Nature $112.50 a shot

$112.50 a shot · 01:32 PM

I LOVE the marketplace here. .

I had been thinking on the DA* 300 for some time. I don't have many primes (one actually the DA 35LTD) and it's a stellar lens. I also have the DA* 60-250 so do I really need the 300 ?

Well need is a dirty word in this hobby and income tax refund came in so .... thanks to @Lukinosity awesome seller - ships quickly , great communication, A+ for sure (but I think he is leaving Pentax)

click on image twice for larger view

Here she is (camera phone photo's) . I don't find the weight / size an issue. No bigger than the DA* 60-250 and certainly smaller than the Bigma (which may be going up for sale) .......

I got it late last night so no usage (it was killing me haha) . Today at lunch I took off to the wetlands for about an hour and fired off 188 shots .

(film would have bankrupt me ...)

Now as to the title I am working the cost down to number of keepers. I won't tell ya what I paid for the lens, however there are 8 shots below that I am very happy with , given that info and the title ....

The eye is a bit soft but that is operator error ...
#1

Extremely pleased with this shot
#2

Extremely pleased with this shot (and it's also a fairly heavy crop)
#3

Extremely pleased with this shot
#4

Pretty happy with this shot - found it commical enough to keep - wating on the roof of the birdhouse for his turn
#5

The next three I am pretty happy with as well. I more or less just wanted to show what species I managed to get today. I did not get any good ones of the Pellican , coots and a muskrat dived under before I could snap one.

#6

#7

#8

I find the lens can produce a prefect picture. If focus is already close it is very resposnive. I will need to get use to a 300 prime. I did notice some difficulty when the FL was short (maybe 10 meters) it had a hard time getting to infinity. If I manually turn it to infinity it focuses quickly. Will just need some practice as I was also switching from AF.S and AF.C , spot and metered focus.

I expect to get the 'cost vs keepers' price of this lens down from the $112.50 to pennies or less.

Pentigor · 05-10-2013, 02:05 PM

Beautiful shots, and that is all handheld I suppose?

I want one too... but I just ordered a macro lens, and that will be the last photo related item I buy this year...can't wait to have it...

Have fun with your new lens.

Igor

charliezap · 05-10-2013, 02:18 PM

Very nice shots with that lens Dave.Why might you be selling the Bigma?--capn zap

fotogaffer · 05-10-2013, 02:25 PM

NIce shots. They are very sharp and I was also wondering if these were handheld or tripod mounted as I see you have the tripod plate on the camera.
I have the same lens, and really like it. Not too big to carry around but decent reach just the same. Enjoy!

kenafein · 05-10-2013, 02:35 PM

Great shots, and you got an excellent deal on the lens. Make sure to pick up a Q now.

**Bob Harris** · 05-10-2013, 03:48 PM

Great results and you have just started with it. Love the colors and textures you got Dave.

daacon · 05-10-2013, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Pentigor

Beautiful shots, and that is all handheld I suppose?
I want one too... but I just ordered a macro lens, and that will be the last photo related item I buy this year...can't wait to have it...
Have fun with your new lens.
Igor

Thanks Atta boy Igor - the first step is to admit the want

- Income tax refund played a huge part. This could be my last purchase of the year as well but never say never

yes handheld.

Originally posted by charliezap

Very nice shots with that lens Dave.Why might you be selling the Bigma?--capn zap

Thanks . I keep everything

- I did let go of 3 lenses a while ago took me forever. I may or may not get rid of the Bigma - just my mind justifying the new lens .....

Originally posted by fotogaffer

NIce shots. They are very sharp and I was also wondering if these were handheld or tripod mounted as I see you have the tripod plate on the camera.
I have the same lens, and really like it. Not too big to carry around but decent reach just the same. Enjoy!

Thanks. Yes I have three plates one I keep on the DA* 60-250 , one the camera and now one on the DA* 300 (use to be on the Bigma). These were a quick outing all hand held.

Originally posted by kenafein

Great shots, and you got an excellent deal on the lens. Make sure to pick up a Q now.

Thanks. Pick up a Q ummmmm I am waiting to see what Pentax releases next. Unlike most I am not screaming for a full frame - but an new APS-C with bigger , better (faster focus for action) faster everything would tempt me...

Last edited by daacon; 05-10-2013 at 05:48 PM.

**eaglem** · 05-10-2013, 05:18 PM

Looks like you scored a great lens there, it certainly is sharp.

daacon · 05-11-2013, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by eaglem

Looks like you scored a great lens there, it certainly is sharp.

Thanks EM so far of the couple of hundred shots I have taken I got about 10 or so I really like that's a pretty good ratio for me

**Sailor** · 05-11-2013, 05:24 AM

Now that looks like a serious piece of gear, buddy. You obviously already know how to use it - great shots, one and all.

Jer

Jimbo · 05-11-2013, 05:27 AM

Beautiful looking re-fun there Davey. 300mm is a great lens for a lot of uses. Enjoy. JIM

slowpez · 05-11-2013, 07:17 AM

You are so going to love that lens and it seems to love you already. Great start Dave.

**Kerrowdown** · 05-11-2013, 01:14 PM

Aye, looks like your gonna have some fun with that great new lens.

**Mallee Boy** · 05-11-2013, 02:25 PM

Very niiiiiiice Dave. A great buy .....one that you will not regret. I've resisted the 300 for a long time, being quite happy with the DA* 200.

However I did lash out and get a Q last week, and a Q > K adapter awaits me in Austin later this week. It will be interesting to see how the 200 performs on the Q and how I go trying to catch a V8 with it.

Enjoy buddy.

daacon · 05-12-2013, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by Sailor

Now that looks like a serious piece of gear, buddy. You obviously already know how to use it - great shots, one and all.
Jer

Thanks Jer - Pentax does make some great and affordable glass (especially from the Marketplace here

)

Originally posted by Jimbo

Beautiful looking re-fun there Davey. 300mm is a great lens for a lot of uses. Enjoy. JIM

Thanks Jim it does require a different style for sure - foot zoom is something I need to get use to.

Originally posted by slowpez

You are so going to love that lens and it seems to love you already. Great start Dave.

Thanks for the kind words Susan a lot of your shots pushed me over the edge on the purchase.

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Aye, looks like your gonna have some fun with that great new lens.

Thanks kerrowdown still in the honeymoon phase for sure.

Originally posted by Mallee Boy

Very niiiiiiice Dave. A great buy .....one that you will not regret. I've resisted the 300 for a long time, being quite happy with the DA* 200.
However I did lash out and get a Q last week, and a Q > K adapter awaits me in Austin later this week. It will be interesting to see how the 200 performs on the Q and how I go trying to catch a V8 with it.
Enjoy buddy.

Thanks Grant - enjoy your trip looking forward to some posts so pissed I can't be there (as it turns out I now also have to go to California next week - for work not pictures

)

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05-10-2013, 02:05 PM	#2
Pentigor Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 305	Beautiful shots, and that is all handheld I suppose? I want one too... but I just ordered a macro lens, and that will be the last photo related item I buy this year...can't wait to have it... Have fun with your new lens. Igor

05-10-2013, 02:18 PM	#3
charliezap Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,686	Very nice shots with that lens Dave.Why might you be selling the Bigma?--capn zap

05-10-2013, 02:25 PM	#4
fotogaffer Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 716	NIce shots. They are very sharp and I was also wondering if these were handheld or tripod mounted as I see you have the tripod plate on the camera. I have the same lens, and really like it. Not too big to carry around but decent reach just the same. Enjoy!

05-10-2013, 02:35 PM	#5
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Great shots, and you got an excellent deal on the lens. Make sure to pick up a Q now.

05-10-2013, 03:48 PM	#6
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	Great results and you have just started with it. Love the colors and textures you got Dave.

05-10-2013, 03:54 PM	#7
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by Pentigor Beautiful shots, and that is all handheld I suppose? I want one too... but I just ordered a macro lens, and that will be the last photo related item I buy this year...can't wait to have it... Have fun with your new lens. Igor Thanks Atta boy Igor - the first step is to admit the want - Income tax refund played a huge part. This could be my last purchase of the year as well but never say never yes handheld. Originally posted by charliezap Very nice shots with that lens Dave.Why might you be selling the Bigma?--capn zap Thanks . I keep everything - I did let go of 3 lenses a while ago took me forever. I may or may not get rid of the Bigma - just my mind justifying the new lens ..... Originally posted by fotogaffer NIce shots. They are very sharp and I was also wondering if these were handheld or tripod mounted as I see you have the tripod plate on the camera. I have the same lens, and really like it. Not too big to carry around but decent reach just the same. Enjoy! Thanks. Yes I have three plates one I keep on the DA* 60-250 , one the camera and now one on the DA* 300 (use to be on the Bigma). These were a quick outing all hand held. Originally posted by kenafein Great shots, and you got an excellent deal on the lens. Make sure to pick up a Q now. Thanks. Pick up a Q ummmmm I am waiting to see what Pentax releases next. Unlike most I am not screaming for a full frame - but an new APS-C with bigger , better (faster focus for action) faster everything would tempt me... Last edited by daacon; 05-10-2013 at 05:48 PM.

05-10-2013, 05:18 PM	#8
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,138	Looks like you scored a great lens there, it certainly is sharp.

05-11-2013, 04:49 AM	#9
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by eaglem Looks like you scored a great lens there, it certainly is sharp. Thanks EM so far of the couple of hundred shots I have taken I got about 10 or so I really like that's a pretty good ratio for me

05-11-2013, 05:24 AM	#10
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Now that looks like a serious piece of gear, buddy. You obviously already know how to use it - great shots, one and all. Jer

05-11-2013, 05:27 AM	#11
Jimbo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maple Ridge BC Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,368	Beautiful looking re-fun there Davey. 300mm is a great lens for a lot of uses. Enjoy. JIM

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05-11-2013, 07:17 AM	#12
slowpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,462	You are so going to love that lens and it seems to love you already. Great start Dave.

05-11-2013, 01:14 PM	#13
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,815	Aye, looks like your gonna have some fun with that great new lens.

05-11-2013, 02:25 PM	#14
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Very niiiiiiice Dave. A great buy .....one that you will not regret. I've resisted the 300 for a long time, being quite happy with the DA* 200. However I did lash out and get a Q last week, and a Q > K adapter awaits me in Austin later this week. It will be interesting to see how the 200 performs on the Q and how I go trying to catch a V8 with it. Enjoy buddy.

05-12-2013, 03:40 AM	#15
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sailor Now that looks like a serious piece of gear, buddy. You obviously already know how to use it - great shots, one and all. Jer Thanks Jer - Pentax does make some great and affordable glass (especially from the Marketplace here ) Originally posted by Jimbo Beautiful looking re-fun there Davey. 300mm is a great lens for a lot of uses. Enjoy. JIM Thanks Jim it does require a different style for sure - foot zoom is something I need to get use to. Originally posted by slowpez You are so going to love that lens and it seems to love you already. Great start Dave. Thanks for the kind words Susan a lot of your shots pushed me over the edge on the purchase. Originally posted by kerrowdown Aye, looks like your gonna have some fun with that great new lens. Thanks kerrowdown still in the honeymoon phase for sure. Originally posted by Mallee Boy Very niiiiiiice Dave. A great buy .....one that you will not regret. I've resisted the 300 for a long time, being quite happy with the DA* 200. However I did lash out and get a Q last week, and a Q > K adapter awaits me in Austin later this week. It will be interesting to see how the 200 performs on the Q and how I go trying to catch a V8 with it. Enjoy buddy. Thanks Grant - enjoy your trip looking forward to some posts so pissed I can't be there (as it turns out I now also have to go to California next week - for work not pictures )