a quick note on the DA*300

cooldude14es · 03-22-2009, 01:29 PM

And what if you found a good offer on a mint condition FA*300mm? Would you still prefer the DA* version? I know you all would say that it depends on the price difference, so we are talking about USD200 cheaper.

About the DA*, do you use it mainly on a tripod or hand held?

Thanks.

borno · 03-22-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by cooldude14es

And what if you found a good offer on a mint condition FA*300mm? Would you still prefer the DA* version? I know you all would say that it depends on the price difference, so we are talking about USD200 cheaper.

About the DA*, do you use it mainly on a tripod or hand held?

Thanks.

I would dearly miss a tripod collar though the F* has a nice one, I use a monopod mostly.
Here is a shot from this am with the DA300 a 8x10 crop and a 100% at 640 iso - I get good results with the 1.7x too if the light is good

**Eaglerapids** · 03-22-2009, 06:04 PM - **1 Like**

Hmmm, I bought my DA* for $1145 or so, $1150 including shipping if I recall. At that time there were F*,FA*'s going for $900 to $1000. I would have bought the F*, preferably just for the tripod collar, or FA* for $700 to $750. Now that, for the time being at least, no telling where the prices are going, you can get a DA* for around $900 to $950 if you look hard enough I probably would have to see the F or FA's in the $600 range if I were to do it all over. The DA* just has to much going for it, tripod collar, weather sealed, SDM focusing. Some people seem to do much better hand holding it than I, although this morning I did a lot better although I was braced in the rig with the lens sticking out the window in the rain, yes, more frigging rain this weekend:-(. But with this lens I didn't have to worry about the rain and that's very cool. I had it out on the tripod in a cold rain, almost snow, back in early December with no ill effects at all, I just wiped everything off when I got back in the truck.
Here's a couple from today at ISO800. Man to be able to shoot at ISO800 with the K20D is huge. I would have liked to use my flash on the geese pictures to try to get a catchlight in their eyes but didn't want to chance it in the rain.

**Michaelina2** · 03-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Great Turkey shot! Those guys can really be spooky and fast...

Cheers...

legacyb4 · 03-30-2009, 06:19 AM

Anyone using one to shoot sports?

Toshi · 03-31-2009, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Anyone using one to shoot sports?

I bought mine last year just to shoot a couple motorsport events. Works great, fast enough and sharp, and AF was pretty good on my DS. I'm sure it'll be quicker with a better body. No regrets buying it

03-22-2009, 02:40 PM	#17
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Originally posted by cooldude14es And what if you found a good offer on a mint condition FA300mm? Would you still prefer the DA version? I know you all would say that it depends on the price difference, so we are talking about USD200 cheaper. About the DA, do you use it mainly on a tripod or hand held? Thanks. I would dearly miss a tripod collar though the F has a nice one, I use a monopod mostly. Here is a shot from this am with the DA300 a 8x10 crop and a 100% at 640 iso - I get good results with the 1.7x too if the light is good Last edited by borno; 03-22-2009 at 02:41 PM. Reason: oh yeah a k20d at 100%

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03-22-2009, 01:29 PM	#16
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	And what if you found a good offer on a mint condition FA300mm? Would you still prefer the DA version? I know you all would say that it depends on the price difference, so we are talking about USD200 cheaper. About the DA*, do you use it mainly on a tripod or hand held? Thanks.

03-22-2009, 06:04 PM - 1 Like	#18
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	Hmmm, I bought my DA* for $1145 or so, $1150 including shipping if I recall. At that time there were F,FA's going for $900 to $1000. I would have bought the F, preferably just for the tripod collar, or FA for $700 to $750. Now that, for the time being at least, no telling where the prices are going, you can get a DA* for around $900 to $950 if you look hard enough I probably would have to see the F or FA's in the $600 range if I were to do it all over. The DA* just has to much going for it, tripod collar, weather sealed, SDM focusing. Some people seem to do much better hand holding it than I, although this morning I did a lot better although I was braced in the rig with the lens sticking out the window in the rain, yes, more frigging rain this weekend:-(. But with this lens I didn't have to worry about the rain and that's very cool. I had it out on the tripod in a cold rain, almost snow, back in early December with no ill effects at all, I just wiped everything off when I got back in the truck. Here's a couple from today at ISO800. Man to be able to shoot at ISO800 with the K20D is huge. I would have liked to use my flash on the geese pictures to try to get a catchlight in their eyes but didn't want to chance it in the rain.

03-22-2009, 08:47 PM	#19
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Great Turkey shot! Those guys can really be spooky and fast... Cheers...

03-30-2009, 06:19 AM	#20
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Anyone using one to shoot sports?

03-31-2009, 02:36 AM	#21
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431	Originally posted by legacyb4 Anyone using one to shoot sports? I bought mine last year just to shoot a couple motorsport events. Works great, fast enough and sharp, and AF was pretty good on my DS. I'm sure it'll be quicker with a better body. No regrets buying it