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**i_trax** · 07-07-2021, 02:27 AM

I purchased recently Pentax-A * ( Green ) 300 2.8
My lens looks cosmetically and physically rather different than all others I could find in the Cyberspace and in here:

SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

My lens has very low serial number starting with 530 , all others starts with 56 /58 or 59.
Is anybody aware about a different earlier variant of this lens?

My lens does not have an extra ring with locking screw next to the focusing ring
My lens has a differently shaped white barrel ( next to the focusing ring )
My lens has a red circle between 30 and 8 on the focusing ring ( what is the purpose ?)
Some small differences in printing on the unmovable ring next to focusing ring

Attached Images

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Sandy Hancock · 07-07-2021, 02:51 AM

Might it be a pre-production prototype?
If so, it would be very rare indeed

bdery · 07-07-2021, 04:58 AM

I would also tend to believe it's an earlier prototype. The red ring could have something to do with IR but I'm just guessing.

zapp · 07-07-2021, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by bdery

I would also tend to believe it's an earlier prototype. The red ring could have something to do with IR but I'm just guessing.

No, for IR offset you will not mark the ring but the aperture scale. Ther3 actually is an IR mark right there.
Looks more like a focus distance mark for pre-fcussing. Calibrated distance setting for photogrammetry,…

**tranq78** · 07-07-2021, 02:58 PM

I can't help you with your questions but it's a nice & clean copy of the lens. Looks like it's in great shape. Is the case in good shape as well?

My A*300/2.8 looks like it went through a war zone, which it did as I bought it from a professional photojournalist.

**clickclick** · 07-07-2021, 07:24 PM

Neat find. Love stuff like this with some mystery to it.

**i_trax** · 07-07-2021, 08:42 PM

Originally posted by tranq78

I can't help you with your questions but it's a nice & clean copy of the lens. Looks like it's in great shape. Is the case in good shape as well?

My A*300/2.8 looks like it went through a war zone, which it did as I bought it from a professional photojournalist.

Yes , it is in pretty perfect condition , the box is nice and clean with the original 2x keys ( in soft pouch).
It has the original lens "cap" with a kind-of soft case protecting the front part of the lens.
The back cap is TAMRON Adaptall-2 ( FOR CONTAX ) , after using Pentax for ~40 years I have a number of spare Pentax back caps.

**i_trax** · 07-08-2021, 04:19 AM

---------- Post added 07-08-21 at 19:20 ----------

it is raining and will be wet for a while....

**i_trax** · 07-08-2021, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by clickclick

Neat find. Love stuff like this with some mystery to it.

yes , I keep looking and looking and there is absolutely nothing about this version in the Cyberspace

bdery · 07-08-2021, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by zapp

Ther3 actually is an IR mark right there.

Yeah I saw that, it gave me the idea since the ring is also red.

Originally posted by zapp

Looks more like a focus distance mark for pre-fcussing. Calibrated distance setting for photogrammetry,…

Could be. I'm dubious since a circle isn't particularly precise, but I may be wrong.

**tranq78** · 07-09-2021, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by i_trax

Yes , it is in pretty perfect condition , the box is nice and clean with the original 2x keys ( in soft pouch).
It has the original lens "cap" with a kind-of soft case protecting the front part of the lens.
The back cap is TAMRON Adaptall-2 ( FOR CONTAX ) , after using Pentax for ~40 years I have a number of spare Pentax back caps.

Congrats, beautiful looking lens.

07-07-2021, 08:42 PM	#7
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621 Original Poster	nice & clean condition Originally posted by tranq78 I can't help you with your questions but it's a nice & clean copy of the lens. Looks like it's in great shape. Is the case in good shape as well? My A*300/2.8 looks like it went through a war zone, which it did as I bought it from a professional photojournalist. Yes , it is in pretty perfect condition , the box is nice and clean with the original 2x keys ( in soft pouch). It has the original lens "cap" with a kind-of soft case protecting the front part of the lens. The back cap is TAMRON Adaptall-2 ( FOR CONTAX ) , after using Pentax for ~40 years I have a number of spare Pentax back caps.

07-08-2021, 04:19 AM	#8
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621 Original Poster	it is hard to test 510mm rig indoors ---------- Post added 07-08-21 at 19:20 ---------- it is raining and will be wet for a while....

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07-07-2021, 02:51 AM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	Might it be a pre-production prototype? If so, it would be very rare indeed

07-07-2021, 04:58 AM	#3
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	I would also tend to believe it's an earlier prototype. The red ring could have something to do with IR but I'm just guessing.

07-07-2021, 10:34 AM	#4
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,389	Originally posted by bdery I would also tend to believe it's an earlier prototype. The red ring could have something to do with IR but I'm just guessing. No, for IR offset you will not mark the ring but the aperture scale. Ther3 actually is an IR mark right there. Looks more like a focus distance mark for pre-fcussing. Calibrated distance setting for photogrammetry,…

07-07-2021, 02:58 PM	#5
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	I can't help you with your questions but it's a nice & clean copy of the lens. Looks like it's in great shape. Is the case in good shape as well? My A*300/2.8 looks like it went through a war zone, which it did as I bought it from a professional photojournalist.

07-07-2021, 07:24 PM	#6
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Neat find. Love stuff like this with some mystery to it.

07-08-2021, 05:09 AM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	Originally posted by zapp Ther3 actually is an IR mark right there. Yeah I saw that, it gave me the idea since the ring is also red. Originally posted by zapp Looks more like a focus distance mark for pre-fcussing. Calibrated distance setting for photogrammetry,… Could be. I'm dubious since a circle isn't particularly precise, but I may be wrong.

07-09-2021, 09:33 PM	#11
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,006	Originally posted by i_trax Yes , it is in pretty perfect condition , the box is nice and clean with the original 2x keys ( in soft pouch). It has the original lens "cap" with a kind-of soft case protecting the front part of the lens. The back cap is TAMRON Adaptall-2 ( FOR CONTAX ) , after using Pentax for ~40 years I have a number of spare Pentax back caps. Congrats, beautiful looking lens.

different looking Pentax-A * 300 2.8

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