8, PPed, 100% crop out of the center from about 80yards..
edit: the jeep is about 15'' long

*borno* · 08-21-2007, 02:30 PM

I'll bet I paid more for mine

roy · 08-21-2007, 04:13 PM

i know you did!!
probably 4x as much

this is an amazing lens. it's certainly sharper wide open than my 500/4.5.. not much but it is.

rdrum76 · 08-21-2007, 08:28 PM

Thank you.

I am so torn of how to get to 600mm....I need $$...

IS there any chance either pentax or a 3rd party designs a new 600mm?????????

The lack of production has put a premium on this focal length. Argh..

roy · 08-22-2007, 04:37 AM

the 600s are a feat just to make in speed of 5.6 or less. it's an expensive venture for a maker with little calling. they're just too expensive to make. i know pentax use to make them by special order.. oh, for about 6-7000usd old dollars.. there's 1 on ebay ,f5.6, right now for $2500.. one bid..

Tbear · 08-22-2007, 09:52 AM

I asked the same question about the estimated cost on the Pentax SLR DPR forum and the consensus is that it will cost about $800-$1100. Of course, it is still anybody's guess right now.

Regards,

Ted