DA 300mm f/4 .Lens

kiteman · 05-26-2014, 02:56 PM

Hi All,
Happy Memorial weekend and God bless this nation.

I was fortunate enough to purchase a 60 - 250 f4 about a year ago. I love this lens. Recently just purchased a 300 mm f4 used from KEH. OMG, this lens is awesome without converter and awesome with the new 1.4x converter. Just love on ur spouse and get one for flowers, birding, and long distant shots. I know not cheap, but u will not regret having this lens. Both my wife and I have cameras, so we really have best of both worlds. K-01 also handy with another lens. Just wanted to share about the 300. When I saw my first pics, I said wow!

This is a wonderful website to share.

Bye for now,

Larry
Clear Lake, IA
www.colorthewind.org

Adam · 05-26-2014, 04:00 PM

The DA* 300mm is indeed a wonderful lens. You might also want to post a review of it here:
SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

VisualDarkness · 05-26-2014, 04:25 PM

It's one heck of a lens, true top-notch.

Serpiente · 05-27-2014, 11:25 AM

I love this lens

**GlassJunkie** · 05-27-2014, 11:43 AM

Susan and I use the same lenses. You are Absolutely spot on... Glad to hear we aren't deluded...

**c.a.m** · 05-27-2014, 11:56 AM

For me, the DA* 300 is an 11 out of 10.

I know I'm guaranteed of getting good shots every time I take it out.

- Craig

Serpiente · 05-27-2014, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by c.a.m

For me, the DA* 300 is an 11 out of 10.

I know I'm guaranteed of getting good shots every time I take it out.

- Craig

True! From 1,5m and further it is the way to go for me.

Sandy Hancock · 05-27-2014, 03:55 PM

No argument from me. The DA*300 is the closest thing I have to a perfect lens, and I have some pretty reasonable glass in my bag.

Sorver · 05-29-2014, 09:28 PM

Thanks gang I have been tossing up whether to get 55-300wr or lash out and get the DA*300 think I have decided on the later one it will take me a little while to save up but will be worth it I think from your reviews.

Stagnant · 05-31-2014, 12:58 PM

I was not impressed by the performance of this lens in any conditions slightly harsher than good. My main complaint is a strong loss of contrast under non perfect lighting conditions.

VisualDarkness · 05-31-2014, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Stagnant

I was not impressed by the performance of this lens in any conditions slightly harsher than good. My main complaint is a strong loss of contrast under non perfect lighting conditions.

What kind of "non perfect lighting conditions"? Unless you talk about flare it's only contrast performance left and how well the lens performs in that regard is universal, not depending on conditions.

Stagnant · 06-03-2014, 10:34 AM

I am talking about the contrast. When used under certain angles to sun, it produces decent contrast, or rather the lack of contrast is not that noticeable. When there are slight clouds, not talking about grey sky and you are unlucky enough to shoot under certain angles, you end up having really low contrast.
Early morning around 08:00.

VisualDarkness · 06-03-2014, 11:04 AM

Well that looks like low contrast due to atmospheric conditions over great distances, all lenses with the same focal length will be affected by that. Do you use the hood?

**pacerr** · 06-03-2014, 11:27 AM

EVERYTHING suffers from a lack of contrast over a large body of water at 0800. Same's true over large corn fields. It's humidity . . . with a little help from tele compression of the scene. A POL filter MAY help - depending on the sun's position.

Of course, in the desert there's the mirage effect on sharpness and in the mountains UV may have some effect, especially on film, but . . .

VisualDarkness · 06-03-2014, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by pacerr

EVERYTHING suffers from a lack of contrast over a large body of water at 0800. Same's true over large corn fields. It's humidity . . . with a little help from tele compression of the scene. A POL filter MAY help - depending on the sun's position.

Of course, in the desert there's the mirage effect on sharpness and in the mountains UV may have some effect, especially on film, but . . .

Exactly, and the longer the lens the more the atmospheric conditions will show.

05-26-2014, 02:56 PM	#1
kiteman Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clear Lake, IA Posts: 64	DA 300mm f/4 .Lens Hi All, Happy Memorial weekend and God bless this nation. I was fortunate enough to purchase a 60 - 250 f4 about a year ago. I love this lens. Recently just purchased a 300 mm f4 used from KEH. OMG, this lens is awesome without converter and awesome with the new 1.4x converter. Just love on ur spouse and get one for flowers, birding, and long distant shots. I know not cheap, but u will not regret having this lens. Both my wife and I have cameras, so we really have best of both worlds. K-01 also handy with another lens. Just wanted to share about the 300. When I saw my first pics, I said wow! This is a wonderful website to share. Bye for now, Larry Clear Lake, IA www.colorthewind.org

05-26-2014, 04:00 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The DA* 300mm is indeed a wonderful lens. You might also want to post a review of it here: SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database 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:

06-03-2014, 10:34 AM	#12
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	I am talking about the contrast. When used under certain angles to sun, it produces decent contrast, or rather the lack of contrast is not that noticeable. When there are slight clouds, not talking about grey sky and you are unlucky enough to shoot under certain angles, you end up having really low contrast. Early morning around 08:00. Last edited by Stagnant; 06-03-2014 at 10:54 AM.

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05-26-2014, 04:25 PM	#3
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	It's one heck of a lens, true top-notch.

05-27-2014, 11:25 AM	#4
Serpiente Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154	I love this lens

05-27-2014, 11:43 AM	#5
GlassJunkie Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: St Petersburg Photos: Albums Posts: 402	Susan and I use the same lenses. You are Absolutely spot on... Glad to hear we aren't deluded...

05-27-2014, 11:56 AM	#6
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,189	For me, the DA* 300 is an 11 out of 10. I know I'm guaranteed of getting good shots every time I take it out. - Craig

05-27-2014, 03:41 PM	#7
Serpiente Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154	Originally posted by c.a.m For me, the DA* 300 is an 11 out of 10. I know I'm guaranteed of getting good shots every time I take it out. - Craig True! From 1,5m and further it is the way to go for me.

05-27-2014, 03:55 PM	#8
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	No argument from me. The DA*300 is the closest thing I have to a perfect lens, and I have some pretty reasonable glass in my bag.

05-29-2014, 09:28 PM	#9
Sorver Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 440	Thanks gang I have been tossing up whether to get 55-300wr or lash out and get the DA*300 think I have decided on the later one it will take me a little while to save up but will be worth it I think from your reviews.

05-31-2014, 12:58 PM	#10
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	I was not impressed by the performance of this lens in any conditions slightly harsher than good. My main complaint is a strong loss of contrast under non perfect lighting conditions.

05-31-2014, 02:02 PM	#11
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Stagnant I was not impressed by the performance of this lens in any conditions slightly harsher than good. My main complaint is a strong loss of contrast under non perfect lighting conditions. What kind of "non perfect lighting conditions"? Unless you talk about flare it's only contrast performance left and how well the lens performs in that regard is universal, not depending on conditions.

06-03-2014, 11:04 AM	#13
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Well that looks like low contrast due to atmospheric conditions over great distances, all lenses with the same focal length will be affected by that. Do you use the hood?

06-03-2014, 11:27 AM	#14
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,349	EVERYTHING suffers from a lack of contrast over a large body of water at 0800. Same's true over large corn fields. It's humidity . . . with a little help from tele compression of the scene. A POL filter MAY help - depending on the sun's position. Of course, in the desert there's the mirage effect on sharpness and in the mountains UV may have some effect, especially on film, but . . .

06-03-2014, 12:04 PM	#15
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by pacerr EVERYTHING suffers from a lack of contrast over a large body of water at 0800. Same's true over large corn fields. It's humidity . . . with a little help from tele compression of the scene. A POL filter MAY help - depending on the sun's position. Of course, in the desert there's the mirage effect on sharpness and in the mountains UV may have some effect, especially on film, but . . . Exactly, and the longer the lens the more the atmospheric conditions will show.