I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): N/A
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Tripod mount, solid build, optical quality, built in hood
Cons:
Bit on the heavy side...
This is a lovely lens.. Fantastic optical quality, slightly above in my opinion the Canon equivelant, though much smaller and still very well constructed... Optically it is the same as the FA version, but I prefer this one due to the tripod mount..
Minimum focus distance is around 2 meters which can mean some nice closeups with the equiv. FOV of 450mm on our APS DSLRs.. It has a 67mm thread for filters and comes in at just under 900gm..
No problems on any Pentax DSLRs focuses accurately no FF or BF issues at all to speak of..
Built in hood is handy (one less thing to forget), it unscrews ad slides out then screws into place securely.. Tripod mount is removable when you don't need it.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $1,250.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
sharp, vivid detail, excellent bokeh
Cons:
autofocus hunts quite a bit and is a bit slow
I've been looking for a very sharp lens in this mm range and after reading the 2 prior comments and other online reviews, paid a small fortune on ebay. It is worth every penny. Whenever I shake my head over the amount paid, I just call up a few images and GRIN! Handheld shots are possible and the tripod mount is a huge +. If you are fanatical about sharp, sharp detail, don't hesitate over cost, just buy one and enjoy. I sold this one when i accidentally won another on ebay for less $s. Both were equal in performance.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): N/A
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Relatively compact, extremely sharp and positive auto-focus..
Cons:
The cost now is considerably higher than when new.
I've owned dozens of Pentax lenses thru the film and now digital years. The 300mm while not used often has produced some magnificent images.
Art Ketchum
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $930.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Sharp with excellent bokeh and beautiful color rendition
Cons:
if any slight cons it would be slow and somewhat noisy autofocus
This lens delivers sharp, detailed images with beautiful bokeh and color, excellent build quality. I use it for birding and have had superb results. On APS C sensor its a 450mm equivalent. Buy one, you will never regret it.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $850.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
sharp right from f4.5
Cons:
the lousy grey paint
Used for shooting aerial displays. Never let me down. Now used on K10D, its even better. Wonder how the DA300 is going to top this one.
Oh, I prefer this to the FA version because it has a retractable hood and a removable tripod mount.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $1,200.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Sharp, contrasty, nice colors, no chromatic aberrations
Cons:
Bokeh can be a bit unpleasant at times
A great telephoto lens able to capture sharp, contrasty, pictures with glorious colors, even when used wide open. It exhibits a remarkably small amount of chromatic aberrations for a lens of this focal length and those are never visible on the printouts, even with dark subjects shot against a bright sky.
The bokeh can be a wee bit disturbing on some pictures, but this is only apparent on very few pictures and doesn't impair global image quality that much.
The lens is very well constructed and feels sturdy. It looks much better than the FA version IMHO and has two advantages over its more recent sibling: a removable tripod mount as well as a built-in collapsible hood.
Some will say its main drawback is that it's only F/4.5. Maybe, but then it's fully usable wide open and also much smaller and lighter than an F/2.8 behemoth. It's also much easier to carry in the bag just in case and easier to use handheld to shoot the unexpected.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $600.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
*Really Sharp*, compact, well built, sweet bokeh
Cons:
no AF limiter
Managed to find one of these beauties in a local camera shop for £300 and it is worth every penny.
Wide open the lens is pin-sharp, beats the resolution on the K20D and produces wonderful 8x10 prints from Ilford FP4 (pushed to ISO200). As the lens performs fantastically wide open the relatively slow f/4.5 is not a problem and gives really powerful bokeh. The compact size makes it great for birding, airshows etc and I don't find the weight too much of a problem. The tripod mount is useful, and a valuable feature over the FA version as is the built-in hood.
Only feature lacking is an AF limiter although for my purposes the AF speed is more than adequate, although hunting can be an issue in lower light.
If you find one, buy it!! It's an incredible bit of glass.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): N/A
| Rating: N/A
Pros:
Cons:
I have not had a chance to review the lens I just purchased it off ebay and it will be here soon. I did have one question for anyone that has this lens. I purchased the lens without the mounting collar and would like to get one... does anyone have any suggestions where I can pick one up. Thanks in advance for your help! I will post my review once I have a change to use it. I shoot mostly soccer pics and am very excited to get it and give it a go. Cheers!
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): $554.00
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Ultra Sarp, Great Bokeh,
Cons:
Just a Tad slow on AF but acceptable
I use this lens for my wildlife photography mostly the canvas back ducks on lake Saint Clair, Next to the SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro. This lens is just as sharp. When considering the different range between the two. These are the sharpest lenses that Pentax has ever made hands down.
Then lets consider bokeh it is simply wonderful. This lens is pretty rare and hard to find and at nearly a thousand dollars if one can afford it. It is worth every penny spent.
Skooterman In response to the mount, You may want to contact
PENTAX Customer Care in Denver Colorado
Toll Free: (800) 877-0155
Phone: (303) 799-8000
This lens is so rare I doubt that you will find anyone with this mount. Pentax does still service some of the F lenses and your best bet on finding this mount is through them.
I can recommend the SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF]: Yes |
Price (U.S. Dollars): N/A
| Rating: 10
Pros:
Tripod Mount, optical and build Quality
Cons:
no weatherproof
it is my most favorite lens, i got it for wildlife
it is very rear to get the F* Version with the tripod Mount, but it is worth to wait for it
the tripod mount is a great bonus - mounted on a monopod it gives me the extra time to wait for the perfect moment.
but it is not too heavy to use it out off the hand
the quality of the photos is just awesome, great colours, very sharp, very fine details
the bokeh is very nice and smooth. i use it for portraits as well.
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