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

HenrikDK · 03-26-2012, 12:23 PM

I now have a new favourite lens - the DA* 300mm was just INCREDIBLE!!!! Probably was used for 1/2 to 2/3rds of the pictures I took in Costa Rica.

My Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 was hardly used at all. There were a few instances were a zoom (like the 70-200 or 60-250mm) would have been helpful as the 300mm pulled in too close, but FAR more instances where the slightly higher magnification was beneficial. Most shots ended up being shot wide open or close to wide open, so again the sharpness of the 300mm was extremely helpful. See pictures below for a few examples.

The WR turned out to be almost a non-event. Only once did I get wet - while I was INDOOR!!!! An exibit with frogs had a constant drizzle, and the K-5 with my 100mm WR was defintely needed, as I and the camera got soaked. The rest of the time, including in the cloud (rain) forest, it was beautiful weather, wit no rain.

I used the Sigma 10-20mm quite a few times, and there was a few instances where the UWA made a difference (see last picture below), but the benefit over my DA* 16-50mm was not as significant as I had expected - probably because I was so busy shooting away with the 300mm

Also someones suggestion that I got a second body was a godsend. Allowed me to have the 300mm K-5 mounted permantly, and then supplement with either the 10-20mm or 16-50mm on the K-x - the latter probably being used the most.

Thanks for all your advice!

Attached Images

RonHendriks1966 · 03-26-2012, 12:44 PM

Good choice and some wonderfull pictures

Col · 03-26-2012, 01:31 PM

Congratulations, so you have both an excellent series of images but also a great lens to remember the journey!

**crewl1** · 03-26-2012, 11:15 PM

Great shots, glad you felt well kitted with the DA300. I'm going to Costa Rica at end of summer, cant wait!

chickenandavocado · 03-27-2012, 12:34 AM

nice photos!

i too am pondering the thought of what to add with my 70-200 with a potential trip to africa

(or if i should splurge on that sigma 500 hmm)

**bkpix** · 03-27-2012, 01:19 AM

You'll be 51 soon. Probably need a pre-birthday present in the form of a 12-24.

Frogfish · 03-27-2012, 10:58 PM

Excellent shots Hendrik and looks like you had a fabulous time - look forward to seeing many shots in the Photos forum.

Glad you took my (and Lowell's I think) advice on the back-up camera

The DA*300 is my most used lens too - it's just a superb lens.

HenrikDK · 03-28-2012, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by chickenandavocado

i too am pondering the thought of what to add with my 70-200 with a potential trip to africa (or if i should splurge on that sigma 500 hmm)

Obviously the 500mm F4.5 is in a different price league, so can't help you there. If you can afford that lens, surely you can afford the 300mm as well, so get both!!! The 300mm is easily handheld, and so much smaller it worked well as the casual "walk-around wildlife lens". Also the pictures are so sharp, I have no qualms cropping when needed. For what its worth, I used my Tamron 1.4x TC only for 2 or 3 shots, partly because I am not sure the resulting picture is better than the cropped - but I really have to test that some more. Before I left I tested the 300mm vs my Tamron 70-200mm and the 300mm were substanstially sharper than the corresponding 300mm cropped (as should be expected).

03-26-2012, 12:23 PM	#31
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	Got back from Costa Rica I now have a new favourite lens - the DA* 300mm was just INCREDIBLE!!!! Probably was used for 1/2 to 2/3rds of the pictures I took in Costa Rica. My Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 was hardly used at all. There were a few instances were a zoom (like the 70-200 or 60-250mm) would have been helpful as the 300mm pulled in too close, but FAR more instances where the slightly higher magnification was beneficial. Most shots ended up being shot wide open or close to wide open, so again the sharpness of the 300mm was extremely helpful. See pictures below for a few examples. The WR turned out to be almost a non-event. Only once did I get wet - while I was INDOOR!!!! An exibit with frogs had a constant drizzle, and the K-5 with my 100mm WR was defintely needed, as I and the camera got soaked. The rest of the time, including in the cloud (rain) forest, it was beautiful weather, wit no rain. I used the Sigma 10-20mm quite a few times, and there was a few instances where the UWA made a difference (see last picture below), but the benefit over my DA* 16-50mm was not as significant as I had expected - probably because I was so busy shooting away with the 300mm Also someones suggestion that I got a second body was a godsend. Allowed me to have the 300mm K-5 mounted permantly, and then supplement with either the 10-20mm or 16-50mm on the K-x - the latter probably being used the most. Thanks for all your advice! Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does this make sense for an SDM expansion tube?	philbaum	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	12-15-2011 10:09 PM
Does Employment at Will make sense?	GeneV	General Talk	34	11-07-2011 11:33 AM
If I have the 16-50, does it make sense to get the 15mm ƒ4?	Sperdynamite	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	21	10-24-2011 11:05 PM
People yeah.... a pony tail would make sense	dcmsox2004	Post Your Photos!	2	07-16-2011 07:18 PM

03-26-2012, 12:44 PM	#32
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Good choice and some wonderfull pictures

03-26-2012, 01:31 PM	#33
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Congratulations, so you have both an excellent series of images but also a great lens to remember the journey!

03-26-2012, 11:15 PM	#34
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Great shots, glad you felt well kitted with the DA300. I'm going to Costa Rica at end of summer, cant wait!

03-27-2012, 12:34 AM	#35
chickenandavocado Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 327	nice photos! i too am pondering the thought of what to add with my 70-200 with a potential trip to africa (or if i should splurge on that sigma 500 hmm)

03-27-2012, 01:19 AM	#36
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 570	You'll be 51 soon. Probably need a pre-birthday present in the form of a 12-24.

03-27-2012, 10:58 PM	#37
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Excellent shots Hendrik and looks like you had a fabulous time - look forward to seeing many shots in the Photos forum. Glad you took my (and Lowell's I think) advice on the back-up camera The DA*300 is my most used lens too - it's just a superb lens.

03-28-2012, 05:37 AM	#38
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386 Original Poster	Originally posted by chickenandavocado i too am pondering the thought of what to add with my 70-200 with a potential trip to africa (or if i should splurge on that sigma 500 hmm) Obviously the 500mm F4.5 is in a different price league, so can't help you there. If you can afford that lens, surely you can afford the 300mm as well, so get both!!! The 300mm is easily handheld, and so much smaller it worked well as the casual "walk-around wildlife lens". Also the pictures are so sharp, I have no qualms cropping when needed. For what its worth, I used my Tamron 1.4x TC only for 2 or 3 shots, partly because I am not sure the resulting picture is better than the cropped - but I really have to test that some more. Before I left I tested the 300mm vs my Tamron 70-200mm and the 300mm were substanstially sharper than the corresponding 300mm cropped (as should be expected).