Does it make sense to add a DA* 300mm to my 70-200mm?

JVi · 01-20-2012, 09:21 AM

Here images taken with a DA 300 (no TC) from ~25'. 1:1 crop @ 1280x1024. Reversal Film setting on Pentax DC Utility 4 software.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss104/SuniMalamute/P1.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss104/SuniMalamute/IMGP7847.jpg

Last edited by JVi; 01-22-2012 at 06:59 PM.

HenrikDK · 01-20-2012, 11:28 AM

Lots of great suggestions and advice - Thanks! Now it seems I MUST have the 300mm, AND the UWA as well... AND another camera body... AND a 1.7X TC.........

Of course it is not everyday you turn 50, so maybe I can swing it

Seriously - some food for thought:

WR - I really would like it, but realisticly I could probably get by with a plastic bag over my 70-200mm. Not ideal or pretty, but hey - the IQ of the Tamron 70-200 is just SO good. And btw, it is best the extremes, not the middle, contrary to one of the posters mentioned. Scratch the 60-250mm, although tempting...

UWA - I used to have a 17mm on a fullframe (11mm cropped), and I loved that lens. Used it extensively (mostly landscape), so an UWA is very high on my list.

300mm DA* - I really really want it. I already have the 1.4x TC that workds with it. Probably what I WANT the most, though not sure how much I really will gain over my TC+70-200, plus now I have more stuff to lug around. Still, it is just a matter of time, so why not before my trip!

Extra small camera - really don't have much interest. My wife has a P/S. Way back I used to have Minox (tiny 28mm/2.8) to supplement my LX, but hardly every used it.

Extra camera body - now there is an idea. I used to have two film bodies, and really liked it. I have had it on my list, though I really wanted a K-7 so controls match, so I kind of pushed it off. Backup certainly would be nice, but having immediate access to two different lenses certainly would help - for one I would use my primes a lot more...

As usually these discussions just end up feeding my LBA - I should know better

Basie · 01-20-2012, 01:20 PM

Hi Henrik

I bought a DA*300 since the 55-300 kit lens was disappointing at 250 and above. The 300 is a fantastic lens and since I use it while travelling in a car or walking outside, it works very well with monopod or beanbag through the window of the car and that is with a K20. Hoping for a K5 and then the movement with the long focal length should be even less of a problem. BTW, I bought the K20 when turning 50 and the 300 on 53. Conrgrats and fifty is not at all

**crewl1** · 01-20-2012, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by Basie

Conrgrats and fifty is not at all

Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my

acrollet · 01-20-2012, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my

lol

Basie · 01-21-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my

I was going to post a photo before I was so rudely interrupted by crew1. That was why I could not finish the sentence:ugh:. Anyway it was just to show how useful the 300 is. Anyways, it started before I was forty and it is a sign of maturity

Anyway Good one

**crewl1** · 01-21-2012, 02:55 PM

You're a good sport Basie

abacus07 · 01-21-2012, 07:22 PM

A 2nd body would be essential imo K10, K20, K200, K7, anything so you don't have to swap lenses in the rainforest.

I think a *16-50 and *300 would be an awesome combo for a rainforest trip. I barely use my telephotos a lot so it's tough for me to give crop vs 1.4x/1.7x advice. but I would probably just crop so I maintained the WR properties.

Have fun on your trip.

HenrikDK · 01-22-2012, 11:24 AM

Stars are indeed aligning - got a larger "contribution" to the birthday extravanganza than I expected, so now I will be getting the DA* 300, an UWA (sigma or tamron), and a backup body (used). YEAHHH!

I am leaning towards the K-x, though I really like the idea of the K-7 due to similar controls. Lighter/cheaper/sensor vs controls/WR....

PS: I was contemplating to buy it all and claim age cause me to forget I already ordered. Now I

zapp · 01-22-2012, 11:47 AM

DA 300 is a nice SDM lens, the longest focal length in today's Pentax land. Go for it if you need 300 mm focal length often enough.
The 055CX tripod is on the limit for this lens. Gitzo for instance recommends a 5-series tripod for anything beyond 300 mm in 35 mm land, the 055CX may be comapred to a 2-series Gitzo.

After getting the DA300 I am thinking about getting the DA200 as well - so yes 200 and 300 mm lenses make sense in the lineup. Both have SDM focusing, weather sealing...

Frogfish · 01-22-2012, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by HenrikDK

Stars are indeed aligning - got a larger "contribution" to the birthday extravanganza than I expected, so now I will be getting the DA* 300, an UWA (sigma or tamron), and a backup body (used). YEAHHH!

I am leaning towards the K-x, though I really like the idea of the K-7 due to similar controls. Lighter/cheaper/sensor vs controls/WR....

PS: I was contemplating to buy it all and claim age cause me to forget I already ordered. Now I

I had the K7 before I bought the K5 ... given what you are going to use these for I wouldn't hesitate to go for a used Kr over the K7 for the better sensor/DR/high ISO. You'll get used to the controls.

HenrikDK · 01-22-2012, 12:57 PM

I think I prefer the K-x over the K-r - quite a difference in price, and I really only use center AF, so the lack of AF point is not bothering me.

Not so sure about the controls, though. I use the manual overrides a lot, and I will absolutely miss easy access to ISO/exposure adjustments. The DR is nice, but I would not worry about the lack of high ISO too much. Always shooting RAW, and I would still be using the K-5 as my primary camera.

Hmm..

HenrikDK · 01-22-2012, 07:03 PM

Just picked up a white K-x on flea-bay for a great price, considering it included a 50-200mm that I can sell again. First one down ;-)

Decided to go the cheap route - leaving an easy way to upgrade to a K-3. Oh that LBA...

Will order a 300 mm DA* from BH Photo, so I can get the warranty.

bossa · 02-07-2012, 10:56 PM

I don't know how this panned out but I'll give my opinion anyway.

I wouldn't recommend taking a non-weather sealed lens into a steamy tropical jungle. That won't be good for the lens or the camera.

I would recommend the 60-250 if you retire the Tamron but take no TC to the jungle. If you intend keeping the Tamron then maybe buy a cheaper WR zoom and the 300 to take on your trip. If you're happy with the Tammy then there's really no need to buy the 60-250 otherwise. The 300 will be a more effective addition to your system in that scenario.

HenrikDK · 02-08-2012, 06:50 AM

I am keeping my Tamron 70-200mm, and getting the DA* 300mm. As mentioned I picked up a K-x as a backup body, and I was lucky to find a used Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 in excellent shape for a good price.

I expext a humid, but not extremely wet, environment in the forest. If so, I will just have to stick to my DA*'s and pick which one to leave mounted. Maybe use a plastic bag on the K-x with my 16-50 if needed, giving me the option to switch from the K-5/300.

Vast majority of shooting will probably be in fine weather, so I should be covered by now.

Already working on setup with two bags. My wife doesn't know it yet, but she will be carrying a good deal of all this equipment ;-)

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01-20-2012, 09:21 AM	#16
JVi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 115	Here images taken with a DA 300 (no TC) from ~25'. 1:1 crop @ 1280x1024. Reversal Film setting on Pentax DC Utility 4 software. http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss104/SuniMalamute/P1.jpg http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss104/SuniMalamute/IMGP7847.jpg Last edited by JVi; 01-22-2012 at 06:59 PM.

01-20-2012, 11:28 AM	#17
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	Lots of great suggestions and advice - Thanks! Now it seems I MUST have the 300mm, AND the UWA as well... AND another camera body... AND a 1.7X TC......... Of course it is not everyday you turn 50, so maybe I can swing it Seriously - some food for thought: WR - I really would like it, but realisticly I could probably get by with a plastic bag over my 70-200mm. Not ideal or pretty, but hey - the IQ of the Tamron 70-200 is just SO good. And btw, it is best the extremes, not the middle, contrary to one of the posters mentioned. Scratch the 60-250mm, although tempting... UWA - I used to have a 17mm on a fullframe (11mm cropped), and I loved that lens. Used it extensively (mostly landscape), so an UWA is very high on my list. 300mm DA* - I really really want it. I already have the 1.4x TC that workds with it. Probably what I WANT the most, though not sure how much I really will gain over my TC+70-200, plus now I have more stuff to lug around. Still, it is just a matter of time, so why not before my trip! Extra small camera - really don't have much interest. My wife has a P/S. Way back I used to have Minox (tiny 28mm/2.8) to supplement my LX, but hardly every used it. Extra camera body - now there is an idea. I used to have two film bodies, and really liked it. I have had it on my list, though I really wanted a K-7 so controls match, so I kind of pushed it off. Backup certainly would be nice, but having immediate access to two different lenses certainly would help - for one I would use my primes a lot more... As usually these discussions just end up feeding my LBA - I should know better

01-20-2012, 01:20 PM	#18
Basie Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Photos: Gallery Posts: 989	Hi Henrik I bought a DA*300 since the 55-300 kit lens was disappointing at 250 and above. The 300 is a fantastic lens and since I use it while travelling in a car or walking outside, it works very well with monopod or beanbag through the window of the car and that is with a K20. Hoping for a K5 and then the movement with the long focal length should be even less of a problem. BTW, I bought the K20 when turning 50 and the 300 on 53. Conrgrats and fifty is not at all

01-20-2012, 07:04 PM	#19
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by Basie Conrgrats and fifty is not at all Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my

01-20-2012, 09:41 PM	#20
acrollet Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Originally posted by crewl1 Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my lol

01-21-2012, 11:54 AM	#21
Basie Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Photos: Gallery Posts: 989	Originally posted by crewl1 Basie I'm turning 50 this year myself and I also many times don't finish my I was going to post a photo before I was so rudely interrupted by crew1. That was why I could not finish the sentence:ugh:. Anyway it was just to show how useful the 300 is. Anyways, it started before I was forty and it is a sign of maturity Anyway Good one

01-21-2012, 02:55 PM	#22
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	You're a good sport Basie

01-21-2012, 07:22 PM	#23
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	A 2nd body would be essential imo K10, K20, K200, K7, anything so you don't have to swap lenses in the rainforest. I think a 16-50 and 300 would be an awesome combo for a rainforest trip. I barely use my telephotos a lot so it's tough for me to give crop vs 1.4x/1.7x advice. but I would probably just crop so I maintained the WR properties. Have fun on your trip.

01-22-2012, 11:24 AM	#24
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	Stars are indeed aligning - got a larger "contribution" to the birthday extravanganza than I expected, so now I will be getting the DA* 300, an UWA (sigma or tamron), and a backup body (used). YEAHHH! I am leaning towards the K-x, though I really like the idea of the K-7 due to similar controls. Lighter/cheaper/sensor vs controls/WR.... PS: I was contemplating to buy it all and claim age cause me to forget I already ordered. Now I

01-22-2012, 11:47 AM	#25
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	DA 300 is a nice SDM lens, the longest focal length in today's Pentax land. Go for it if you need 300 mm focal length often enough. The 055CX tripod is on the limit for this lens. Gitzo for instance recommends a 5-series tripod for anything beyond 300 mm in 35 mm land, the 055CX may be comapred to a 2-series Gitzo. After getting the DA300 I am thinking about getting the DA200 as well - so yes 200 and 300 mm lenses make sense in the lineup. Both have SDM focusing, weather sealing...

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01-22-2012, 12:47 PM	#26
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by HenrikDK Stars are indeed aligning - got a larger "contribution" to the birthday extravanganza than I expected, so now I will be getting the DA* 300, an UWA (sigma or tamron), and a backup body (used). YEAHHH! I am leaning towards the K-x, though I really like the idea of the K-7 due to similar controls. Lighter/cheaper/sensor vs controls/WR.... PS: I was contemplating to buy it all and claim age cause me to forget I already ordered. Now I I had the K7 before I bought the K5 ... given what you are going to use these for I wouldn't hesitate to go for a used Kr over the K7 for the better sensor/DR/high ISO. You'll get used to the controls.

01-22-2012, 12:57 PM	#27
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	I think I prefer the K-x over the K-r - quite a difference in price, and I really only use center AF, so the lack of AF point is not bothering me. Not so sure about the controls, though. I use the manual overrides a lot, and I will absolutely miss easy access to ISO/exposure adjustments. The DR is nice, but I would not worry about the lack of high ISO too much. Always shooting RAW, and I would still be using the K-5 as my primary camera. Hmm..

01-22-2012, 07:03 PM	#28
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	Just picked up a white K-x on flea-bay for a great price, considering it included a 50-200mm that I can sell again. First one down ;-) Decided to go the cheap route - leaving an easy way to upgrade to a K-3. Oh that LBA... Will order a 300 mm DA* from BH Photo, so I can get the warranty.

02-07-2012, 10:56 PM	#29
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	I don't know how this panned out but I'll give my opinion anyway. I wouldn't recommend taking a non-weather sealed lens into a steamy tropical jungle. That won't be good for the lens or the camera. I would recommend the 60-250 if you retire the Tamron but take no TC to the jungle. If you intend keeping the Tamron then maybe buy a cheaper WR zoom and the 300 to take on your trip. If you're happy with the Tammy then there's really no need to buy the 60-250 otherwise. The 300 will be a more effective addition to your system in that scenario.

02-08-2012, 06:50 AM	#30
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	I am keeping my Tamron 70-200mm, and getting the DA* 300mm. As mentioned I picked up a K-x as a backup body, and I was lucky to find a used Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 in excellent shape for a good price. I expext a humid, but not extremely wet, environment in the forest. If so, I will just have to stick to my DA*'s and pick which one to leave mounted. Maybe use a plastic bag on the K-x with my 16-50 if needed, giving me the option to switch from the K-5/300. Vast majority of shooting will probably be in fine weather, so I should be covered by now. Already working on setup with two bags. My wife doesn't know it yet, but she will be carrying a good deal of all this equipment ;-)