A*300/2.8 on trial

**StigVidar** · 04-05-2013, 09:11 AM

I contacted a seller in Norway yesterday regarding an A*300/2.8 in perfect shape and he decided to send me the lens without payment so that I could try before buy.

The lens look more or less like new and it is with the original box, but without the leather hood. He know he has the hood somewhere and should be looking for it.

He is asking €1870 / $2400 for it. I have to decide if I should keep it. I already have a DA*300/4 which is extremely good and has AF. But f/2.8 is sometimes very useful, as you know.

Seems I have to do some serious thinking this weekend.

cali92rs · 04-05-2013, 09:25 AM

Wow, he is one trusting man to send you a lens to try out! Kudos to him.
f2.8 is useful...and so is AF

In my opinion, and this is totally preference...I say stay with the DA*. You do lose a stop...but you gain weather sealing and AF (not to mention the price, you can get two DA*s for the price he is charging).

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-05-2013, 09:39 AM

Can I try it out next?

I think the argument for a 300/2.8 is not so much comparing it to the 300/4, but combining it with the 1.7x AF Adapter to get to 510mm with reasonable speed (f4.5?). The adapter is really small so you can quickly add or remove it as needed. That might be redundant for you since you already have a 250-600/5.6.

goubejp · 04-05-2013, 10:10 AM

I have had the A*300f2.8 + 1,7 X AF; not impressed, the results were not sharp until stopped down and had a lot of blue finging.
One of the best shots I got from it :

Of course as I have an FA*600 it is not in the same league... but if you already have a 250-600...

**Kerrowdown** · 04-05-2013, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by StigVidar

A*300/2.8 on trial

Remember to keep that wee filter draw at the rear of the lens, full with the filter.

I remember reading somewhere that it does alter in some way the performance of this lens, so it needs to be there.

**Baard-Einar** · 04-05-2013, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by StigVidar

I contacted a seller in Norway yesterday regarding an A*300/2.8 in perfect shape and he decided to send me the lens without payment so that I could try before buy.

The lens look more or less like new and it is with the original box, but without the leather hood. He know he has the hood somewhere and should be looking for it.

He is asking €1870 / $2400 for it. I have to decide if I should keep it. I already have a DA*300/4 which is extremely good and has AF. But f/2.8 is sometimes very useful, as you know.

Seems I have to do some serious thinking this weekend.

Hey

Is it the one for sale on finn.no?

Regards
BaardE

Barbarosa · 04-05-2013, 03:32 PM

for that lens You need pentax rear converter 2x-L and I have one

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 04-05-2013, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by goubejp

I have had the A*300f2.8 + 1,7 X AF; not impressed, the results were not sharp until stopped down and had a lot of blue finging.
One of the best shots I got from it :

Of course as I have an FA*600 it is not in the same league... but if you already have a 250-600...

That is a mediocre converter limited by the optical compromises needed to give you that fake autofocus. You should use the 2x-L or 1.4x-L, they were built for it.

**Pål Jensen** · 04-05-2013, 03:54 PM

The A* 300/2.8 is VERY heavy for a 300mm lens. Even for 300/2.8

Maybe it is my old one

**StigVidar** · 04-05-2013, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by Baard-Einar

Hey

Is it the one for sale on finn.no?

Regards
BaardE

Here is the advertising. No need to ask the seller as he don't have it anymore :-)

Pent Brukt Pentax 300mm 2,8 i Flight - FINN Torget

**StigVidar** · 04-06-2013, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

The A* 300/2.8 is VERY heavy for a 300mm lens. Even for 300/2.8

Maybe it is my old one

I can check if you have the serial number.......

04-05-2013, 09:11 AM	#1
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705	*A300/2.8 on trial** I contacted a seller in Norway yesterday regarding an A300/2.8 in perfect shape and he decided to send me the lens without payment so that I could try before buy. The lens look more or less like new and it is with the original box, but without the leather hood. He know he has the hood somewhere and should be looking for it. He is asking €1870 / $2400 for it. I have to decide if I should keep it. I already have a DA300/4 which is extremely good and has AF. But f/2.8 is sometimes very useful, as you know. Seems I have to do some serious thinking this weekend.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A *300 / 2.8 on ebay	dragon132312	Pentax Price Watch	2	09-21-2012 12:46 AM
FA* 200 Macro, A* 300 2.8, FA* 300 2.8	Julie	Pentax Price Watch	26	06-14-2012 09:19 PM
FA* 300 2.8 vs A*300 f/2.8	rvannatta	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	19	01-13-2012 12:22 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax FA28-70/2.8, FA80-200/2.8, A*300/2.8	nicolas1970i	Sold Items	9	12-08-2011 08:00 AM
For Sale - Sold: Primes: F300/4.5, A300/4, FA35/2, Viv 105/2.5 Macro, A28/2.8, A135/2.8 (Worl	thirdofthree	Sold Items	5	10-23-2010 04:40 PM

04-05-2013, 09:25 AM	#2
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Wow, he is one trusting man to send you a lens to try out! Kudos to him. f2.8 is useful...and so is AF In my opinion, and this is totally preference...I say stay with the DA. You do lose a stop...but you gain weather sealing and AF (not to mention the price, you can get two DAs for the price he is charging).

04-05-2013, 09:39 AM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Can I try it out next? I think the argument for a 300/2.8 is not so much comparing it to the 300/4, but combining it with the 1.7x AF Adapter to get to 510mm with reasonable speed (f4.5?). The adapter is really small so you can quickly add or remove it as needed. That might be redundant for you since you already have a 250-600/5.6.

04-05-2013, 10:10 AM	#4
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	I have had the A300f2.8 + 1,7 X AF; not impressed, the results were not sharp until stopped down and had a lot of blue finging. One of the best shots I got from it : Of course as I have an FA600 it is not in the same league... but if you already have a 250-600...

04-05-2013, 11:25 AM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by StigVidar A*300/2.8 on trial Remember to keep that wee filter draw at the rear of the lens, full with the filter. I remember reading somewhere that it does alter in some way the performance of this lens, so it needs to be there.

04-05-2013, 01:37 PM	#6
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by StigVidar I contacted a seller in Norway yesterday regarding an A300/2.8 in perfect shape and he decided to send me the lens without payment so that I could try before buy. The lens look more or less like new and it is with the original box, but without the leather hood. He know he has the hood somewhere and should be looking for it. He is asking €1870 / $2400 for it. I have to decide if I should keep it. I already have a DA300/4 which is extremely good and has AF. But f/2.8 is sometimes very useful, as you know. Seems I have to do some serious thinking this weekend. Hey Is it the one for sale on finn.no? Regards BaardE

04-05-2013, 03:32 PM	#7
Barbarosa Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sanski Most Posts: 147	for that lens You need pentax rear converter 2x-L and I have one

04-05-2013, 03:40 PM	#8
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Originally posted by goubejp I have had the A300f2.8 + 1,7 X AF; not impressed, the results were not sharp until stopped down and had a lot of blue finging. One of the best shots I got from it : Of course as I have an FA600 it is not in the same league... but if you already have a 250-600... That is a mediocre converter limited by the optical compromises needed to give you that fake autofocus. You should use the 2x-L or 1.4x-L, they were built for it.

04-05-2013, 03:54 PM	#9
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	The A* 300/2.8 is VERY heavy for a 300mm lens. Even for 300/2.8 Maybe it is my old one

04-05-2013, 04:28 PM	#10
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705 Original Poster	Originally posted by Baard-Einar Hey Is it the one for sale on finn.no? Regards BaardE Here is the advertising. No need to ask the seller as he don't have it anymore :-) Pent Brukt Pentax 300mm 2,8 i Flight - FINN Torget

04-06-2013, 01:07 AM	#11
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pål Jensen The A* 300/2.8 is VERY heavy for a 300mm lens. Even for 300/2.8 Maybe it is my old one I can check if you have the serial number.......