Pentax DA* 300mm and TCs

David07 · 01-05-2009, 07:47 AM

Hello,

I got a Pentax DA* 300mm one week ago and I really like it. It is VERY sharp, it has good contrast and CA is not a problem with this lens. It is nice to have a quiet focus system, althought I feel it is that much faster than the usual focus system. Also, a focus limiter would have been a useful addition to this lens...

I have some teleconverters and I tested them with the DA* 300mm. I was happy to see that my Kenko 1.5X retained SDM autofocus. It was hunting a little bit, but it was not a problem. I could get some quite sharp pictures with this combo. I used it on a monopod and I got more pictures affected by camera shake than usual. I guess the focal length was still read at 300mm with the TC instead of 450mm which may lead to an undercorrection of camera shake by the SR system. However, I still need to use it more to confirm this.

I also tested the DA* 300mm with the Pentax AF 1.7X TC. I have used this TC with some other lenses before and was not happy with the high amount of purple fringing added when using this TC. I was surprised to see that the amount of purple fringing with the DA*300 and 1.7X TC was minimal under high contrast scene. It doesn't seem to be a problem. Pictures were still sharp but I feel contrast was significantly affected. However, this "problem" could be solved during post-processing.

This week, I will try to make some pictures of the same subject with each TC and also only with the lens to make a comparison, then I'll post the results.

David

rdrum76 · 01-05-2009, 07:58 AM

Yes, I am very curious. I am waiting for the DA* 400 f5.6 , if it ever gets produced. An alternative is to use the DA* 300 f4 with the 1.4x TC, though.

Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses?

Mike.P® · 01-05-2009, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by rdrum76

Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses?

Taken with Pentax F* 300mm f4.5 and Tamron 1.4x TC.
The DA* should be as good, if not better I would have thought.

palmor · 01-05-2009, 11:57 AM

The DA*300 does very well with TC's IMO, I'm looking forward to hopefully even better IQ with the new Pentax one (and weather sealing).

Here are some recent shots I've taken with the DA* and the Kenko 1.5TC

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/45893-northern-cardinal-...-kenko-tc.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/44803-da-300-kenko-1-5xt...der-shots.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/423063-post22.html

David07 · 01-05-2009, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by palmor

The DA*300 does very well with TC's IMO, I'm looking forward to hopefully even better IQ with the new Pentax one (and weather sealing).

Here are some recent shots I've taken with the DA* and the Kenko 1.5TC

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/45893-northern-cardinal-...-kenko-tc.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/44803-da-300-kenko-1-5xt...der-shots.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/423063-post22.html

Great pictures ! I'm also waiting for the Pentax TC coming out this spring.

Here are some pics taken with the DA* 300 (no TC):

With pentax AF 1.7X TC:

David07 · 01-05-2009, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by rdrum76

Yes, I am very curious. I am waiting for the DA* 400 f5.6 , if it ever gets produced. An alternative is to use the DA* 300 f4 with the 1.4x TC, though.

Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses?

I think there was no reliable indication that the upcoming "super telephoto" will a DA* 400/5.6... only a rumor... Also, maybe you will have to wait a lot !

I do not have another DA* lens or the Tamron 1.4x TC. However, I read in another trend that the Tamron 1.4x was also working with SDM.

MikeW · 01-05-2009, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by David07

Great pictures ! I'm also waiting for the Pentax TC coming out this spring.

Here are some pics taken with the DA* 300 (no TC):

With pentax AF 1.7X TC:

You've just made my LBA a whole lot worse. These are great!

01-05-2009, 07:47 AM	#1
David07 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec, CA Posts: 74	*Pentax DA 300mm and TCs** Hello, I got a Pentax DA* 300mm one week ago and I really like it. It is VERY sharp, it has good contrast and CA is not a problem with this lens. It is nice to have a quiet focus system, althought I feel it is that much faster than the usual focus system. Also, a focus limiter would have been a useful addition to this lens... I have some teleconverters and I tested them with the DA* 300mm. I was happy to see that my Kenko 1.5X retained SDM autofocus. It was hunting a little bit, but it was not a problem. I could get some quite sharp pictures with this combo. I used it on a monopod and I got more pictures affected by camera shake than usual. I guess the focal length was still read at 300mm with the TC instead of 450mm which may lead to an undercorrection of camera shake by the SR system. However, I still need to use it more to confirm this. I also tested the DA* 300mm with the Pentax AF 1.7X TC. I have used this TC with some other lenses before and was not happy with the high amount of purple fringing added when using this TC. I was surprised to see that the amount of purple fringing with the DA*300 and 1.7X TC was minimal under high contrast scene. It doesn't seem to be a problem. Pictures were still sharp but I feel contrast was significantly affected. However, this "problem" could be solved during post-processing. This week, I will try to make some pictures of the same subject with each TC and also only with the lens to make a comparison, then I'll post the results. David

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax and Albinar 2x TCs, 2 Cokin A filter sets, 49mm Filter and Macro tubes	pxpaulx	Sold Items	15	02-11-2010 09:09 PM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma Zoom Telephoto 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF AF Lens with 1.4X and 2.0X TCs	MikeDubU	Sold Items	5	02-23-2009 01:56 AM
Birding with the Sigma 300mm 2.8 & TCs	HawaiianOnline	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	01-13-2008 02:17 AM
My 1st day with the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 + TCs (56K warning!)	m8o	Post Your Photos!	16	07-29-2007 05:07 PM
SDM and TCs	Arpe	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	07-11-2007 05:38 PM

01-05-2009, 07:58 AM	#2
rdrum76 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 221	Yes, I am very curious. I am waiting for the DA* 400 f5.6 , if it ever gets produced. An alternative is to use the DA* 300 f4 with the 1.4x TC, though. Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses?

01-05-2009, 08:17 AM	#3
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by rdrum76 Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses? Taken with Pentax F* 300mm f4.5 and Tamron 1.4x TC. The DA* should be as good, if not better I would have thought.

01-05-2009, 11:57 AM	#4
palmor Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Boston, MA Posts: 798	The DA300 does very well with TC's IMO, I'm looking forward to hopefully even better IQ with the new Pentax one (and weather sealing). Here are some recent shots I've taken with the DA and the Kenko 1.5TC https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/45893-northern-cardinal-...-kenko-tc.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/44803-da-300-kenko-1-5xt...der-shots.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/423063-post22.html

01-05-2009, 12:19 PM	#5
David07 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec, CA Posts: 74 Original Poster	Originally posted by palmor The DA300 does very well with TC's IMO, I'm looking forward to hopefully even better IQ with the new Pentax one (and weather sealing). Here are some recent shots I've taken with the DA and the Kenko 1.5TC https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/45893-northern-cardinal-...-kenko-tc.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/44803-da-300-kenko-1-5xt...der-shots.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/423063-post22.html Great pictures ! I'm also waiting for the Pentax TC coming out this spring. Here are some pics taken with the DA* 300 (no TC): With pentax AF 1.7X TC:

01-05-2009, 12:24 PM	#6
David07 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec, CA Posts: 74 Original Poster	Originally posted by rdrum76 Yes, I am very curious. I am waiting for the DA* 400 f5.6 , if it ever gets produced. An alternative is to use the DA* 300 f4 with the 1.4x TC, though. Anyone have experience with the 1.4x TC with DA* lenses? I think there was no reliable indication that the upcoming "super telephoto" will a DA* 400/5.6... only a rumor... Also, maybe you will have to wait a lot ! I do not have another DA* lens or the Tamron 1.4x TC. However, I read in another trend that the Tamron 1.4x was also working with SDM.

01-05-2009, 02:07 PM	#7
MikeW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	Originally posted by David07 Great pictures ! I'm also waiting for the Pentax TC coming out this spring. Here are some pics taken with the DA* 300 (no TC): With pentax AF 1.7X TC: You've just made my LBA a whole lot worse. These are great!