FA400mm f5.6 vs F/FA 300mm f4.5

**GUB** · 06-02-2021, 01:19 AM - **6 Likes**

There is an awful lot of enthusiastic feedback here on the forums regarding the *F and *FA 300mm f4.5 lenses -- almost qualifying for a cult following.
But there is not a lot said about the *FA 400mm 5.6.
Is it just because there is simply fewer of them out there and they are more expensive?
Or is there a perceived performance difference?
I guess there are not many out there that have used both to compare.
I note in the reviews there is an occasional comment of ca in the 400 when used open and I saw no comments of such in the 300 reviews.
The element count is not greatly different between the two -- FA400 9 elements in 8 groups -- 300mm 9 elements in 7 groups.

**PJ1** · 06-02-2021, 01:41 AM - **1 Like**

Very nice shots. It is expensive and looks like it is fairly rare. But I would be pretty happy if I had it.

brewmaster15 · 06-02-2021, 02:19 AM

Cult follower here on the F 300 and Fa 300

. I would definitely love to have a FA 400 5.6 but have never really seen that many availible and when I have my wallet was empty..someday though.

Of course I say the same for a FA 600!

AL

angerdan · 06-02-2021, 05:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by GUB

But there is not a lot said about the *FA 400mm 5.6.
I guess there are not many out there that have used both to compare.

I bet there is a lot to find about the FA* 400mm f5.6:
FA* 400mm 5.6 ED IF - thread collection - everything about the FA400/5.6 - PentaxForums.com

And i know booth, the F* 300mm and the FA* 400mm. Maybe i can create some comparision.

zapp · 06-02-2021, 06:09 AM

I like to remember everyone to look at the age of all these lenses. All of them are out of production for more than a decade if not two. Pricing is only based on lack of alternatives, not based on performance per se. The lenses do quite well, but revamped tele lenses would help Pentax.

**RICHARD L.** · 06-02-2021, 06:28 AM - **2 Likes**

Yes, they are fairly "old" but they are built to last a lifetime. If you met a bear and were in danger, you might defend yourself with a 400 mm FL ... lol !

FA* 300 mm f/4.5

**UncleVanya** · 06-02-2021, 07:07 AM - **5 Likes**

The 400 is typically made of a rare substance called unobtanium. Occasionally it can be found made of notenoughcashinmystash but the 300’s are more often made from Goldilocks materials that just fit. Lol.

zapp · 06-02-2021, 08:40 AM

Fairytales. Even FA glass was designed before digital sensors were available, the glass was really good for the time, today it performs well and is rare. The 5.6/400 shows typical purple fringing and is not at the same level as newer designs for digital sensors which in turn are not available for Pentax. I am not talking bad about your favorite lenses, but don’t tell me fairytales about 20 or 30 year old designs.

**gofour3** · 06-02-2021, 09:59 AM - **2 Likes**

I've got the *FA400mm f5.6 & *F300mm f4.5 and they are both very good. They are lightweight for their focal length and also have a tripod mount if you need it.

Phil.

**GUB** · 06-02-2021, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by RICHARD L.

Yes, they are fairly "old" but they are built to last a lifetime. If you met a bear and were in danger, you might defend yourself with a 400 mm FL ... lol !

FA* 300 mm f/4.5

Actually the FA400 is quite small for its specifications.

**GUB** · 06-02-2021, 12:42 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by zapp

but don’t tell me fairytales about 20 or 30 year old designs.

I would rather tell you fairy tales about 50 - 60 year old lens.

Except for IQ gains from coatings, most gains over that period are for user convenience and compromises to make them cheaper to make.

**GUB** · 06-02-2021, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by angerdan

I bet there is a lot to find about the FA* 400mm f5.6:

Sorry angerdan - I hadn't found that thread.
Interesting the softness comments but I note they were in a thread from before 2010.
I wonder how image stabilisation has changed things.

Transit · 06-02-2021, 02:48 PM - **1 Like**

Wanna borrow my *300 Mate ? ☺️

**GUB** · 06-02-2021, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by Transit

Wanna borrow my *300 Mate ? ☺️

We need to set up a comparison sometime Pete. The 300 @ 300 paces and the 400 @400.

noelpolar · 06-02-2021, 04:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by zapp

I like to remember everyone to look at the age of all these lenses. All of them are out of production for more than a decade if not two. Pricing is only based on lack of alternatives, not based on performance per se. The lenses do quite well, but revamped tele lenses would help Pentax.

One can buy a new, faster etc Porsche.... however.... that does not seem to impact the classic Porsche market for the better earlier models. Same with Pentax lenses to a great degree. Much the same with women too...... the flashy young ones are ..... well.... desirable..... but... time spent with a classic is often more enjoyable/fullfilling!

06-02-2021, 01:19 AM - 6 Likes	#1
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	FA400mm f5.6 vs F/FA 300mm f4.5 There is an awful lot of enthusiastic feedback here on the forums regarding the F and FA 300mm f4.5 lenses -- almost qualifying for a cult following. But there is not a lot said about the *FA 400mm 5.6. Is it just because there is simply fewer of them out there and they are more expensive? Or is there a perceived performance difference? I guess there are not many out there that have used both to compare. I note in the reviews there is an occasional comment of ca in the 400 when used open and I saw no comments of such in the 300 reviews. The element count is not greatly different between the two -- FA400 9 elements in 8 groups -- 300mm 9 elements in 7 groups.

06-02-2021, 06:28 AM - 2 Likes	#6
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582	Yes, they are fairly "old" but they are built to last a lifetime. If you met a bear and were in danger, you might defend yourself with a 400 mm FL ... lol ! *FA 300 mm f/4.5** Last edited by RICHARD L.; 06-02-2021 at 07:37 AM.

06-02-2021, 12:42 PM - 2 Likes	#11
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760 Original Poster	Originally posted by zapp but don’t tell me fairytales about 20 or 30 year old designs. I would rather tell you fairy tales about 50 - 60 year old lens. Except for IQ gains from coatings, most gains over that period are for user convenience and compromises to make them cheaper to make. Last edited by GUB; 06-02-2021 at 12:48 PM.

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06-02-2021, 01:41 AM - 1 Like	#2
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,484	Very nice shots. It is expensive and looks like it is fairly rare. But I would be pretty happy if I had it.

06-02-2021, 02:19 AM	#3
brewmaster15 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,860	Cult follower here on the F 300 and Fa 300 . I would definitely love to have a FA 400 5.6 but have never really seen that many availible and when I have my wallet was empty..someday though. Of course I say the same for a FA 600! AL

06-02-2021, 05:31 AM - 1 Like	#4
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by GUB But there is not a lot said about the FA 400mm 5.6. I guess there are not many out there that have used both to compare. I bet there is a lot to find about the FA 400mm f5.6: FA* 400mm 5.6 ED IF - thread collection - everything about the FA400/5.6 - PentaxForums.com And i know booth, the F* 300mm and the FA* 400mm. Maybe i can create some comparision.

06-02-2021, 06:09 AM	#5
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	I like to remember everyone to look at the age of all these lenses. All of them are out of production for more than a decade if not two. Pricing is only based on lack of alternatives, not based on performance per se. The lenses do quite well, but revamped tele lenses would help Pentax.

06-02-2021, 07:07 AM - 5 Likes	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	The 400 is typically made of a rare substance called unobtanium. Occasionally it can be found made of notenoughcashinmystash but the 300’s are more often made from Goldilocks materials that just fit. Lol.

06-02-2021, 08:40 AM	#8
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Fairytales. Even FA glass was designed before digital sensors were available, the glass was really good for the time, today it performs well and is rare. The 5.6/400 shows typical purple fringing and is not at the same level as newer designs for digital sensors which in turn are not available for Pentax. I am not talking bad about your favorite lenses, but don’t tell me fairytales about 20 or 30 year old designs.

06-02-2021, 09:59 AM - 2 Likes	#9
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	I've got the FA400mm f5.6 & F300mm f4.5 and they are both very good. They are lightweight for their focal length and also have a tripod mount if you need it. Phil.

06-02-2021, 12:39 PM	#10
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760 Original Poster	Originally posted by RICHARD L. Yes, they are fairly "old" but they are built to last a lifetime. If you met a bear and were in danger, you might defend yourself with a 400 mm FL ... lol ! *FA 300 mm f/4.5** Actually the FA400 is quite small for its specifications.

06-02-2021, 12:45 PM	#12
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760 Original Poster	Originally posted by angerdan I bet there is a lot to find about the FA* 400mm f5.6: Sorry angerdan - I hadn't found that thread. Interesting the softness comments but I note they were in a thread from before 2010. I wonder how image stabilisation has changed things.

06-02-2021, 02:48 PM - 1 Like	#13
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Wanna borrow my *300 Mate ? ☺️

06-02-2021, 03:58 PM	#14
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760 Original Poster	Originally posted by Transit Wanna borrow my *300 Mate ? ☺️ We need to set up a comparison sometime Pete. The 300 @ 300 paces and the 400 @400.

06-02-2021, 04:32 PM - 1 Like	#15
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by zapp I like to remember everyone to look at the age of all these lenses. All of them are out of production for more than a decade if not two. Pricing is only based on lack of alternatives, not based on performance per se. The lenses do quite well, but revamped tele lenses would help Pentax. One can buy a new, faster etc Porsche.... however.... that does not seem to impact the classic Porsche market for the better earlier models. Same with Pentax lenses to a great degree. Much the same with women too...... the flashy young ones are ..... well.... desirable..... but... time spent with a classic is often more enjoyable/fullfilling!

*FA400mm f5.6 vs *F/FA 300mm f4.5

FA400mm f5.6 vs F/FA 300mm f4.5