Should I buy

Shelob1 · 09-17-2007, 11:54 AM

I have the opportunity to buy a Tokina RMC 300 5.6 for what seems a very good price, approx £35 ($70 at todays rate). Although I am happy with my Pentax M 300 f4 my partner finds it very cumbersome to use (get to the gym and build some muscle, I say). I have no idea of the quality of this lens, and I guess as the price is not going to kill me I should not worry, but has anybody used this one?

I don't want to be left with something that she will not use if it does not have decent IQ.

Peter Zack · 09-17-2007, 12:58 PM

I haven't any experience with this lens but Tokina has always made very good product and I think you could always get your money back (and probably more) on Ebay if you get it and don't like it much. Do you have the chance to try it out before buying?

Shelob1 · 09-19-2007, 12:57 AM

No chance to try it out, mainly as I am very busy with work and the other half does not want to take responsibilty fro this major purchase.

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-19-2007, 06:05 AM

At the price it seems not bad, BUT I would never trade a 300 F/4.

It might be good, and lighter and more compact that the Pentax lens, but the extra f-stop in performance is worth a lot even if you do have shake reduction.

If you think the SMC-M 300f/4 is heavy, you should try the SMC 300 F/4 K mount version!

roy · 09-19-2007, 06:49 AM

i'd stick with the pentax 300/4 .. it's one of the best 300s ever made.. no way would i not keep it. and it's not that heavy. i just sold my A300/4 but kept my tak M42 f4 as a light weight 300mm. if you think it's heavy take a look at what one step faster in a 300 looks like. here's a shot of the tak300, the A300, and a tamron 300/2.8. it's HEAVY!!

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-19-2007, 07:24 AM

Roy

I should have known this photo would reappear.

I agree 100%, but note that everyone's definition of heavy is different.

To give the benefit of the doubt, if the reduced maximum apature and preceived (we have not seen comparitive photos form both 300's in question side by side) image quality differences do not hinder the photographer, then he can use what ever he wants, because it is the final product that is important, not how he got there.

BUT, I would never let go of the 300 f/4 without having something bigger, faster and better, because at some point that extra f-stop and quality WILL make a difference.

Shelob1 · 09-20-2007, 10:20 AM

I am definately going to keep the Pentax, I love the IQ and can put up with the size. I will get the lens and tell the ball and chain the Tokina is highly thought off, and she can feel confident using it. I doubt whether she will feel it's not a good lens. There is a Tamron like Roys on the UK ebay for £299, and I am seriously thinking about buying it.

Syb · 09-20-2007, 01:32 PM

Is there? I just took a look and coulnd't find it!

Syb

Shelob1 · 09-21-2007, 03:22 AM

It was a buy it now at £299. Guess someone thought it was too good to miss, though it was listed for nearly 4 days. At least I cannot be tempted.

09-17-2007, 11:54 AM	#1
Shelob1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 36	Should I buy I have the opportunity to buy a Tokina RMC 300 5.6 for what seems a very good price, approx £35 ($70 at todays rate). Although I am happy with my Pentax M 300 f4 my partner finds it very cumbersome to use (get to the gym and build some muscle, I say). I have no idea of the quality of this lens, and I guess as the price is not going to kill me I should not worry, but has anybody used this one? I don't want to be left with something that she will not use if it does not have decent IQ.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax SMC FA 50mm/F1,4 to buy or not to buy?	Eugene-S	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	12-05-2010 02:04 PM
Should I buy this laptop to speed up my workflow or buy a new lens?	crossover37	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	26	09-24-2010 09:41 AM
Should I be a good Pentax choirboy and buy a DA 15 Limited or buy the Sigma 10-20mm?	tokyoso	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	42	03-14-2010 04:54 PM
SIGMA 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Lens for PENTAX:To buy or not to buy?	thelittlecar	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	12-31-2009 06:01 AM
LBA help! buy 17-70 or sell the 70-300 and buy 18-250	cardikat	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	12-30-2009 03:55 AM

09-17-2007, 12:58 PM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I haven't any experience with this lens but Tokina has always made very good product and I think you could always get your money back (and probably more) on Ebay if you get it and don't like it much. Do you have the chance to try it out before buying?

09-19-2007, 12:57 AM	#3
Shelob1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 36 Original Poster	No chance to try it out, mainly as I am very busy with work and the other half does not want to take responsibilty fro this major purchase.

09-19-2007, 06:05 AM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,890	At the price it seems not bad, BUT I would never trade a 300 F/4. It might be good, and lighter and more compact that the Pentax lens, but the extra f-stop in performance is worth a lot even if you do have shake reduction. If you think the SMC-M 300f/4 is heavy, you should try the SMC 300 F/4 K mount version!

09-19-2007, 06:49 AM	#5
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i'd stick with the pentax 300/4 .. it's one of the best 300s ever made.. no way would i not keep it. and it's not that heavy. i just sold my A300/4 but kept my tak M42 f4 as a light weight 300mm. if you think it's heavy take a look at what one step faster in a 300 looks like. here's a shot of the tak300, the A300, and a tamron 300/2.8. it's HEAVY!!

09-19-2007, 07:24 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,890	Roy I should have known this photo would reappear. I agree 100%, but note that everyone's definition of heavy is different. To give the benefit of the doubt, if the reduced maximum apature and preceived (we have not seen comparitive photos form both 300's in question side by side) image quality differences do not hinder the photographer, then he can use what ever he wants, because it is the final product that is important, not how he got there. BUT, I would never let go of the 300 f/4 without having something bigger, faster and better, because at some point that extra f-stop and quality WILL make a difference.

09-20-2007, 10:20 AM	#7
Shelob1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 36 Original Poster	I am definately going to keep the Pentax, I love the IQ and can put up with the size. I will get the lens and tell the ball and chain the Tokina is highly thought off, and she can feel confident using it. I doubt whether she will feel it's not a good lens. There is a Tamron like Roys on the UK ebay for £299, and I am seriously thinking about buying it.

09-20-2007, 01:32 PM	#8
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	Is there? I just took a look and coulnd't find it! Syb

09-21-2007, 03:22 AM	#9
Shelob1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bournemouth, England Posts: 36 Original Poster	It was a buy it now at £299. Guess someone thought it was too good to miss, though it was listed for nearly 4 days. At least I cannot be tempted.