[Lowell Goudge]

here is the lens people love to hate.

the first shot is from the K7 using the 1.7x AFA and the K300/4 at ISO 1600,

and 100% crop of the head


this next shot is using my *istD with flash again using the 1.7x AFA

---

Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 02-24-2016 at 07:43 PM.

[kenafein]

The third shot is very nice!

[Lowell Goudge]

The third shot is very nice!

probably one of the best I have ever taken. I have posted it before but felt this was a good home for it. the lens was, from memory stopped down to between F5.6 and F8 and the shot taken at Minimum focus distance, or very close to it. shot is cropped in slightly (about 10% trimmed off)

[Lowell Goudge]

posted elsewhere but relevant here too.

K300F4 and 1.7x AF TC at 1/60th shutter

[8540tomg]

Lowell and I are both fans of the old K 300/4. It has its issues but it can deliver the goods under the right conditions.

American Goldfinch.






Tom G

[mattt]

I like this lens, though F4 could be sharper, and a focus ring that wasn't so stiff would be a pleasure.
A few from a walk on the pier Friday:











I have a members album set up with some shots from this lens too.

[jazznikki]

Hi, New member here, been using a Tokina AF80-400, now trying to find out about affordable 300mm primes for wildlife using a K-7. Is the K300 used here with 2 DSLRs a manual focus, manual aperture setting lens and if so is it easy to set up the DSLR to use. The pictures are beautiful, especially the last one.
Thanks

[Lowell Goudge]

The 300f4 that is here is manual focus manual aperture. Tom has used his direct on the camera I tend to use mine with pentax's 1.7 x AF TC to get 510 mm metering is done using the green button or by test shots and adjusting exposure manually to center the histogram. The lens is relatively easy to use, but remember at 300mm focal length the DOF is rather thin

As for metering, I can only address pentax’s flagship cameras (except for the K20 I own them all). The *istD and K5D are the best, K7D is not bad, and the K10/20D are the worst. This is due to the prism housing and focusing screen.

[mattt]

HI Jazznikki
Fully manual - easy to set up - easy to use - though I find the focus ring a little stiff for my small entry level body (Kr). The aperture ring is easy to adjust, and I normally shoot it between F5.6 and F11. I use green button method in M mode - and once I get an idea of what the exposure should be, I adjust ISO and Shutter speed to ensure I have my 1/FL shutter speed or better. Chimping with the Histogram displayed is priceless. It can feel a bit heavy after carrying it around a while.

[jazznikki]

Thanx Guys, very helpful.

[kenafein]

I'll agree with Lowell. The metering on the K20D for manual lenses is not so good. I always require an adjustment of around 1.5. I'm glad to see some activity in this thread, how about some more pics?

[Lowell Goudge]

just to add the latest both using the AF 1.7x adapter as well

[Lowell Goudge]

and still more with the K300/4 and 1.7x AF converter

note hand held at 1/160 This lens is what I use for maximum reach hand held,

[WiseOx]

It has a weakness or two, but I had some luck with this lens. Moved to the sell pile now that I have the DA300

[Darren8306]

Can anyone jump in here? I THINK I have this lens... Says it's a SMC 300...heavy as a dead pet...tricky to focus, with a stiff thingy and a very long throw (is it okay to say that here?)

In any case, here are some photos from the thing. It has such a good feel...makes me wonder how many early copies were ruined beating up a mugger...? They are messed with a bit, shot on a K-5 and I really don't have time tonight...more soon...