DA* 300mm F4 discontinued?

**FozzFoster** · 12-09-2021, 08:51 AM

With the direction Pentax seems to be going, many of the older SDMs could be slated for PLM re-issue.
But I'd doubt they'd knock out the current 300 without having a replacement on-hand.
They had a replacement 16-50 PLM on-hand before replacing the SDM 16-50, anyway
thanks for the raffle tix contribution!

AfterPentax Mark II · 12-09-2021, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by BarneyL

One of the biggest online photography shops in my country that has Pentax gear in stock (not an entire range of stuff, but reasonable amount) made a discount on DA* 300mm starting Black Friday. It seems all of them have been sold since then; however, now the shop has labeled the lens as 'model sold out' and no longer possible to order.

I am yet to receive an answer from them about the actual availability of this lens. It might be just them slowly resigning from keeping Pentax gear in stock, like few other shops have done already; but on the other hand, maybe something new in the telephoto realm is coming?

(Also yes, I need some more raffle entries)

No, it is not! (Yet!)

stevebrot · 12-09-2021, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

I'm not holding my breath. Was it B&H or Adorama that regularly market items as "discontinued" when they were just out of stock?
Still, a new 300mm f/4 would be neat.

It was B&H.

Steve

Kunzite · 12-09-2021, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by EssJayEff

I rented the lens two years ago and was pleased with the results (but I didn't give it a thorough going), so what optical improvements would you like to see? It has very high user ratings for sharpness (9.7) and aberrations (9.6).

Just updating it to current standards? Make it the best instead of being satisfied with very good?

Snapppy · 12-09-2021, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

A PLM refreshed DA*300 and DA*50-135 will make many happy.

Having used the DA* 300mm F4 for over a year now and just now using a 50-135, I concur with this statement. The DA* 300mm is a fantastic lens that has not failed me optically. It’s hard to imagine it being “better” optically, though I suppose anything’s possible. In any case, I don’t know if it would matter much as it’s already top notch in my book. The focusing is the real downer with the lens. I paid a little extra to get a used copy with working SDM, only to have it slowly die. I knew that was a risk, so I am not too bummed about it. I swapped to screwdriver and I’m a happy-enough camper. But a PLM refresh would be a worthy upgrade I think.

bertwert · 12-09-2021, 09:56 AM

An HD, PLM with D-FA refresh would be really cool to see - along with paired D-FA 1.4x - gives a nice compact 420/5.6, smaller than the 150-450. That being said, there's a lot of things that'd be nice to see...

zapp · 12-09-2021, 10:44 AM - **1 Like**

Nice ideas, but I am hoping for a new tele concept rather than a pimped up edition.
DFA coverage would make sense, faster AF, HD coatings yadyadiya. A 1.4 TC for DFA would be nice, but not for pimped up prime a single that competes against the only other lens in its class, the 150-450. A concept would include a plan for the DA*200, something longer than 300 or 450 and maybe even two TCs.

NeoSpudly · 12-09-2021, 11:27 AM

I just noticed it's listed as a monthly special https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product-category/monthly-specials/ on the US Ricoh site.

Paul the Sunman · 12-09-2021, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by Mikesul

A PLM refreshed DA*300 and DA*50-135 will make many happy.

Too big and heavy for PLM I suspect. But the more modern SDM should be possible.

**Mikesul** · 12-09-2021, 02:27 PM - **1 Like**

They could use two or more motors. Other companies are already doing that. Or one of the DC motors might be enough.

**kiwi_jono** · 12-09-2021, 02:28 PM

Likely its not really discontinued but if it is then I could imagine them releasing it as a HD DFA (basically with up dated coatings). This would not be a bad thing.

**luftfluss** · 12-09-2021, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by EssJayEff

I rented the lens two years ago and was pleased with the results (but I didn't give it a thorough going), so what optical improvements would you like to see? It has very high user ratings for sharpness (9.7) and aberrations (9.6).

User ratings... keep in mind that most users don't have extensive experience with comparable gear from multiple manufacturers. And I've seen users from other systems - where there is greater lens selection - note that there are now zooms which are sharper than 2010-era primes.

So I think that if Pentax chose to release a totally new 300/4, it would be to the current DA* 300/4 as the D FA* 50/1.4 is to the DA* 55/1.4.

**pentaxus** · 12-09-2021, 10:14 PM - **1 Like**

Maybe we should try to be less paranoid. Pentax is not doomed.

BarneyL · 12-10-2021, 03:51 AM

So the shop reached back to me and said, that they just can't make an order for this lens using their distribution channels. They also said that the manufacturer didn't officially announce discontinuation.

Therefore, it might be just a problem limited to the distribution of Pentax gear in my country.

angerdan · 12-10-2021, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by zapp

Nice ideas, but I am hoping for a new tele concept rather than a pimped up edition.
DFA coverage would make sense, faster AF, HD coatings yadyadiya. A 1.4 TC for DFA would be nice, but not for pimped up prime a single that competes against the only other lens in its class, the 150-450. A concept would include a plan for the DA*200, something longer than 300 or 450 and maybe even two TCs.

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12-09-2021, 08:51 AM	#16
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,808	With the direction Pentax seems to be going, many of the older SDMs could be slated for PLM re-issue. But I'd doubt they'd knock out the current 300 without having a replacement on-hand. They had a replacement 16-50 PLM on-hand before replacing the SDM 16-50, anyway thanks for the raffle tix contribution!

12-09-2021, 08:51 AM	#17
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,465	Originally posted by BarneyL One of the biggest online photography shops in my country that has Pentax gear in stock (not an entire range of stuff, but reasonable amount) made a discount on DA* 300mm starting Black Friday. It seems all of them have been sold since then; however, now the shop has labeled the lens as 'model sold out' and no longer possible to order. I am yet to receive an answer from them about the actual availability of this lens. It might be just them slowly resigning from keeping Pentax gear in stock, like few other shops have done already; but on the other hand, maybe something new in the telephoto realm is coming? (Also yes, I need some more raffle entries) No, it is not! (Yet!)

12-09-2021, 09:07 AM	#18
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Kunzite I'm not holding my breath. Was it B&H or Adorama that regularly market items as "discontinued" when they were just out of stock? Still, a new 300mm f/4 would be neat. It was B&H. Steve

12-09-2021, 09:12 AM	#19
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by EssJayEff I rented the lens two years ago and was pleased with the results (but I didn't give it a thorough going), so what optical improvements would you like to see? It has very high user ratings for sharpness (9.7) and aberrations (9.6). Just updating it to current standards? Make it the best instead of being satisfied with very good?

12-09-2021, 09:50 AM	#20
Snapppy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 485	Originally posted by Mikesul A PLM refreshed DA300 and DA50-135 will make many happy. Having used the DA* 300mm F4 for over a year now and just now using a 50-135, I concur with this statement. The DA* 300mm is a fantastic lens that has not failed me optically. It’s hard to imagine it being “better” optically, though I suppose anything’s possible. In any case, I don’t know if it would matter much as it’s already top notch in my book. The focusing is the real downer with the lens. I paid a little extra to get a used copy with working SDM, only to have it slowly die. I knew that was a risk, so I am not too bummed about it. I swapped to screwdriver and I’m a happy-enough camper. But a PLM refresh would be a worthy upgrade I think.

12-09-2021, 09:56 AM	#21
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	An HD, PLM with D-FA refresh would be really cool to see - along with paired D-FA 1.4x - gives a nice compact 420/5.6, smaller than the 150-450. That being said, there's a lot of things that'd be nice to see...

12-09-2021, 10:44 AM - 1 Like	#22
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	Nice ideas, but I am hoping for a new tele concept rather than a pimped up edition. DFA coverage would make sense, faster AF, HD coatings yadyadiya. A 1.4 TC for DFA would be nice, but not for pimped up prime a single that competes against the only other lens in its class, the 150-450. A concept would include a plan for the DA*200, something longer than 300 or 450 and maybe even two TCs.

12-09-2021, 11:27 AM	#23
NeoSpudly New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Central NY Posts: 20	I just noticed it's listed as a monthly special https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product-category/monthly-specials/ on the US Ricoh site.

12-09-2021, 01:05 PM	#24
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	Originally posted by Mikesul A PLM refreshed DA300 and DA50-135 will make many happy. Too big and heavy for PLM I suspect. But the more modern SDM should be possible.

12-09-2021, 02:27 PM - 1 Like	#25
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	They could use two or more motors. Other companies are already doing that. Or one of the DC motors might be enough.

12-09-2021, 02:28 PM	#26
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Likely its not really discontinued but if it is then I could imagine them releasing it as a HD DFA (basically with up dated coatings). This would not be a bad thing.

12-09-2021, 08:09 PM	#27
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by EssJayEff I rented the lens two years ago and was pleased with the results (but I didn't give it a thorough going), so what optical improvements would you like to see? It has very high user ratings for sharpness (9.7) and aberrations (9.6). User ratings... keep in mind that most users don't have extensive experience with comparable gear from multiple manufacturers. And I've seen users from other systems - where there is greater lens selection - note that there are now zooms which are sharper than 2010-era primes. So I think that if Pentax chose to release a totally new 300/4, it would be to the current DA* 300/4 as the D FA* 50/1.4 is to the DA* 55/1.4.

12-09-2021, 10:14 PM - 1 Like	#28
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	Maybe we should try to be less paranoid. Pentax is not doomed.

12-10-2021, 03:51 AM	#29
BarneyL Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 899 Original Poster	So the shop reached back to me and said, that they just can't make an order for this lens using their distribution channels. They also said that the manufacturer didn't officially announce discontinuation. Therefore, it might be just a problem limited to the distribution of Pentax gear in my country.

12-10-2021, 04:28 AM	#30
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,642	Originally posted by zapp Nice ideas, but I am hoping for a new tele concept rather than a pimped up edition. DFA coverage would make sense, faster AF, HD coatings yadyadiya. A 1.4 TC for DFA would be nice, but not for pimped up prime a single that competes against the only other lens in its class, the 150-450. A concept would include a plan for the DA200, something longer than 300 or 450 and maybe even two TCs. An 400mm f4.0 would be awesome! There seems to be real interest in a ew supertelephoto lenses: HD Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED AW replacement : what are your thoughts ? - PentaxForums.com Pentax - Thoughts on making a DA/DFA 400mm F4? - PentaxForums.com DA* 400mm F4 coming! - PentaxForums.com Will we ever get a 400mm f2.8 lens for sports photographers? - PentaxForums.com Looking for 400mm option for K-3 - PentaxForums.com I would like an updated DA300 - PentaxForums.com Lenses you'd love to see refreshed - PentaxForums.com What is your dream Pentax lens? - PentaxForums.com New telephoto lens design patent - PentaxForums.com When will we get a REAL Pentax wildlife lens? - PentaxForums.com Current tele glass - PentaxForums.com Pentax prime lens wishlist survey 2018 - PentaxForums.com Which Star Lens you want a renew and HD version mostly now? - PentaxForums.com DA upgrade this fall ? - PentaxForums.com Super-telephoto a pipe dream on Pentax FF? - PentaxForums.com