Can anyone recommend a decent 300mm manual lens?

pid · 06-22-2020, 11:58 AM - **1 Like**

The Pentax SMC A*300/4 is a gem!

kraigg007 · 06-22-2020, 12:23 PM - **1 Like**

If you can find one the Sigma 100-300mm F/4 is very nice paired with a K-1 full frame.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-22-2020, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by kraigg007

If you can find one the Sigma 100-300mm F/4 is very nice paired with a K-1 full frame.

I saw one in the used equipment store for Henry’s in the time BC (before COVID). I think it was going for about $600 cdn. You might want to check in line if interested.

**stemked** · 06-22-2020, 03:48 PM - **4 Likes**

I really love my 300mm f4.5 F lens. Incredible and a great manual focus as well as autofocus lens.I see a couple without the tripod foot on ebay for sub $600. It's a stellar lens.

The 55-300 DA is also a very nice cropped lens and very inexpensive for what you get.

One3rdEV · 06-22-2020, 06:13 PM - **1 Like**

Similar to previous comments I would venture the best choices begin with DA 55-300mm, other older Pentax variants, other K-mount variants such as Sigma.

A little known / not very popular film era lens that used to offer decent performance given its very low resale value was the 'Olympus-OM Zuiko Auto-T 300mm F4.5':

Prior to the MILC popularity excellent copies used to sell for USD $60. However it appears that the going rate is now about $130. This also requires a 'Leitax' (USD $70) or similar adapter. Consequently running the total cost up to about $200. Likely not so great against other prospects. The lens can be subject to very strong CA / color fringing in some conditions. However it is also capable of delivering some very good results in less contrasty lighting. Ironically I didn't care much for the results of the lens on my Olympus film cameras, but I have experienced some very good results with the Pentax digital aps-c sensor in my K-5. Examples follow- including a very bad CA / purple fringing case:

**GUB** · 06-22-2020, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by marcusBMG

Aye, optically the tair is the one. But they aren't just like a tank, it IS a tank. The 3A/300A is the one to get, that is basically a (variant) t-mount - I haven't tried a photosniper with its distinctive focus mechanism (though they are a bit cool..). But the bug with the 300A's is that there is a felt wedge around the inner focus barrel, with time it gets gummed up and sticky and then focus movement is like a misfiring wartburg with the handbrake on.

I have both models - my 300A is every bit as gummed up as you described. The Photosniper model is pleasant to use and most importantly both are sharp from wide open f4.5.

D1N0 · 06-23-2020, 03:07 AM

There is also the Pentax-m 300mm F4. Same as A without the A-contact. But I wonder when I see the prices the good 300mm lenses go for, it would maybe be a better Ideal to look for a used DA* 300mm F4.

06-22-2020, 06:13 PM - 1 Like	#20
One3rdEV Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So-central, MI Posts: 285	Similar to previous comments I would venture the best choices begin with DA 55-300mm, other older Pentax variants, other K-mount variants such as Sigma. A little known / not very popular film era lens that used to offer decent performance given its very low resale value was the 'Olympus-OM Zuiko Auto-T 300mm F4.5': Prior to the MILC popularity excellent copies used to sell for USD $60. However it appears that the going rate is now about $130. This also requires a 'Leitax' (USD $70) or similar adapter. Consequently running the total cost up to about $200. Likely not so great against other prospects. The lens can be subject to very strong CA / color fringing in some conditions. However it is also capable of delivering some very good results in less contrasty lighting. Ironically I didn't care much for the results of the lens on my Olympus film cameras, but I have experienced some very good results with the Pentax digital aps-c sensor in my K-5. Examples follow- including a very bad CA / purple fringing case: Last edited by One3rdEV; 06-22-2020 at 06:43 PM. Reason: Performance improvement over film also likely attributed to aps-c image circle.

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06-22-2020, 11:58 AM - 1 Like	#16
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	The Pentax SMC A*300/4 is a gem!

06-22-2020, 12:23 PM - 1 Like	#17
kraigg007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 195	If you can find one the Sigma 100-300mm F/4 is very nice paired with a K-1 full frame.

06-22-2020, 02:54 PM	#18
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by kraigg007 If you can find one the Sigma 100-300mm F/4 is very nice paired with a K-1 full frame. I saw one in the used equipment store for Henry’s in the time BC (before COVID). I think it was going for about $600 cdn. You might want to check in line if interested.

06-22-2020, 03:48 PM - 4 Likes	#19
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527	I really love my 300mm f4.5 F lens. Incredible and a great manual focus as well as autofocus lens.I see a couple without the tripod foot on ebay for sub $600. It's a stellar lens. The 55-300 DA is also a very nice cropped lens and very inexpensive for what you get.

06-22-2020, 06:34 PM	#21
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Originally posted by marcusBMG Aye, optically the tair is the one. But they aren't just like a tank, it IS a tank. The 3A/300A is the one to get, that is basically a (variant) t-mount - I haven't tried a photosniper with its distinctive focus mechanism (though they are a bit cool..). But the bug with the 300A's is that there is a felt wedge around the inner focus barrel, with time it gets gummed up and sticky and then focus movement is like a misfiring wartburg with the handbrake on. I have both models - my 300A is every bit as gummed up as you described. The Photosniper model is pleasant to use and most importantly both are sharp from wide open f4.5.

06-23-2020, 03:07 AM	#22
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	There is also the Pentax-m 300mm F4. Same as A without the A-contact. But I wonder when I see the prices the good 300mm lenses go for, it would maybe be a better Ideal to look for a used DA* 300mm F4.