300mm suggestions :)

mrclark321 · 01-19-2015, 07:40 PM

I am curious as to who has used the different 645 300mm lenses out there. 300 f/4 manual, 300 f/4 autofocus and the 300 mm f/5.6
Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

Rimfiredude · 01-19-2015, 08:29 PM

Sorry to say, I don't have a 645 to put them on.

**Ed Hurst** · 01-19-2015, 10:20 PM - **1 Like**

I can only comment on the use of the 6x7 300mm f4EDIF lens and it's superlative, whether used on the 67ii, the 645D or the 645Z. Big, heavy, manual focus, but superb!

-Linus- · 01-19-2015, 10:41 PM

The FA645f4.0 is a superb but heavy lens, most of the time the f5.6 is more practical. It is lighter and has a shorter minimal focal distance. If you stop down sharpness is well usable.
On a tripod or wide open I use the f4.

-Linus-

2351HD · 01-20-2015, 05:02 AM

I just sold my FA 300 f/4 and also have the FA 300 f/5.6 and I feel the 5.6 is better. The f/4 is not really awesome at f4 and the 5.6 is much more manageable in size and weight.

ndevlin · 01-21-2015, 08:09 AM

The problem with the300 f4 is it really needs you to use the tripod collar, which leaves the camer unbraced and the shutter vibrations undamped :-(

672 · 01-22-2015, 01:29 AM

I find the 300mm to be an odd focal length in the 44x33 format. I got rid of the A300mm edif. Instead I use the FA 400mm 5.6 for handheld and the P67 f4 400mm on tripod.

**clackers** · 01-22-2015, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by Rimfiredude

Sorry to say, I don't have a 645 to put them on.

???

What are you doing in the MF forum, then?

Rimfiredude · 01-22-2015, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by clackers

???

What are you doing in the MF forum, then?

Well, I hope to have one someday.

RonHendriks1966 · 01-22-2015, 07:32 AM

I used the 300mm/f4 and that is a great lens. Very sharp.

There is also a zoomlens, 150-300mm/f5.6 but never used it.

**clackers** · 01-22-2015, 01:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rimfiredude

Well, I hope to have one someday.

If I win a lottery, my order goes in the same day. :-D

TomE · 01-22-2015, 11:10 PM

My 645 A* 300mm f/4 lens is extremely sharp with film and digital. Tom

atlnq9 · 01-24-2015, 10:49 PM

Completely depends on your use. If you are vehicle based and use a tripod or bean bag then the FA* f4 is the best option; if you don't need AF and the left fits your use then get the A*. If you carry it around; fly with all your gear; are on a tight budget then the 5.6 is for you. At f6.7 I can't tell the difference much. Remember at f4 the dof is very small; just the nature of medium format. Stay away from the 150-300mm, it is better at the 150mm end.

Owned all three: FA 300 5.6, FA* 300mm 4.0, FA 150-300mm 5.6. Only use the prime 5.6 now. Never found great use at 4.0 end as the depth of field was always too small; hince I use the remarkably light 5.6.

brelip · 01-25-2015, 08:00 AM

I went with 300mm f4 because it has tripod collar and razor sharp at f5.6. The thin DOF look at f4 is also nice at times. It really doesn't weigh that much more than 300/4 for Canon/Nikon full frame. If you're thinking about 300/5.6, you might want to look at 150-300/5.6. Both do not have tripod collar, but i think IQ may be similar.

mikeSF · 01-30-2015, 11:55 AM - **1 Like**

I use the 67 M*300/4 adapted to my 645D.
link to reviews here: SMC Pentax-M* 67 300mm F4 ED [IF] Reviews - 67 Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
The lens performs beautifully, though quite large. Nevertheless, the IQ is stunning.
Good luck!

these fireworks were 5.25 miles away:

White Set 2015
67 M*300 + 67 1.4xTC

here's another:

Happy Holidays!

These fireworks were 3.8 miles away

Party In Berkeley

01-19-2015, 07:40 PM	#1
mrclark321 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 130	300mm suggestions :) I am curious as to who has used the different 645 300mm lenses out there. 300 f/4 manual, 300 f/4 autofocus and the 300 mm f/5.6 Opinions would be greatly appreciated. Dan

01-30-2015, 11:55 AM - 1 Like	#15
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I use the 67 M300/4 adapted to my 645D. link to reviews here: SMC Pentax-M 67 300mm F4 ED [IF] Reviews - 67 Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database The lens performs beautifully, though quite large. Nevertheless, the IQ is stunning. Good luck! these fireworks were 5.25 miles away: White Set 2015 67 M300 + 67 1.4xTC here's another: Happy Holidays! These fireworks were 3.8 miles away Party In Berkeley Last edited by mikeSF; 01-30-2015 at 12:01 PM.*

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01-19-2015, 08:29 PM	#2
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Sorry to say, I don't have a 645 to put them on.

01-19-2015, 10:20 PM - 1 Like	#3
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	I can only comment on the use of the 6x7 300mm f4EDIF lens and it's superlative, whether used on the 67ii, the 645D or the 645Z. Big, heavy, manual focus, but superb!

01-19-2015, 10:41 PM	#4
-Linus- Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Münsterland Posts: 139	The FA645f4.0 is a superb but heavy lens, most of the time the f5.6 is more practical. It is lighter and has a shorter minimal focal distance. If you stop down sharpness is well usable. On a tripod or wide open I use the f4. -Linus-

01-20-2015, 05:02 AM	#5
2351HD Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 750	I just sold my FA 300 f/4 and also have the FA 300 f/5.6 and I feel the 5.6 is better. The f/4 is not really awesome at f4 and the 5.6 is much more manageable in size and weight.

01-21-2015, 08:09 AM	#6
ndevlin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 132	The problem with the300 f4 is it really needs you to use the tripod collar, which leaves the camer unbraced and the shutter vibrations undamped :-(

01-22-2015, 01:29 AM	#7
672 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: santa monica Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	I find the 300mm to be an odd focal length in the 44x33 format. I got rid of the A300mm edif. Instead I use the FA 400mm 5.6 for handheld and the P67 f4 400mm on tripod.

01-22-2015, 04:27 AM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Rimfiredude Sorry to say, I don't have a 645 to put them on. ??? What are you doing in the MF forum, then?

01-22-2015, 05:38 AM	#9
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Originally posted by clackers ??? What are you doing in the MF forum, then? Well, I hope to have one someday.

01-22-2015, 07:32 AM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I used the 300mm/f4 and that is a great lens. Very sharp. There is also a zoomlens, 150-300mm/f5.6 but never used it.

01-22-2015, 01:49 PM - 1 Like	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Rimfiredude Well, I hope to have one someday. If I win a lottery, my order goes in the same day. :-D

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01-22-2015, 11:10 PM	#12
TomE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 299	My 645 A* 300mm f/4 lens is extremely sharp with film and digital. Tom

01-24-2015, 10:49 PM	#13
atlnq9 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Albums Posts: 330	Completely depends on your use. If you are vehicle based and use a tripod or bean bag then the FA* f4 is the best option; if you don't need AF and the left fits your use then get the A. If you carry it around; fly with all your gear; are on a tight budget then the 5.6 is for you. At f6.7 I can't tell the difference much. Remember at f4 the dof is very small; just the nature of medium format. Stay away from the 150-300mm, it is better at the 150mm end. Owned all three: FA 300 5.6, FA 300mm 4.0, FA 150-300mm 5.6. Only use the prime 5.6 now. Never found great use at 4.0 end as the depth of field was always too small; hince I use the remarkably light 5.6.

01-25-2015, 08:00 AM	#14
brelip Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Dallas, TX Photos: Albums Posts: 71	I went with 300mm f4 because it has tripod collar and razor sharp at f5.6. The thin DOF look at f4 is also nice at times. It really doesn't weigh that much more than 300/4 for Canon/Nikon full frame. If you're thinking about 300/5.6, you might want to look at 150-300/5.6. Both do not have tripod collar, but i think IQ may be similar.