Pentax A* 400mm/2.8 and Pentax FA* 300mm/2.8 on the same day?

**Clinton** · 03-23-2011, 09:12 PM

A couple weeks ago, dadinpentak and I started talking about him selling us his A* 400/2.8. We came to some terms, and he shipped off one of my dream lenses to us. Both my partner and I shoot, and while she in particular favors auto-focus, we both concluded that this lens would be magical to have, especially here in Utah.

This came after two different attempts to purchase a FA* 300/2.8 that never quite materialized, and as you can see elsewhere on the forums I had concluded to wait for the Sigma 120-300/2.8.

Then Marc decided to sell his FA* 300/2.8, the very copy of this lens that I've seen so many pictures from, and our bank account was immediately doomed.

I've been hunting for each of these rare lenses for almost a year, so having them appear at all, let alone within days of each-other, was mind blowing. The only places to go from here are the 250-600mm and the 2000mm

The lenses came yesterday. Yes, on the same day, and I've brought you some big glass imagery.

Warning: I cannot be held accountable for any lenses you purchase on account of looking at these images.

== Opening the boxes ==

== Now for the part you've been waiting for. Pictures of the glass! ==
(Pictures with the FA* 300/4.5 and FA 43 for comparison)

== Sample shots! ==

Flagpole, about 60 yards away and 40 yards up: (cropped) 400/2.8 Wide open.

400/2.8 with 1.7x AFA at 680mm, stopped down to F11

More 400/2.8 wide open:

These two are of the Rocky Mountains from our house. We're really no where near this close to these, and our air wasn't all that clear, that day. The lens did amazing.

(cropped)

300/2.8 samples to come

Last edited by Clinton; 03-23-2011 at 09:39 PM.

SpecialK · 03-23-2011, 09:21 PM

Looks like fun. You are beginning to get some nice starter lenses :-)

yeatzee · 03-23-2011, 09:25 PM

time to update the signature

Adam · 03-23-2011, 09:26 PM

They really need to make an AF version of that A*- what a wonderful lens that would be!

Adam
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**Clinton** · 03-23-2011, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by Adam

They really need to make an AF version of that A*- what a wonderful lens that would be!

I've seen the Nikon 400/2.8 AF. It's so much larger than this beauty. An AF version of the A* would leave the canikons to drool.

SteveM · 03-23-2011, 09:40 PM

Wow....not even a mark on the case. Nice to see them go to someone that will put them to good use!

HawaiianOnline · 03-23-2011, 09:44 PM

Nice. If you ever decide to sell off the 400mm f2.8, let me know.

HGMonaro · 03-23-2011, 09:45 PM

I was thinking, blimy this bloke spends some $$$ on this stuff, but then I thought to some of the toys I have sitting in my shed and decided to shut up

The lens is awesome, but I sort of like the case!

**Clinton** · 03-23-2011, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by HGMonaro

I was thinking, blimy this bloke spends some $$$ on this stuff, but then I thought to some of the toys I have sitting in my shed and decided to shut up

The lens is awesome, but I sort of like the case!

Truly, it was pure insanity. On the good side, if I ever want to give them up, there's a whole forum of people here who want to buy them

Or I could just sell you the case... for a cool 3 large.

Eagle_Friends · 03-23-2011, 09:59 PM

Beautiful lenses!

HGMonaro · 03-23-2011, 10:00 PM

.

Asahiflex · 03-23-2011, 10:05 PM

Congratulations for your dreams to become materialized! Those look and perform way cool!

For now I'll just retreat and fondle my F* 300/4.5 once more.

(and after that the F* 250-600 of course

)

yyyzzz · 03-23-2011, 11:40 PM

I live in Salt Lake City and hope to see you with the lenses some day.

creampuff · 03-24-2011, 12:54 AM

What an upgrade! Congrats.

repaap · 03-24-2011, 01:38 AM

Holy monkey! They do look BEAUTIFUL, I bet your bank accout was prepaired well to be doomed, and it must have been woth it! DAMN! Just adore that A*400, with case and all. FA 300 is not a slouch either

and FA 300/4.5 looks like a baby!

03-23-2011, 09:12 PM	#1
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	*Pentax A 400mm/2.8 and Pentax FA* 300mm/2.8 on the same day?** A couple weeks ago, dadinpentak and I started talking about him selling us his A* 400/2.8. We came to some terms, and he shipped off one of my dream lenses to us. Both my partner and I shoot, and while she in particular favors auto-focus, we both concluded that this lens would be magical to have, especially here in Utah. This came after two different attempts to purchase a FA* 300/2.8 that never quite materialized, and as you can see elsewhere on the forums I had concluded to wait for the Sigma 120-300/2.8. Then Marc decided to sell his FA* 300/2.8, the very copy of this lens that I've seen so many pictures from, and our bank account was immediately doomed. I've been hunting for each of these rare lenses for almost a year, so having them appear at all, let alone within days of each-other, was mind blowing. The only places to go from here are the 250-600mm and the 2000mm The lenses came yesterday. Yes, on the same day, and I've brought you some big glass imagery. Warning: I cannot be held accountable for any lenses you purchase on account of looking at these images. == Opening the boxes == == Now for the part you've been waiting for. Pictures of the glass! == (Pictures with the FA* 300/4.5 and FA 43 for comparison) == Sample shots! == Flagpole, about 60 yards away and 40 yards up: (cropped) 400/2.8 Wide open. 400/2.8 with 1.7x AFA at 680mm, stopped down to F11 More 400/2.8 wide open: These two are of the Rocky Mountains from our house. We're really no where near this close to these, and our air wasn't all that clear, that day. The lens did amazing. (cropped) 300/2.8 samples to come Last edited by Clinton; 03-23-2011 at 09:39 PM.

03-23-2011, 09:36 PM	#5
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam They really need to make an AF version of that A- what a wonderful lens that would be! I've seen the Nikon 400/2.8 AF. It's so much larger than this beauty. An AF version of the A would leave the canikons to drool. Last edited by Clinton; 03-23-2011 at 09:50 PM.

03-23-2011, 11:40 PM	#13
yyyzzz Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery Posts: 509	Wow! I live in Salt Lake City and hope to see you with the lenses some day.

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03-23-2011, 09:21 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Looks like fun. You are beginning to get some nice starter lenses :-)

03-23-2011, 09:25 PM	#3
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	time to update the signature

03-23-2011, 09:26 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	They really need to make an AF version of that A- what a wonderful lens that would be! Adam* PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-23-2011, 09:40 PM	#6
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	Wow....not even a mark on the case. Nice to see them go to someone that will put them to good use!

03-23-2011, 09:44 PM	#7
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	Nice. If you ever decide to sell off the 400mm f2.8, let me know.

03-23-2011, 09:45 PM	#8
HGMonaro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melb. Aust Posts: 840	I was thinking, blimy this bloke spends some $$$ on this stuff, but then I thought to some of the toys I have sitting in my shed and decided to shut up The lens is awesome, but I sort of like the case!

03-23-2011, 09:56 PM	#9
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by HGMonaro I was thinking, blimy this bloke spends some $$$ on this stuff, but then I thought to some of the toys I have sitting in my shed and decided to shut up The lens is awesome, but I sort of like the case! Truly, it was pure insanity. On the good side, if I ever want to give them up, there's a whole forum of people here who want to buy them Or I could just sell you the case... for a cool 3 large.

03-23-2011, 09:59 PM	#10
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	Beautiful lenses!

03-23-2011, 10:00 PM	#11
HGMonaro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melb. Aust Posts: 840	.

03-23-2011, 10:05 PM	#12
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Congratulations for your dreams to become materialized! Those look and perform way cool! For now I'll just retreat and fondle my F* 300/4.5 once more. (and after that the F* 250-600 of course )

03-24-2011, 12:54 AM	#14
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	What an upgrade! Congrats.

03-24-2011, 01:38 AM	#15
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Holy monkey! They do look BEAUTIFUL, I bet your bank accout was prepaired well to be doomed, and it must have been woth it! DAMN! Just adore that A*400, with case and all. FA 300 is not a slouch either and FA 300/4.5 looks like a baby!