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Vicioustuna2012 · 02-10-2017, 01:45 PM

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I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated.

fumanchu1 · 02-10-2017, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012

I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated.

I can't speak for a 300mm lens as I have yet to find one on the cheap (same as you, am still looking). In the meantime, I have the SMC M 200mm f4 (which I picked up in a thrift store for less than 30$) and while not exactly the effective range you are looking for, I was extremely surprised by the IQ of such a cheap lens.

Here is a link to the lens review SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database over 95% of people have recommended the lens and it is highly rated... As far as moon photos go, I think it should be decent for your uses (In fact I might give my 200mm a try tonight during the penumbral eclipse if the weather permits it).

Just my 2 cents but I highly recommend the 200mm if you can find one

**boriscleto** · 02-10-2017, 02:16 PM

Best 300mm lens under $100

Maybe one of the 60-300 manual zooms from the '80s. But be careful, they usually had a dangerous 'Ricoh' pin.

Tamron had a 60-300 Adaptall that was ok and usually less than $100, you might even get lucky and find one with a PKA adapter.

normhead · 02-10-2017, 02:20 PM

A used Tamron or Sigma 70-300? I've seen them go as low as $80.

**onlineflyer** · 02-10-2017, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012

I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated.

If you're patient and willing to shop around, the K 300mm might fit your need. Here's one currently on ebay. They come up fairly frequently at, or near, your price point.

Pentax asahi SMC 300mm F4 K Prime lens K mount Great condition | eBay

**boriscleto** · 02-10-2017, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by normhead

A used Tamron or Sigma 70-300? I've seen them go as low as $80.

But how to choose from the alphabet soup of model numbers? Some are better than others

rob1234 · 02-10-2017, 02:23 PM

I have been keeping an eye out for the old Tamron SP 300mm f/5.6 (model 54B), and presume as a prime it would be slightly better than the well-regarded SP 60-300mm (model 23A)...

I had a Sigma 70-300 "kit" zoom that was most unimpressive, but my only other experience (the M*300/4) is out of your budget.

How about a DA(L) 55-300? Or even a 6x7 300/4?! Looks sharp to me... SMC Pentax 67 / S-M-C Takumar / Super Takumar 6x7 300mm F4 Reviews - 67 Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

normhead · 02-10-2017, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by rob1234

I had a Sigma 70-300 "kit" zoom that was most unimpressive

That's just like mine. But it was great at the time.

**onlineflyer** · 02-10-2017, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012

I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated.

If you're patient and willing to shop around, the K 300mm might fit your need. Here's one currently on ebay. They come up fairly frequently at, or near, your price point.

Pentax asahi SMC 300mm F4 K Prime lens K mount Great condition | eBay

Another highly rated lens is the Tokina ATX 100-300mm f4

Tokina AT-X SD 100-300 f/4 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

**GUB** · 02-10-2017, 02:31 PM

This would be my choice - and lightyears ahead of an old zoom. The 300mm Tair photosniper
Tair photosniper in Cameras and Photography Supplies | eBay

**Terry C** · 02-10-2017, 02:31 PM

There is this one.
Pentax 67 300mm f4 SMC Lens 300/4 Late 6x7 #717 27075027923 | eBay

**pres589** · 02-10-2017, 02:34 PM

DA-L 55-300's seem to run maybe $125 or so all said and done on the bay of e's. Kind of a lot of lens for a plastic mount so be careful with it. Early DA 55-300's are also found around there. Maybe put a feeler out for one here on the PF's Marketplace. It's a lot of lens for the money. I have my doubts that a cheap older prime around that same focal length would perform much better. An expensive older prime is a different story.

EDIT: Forgot about the 300mm Tair, I would give one of those a shot as well, although there's the M42 vs. K-mount part that favors the Pentax zoom.

**GUB** · 02-10-2017, 02:39 PM

And I forgot about the M42 Vivitar 300mm I have out on long term loan. It seemed pretty good and looks like it is easily in your budget.

mohb · 02-10-2017, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by GUB

This would be my choice - and lightyears ahead of an old zoom. The 300mm Tair photosniper
Tair photosniper in Cameras and Photography Supplies | eBay

As good as it gets for a budget price and if you are only planning on doing moon shots it's weight doesn't matter

**GUB** · 02-10-2017, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by pres589

although there's the M42 vs. K-mount part that favors the Pentax zoom.

If you are thinking about K M or A series lenses then M42 adapted works better with the camera.

02-10-2017, 01:45 PM	#1
Vicioustuna2012 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 157	Best 300mm lens on a budget 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. I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated.

02-10-2017, 02:40 PM	#14
mohb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,912	Originally posted by GUB This would be my choice - and lightyears ahead of an old zoom. The 300mm Tair photosniper Tair photosniper in Cameras and Photography Supplies \| eBay As good as it gets for a budget price and if you are only planning on doing moon shots it's weight doesn't matter Last edited by mohb; 02-10-2017 at 02:51 PM.

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02-10-2017, 01:52 PM	#2
fumanchu1 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 64	Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012 I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated. I can't speak for a 300mm lens as I have yet to find one on the cheap (same as you, am still looking). In the meantime, I have the SMC M 200mm f4 (which I picked up in a thrift store for less than 30$) and while not exactly the effective range you are looking for, I was extremely surprised by the IQ of such a cheap lens. Here is a link to the lens review SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database over 95% of people have recommended the lens and it is highly rated... As far as moon photos go, I think it should be decent for your uses (In fact I might give my 200mm a try tonight during the penumbral eclipse if the weather permits it). Just my 2 cents but I highly recommend the 200mm if you can find one

02-10-2017, 02:16 PM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Best 300mm lens under $100 Maybe one of the 60-300 manual zooms from the '80s. But be careful, they usually had a dangerous 'Ricoh' pin. Tamron had a 60-300 Adaptall that was ok and usually less than $100, you might even get lucky and find one with a PKA adapter.

02-10-2017, 02:20 PM	#4
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	A used Tamron or Sigma 70-300? I've seen them go as low as $80.

02-10-2017, 02:21 PM	#5
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,094	Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012 I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated. If you're patient and willing to shop around, the K 300mm might fit your need. Here's one currently on ebay. They come up fairly frequently at, or near, your price point. Pentax asahi SMC 300mm F4 K Prime lens K mount Great condition \| eBay

02-10-2017, 02:22 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by normhead A used Tamron or Sigma 70-300? I've seen them go as low as $80. But how to choose from the alphabet soup of model numbers? Some are better than others

02-10-2017, 02:23 PM	#7
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	I have been keeping an eye out for the old Tamron SP 300mm f/5.6 (model 54B), and presume as a prime it would be slightly better than the well-regarded SP 60-300mm (model 23A)... I had a Sigma 70-300 "kit" zoom that was most unimpressive, but my only other experience (the M*300/4) is out of your budget. How about a DA(L) 55-300? Or even a 6x7 300/4?! Looks sharp to me... SMC Pentax 67 / S-M-C Takumar / Super Takumar 6x7 300mm F4 Reviews - 67 Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

02-10-2017, 02:26 PM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by rob1234 I had a Sigma 70-300 "kit" zoom that was most unimpressive That's just like mine. But it was great at the time.

02-10-2017, 02:31 PM	#9
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,094	Originally posted by Vicioustuna2012 I'm trying to shoot the moon. I'm on a budget as well, and would like to spend less than $100 USD. Any recommendations on a 300mm lens? It doesn't have to have AF or anything. A manual prime is perfectly fine IMO. Any help is appreciated. If you're patient and willing to shop around, the K 300mm might fit your need. Here's one currently on ebay. They come up fairly frequently at, or near, your price point. Pentax asahi SMC 300mm F4 K Prime lens K mount Great condition \| eBay Another highly rated lens is the Tokina ATX 100-300mm f4 Tokina AT-X SD 100-300 f/4 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

02-10-2017, 02:31 PM	#10
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,762	This would be my choice - and lightyears ahead of an old zoom. The 300mm Tair photosniper Tair photosniper in Cameras and Photography Supplies \| eBay

02-10-2017, 02:31 PM	#11
Terry C Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: North west Tasmania. Photos: Gallery Posts: 611	There is this one. Pentax 67 300mm f4 SMC Lens 300/4 Late 6x7 #717 27075027923 \| eBay

02-10-2017, 02:34 PM	#12
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	DA-L 55-300's seem to run maybe $125 or so all said and done on the bay of e's. Kind of a lot of lens for a plastic mount so be careful with it. Early DA 55-300's are also found around there. Maybe put a feeler out for one here on the PF's Marketplace. It's a lot of lens for the money. I have my doubts that a cheap older prime around that same focal length would perform much better. An expensive older prime is a different story. EDIT: Forgot about the 300mm Tair, I would give one of those a shot as well, although there's the M42 vs. K-mount part that favors the Pentax zoom.

02-10-2017, 02:39 PM	#13
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,762	And I forgot about the M42 Vivitar 300mm I have out on long term loan. It seemed pretty good and looks like it is easily in your budget.

02-10-2017, 02:42 PM	#15
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,762	Originally posted by pres589 although there's the M42 vs. K-mount part that favors the Pentax zoom. If you are thinking about K M or A series lenses then M42 adapted works better with the camera.

Best 300mm lens on a budget

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