[rojaba]

Hi guys, as I recently upgraded to the K3iii after many, many years, I wondered why my tele lens was still the one I bought off Ebay as a student almost 15 years ago (the Tamron 70-300). So I think it's time for an upgrade

Obviously the new 150-450 would be nice but it hurts budget wise

Looking at 300mm primes, there is the obvious candidate, the new SMC 300mm F4 DA SDM. However, a vintage lens, the F*300mm F4.5, seems to be getting rave reviews on the Forum and some of the sample images are nothing short of spectacular. As they are roughly the same price, give or take $100, I wonder whether I should go with the old version (if I can get my hands on a clean one, only driven once by an old lady) or the new one?

[kypfer]

Just a suggestion, before lashing out on a new lens, double-check the focussing on the Tamron 70-300mm when fitted to the K-3iii.
I'd been considering replacing my Tamron 18-200mm simply because it didn't seem to be working "quite as well as it might", especially in close-up, and found that it needed quite a tweak in the Autofocus Fine Tune feature, p64 in the manual … now it's good to go again
A good prime can be a joy to use, but can be a bit of a "one-trick-pony" unless you're carrying a bagful of alternatives for when you're "just too close" and can't step back far enough
Enjoy

[Spock]

If you don’t need weather sealing, the F*300 is a fantastic, well made, compact and good looking lens. The built-in retractable hood and tripod mount are very handy inclusions.

[RICHARD L.]

I use the FA* 300 mm f/4.5 on my K-mounts and it sure is a performing telephoto lens. Accompanying picture shot with a K1 @ f/8, "Windfarming in Oklahoma".

[Bertrand3000]

I cannot help you choose between the two primes, but you should also consider the 55-300 PLM, it's very sharp and extremely fast focusing.

[noelpolar]

I went through this process some 7 or so years ago. Still glad I got the F*300 at the time. I mostly use my DFA 150-450 these days.... probally would sell the DA 300 if I had got it... but still keep the f*300 around.... it is a special life time lens.

[i_trax]

My most favourite and used is DA* 200, yes 200.
It is fully compatible with FF , you can crop or / and use with 1.4x ( FF Tamron F or Pentax DA APS-C ) converters.
I haven't tried it with 1.7x ( Pentax AF ) converter , how the camera body would deal with SDM / screw drive AF combination?
The next would be the FA* 300.
I recently had number of operations on my left arm and right hand so DA* 300 and DA* 60-250 will be passed ( most likely ) to younger Pentaxians.

[rojaba]

I cannot help you choose between the two primes, but you should also consider the 55-300 PLM, it's very sharp and extremely fast focusing.

which would of course be a lot cheaper, but I wonder how much of a step up it is from the Tamron

[marcusBMG]

A great option would be a sigma EX (or EX DG) apo 100-300mm f4, you could get lucky and find one for pentax for a decent price. ditto sigma 300mm f4 (but only at a good discount over the £500-odd typical auction price of a s/h DA 300mm f4).


You could also play the game of trying to get the best x-300mm you can find: pick em up, test and fine tune, zero in on the best performer. Specifically there are sigmas designated "apo" or with a gold ring (maybe) that are supposed to be the best... maybe it would be fun anyway..

[UncleVanya]

The main advantage of the F* over the DA* is weight and size. Image quality is similar. I own the FA* and it is quite small as well, but the FA* lacks any type of tripod ring which bothers some people. Some also prefer the sdm silent focus of the DA*, others avoid it due to sdm failure potential.

[pepperberry farm]

I always come down on the side of a prime when looking for a 300mm (or longer) lens - I went through all the zooms (both MF and AF) and found that they all are compromised at the extreme ends, especially wide-open...

I found that when buying a zoom lens instead of a prime, I ended up using it at the long end primarily and was just never really satisfied with the results....

I eventually just sat on my hands until I had saved up enough for a serious lens and bought a used FA* 300/4.5 - entirely worth it....

[luftfluss]

which would of course be a lot cheaper, but I wonder how much of a step up it is from the Tamron

I've owned both the Tamron 70-300 and the Pentax 55-300 PLM, and the PLM is significantly better IMO.

[angerdan]

Looking at 300mm primes, there is the obvious candidate, the new SMC 300mm F4 DA SDM.
However, a vintage lens, the F*300mm F4.5, seems to be getting rave reviews on the Forum and some of the sample images are nothing short of spectacular.
As they are roughly the same price, give or take $100, I wonder whether I should go with the old version (if I can get my hands on a clean one, only driven once by an old lady) or the new one?

The current DA* 300mm f4.0 SDM is a good choice.
The legycy F* 300mm f4.5 isn't vintage, just legacy. If you find a copy, you should catch it.
And the legacy FA* 30mm f4.5 is also recommendable.
>= F4 >= 440g Lenses between 50mm and 300mm | PentaxForums.com[]=af&if=1&order=intro

[Spock]

My belated Supermoon pics (yesterday was too cloudy) taken with a K3 and a 35 year old F*300 f4.5 lens. Hand-held, 1/1000 sec, f11, ISO 800

[MossyRocks]

ditto sigma 300mm f4 (but only at a good discount over the £500-odd typical auction price of a s/h DA 300mm f4)

I like my older Sigma 300/4 APO Tele Macro and got it at the stole it price of $130 locally a few years back.