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SaltyPentax · 02-07-2015, 06:05 PM

So, just purchased an A* 300 2.8 on Ebay... The price was right and the lens looks to be in ok to above average condition. I hope this was not too much of a spontaneous impulse. Feedback on this lens looks limited, but by all accounts it is an awesome lens... Right? The FA* might have been appealing with the AF, but somehow, the manual focus is not really concerning me - just inspiring to think of cutting the leash that holds you to slow or noisy motors and missed shots where the branch is in focus and the bird is out... Anyway, a little late now, but any input on how you would have spent 2k on Pentax lenses? I guess I'll be ready for the FF! Sorry for this big second guessing ramble, but it's nice to know you are all out there. Cheers!

vonBaloney · 02-07-2015, 06:10 PM

The A*300/2.8 is freaking fantastic. I bought mine simply because it seemed like a good deal, but I don't think I can part with it now. It is a beast, but having f/2.8 rather than f/4 or f/4.5 is a bigger advantage than I thought it would be, especially if you want to put a teleconverter on it. I am very used to manual focus, not a big deal at all to me. And you can put the 1.7x AF adapter on it and have a very nice semi-AF 500/4.5 (almost). As long as it is in decent shape, you shouldn't be disappointed...

**jatrax** · 02-07-2015, 06:14 PM

2k?
DA*300 and HD 1.4x RC. For about 2k you have 300mm and 420mm with AF and modern glass. Granted that is f/4 and f/5.6 but you asked for input.

I love old glass and old great glass as much as the next and congrats on the purchase. Please post back once you get it and let us know how it works. I've always wanted one of those white lenses but other things always seem to get bought first.

Driline · 02-07-2015, 06:19 PM

I saw it sold for $1,600.

SaltyPentax · 02-07-2015, 06:28 PM

Hmmm... Mine sold for 1,899. I wish I had it for 1,600. Never even saw that one. I'm used to seeing these in the mid 2k region, has the price softened for old glass? I'd almost think the opposite would occur leading up to a FF release.

vonBaloney · 02-07-2015, 06:51 PM

They go from $1400-$2000 (USD) or so depending on condition and availability in the market. Expensive & uncommon lenses vary wildly.

bassek · 02-08-2015, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

2k?
DA*300 and HD 1.4x RC. For about 2k you have 300mm and 420mm with AF and modern glass. Granted that is f/4 and f/5.6 but you asked for input.

I love old glass and old great glass as much as the next and congrats on the purchase. Please post back once you get it and let us know how it works. I've always wanted one of those white lenses but other things always seem to get bought first.

The A*300/2.8 is faster than the DA*300/4.

That difference is very expensive, maybe not as drastic as the price difference between the A50/1.2 vs the A50/1.4...

Seb

normhead · 02-08-2015, 07:30 AM

At his point, with the lenses I have, all I'm willing to pay for is speed, and as I've discovered, 2.8 is usually beyond my price range. Everything I miss these days, I miss because my lenses are too slow for available light.

**Kerrowdown** · 02-08-2015, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by SaltyPentax

just purchased an A* 300 2.8

Enjoy that glass, it's truly awesome, well all the ones I've come across were.

Remember to shoot it with the filter in place in the wee drawer/carrier thingy.

P.S. Did anyone else mention that it's also FF ready.

**jatrax** · 02-08-2015, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

P.S. Did anyone else mention that it's also FF ready.

Wow, Pentax was really thinking ahead when they made those.

**Kerrowdown** · 02-08-2015, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Pentax was really thinking ahead when they made those

Aye but all the cameras were FF in those days, so it was an easy call for Pentax.

SaltyPentax · 02-08-2015, 05:57 PM

Thanks for all the discussion. I'm certainly looking forward to the arrival of the A*. I'm a little curious about the two new FF pentax lenses, almost makes me wonder if they would be worth waiting for. Last summer I owned both the DA* 300 and the F* 300 - my copy of the F* was not sharp and I did not keep it. I enjoyed the DA* but was not blown away by it. Anybody used both the A* and the DA*? I suspect the difference between 2.8 and 4 is actually rather large - or so I hope... Especially with the 2X-L... Anyway, 600mm at 5.6 sounds reasonable. I might even have a go at some hand held shots - or is that a pipe dream? I spend a lot of time on the ocean so many wildlife opportunities appear quick and don't last long.

Also, anybody know why the A* cost more then the FA* when they were both available new?

Cheers!

02-07-2015, 06:05 PM	#1
SaltyPentax Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 33	*LBA and the A300 2.8 others out there?...** So, just purchased an A* 300 2.8 on Ebay... The price was right and the lens looks to be in ok to above average condition. I hope this was not too much of a spontaneous impulse. Feedback on this lens looks limited, but by all accounts it is an awesome lens... Right? The FA* might have been appealing with the AF, but somehow, the manual focus is not really concerning me - just inspiring to think of cutting the leash that holds you to slow or noisy motors and missed shots where the branch is in focus and the bird is out... Anyway, a little late now, but any input on how you would have spent 2k on Pentax lenses? I guess I'll be ready for the FF! Sorry for this big second guessing ramble, but it's nice to know you are all out there. Cheers!

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02-07-2015, 06:10 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	The A*300/2.8 is freaking fantastic. I bought mine simply because it seemed like a good deal, but I don't think I can part with it now. It is a beast, but having f/2.8 rather than f/4 or f/4.5 is a bigger advantage than I thought it would be, especially if you want to put a teleconverter on it. I am very used to manual focus, not a big deal at all to me. And you can put the 1.7x AF adapter on it and have a very nice semi-AF 500/4.5 (almost). As long as it is in decent shape, you shouldn't be disappointed...

02-07-2015, 06:14 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	2k? DA*300 and HD 1.4x RC. For about 2k you have 300mm and 420mm with AF and modern glass. Granted that is f/4 and f/5.6 but you asked for input. I love old glass and old great glass as much as the next and congrats on the purchase. Please post back once you get it and let us know how it works. I've always wanted one of those white lenses but other things always seem to get bought first.

02-07-2015, 06:19 PM	#4
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	I saw it sold for $1,600.

02-07-2015, 06:28 PM	#5
SaltyPentax Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 33 Original Poster	Hmmm... Mine sold for 1,899. I wish I had it for 1,600. Never even saw that one. I'm used to seeing these in the mid 2k region, has the price softened for old glass? I'd almost think the opposite would occur leading up to a FF release.

02-07-2015, 06:51 PM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	They go from $1400-$2000 (USD) or so depending on condition and availability in the market. Expensive & uncommon lenses vary wildly.

02-08-2015, 06:57 AM	#7
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	Originally posted by jatrax 2k? DA300 and HD 1.4x RC. For about 2k you have 300mm and 420mm with AF and modern glass. Granted that is f/4 and f/5.6 but you asked for input. I love old glass and old great glass as much as the next and congrats on the purchase. Please post back once you get it and let us know how it works. I've always wanted one of those white lenses but other things always seem to get bought first. The A300/2.8 is faster than the DA*300/4. That difference is very expensive, maybe not as drastic as the price difference between the A50/1.2 vs the A50/1.4... Seb

02-08-2015, 07:30 AM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	At his point, with the lenses I have, all I'm willing to pay for is speed, and as I've discovered, 2.8 is usually beyond my price range. Everything I miss these days, I miss because my lenses are too slow for available light.

02-08-2015, 07:42 AM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by SaltyPentax just purchased an A* 300 2.8 Enjoy that glass, it's truly awesome, well all the ones I've come across were. Remember to shoot it with the filter in place in the wee drawer/carrier thingy. P.S. Did anyone else mention that it's also FF ready.

02-08-2015, 03:23 PM	#10
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by Kerrowdown P.S. Did anyone else mention that it's also FF ready. Wow, Pentax was really thinking ahead when they made those.

02-08-2015, 03:38 PM	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by jatrax Pentax was really thinking ahead when they made those Aye but all the cameras were FF in those days, so it was an easy call for Pentax.

02-08-2015, 05:57 PM	#12
SaltyPentax Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 33 Original Poster	Thanks for all the discussion. I'm certainly looking forward to the arrival of the A. I'm a little curious about the two new FF pentax lenses, almost makes me wonder if they would be worth waiting for. Last summer I owned both the DA 300 and the F* 300 - my copy of the F* was not sharp and I did not keep it. I enjoyed the DA* but was not blown away by it. Anybody used both the A* and the DA? I suspect the difference between 2.8 and 4 is actually rather large - or so I hope... Especially with the 2X-L... Anyway, 600mm at 5.6 sounds reasonable. I might even have a go at some hand held shots - or is that a pipe dream? I spend a lot of time on the ocean so many wildlife opportunities appear quick and don't last long. Also, anybody know why the A cost more then the FA* when they were both available new? Cheers!

LBA and the A*300 2.8 others out there?...

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