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gratefulbruce · 06-21-2007, 05:05 AM

Well, after looking and wondering how many banks I'd have to rob for a nice Pentax 300mm, I decided instead to buy a cheap 300. I am still shooting film, so a 300 is a 300, not a 450 like you digital guys, and I am seriously hindered in my capability to zoom in on these images by the grain of the film. I have never used a lens bigger than a 210mm and what I know about that lens is "it doesn't get me close enough". I finally decided that a 300mm might not get me as close as I'd like either, so why spend 300-3000 dollars for a nice SMC-A f4, or the cats meow SMC-A f2.8, just to find out I'm still not getting as close as I'd like. I found a Promaster 300mm 5.6 on ebay, and won the bid for a reasonable price of $71.00, and decided to purchase. Hopefully this will allow me to find out if a nicer 300mm is in my future (maybe), or perhaps I should be looking at a 400, or even larger.

I should take delivery on this lens before may vacation begins next Tuesday (schedule is a little tight), so I'll be looking forward to taking pictures in Central Wisconsin, and posting some after the 4th. Thanks to all who have discussed lenses since I joined here in March.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-21-2007, 07:51 AM

if you are concerned 300 is too short, why not look at a low cost 500-600 mm mirror lense

I have seen a few of these around

gratefulbruce · 06-21-2007, 09:56 AM

I thought I'd start with the three. I had put some posts on here about lenses, and was swayed to look for a three first. If it doesn't seem to do the job for me, I'll be looking in the 500-600 range before long.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-21-2007, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by gratefulbruce

I thought I'd start with the three. I had put some posts on here about lenses, and was swayed to look for a three first. If it doesn't seem to do the job for me, I'll be looking in the 500-600 range before long.

Somewhere I wrote, you will always be wanting something longer faster wider, etc...

I use a 1000mm F10 celestron C90 Worked very well on film, havent't used it much yet on digital, the crop factor makes me use my 300mm with a 1.7x AF TC quite a bit. This equates to a 750mm F6.8 lens. Long enough that you can't hand hold it even with shake reduction

p.s I also have 400mm F5.6 and 300mm F4

06-21-2007, 05:05 AM	#1
gratefulbruce Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina Posts: 78	Waiting for my "new to me" 300mm lens Well, after looking and wondering how many banks I'd have to rob for a nice Pentax 300mm, I decided instead to buy a cheap 300. I am still shooting film, so a 300 is a 300, not a 450 like you digital guys, and I am seriously hindered in my capability to zoom in on these images by the grain of the film. I have never used a lens bigger than a 210mm and what I know about that lens is "it doesn't get me close enough". I finally decided that a 300mm might not get me as close as I'd like either, so why spend 300-3000 dollars for a nice SMC-A f4, or the cats meow SMC-A f2.8, just to find out I'm still not getting as close as I'd like. I found a Promaster 300mm 5.6 on ebay, and won the bid for a reasonable price of $71.00, and decided to purchase. Hopefully this will allow me to find out if a nicer 300mm is in my future (maybe), or perhaps I should be looking at a 400, or even larger. I should take delivery on this lens before may vacation begins next Tuesday (schedule is a little tight), so I'll be looking forward to taking pictures in Central Wisconsin, and posting some after the 4th. Thanks to all who have discussed lenses since I joined here in March.

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06-21-2007, 07:51 AM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	if you are concerned 300 is too short, why not look at a low cost 500-600 mm mirror lense I have seen a few of these around

06-21-2007, 09:56 AM	#3
gratefulbruce Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina Posts: 78 Original Poster	I thought I'd start with the three. I had put some posts on here about lenses, and was swayed to look for a three first. If it doesn't seem to do the job for me, I'll be looking in the 500-600 range before long.

06-21-2007, 01:07 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by gratefulbruce I thought I'd start with the three. I had put some posts on here about lenses, and was swayed to look for a three first. If it doesn't seem to do the job for me, I'll be looking in the 500-600 range before long. Somewhere I wrote, you will always be wanting something longer faster wider, etc... I use a 1000mm F10 celestron C90 Worked very well on film, havent't used it much yet on digital, the crop factor makes me use my 300mm with a 1.7x AF TC quite a bit. This equates to a 750mm F6.8 lens. Long enough that you can't hand hold it even with shake reduction p.s I also have 400mm F5.6 and 300mm F4

Waiting for my "new to me" 300mm lens

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!