Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

BarneyL · 12-09-2021, 04:26 AM - **1 Like**

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)

Paul the Sunman · 12-09-2021, 04:57 AM

I guess an HD refresh is possible.

thibs · 12-09-2021, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

I guess an HD refresh is possible.

Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens.

Kunzite · 12-09-2021, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens.

Right; I hope they won't do a HD refresh, but a new lens altogether.
Even the optics might benefit from a fine tuning.

Not a Number · 12-09-2021, 05:44 AM

It's not listed as discontinued on the Japan, Germany or US RIcoh sites and is still available in the respective online stores. Perhaps they haven't updated status yet and still have stock on hand.

HD PLM Kaf4 update is possible. Is a tele in this focal length on the roadmap?

Kunzite · 12-09-2021, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

HD PLM Kaf4 update is possible. Is a tele in this focal length on the roadmap?

Not on the public one, but they said they're working on more lenses than these.

**Serkevan** · 12-09-2021, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Not on the public one, but they said they're working on more lenses than these.

If I were a betting man (I'm not) I'd think that the 300 is one of those "K-3iii owners* would love a fast-focusing refresh" lenses. HD Pentax DA* 300 mm f/4 ED SDM AW, mayhaps? Probably at a lovely 1700-2000€

*Or people considering the K-3iii who feel they wouldn't really squeeze the better AF for long lenses considering the older AF in those.

**Mikesul** · 12-09-2021, 06:16 AM - **3 Likes**

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

aaacb · 12-09-2021, 07:10 AM

Maybe it's because they don't have a confirmed shipment for new lenses? Wouldn't refreshing this kind of high end lens warrant some sort of announcement?

Kunzite · 12-09-2021, 07:35 AM

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.

5ks · 12-09-2021, 07:48 AM

If a refresh is yet to come for DA*300, perhaps it could be labeled DFA*300 as the good old DA*300 is in fact full frame compatible, isn't it? So, not only for K-3 iii owners but also for users of K-1. A lighter alternative for DFA 140-450.

Originally posted by BarneyL

(Also yes, I need some more raffle entries)

Me too!

**i_trax** · 12-09-2021, 08:26 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.

(Also yes, I need some more raffle entries)

Still available here although I personally prefer my FA*300

**luftfluss** · 12-09-2021, 08:30 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?

Amazon is notorious for that. There have been a number of threads here over the years where the poster is alarmed because Amazon lists a Pentax item as 'discontinued".

**jpzk** · 12-09-2021, 08:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by thibs

Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens.

Not that bad, trust me

**EssJayEff** · 12-09-2021, 08:38 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Even the optics might benefit from a fine tuning.

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).

12-09-2021, 04:26 AM - 1 Like	#1
BarneyL Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 899	*DA 300mm F4 discontinued?** 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)

12-09-2021, 08:26 AM	#12
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	Not in Australia 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. (Also yes, I need some more raffle entries) Still available here although I personally prefer my FA*300

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12-09-2021, 04:57 AM	#2
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	I guess an HD refresh is possible.

12-09-2021, 05:30 AM	#3
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman I guess an HD refresh is possible. Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens.

12-09-2021, 05:38 AM	#4
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by thibs Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens. Right; I hope they won't do a HD refresh, but a new lens altogether. Even the optics might benefit from a fine tuning.

12-09-2021, 05:44 AM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It's not listed as discontinued on the Japan, Germany or US RIcoh sites and is still available in the respective online stores. Perhaps they haven't updated status yet and still have stock on hand. HD PLM Kaf4 update is possible. Is a tele in this focal length on the roadmap?

12-09-2021, 05:50 AM	#6
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Not a Number HD PLM Kaf4 update is possible. Is a tele in this focal length on the roadmap? Not on the public one, but they said they're working on more lenses than these.

12-09-2021, 06:12 AM	#7
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Kunzite Not on the public one, but they said they're working on more lenses than these. If I were a betting man (I'm not) I'd think that the 300 is one of those "K-3iii owners* would love a fast-focusing refresh" lenses. HD Pentax DA* 300 mm f/4 ED SDM AW, mayhaps? Probably at a lovely 1700-2000€ *Or people considering the K-3iii who feel they wouldn't really squeeze the better AF for long lenses considering the older AF in those.

12-09-2021, 06:16 AM - 3 Likes	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	A PLM refreshed DA300 and DA50-135 will make many happy.

12-09-2021, 07:10 AM	#9
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	Maybe it's because they don't have a confirmed shipment for new lenses? Wouldn't refreshing this kind of high end lens warrant some sort of announcement?

12-09-2021, 07:35 AM	#10
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	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.

12-09-2021, 07:48 AM	#11
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	If a refresh is yet to come for DA300, perhaps it could be labeled DFA300 as the good old DA*300 is in fact full frame compatible, isn't it? So, not only for K-3 iii owners but also for users of K-1. A lighter alternative for DFA 140-450. Originally posted by BarneyL (Also yes, I need some more raffle entries) Me too!

12-09-2021, 08:30 AM	#13
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,629	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? Amazon is notorious for that. There have been a number of threads here over the years where the poster is alarmed because Amazon lists a Pentax item as 'discontinued".

12-09-2021, 08:36 AM - 1 Like	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by thibs Too slow AF IMO. This is critical for such kind of lens. Not that bad, trust me

12-09-2021, 08:38 AM - 1 Like	#15
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 976	Originally posted by Kunzite Even the optics might benefit from a fine tuning. 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).

DA* 300mm F4 discontinued?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!