300mm or longer, what options?

jah3 · 12-23-2008, 05:14 PM

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So i am looking for a decent, fairly "small", good contrast and nice telephoto lens in the range of 300mm or longer to my set, what good options do i have for PK-mount?
Aperture could be around f4, old manual lenses is mainly what i am thinking of, so m-a-y-b-e some nice takumars also, but i dont like the weakness of the PK-M42 adapter with a rather heavy lens.
My budget is around 500 euros, enough?
Should i just try to hunt down a FA(*) 300mm/4.5 for this anyway incase i need AF someday, or just some older PK-M or PK-A 300/4, whats the quality of these and differance?

**Lowell Goudge** · 12-23-2008, 05:56 PM

I have 2 options, and use them both

300mm F4 plus 1.7x AF TC and a sigma APOI 70-200 F2.8 EX with 1.4 and 2x TCs.

there is a best bird shot running in the post your photo's forum where I have posted examples done with both.

first three here are my sigma plus 2X on my K10D

next is the old pentax plus AF TC, on my *istD with a flash

there is also a thread on the 300mmF4 where I have posted lots of shots with my 300 +1.7x

the sigma plus TCs will cost you considerably more.

ivoire · 12-24-2008, 09:33 AM

F* or FA* 300mm's are selling in that range now. Excellent image quality. Just have to find someone willing to part with theirs. Sigma made a manual 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for pentax that had very good optics but i haven't seen one for sale in 2yrs (i sold mine to get the f*300mm). You have to be careful as there were ealier versions that were not very good lenses. They usually sell for $350US.

Henrys Camera has FA* on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SMC-PENTAX-FA-STAR-200mm-f2-8-IF-ED-LENS-K20D-USED_W0QQi...742.m153.l1262

8540tomg · 12-24-2008, 09:56 AM

Lowell and I and a few others have a long-running K 300/4 thread you might take a look at. The pros/cons of this lens are pretty well covered there.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29940-pentax-smc-300-4-a.html

I still think it is one of the best buys out there if you don't mind focusing manually. Here's one from last summer.

Cheers,

Tom G

Last edited by 8540tomg; 12-24-2008 at 10:11 AM. Reason: typo

Mike.P® · 12-24-2008, 10:16 AM

I have the Pentax K 300mm f4 but recently had the chance to buy a F* 300mm f4.5 and a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 APO EX.
I bought the DG EX 2X teleconverter to go with the Sigma and am more than pleased with the results.
Out of interest I also put the teleconverter on the Pentax lens so giving 600mm and was pretty amazed with the output of that considering it was handheld. Only problem is it wouldnt autofocus but im happy with manual anyway.

Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and 2X EX Converter.

Pentax F*300mm f4.5 and 2X Ex Converter.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-24-2008, 12:05 PM

Don't forget you can also look at both the Pentax and other makes lens reviews in this forum for some good advice.

12-23-2008, 05:14 PM	#1
jah3 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 35	300mm or longer, what options? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. So i am looking for a decent, fairly "small", good contrast and nice telephoto lens in the range of 300mm or longer to my set, what good options do i have for PK-mount? Aperture could be around f4, old manual lenses is mainly what i am thinking of, so m-a-y-b-e some nice takumars also, but i dont like the weakness of the PK-M42 adapter with a rather heavy lens. My budget is around 500 euros, enough? Should i just try to hunt down a FA(*) 300mm/4.5 for this anyway incase i need AF someday, or just some older PK-M or PK-A 300/4, whats the quality of these and differance?

12-24-2008, 09:33 AM	#3
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	F* or FA* 300mm's are selling in that range now. Excellent image quality. Just have to find someone willing to part with theirs. Sigma made a manual 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for pentax that had very good optics but i haven't seen one for sale in 2yrs (i sold mine to get the f300mm). You have to be careful as there were ealier versions that were not very good lenses. They usually sell for $350US. Henrys Camera has FA on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/SMC-PENTAX-FA-STAR-200mm-f2-8-IF-ED-LENS-K20D-USED_W0QQi...742.m153.l1262 Last edited by ivoire; 12-24-2008 at 09:58 AM.

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12-23-2008, 05:56 PM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	I have 2 options, and use them both 300mm F4 plus 1.7x AF TC and a sigma APOI 70-200 F2.8 EX with 1.4 and 2x TCs. there is a best bird shot running in the post your photo's forum where I have posted examples done with both. first three here are my sigma plus 2X on my K10D next is the old pentax plus AF TC, on my *istD with a flash there is also a thread on the 300mmF4 where I have posted lots of shots with my 300 +1.7x the sigma plus TCs will cost you considerably more.

12-24-2008, 09:56 AM	#4
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Lowell and I and a few others have a long-running K 300/4 thread you might take a look at. The pros/cons of this lens are pretty well covered there. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29940-pentax-smc-300-4-a.html I still think it is one of the best buys out there if you don't mind focusing manually. Here's one from last summer. Cheers, Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 12-24-2008 at 10:11 AM. Reason: typo

12-24-2008, 10:16 AM	#5
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	I have the Pentax K 300mm f4 but recently had the chance to buy a F* 300mm f4.5 and a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 APO EX. I bought the DG EX 2X teleconverter to go with the Sigma and am more than pleased with the results. Out of interest I also put the teleconverter on the Pentax lens so giving 600mm and was pretty amazed with the output of that considering it was handheld. Only problem is it wouldnt autofocus but im happy with manual anyway. Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and 2X EX Converter. Pentax F*300mm f4.5 and 2X Ex Converter.

12-24-2008, 12:05 PM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Don't forget you can also look at both the Pentax and other makes lens reviews in this forum for some good advice.