Originally posted by Göran I also see alternatives in the F*300 and FA*300. If I see either of those for a good price, should I grab them?
I have both the DA*300 and the F*300. They're both fantastic lenses but differ for me in these ways:
The DA generally acquires focus faster. Its newer design gives it advantages in responsiveness over the F*.
The F* is a lovely legacy lens with an image quality that surpasses the DA in many ways. The colors are richer and it has a 3D quality I can't quite describe. It's also full frame compatible, since it's a film-era lens.
I bought the DA because I wanted to use my 1.4 TC to its greatest advantage. Though I've paired the TC with the F*, it doesn't seem quite as happy in the pairing as the DA. Those two seem made for each other.