DA*300mm f4 at Photozone.de

hcc · 06-09-2011, 01:57 AM

The DA*300mm f4 was tested at Photozone.de with the K-5: "A quite obvious choice for both enthusiasts as well as professional photographers in Pentax land. "

Pentax SMC DA* 300mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report

DSims · 06-09-2011, 02:57 AM

Perhaps even more impressive than the lens is the nerve of that little croc on top of the big one!

http://photozone.smugmug.com/photos/1327985074_gSkkchr-O.jpg

aurele · 06-09-2011, 03:28 AM

Originally posted by DSims

Perhaps even more impressive than the lens is the nerve of that little croc on top of the big one!

http://photozone.smugmug.com/photos/..._gSkkchr-O.jpg

WOW ! Very impressive, and excellent photo !

elho_cid · 06-09-2011, 07:12 AM

Performance looks a lot better than Nikkor 300/4. Why doesn't it score better in their star chart?

deadwolfbones · 06-09-2011, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by elho_cid

Performance looks a lot better than Nikkor 300/4. Why doesn't it score better in their star chart?

They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group.

sjwaldron · 06-09-2011, 07:37 AM

A decent review. I completely agree with their findings on build quality. It's really well constructed and has a full metal barrel, making it one of my favorite lenses. The resolution figures seem a little questionable, but I assume the values they calculated depend on the distance from the subject? Anyways, this lens is strong optically and has very low aberrations.

Eruditass · 06-09-2011, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group.

I always interpreted that as the actual resolution numbers and not star ratings.

But for fun, if you look do want to compare resolution numbers, the Nikkor 300mm passes their 86% line for center resolution, and the performance is overall better at f8 than the Pentax at any setting. Of course, border/edges and wide-open is a different story, but the end optical rating is always a subjective ranking of priorities.

Last edited by Eruditass; 06-09-2011 at 10:32 AM.

RonHendriks1966 · 06-09-2011, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group.

Only for same sensors there can be a comparison. So if they use the D7000 for testing then comparison gets a new option. But then again what to win or why?

When I look at the test with the 60-250 it is a clearly comparable result with maybe a little notch advantage on CA. Good lens, but we already know that.

Blue · 06-09-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group.

In bodies with the same sensor, i.e. the K10d with the sony ccd, rough comparisons can be made. However, with the new CMOS, only comparisons to the D7000 could be roughly made. Furthermore, Photozone needs to also point out to people that it isn't a matter of comparing systems, but that the K-5 and K10d are different ball games as well.

ogl · 06-09-2011, 09:26 PM

Not bad. But I'd like to see better resolution at K-5..

asdf · 06-09-2011, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by ogl

No bad. But I'd like to see better resolution at K-5..

It's still an improvement vs. FA* 300 f/4.5 on K10D. Expect very similar results from the Canon and Nikon equivalents on higher pixel-pitch cameras, in future reviews.

gazonk · 06-10-2011, 12:55 AM

Very nice indeed! But the 60-250 is also a very good lens, and given that the 60-250 isn't that more expensive (and they're similar in bulk), I wonder if the extra 50mm is worth the loss of zoom flexibility?

sjwaldron · 06-10-2011, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by gazonk

Very nice indeed! But the 60-250 is also a very good lens, and given that the 60-250 isn't that more expensive (and they're similar in bulk), I wonder if the extra 50mm is worth the loss of zoom flexibility?

It is probably pretty much a toss up between those two lenses for many factors. The DA* 300 does have that extra reach as you mentioned, and I'd also wager the weather resistance is better because it doesn't have any external moving parts. Plus the lens has an all metal barrel.

It's probably the highest quality lens from a construction aspect that Pentax currently offers (along with the DA* 200mm).

Gaool · 06-29-2011, 10:41 AM

Je ne connais pas à quoi correspondent ces mesures de résolution mais en terme de piqué c'est le meilleur objectif que je possède. Il est même meilleur que le sigma 120-300 f2.8, en tout cas c'est mon avis.
De plus sa construction est très robuste : je l'ai fait tomber sur un rocher

et tout fonctionne encore très bien.

GeneV · 06-29-2011, 11:18 AM

Is everyone at Photozone named Klaus?

Nice test. It is amazing how many times I've wanted that extra stop with the 55-300 racked all the way out.

06-09-2011, 01:57 AM	#1
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	*DA300mm f4 at Photozone.de** The DA300mm f4 was tested at Photozone.de with the K-5: "A quite obvious choice for both enthusiasts as well as professional photographers in Pentax land. " Pentax SMC DA 300mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report

06-09-2011, 09:26 PM	#10
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Not bad. But I'd like to see better resolution at K-5.. Last edited by ogl; 06-10-2011 at 12:30 AM.

06-09-2011, 09:59 PM	#11
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by ogl No bad. But I'd like to see better resolution at K-5.. It's still an improvement vs. FA* 300 f/4.5 on K10D. Expect very similar results from the Canon and Nikon equivalents on higher pixel-pitch cameras, in future reviews. Last edited by asdf; 06-10-2011 at 08:11 PM.

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06-09-2011, 02:57 AM	#2
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Perhaps even more impressive than the lens is the nerve of that little croc on top of the big one! http://photozone.smugmug.com/photos/1327985074_gSkkchr-O.jpg

06-09-2011, 03:28 AM	#3
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by DSims Perhaps even more impressive than the lens is the nerve of that little croc on top of the big one! http://photozone.smugmug.com/photos/..._gSkkchr-O.jpg WOW ! Very impressive, and excellent photo !

06-09-2011, 07:12 AM	#4
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Performance looks a lot better than Nikkor 300/4. Why doesn't it score better in their star chart?

06-09-2011, 07:30 AM	#5
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	Originally posted by elho_cid Performance looks a lot better than Nikkor 300/4. Why doesn't it score better in their star chart? They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group.

06-09-2011, 07:37 AM	#6
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	A decent review. I completely agree with their findings on build quality. It's really well constructed and has a full metal barrel, making it one of my favorite lenses. The resolution figures seem a little questionable, but I assume the values they calculated depend on the distance from the subject? Anyways, this lens is strong optically and has very low aberrations.

06-09-2011, 07:49 AM	#7
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by deadwolfbones They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group. I always interpreted that as the actual resolution numbers and not star ratings. But for fun, if you look do want to compare resolution numbers, the Nikkor 300mm passes their 86% line for center resolution, and the performance is overall better at f8 than the Pentax at any setting. Of course, border/edges and wide-open is a different story, but the end optical rating is always a subjective ranking of priorities. Last edited by Eruditass; 06-09-2011 at 10:32 AM.

06-09-2011, 07:52 AM	#8
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by deadwolfbones They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group. Only for same sensors there can be a comparison. So if they use the D7000 for testing then comparison gets a new option. But then again what to win or why? When I look at the test with the 60-250 it is a clearly comparable result with maybe a little notch advantage on CA. Good lens, but we already know that.

06-09-2011, 11:59 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by deadwolfbones They always make a point of saying that test results cannot be compared outside of each manufacturer's test group. In bodies with the same sensor, i.e. the K10d with the sony ccd, rough comparisons can be made. However, with the new CMOS, only comparisons to the D7000 could be roughly made. Furthermore, Photozone needs to also point out to people that it isn't a matter of comparing systems, but that the K-5 and K10d are different ball games as well.

06-10-2011, 12:55 AM	#12
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Very nice indeed! But the 60-250 is also a very good lens, and given that the 60-250 isn't that more expensive (and they're similar in bulk), I wonder if the extra 50mm is worth the loss of zoom flexibility?

06-10-2011, 05:38 PM	#13
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Originally posted by gazonk Very nice indeed! But the 60-250 is also a very good lens, and given that the 60-250 isn't that more expensive (and they're similar in bulk), I wonder if the extra 50mm is worth the loss of zoom flexibility? It is probably pretty much a toss up between those two lenses for many factors. The DA* 300 does have that extra reach as you mentioned, and I'd also wager the weather resistance is better because it doesn't have any external moving parts. Plus the lens has an all metal barrel. It's probably the highest quality lens from a construction aspect that Pentax currently offers (along with the DA* 200mm).

06-29-2011, 10:41 AM	#14
Gaool New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 3	Je ne connais pas à quoi correspondent ces mesures de résolution mais en terme de piqué c'est le meilleur objectif que je possède. Il est même meilleur que le sigma 120-300 f2.8, en tout cas c'est mon avis. De plus sa construction est très robuste : je l'ai fait tomber sur un rocher et tout fonctionne encore très bien.

06-29-2011, 11:18 AM	#15
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Is everyone at Photozone named Klaus? Nice test. It is amazing how many times I've wanted that extra stop with the 55-300 racked all the way out.