DA* 300/4 or FA* 300/4.5?

ManOf7 · 12-13-2010, 04:10 PM

I found a used DA*300/f4 for $1150 and a FA*300/f4.5 for $750 - other than a little speed, what would I be losing buying the FA?

joakimfors · 12-13-2010, 04:23 PM

Weather sealing and SDM. So one + and one -.

twitch · 12-13-2010, 04:28 PM

Adorama sells brand new DA*300's for $1,099 including shipping within the states, so $1,150 for a used one is a very bad deal.

wlachan · 12-13-2010, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by joakimfors

Weather sealing and SDM. So one + and one -.

LOL. So true.

I had the F*300/4.5 which is well made and compact. I like the build-in hood a lot but the oversized tripod mount is not portable at all. It's only 1/2 stops slower than f4 but every bit helps with long FL. I don't trust SDM though. Tough call.

twitch · 12-13-2010, 05:53 PM

There are very very few reports of SDM going bad on a 300.

selar · 12-13-2010, 05:59 PM

I still have and love my F* 300/4.5, it will probably be the last lens I will ever sell. I use it most of the time without a tripod mount, though I have one, it does just fine with the SR on my GX10. I have thought long and hard about getting a DA* 300/4 but like they say, I'm loath to fix something that ain't broken. Plus buying a new lens is always a risky business, my DA* 16-50 was a problem child.
The FA* 300/4.5 ivery much the same lens as the F* 300/4.5 with newer electronics that allow Program shooting biased to MTF curves. Both these lenses are full frame, and for that reason alone, I would consider them superior to DA* if you like to shoot some film from time to time or are one of those that are still hoping against hope that Pentax will make a full frame body one day.

ManOf7 · 12-13-2010, 06:01 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Adorama sells brand new DA*300's for $1,099 including shipping within the states, so $1,150 for a used one is a very bad deal.

where???

Best I could find was $1400

21760 Pentax DA 300mm f/4.0 ED (IF) SDM Auto Focus Lens with Hood - U.S.A.

AOShep · 12-13-2010, 06:13 PM

There is a $300.95 price reduction when you add it to your cart.

northcoastgreg · 12-13-2010, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by ManOf7

other than a little speed, what would I be losing buying the FA?

The FA doesn't have a tripod mount. That's a big deal if you anticipate using a tripod when you shoot with the lens.

ManOf7 · 12-13-2010, 07:54 PM

The tripod mount is a big deal - but it turns out a chinese one from DealExtreme meant for Canon YN mount will fit and costs $13. It is reported to work quite well.

Patriot · 12-14-2010, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by ManOf7

The tripod mount is a big deal - but it turns out a chinese one from DealExtreme meant for Canon YN mount will fit and costs $13. It is reported to work quite well.

It's true, i has bought one for $9 incluge shipping for my FA* 300mm and it's fit great.
By the way FA* 300mm is so light and small that you don't need the tripod mount.

selar · 12-14-2010, 04:54 PM

I have had this discussion in my mind several times and the F*300/4.5 always wins. If I had a FA*300 that would win as well.

ManOf7 · 12-15-2010, 10:32 PM

Got the DA* 300. Weather sealing pushed me over the edge. I am often outdoors in crap weather. Weatherproof camera and lens has made it a much easier job.

12-13-2010, 04:10 PM	#1
ManOf7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Isle Posts: 31	*DA 300/4 or FA* 300/4.5?** I found a used DA300/f4 for $1150 and a FA300/f4.5 for $750 - other than a little speed, what would I be losing buying the FA?

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12-13-2010, 04:23 PM	#2
joakimfors Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 237	Weather sealing and SDM. So one + and one -.

12-13-2010, 04:28 PM	#3
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Adorama sells brand new DA*300's for $1,099 including shipping within the states, so $1,150 for a used one is a very bad deal.

12-13-2010, 05:32 PM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by joakimfors Weather sealing and SDM. So one + and one -. LOL. So true. I had the F*300/4.5 which is well made and compact. I like the build-in hood a lot but the oversized tripod mount is not portable at all. It's only 1/2 stops slower than f4 but every bit helps with long FL. I don't trust SDM though. Tough call.

12-13-2010, 05:53 PM	#5
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	There are very very few reports of SDM going bad on a 300.

12-13-2010, 05:59 PM	#6
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	I still have and love my F* 300/4.5, it will probably be the last lens I will ever sell. I use it most of the time without a tripod mount, though I have one, it does just fine with the SR on my GX10. I have thought long and hard about getting a DA* 300/4 but like they say, I'm loath to fix something that ain't broken. Plus buying a new lens is always a risky business, my DA* 16-50 was a problem child. The FA* 300/4.5 ivery much the same lens as the F* 300/4.5 with newer electronics that allow Program shooting biased to MTF curves. Both these lenses are full frame, and for that reason alone, I would consider them superior to DA* if you like to shoot some film from time to time or are one of those that are still hoping against hope that Pentax will make a full frame body one day.

12-13-2010, 06:01 PM	#7
ManOf7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Isle Posts: 31 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Adorama sells brand new DA*300's for $1,099 including shipping within the states, so $1,150 for a used one is a very bad deal. where??? Best I could find was $1400 21760 Pentax DA 300mm f/4.0 ED (IF) SDM Auto Focus Lens with Hood - U.S.A.

12-13-2010, 06:13 PM	#8
AOShep Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Eastern PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	There is a $300.95 price reduction when you add it to your cart.

12-13-2010, 06:32 PM	#9
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by ManOf7 other than a little speed, what would I be losing buying the FA? The FA doesn't have a tripod mount. That's a big deal if you anticipate using a tripod when you shoot with the lens.

12-13-2010, 07:54 PM	#10
ManOf7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Isle Posts: 31 Original Poster	The tripod mount is a big deal - but it turns out a chinese one from DealExtreme meant for Canon YN mount will fit and costs $13. It is reported to work quite well.

12-14-2010, 03:18 PM	#11
Patriot Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holy Land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,165	Originally posted by ManOf7 The tripod mount is a big deal - but it turns out a chinese one from DealExtreme meant for Canon YN mount will fit and costs $13. It is reported to work quite well. It's true, i has bought one for $9 incluge shipping for my FA* 300mm and it's fit great. By the way FA* 300mm is so light and small that you don't need the tripod mount.

12-14-2010, 04:54 PM	#12
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	I have had this discussion in my mind several times and the F300/4.5 always wins. If I had a FA300 that would win as well.

12-15-2010, 10:32 PM	#13
ManOf7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Isle Posts: 31 Original Poster	Got the DA* 300. Weather sealing pushed me over the edge. I am often outdoors in crap weather. Weatherproof camera and lens has made it a much easier job.