[bpv_UW]

PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing

Item for Sale
My Da*300/4 for your F*300/4.5

Asking Price
0.00 USD

Item Location
Colorado (United States)

Item Description
I'm looking to try an F 300/4.5 and want to see if anyone is interested in a trade for my Da 300/4 (in Like New condition with fast/accurate AF and no issues whatsoever).

From what I've seen, these are a wash IQ-wise. Pros for each lens as I see it are:

Da - WR, a touch faster, silent AF, behaves better with HD-Da 1.4x TC (according to some)
F - smaller/lighter

Note that both are FF compatible.

I value size above all after IQ, hence my desire for the F. Hoping someone who has the F values the features of the Da more highly.

Please PM if interested.

Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
No

Are you selling or trading this item?
Trading

Item Condition (Key)
Used
Like New

Shipping Destinations
North America

Shipping Charge
n/a

Shipping Services
USPS Priority Mail

Accepted Payment Types
Other (Elaborate)

Return Policy & Additional Details
Only if DOA.

Please send me a private message if interested in the item!

[fwcetus]

That sounds like an interesting trade. If this had been proposed just a few months back (when I sold my backup F* 300/4.5 here), I might just have taken the offer. But, I personally am not willing to trade my most-used lens for another model, even if highly rated (and it is). However, as I said, this is an interesting offer, and someone may just jump at the enticing opportunity...

EDIT: It would also be interesting for the two traders to share their experiences with us...

[r0ckstarr]

I'm not interested in the trade, but am interested in the comparison. I currently have a DA300, but have too been curious about the F* equivalent. I have yet to see a comparison from someone on here that owns both.

[scarboro1]

I am interested in the swap. Let me pm you with some photos of my F*300 as soon as I get a chance and we can discuss.

Rich

[bpv_UW]

Sounds great, Rich. Awaiting your PM.

[Artesian]

Not interested in a FA* 300 4.5?
Steve

[bpv_UW]

Prefer the F for a little better compactness, built-in hood. If the search for that is fruitless, I may eventually consider an FA, but not right now.
Brandon

[scarboro1]

Will do, hopefully I'll get you something this evening when the little ones retire for the night.

Rich

[bpv_UW]

I have a couple little ones myself, Rich, so I understand fully. No hurry.
Brandon

[Kevwaly]

I have both. They both are great and i use them for different things. The DA300 is my go to for wildlife because of the silent AF. It is sharp, but I have to give a slight edge in that area to the F300. As far as AF speed (On K3 or K3II) the F300 wins again. I use the F300 for profit shooting in daytime sporting events. (For examples of F300 sports shots: mustangsphoto.com - Football - Varsity - Houston St. Pius) I use the F 300 anytime the noise of the screw drive is not an issue. If rain, snow or silent AF is needed, I go to the DA300. The new HD 1.4 TC is only useful on the DA300 (wonderful combo), not on the F300. For the F300 the old 1.7 TC is the way to go. The F300 is much smaller which is also nice. It can be handheld in a pinch, the DA300...not so much. Both have rich colors, good contrast. My favorite is the old F300, but I still need the DA300 for wildlife or in adverse weather conditions. Some prefer the DA300 for the reasons I stated. Both great.

[fwcetus]

[...] The new HD 1.4 TC is only useful on the DA300 (wonderful combo), not on the F300. For the F300 the old 1.7 TC is the way to go. [...]

First, thanks for the good descriptions of pros and cons (mostly of pros, since, as you said, you have a choice).

However, would you mind please explaining your comments on the choice of the HD 1.4X TC for the DA* 300 and the F 1.7X AFA for the F* 300.
Thanks a lot.

[Pepe Guitarra]

I had both and I now I have only one of them. I reviewed both in this forum, you can check it out. I would have wanted to keep both, but I could not afford it. The F*300/4.5 is very small, without the tripod foot, it can fit like any other lens in the bag. No SDM to deal with, although I have not had any problem with my DA300/4. In fact, with the HD1.4TC, the lens behave 150% better than with the Tamron 1.4TX, and I do not get deterioration of the image. The main reason I kept the DA300/4 is the HD1.4TC. I get 420mm/5.6 (registered in the exif). My eyes and hands are getting older, so I wanted to keep something that fas faster. DA300 is faster and quieter. In fact, I was tempted to buy the F*300 again.

---------- Post added 12-23-15 at 06:38 AM ----------

I have both. They both are great and i use them for different things. The DA300 is my go to for wildlife because of the silent AF. It is sharp, but I have to give a slight edge in that area to the F300. As far as AF speed (On K3 or K3II) the F300 wins again. I use the F300 for profit shooting in daytime sporting events. (For examples of F300 sports shots: mustangsphoto.com - Football - Varsity - Houston St. Pius) I use the F 300 anytime the noise of the screw drive is not an issue. If rain, snow or silent AF is needed, I go to the DA300. The new HD 1.4 TC is only useful on the DA300 (wonderful combo), not on the F300. For the F300 the old 1.7 TC is the way to go. The F300 is much smaller which is also nice. It can be handheld in a pinch, the DA300...not so much. Both have rich colors, good contrast. My favorite is the old F300, but I still need the DA300 for wildlife or in adverse weather conditions. Some prefer the DA300 for the reasons I stated. Both great.

I must remind you that the F1.7 TC was designed for the Pentax-A lenses to become AF, they work better with the 1.7TC. If you use the 1.7tc on the F*300, you will lose IQ and AF. You will have to pre-focus to get some AF, not good. The F*300 is good alone, or with the Tamron 1.4TC, the last one with the right contacts. There must be a reason I did not sell my Tamron. BTW, VIVITAR has also a 1.4TC cheap (less than $100 new) that did a good job, even the Kenko 2xTC did well with the F*300. Not the Pentax F1.7 AFA.

[Kevwaly]

First, thanks for the good descriptions of pros and cons (mostly of pros, since, as you said, you have a choice).

However, would you mind please explaining your comments on the choice of the HD 1.4X TC for the DA* 300 and the F 1.7X AFA for the F* 300.
Thanks a lot.

The 1.4x TC is from experience. My comment on the 1.7 TC was the advice given to me on which TC to use for my F300. After reading Pepe's post above, I may have been given unwise advise. I would now advise more research, perhaps Pepe is the source for the best TC for the F 300. I thank Pepe for correcting what I said. The rest of my post was from my own experience, not from outside input. I apologize for not clarifying that bit of info was from 3rd party.

---------- Post added 12-24-15 at 01:43 AM ----------

I must remind you that the F1.7 TC was designed for the Pentax-A lenses to become AF, they work better with the 1.7TC. If you use the 1.7tc on the F*300, you will lose IQ and AF. You will have to pre-focus to get some AF, not good. The F*300 is good alone, or with the Tamron 1.4TC, the last one with the right contacts. There must be a reason I did not sell my Tamron. BTW, VIVITAR has also a 1.4TC cheap (less than $100 new) that did a good job, even the Kenko 2xTC did well with the F*300. Not the Pentax F1.7 AFA.

Do u know the BEST TC for the F 300 while maintaining AF?

[Pepe Guitarra]

The 1.4x TC is from experience. My comment on the 1.7 TC was the advice given to me on which TC to use for my F300. After reading Pepe's post above, I may have been given unwise advise. I would now advise more research, perhaps Pepe is the source for the best TC for the F 300. I thank Pepe for correcting what I said. The rest of my post was from my own experience, not from outside input. I apologize for not clarifying that bit of info was from 3rd party.

---------- Post added 12-24-15 at 01:43 AM ----------



Do u know the BEST TC for the F 300 while maintaining AF?

The best use of the F*300/4.5 is alone, without TC. The lens is good at f4.5. With a 1.4TC, it will go to f6.3 wide open. Not too good, unless you have plenty of sun light. Remember you are using a new set of glass in front of the lens (this new set of glass may not be of the ame quality of the original lens). The TC I found to be the best is the Tamron 1.4xTC (see photo below).







Check the review of this TC on this forum:


https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/a-tamron-f-1-4x-pz-af-mc4.html?page=2#reviewlist

[racercpa]

Pepe,I will take your trade. I just purchased an F*300 4.5 from another Pentaxian and don't have any shots taken with it that I can send you, but it shoots test charts as good as my 60-250 and front/bank focus came in with a -5 adjustment on my K5IIs. It has the original tripod mount, very beefy and sturdy but easily removable and a small ding in the lens hood. Front and rear caps are generic. Glass is clear, action is good. I can send you a few pics if you send me email address. I am not a birder and I don't do sports photography. I just wanted a little more reach than my 250 for the occasional nature shoot so the additional size and weight does not concern me. I usually shoot from a tripod. Does your have the tripod mount?

Regards,
Martin