[WPRESTO]

I think everyone who had one (includes me) was disappointed with the 50~200, and was pleased by the significantly better performance of the 55~300, but the 300 f4 is in an entirely different league. None of the XXX to 300mm zooms competes with it at 300mm. The only zoom I know of that has possibly comparable IQ @ 300mm is the 150~450mm.

[robtcorl]

It's the nicest, sharpest, biggest, heaviest, longest, sweetest, most wonderful, and most expensive, lens I've ever owned.
I really like it!

[Sandy Hancock]

The DA*300 is a gem. I should get around to bunging it on the K-1 some time.

Not sharp wide open? I didn't get that brief....





ISO 10000 hand held at 1/80



ISO 6400 hand held at 1/125 with the 1.4x teleconverter, so 630mm full frame equivalent.

[Theov39]

The DA*300 is a gem. I should get around to bunging it on the K-1 some time.

Not sharp wide open? I didn't get that brief....





ISO 10000 hand held at 1/80



ISO 6400 hand held at 1/125 with the 1.4x teleconverter, so 630mm full frame equivalent.

Sandy, you have convinced me! I suspect now that the sharpness issue at full aperture is from how the lens was handled rather then the lens itself. in any case, it has a tripod collar for a reason.

---------- Post added 11-19-16 at 12:44 AM ----------

As I mentioned in my earlier post, you can browse the images (Flickr) and you will see several taken at f/4 .... no problem with that aperture.
I would presume that "not sharp at full aperture" reported could be due to user's technique, lighting conditions ... etc.
Now that you will likely shoot stopped down a bit, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Those photos are amazing and show the capabilities of both the lens and the photographers. Any link specifically to your photos?

[Theov39]

Yes, the da*300mm is significantly sharper (and heavier) than the da50-200mm.

I've limited experience with a da55-300mm, but I considered it a noticeable cut above the da50-200mm (at least for the copies I've tried). You might want to check out this thread about a da55-300mm vs Safari conditions https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/333152-safa...00-report.html

Thanks for the link Brian. That was a great story.

BTW, South Africa is a great place to do low cost safaris. In both Pilansburg (180 KM from Johannesburg) and Kruger National Park you can self-drive. Entry fees are about $40 a day and you can hire a car for about $40 per day,

[Theov39]

Thank you very much all who replied to my post. I greatly appreciate you taking time to respond.

Sold me on the lens and how great this forum is!

Kind regards

Theo

[Kerrowdown]

If you don't need WR then the F*300 is a "tad" better

And also if you don't need AF, check out the Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0, which can do some good wildlife stuff.

---

Last edited by Kerrowdown; 11-20-2016 at 03:53 AM.

[noelpolar]

I'm with Driline.... I'm in Australia and I've got one.... on safari you can use it to defend yourself.... can't do that with plastic....

[Blacknight659]

The DA* Prime lenses perform very well and sometimes shine at their lowest aperture. The only exception to this is the 50-135 and 16-50, where they need to be stopped down a bit to really see the sharpness.

Someone mentioned in this thread, the DA* SDM line from this generation is known for SDM failure. If you haven't had failure, you are in line for it. Good news is that it can easily be overcome with fairly simple "hack". Here is a link to video I created for this procedure. The 60-250 and 55 SDM can't be hacked unfortunately. The 60-250 because we don't have the correct config adjustments, and the 55mm because the lens doesn't have a screwdrive.

I wouldn't let this keep me from buying a DA* lens, as long as it could be converted to Screwdrive should the SDM die.

[UncleVanya]

Not to sidetrack things too much, but I have never noticed problems with sharp wide open shots on my 50-135. I also haven't ever heard that before. I have heard people suggest that the 16-50 is soft wide open but not the 50-135.

I do expect it like most lenses that are faster than f5.6 will improve up to f5.6 or f8.

[BrianR]

I'm with Driline.... I'm in Australia and I've got one.... on safari you can use it to defend yourself.... can't do that with plastic....

The DA*300mm is metal and ready for beat down duty.

I don't know who would win if it fought an F*300mm. I hope they never come to blows - that would be a tragic battle no matter the outcome.

[jpzk]

I think everyone who had one (includes me) was disappointed with the 50~200, and was pleased by the significantly better performance of the 55~300, but the 300 f4 is in an entirely different league. None of the XXX to 300mm zooms competes with it at 300mm. The only zoom I know of that has possibly comparable IQ @ 300mm is the 150~450mm.

Comparable perhaps but certainly not as sharp!

---------- Post added 11-21-16 at 12:26 PM ----------

Sandy, you have convinced me! I suspect now that the sharpness issue at full aperture is from how the lens was handled rather then the lens itself. in any case, it has a tripod collar for a reason.

---------- Post added 11-19-16 at 12:44 AM ----------


Those photos are amazing and show the capabilities of both the lens and the photographers. Any link specifically to your photos?

That's what I had posted earlier for you.

Here are some specific link, that should keep you busy for a while:
Snowy Owls | Flickr
Pentax K3 keepers | Flickr
NGC National Geographic Group photos | Flickr
Peregrine Falcon Series 2 2012 | Flickr
Peregrine Falcons 2012 Series | Flickr
Wild animals | Flickr
Wild Birds | Flickr

Cheers!

[Basie]

Another one with the DA*300 The catch light is my Land Cruiser! Heavily cropped The K5 with this lens is fantastic, but the autofocus can let you down. Not here though

Plenty sharp. You will not be dissapointed

[Des]

Since you are in the mood for upgrading the kit Theo, I'd suggest you look at replacing the K-50/K-7 with one of the 24mp cameras: K-3, K-3ii or K-70. For me, going from a K-30 to a K-3 was great for wildlife shooting: it provided me with much more scope for cropping and an immediately-noticeable increase in resolution. AF is much better on the K-3 too. A second-hand K-3 can be had for around $A700-800. Ted's was recently selling Pentax cameras for 20% off - a K-70 at $800 is tempting.

[Theov39]

Comparable perhaps but certainly not as sharp!

---------- Post added 11-21-16 at 12:26 PM ----------



That's what I had posted earlier for you.

Here are some specific link, that should keep you busy for a while:
Snowy Owls | Flickr
Pentax K3 keepers | Flickr
NGC National Geographic Group photos | Flickr
Peregrine Falcon Series 2 2012 | Flickr
Peregrine Falcons 2012 Series | Flickr
Wild animals | Flickr
Wild Birds | Flickr

Cheers!

Thanks for that! Great photos!

---------- Post added 11-21-16 at 10:14 PM ----------

Since you are in the mood for upgrading the kit Theo, I'd suggest you look at replacing the K-50/K-7 with one of the 24mp cameras: K-3, K-3ii or K-70. Going from a K-30 to a K-3 was great for wildlife shooting: it provided me with much more scope for cropping and an immediately-noticeable increase in resolution. AF is much better on the K-3 too. A second-hand K-3 can be had for around $A700-800. Ted's was recently selling Pentax cameras for 20% off - a K-70 at $800 is tempting.

Good advice.... there is a K-3 sitting on Gumtree at the moment for $800 which is very tempting. The new K-70 looks great too.