[Neville]

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It has just arrived! Can't wait to get outside and take some pictures...

[DSims]

Looks nice on the camera too! Let us see some shots when you get them!

[Neville]

And here are the results of my first outing with my new (second-hand) FA* 300 F4.5:

[Driline]

And here are the results of my first outing with my new (second-hand) FA* 300 F4.5:

ckr

Cool looking surfer shots. What a great lens. A smart investment for sure. I've got the similar F*300.

Where were you standing when you took the surfer shots? Boat? Land?

[Neville]

Cool looking surfer shots. What a great lens. A smart investment for sure. I've got the similar F*300.

Where were you standing when you took the surfer shots? Boat? Land?

Thanks Driline! I am very happy with it.

I was standing on a pier when I took the surfing shots.

[DSims]

Oooh, it looks even better when you use it on the camera. Very, very nice.

See, you really did need this lens. You take good photos. Yet now it's obvious to anyone who sees them.



And if you paid what it sounds like you did, you got a huge bargain in terms of ROI in IQ for your money! It's really an optimum match for your K-5 II - you should be getting even more in-focus shots than the DA*300 would have given you.

I usually like to shoot at f/5 for a slight IQ improvement - give it a try! But sometimes I forget or otherwise end up at f/4.5, and it's not like it ruins my photos. But I believe the % of successful images (that look as sharp/focused as I want them to) is a little higher at f/5.

[uttam.hathi]

ok this is in fleabay
Pentax SMC F 300 mm F 4 5 Ed If Lens 0027075031548 | eBay

[Driline]

ok this is in fleabay
Pentax SMC F 300 mm F 4 5 Ed If Lens 0027075031548 | eBay

Great starting price! Someone's going to get a great deal if this price remains low. I paid $925 for my copy and it was worth every cent!

[zapp]

I have a Pentax DA 55-300mm zoom lens, which has served me well with my wildlife photography and track athletics events.

However, I am intrigued by the SMC Pentax DA* 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM prime lens, and the reviews are all very good.

The problem is that the prime lens is more than triple the price of the zoom lens.

I would like some opinions as to whether the cost warrants the benefits of getting the prime lens. In other words, I need to justify the outlay to my better half...

If price is the problem we cannot help you.

The Da*300 is one stop faster, so the lens need to be bigger and correction is more difficult to accomplish. Using a tele zoom lens on the extreme end is never the sweet spot of that lens. So, yes the DA* is worth it, but only a 300mm lens will not be enough for changing situations. You will want a second lens as well - like the DA*200. Or you have a closer look at the DA* 60-250. A stop faster than the 55-300, DA* features and 250 should be long enough for regular track and field. Ger a monopod as well.
F*300 and FA* 300 are often overpriced and offer less features than the DA*, F 4.5/300 can be found at decent prices, but old and used.