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Adam · 01-20-2007, 10:50 AM

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Originally posted by roentarre

I thought the new DFA 200 and 300 will be * lenses and have features of super sonic motor and weather sealed.

The cost of these gems are speculated to be in the league of competition big guns...

Well that sure is news to me!

I guess we'll find out in a few weeks

Adam
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joele · 01-21-2007, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by tranq78

The FA version has an AF/MF clutch that the F version doesn't have, as the tripod collar is not in the way anymore.

My F*300 has an AF/MF clutch, you pull/click the ring just below the focus ring back for MF and push it forward again to switch back to AF..

As for the tripod mount, I don't find it causes any more softness than using any long lens on a tripod.. you have to be careful (use MLU) in the 1/60 - 1/2 range for best performance as you would with any 300mm lens on a tripod...

**tranq78** · 01-21-2007, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by joele

My F*300 has an AF/MF clutch, you pull/click the ring just below the focus ring back for MF and push it forward again to switch back to AF..

As for the tripod mount, I don't find it causes any more softness than using any long lens on a tripod.. you have to be careful (use MLU) in the 1/60 - 1/2 range for best performance as you would with any 300mm lens on a tripod...

Thanks for clarifying that fact.

I try to use MLU whenever possible too. It is just that without a tripod mount I have to be careful about locking down my ballhead properly to prevent the framed image from shifting (drives me nuts!). I have a good quality ballhead so the shifting isn't really a problem, but it is just something I have to be more cautious about, which can slow me down a bit. That's why I want a tripod mount.

eurostar · 01-23-2007, 01:45 AM

Sure with MLU there are no problems, but shooting birds I noticed the problem. Plus, the lens is so short and not really heavy, while the tripod collar is so massive and bulky, I tend to leave it out of my bag. But I agree that is better to have, and be able to take it away, that not to have one at all, like with the FA .

Also, there is the built in retractible lens shade that is a plus in respect to the detached, reversible shade of the FA version.

joele · 01-23-2007, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by eurostar

Also, there is the built in retractible lens shade that is a plus in respect to the detached, reversible shade of the FA version.

I can't believe they would ever drop that great hood design.. wonder what the new DFA will have?

Paul_C · 01-23-2007, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by joele

I can't believe they would ever drop that great hood design.

I concur completely. I also wouldn't trade the tripod collar for anything. It's just a better way to work.

Tom Lusk · 01-23-2007, 08:27 AM

I have the FA*300 and feel no need for a tripod collar. The SR on my camera negates the need for a tripod for all the shooting I do, and I like to travel light when bushwahacking.

**tranq78** · 01-24-2007, 04:22 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words. Or maybe twenty one hundred and twenty five.

eBay: Pentax SMC P-FA* 300mm f/4.5 ED IF AF Telephoto Lens (item 220060064881 end time Dec-17-06 20:22:00 PST)

01-21-2007, 01:26 AM	#17
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	Originally posted by tranq78 The FA version has an AF/MF clutch that the F version doesn't have, as the tripod collar is not in the way anymore. My F300 has an AF/MF clutch, you pull/click the ring just below the focus ring back for MF and push it forward again to switch back to AF.. As for the tripod mount, I don't find it causes any more softness than using any long lens on a tripod.. you have to be careful (use MLU) in the 1/60 - 1/2 range for best performance as you would with any 300mm lens on a tripod... Last edited by joele; 01-21-2007 at 01:32 AM.*

01-23-2007, 08:27 AM	#22
Tom Lusk Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 973	I guess it depends... I have the FA*300 and feel no need for a tripod collar. The SR on my camera negates the need for a tripod for all the shooting I do, and I like to travel light when bushwahacking.

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01-20-2007, 10:50 AM	#16
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by roentarre I thought the new DFA 200 and 300 will be * lenses and have features of super sonic motor and weather sealed. The cost of these gems are speculated to be in the league of competition big guns... Well that sure is news to me! I guess we'll find out in a few weeks 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:

01-21-2007, 11:58 PM	#18
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	Originally posted by joele My F*300 has an AF/MF clutch, you pull/click the ring just below the focus ring back for MF and push it forward again to switch back to AF.. As for the tripod mount, I don't find it causes any more softness than using any long lens on a tripod.. you have to be careful (use MLU) in the 1/60 - 1/2 range for best performance as you would with any 300mm lens on a tripod... Thanks for clarifying that fact. I try to use MLU whenever possible too. It is just that without a tripod mount I have to be careful about locking down my ballhead properly to prevent the framed image from shifting (drives me nuts!). I have a good quality ballhead so the shifting isn't really a problem, but it is just something I have to be more cautious about, which can slow me down a bit. That's why I want a tripod mount.

01-23-2007, 01:45 AM	#19
eurostar Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albareto, Italy Photos: Gallery Posts: 819	Sure with MLU there are no problems, but shooting birds I noticed the problem. Plus, the lens is so short and not really heavy, while the tripod collar is so massive and bulky, I tend to leave it out of my bag. But I agree that is better to have, and be able to take it away, that not to have one at all, like with the FA . Also, there is the built in retractible lens shade that is a plus in respect to the detached, reversible shade of the FA version.

01-23-2007, 01:59 AM	#20
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	Originally posted by eurostar Also, there is the built in retractible lens shade that is a plus in respect to the detached, reversible shade of the FA version. I can't believe they would ever drop that great hood design.. wonder what the new DFA will have?

01-23-2007, 07:53 AM	#21
Paul_C Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 97	Originally posted by joele I can't believe they would ever drop that great hood design. I concur completely. I also wouldn't trade the tripod collar for anything. It's just a better way to work.

01-24-2007, 04:22 PM	#23
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	A picture is worth a thousand words. Or maybe twenty one hundred and twenty five. eBay: Pentax SMC P-FA* 300mm f/4.5 ED IF AF Telephoto Lens (item 220060064881 end time Dec-17-06 20:22:00 PST)

Where ar the Pentax FA 300

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!