[RICHARD L.]

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I think it was probably just the M without the *.

If you consult the P67 "Lens Reviews" section of the Forum, you will see that there are only three "M* lenses", the latest ED models of the P67 300 mm f/4, 400 mm f/4 and 800 mm f/6.7. These were modern designs with unprecedented image quality and a price that goes along. The older Takumar or Pentax 300 mm f/4, dating back to 1969, was riddled with optical problems and is not very much sought after, thus its rock-bottom used price. I have an M* 300 mm f/4 and I paid 1500 $ for it many years ago.

Regards

[mattb123]

If you consult the P67 "Lens Reviews" section of the Forum, you will see that there are only three "M* lenses", the latest ED models of the P67 300 mm f/4, 400 mm f/4 and 800 mm f/6.7. These were modern designs with unprecedented image quality and a price that goes along. The older Takumar or Pentax 300 mm f/4, dating back to 1969, was riddled with optical problems and is not very much sought after, thus its rock-bottom used price. I have an M* 300 mm f/4 and I paid 1500 $ for it many years ago.

Regards

Ok looking back it was not the M it was the Takumar SMC one. Like this.
PENTAX SMC Takumar 6x7 300mm F4 for 67 67II lens from JAPAN?N.MINT?#974270 | eBay

Optically it was good enough for my needs but it made my back hurt. I find the 645 A*300/4 is optically as good or better in a smaller package although the focus ring on the 67 was much nicer.

[mattb123]

Here is one more from last night with the 50r and A*300/4. I unfortunately was way more stopped down that I realized. I think I must have inadvertently turned the ring when mounting the lens and didn't re-check it because the moon was coming over the ridge and it was time to shoot. So it would probably be sharper if I had caught that and opened it up a little.

[Focusrite]

Foggy morning at Lennard Drive, near Wellington Dam, Western Australia. The fog was sitting in the river valley, and I was travelling along the one-lane road on my way to some rock pools when I pulled over and took some snaps before the fog moved on.

Shot with Leaf Credo 60 and Pentax 28-45mm, likley at 35 & 45mm respectively.

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[w2ck]

Hi,

The 645 A* 300/4 is excellent. Works well with the 1.4x TC. It's OK with the 2x TC. That means I only need carry the 300 and not two additional lenses. That's a big plus for the backpack. I have the 645D, 45-85, 80-160, 200 and 300 in there. Covers a lot of bases and I can actually hike about with it all. Sometimes these lighthouses require a bit of hiking and boating with the backpack and a tripod. That's enough for me.

One day, I went to Oak Island NC and shot that, then switched to the 300 and 2x TC and turned around and shot Old Baldy. Then I went to the ferry and headed over to Bald Head Island. Shot that one and switched lenses again and turned around and shot Oak Island from Old Baldy. Would I have preferred having one of those 600mm lenses for this? Yes! But I wouldn't want to have to had to carry it along as well!



Old Baldy (Bald Head Island NC) from Oak Island.



Oak Island NC from Bald Head Island.

Anyway, worked out fine to show one lighthouse from the other. This is the only time I have seen one lighthouse from another anywhere I've been on the East Coast of the US. But it isn't the only time Ive needed to use a boat.

Here is another 300 plus 2x TC shot. Cape Lookout from where one gets a boat on Harker's Island. The lighthouse is several miles away across several small low islands and lots of water. And. man! was the air roiled that day!



I went back another day to head over for some shelling (not shooting) and had my Nikon Df with me and a 150-600 zoom and the monopod I usually have with that lens. So, I took the opportunity to shoot with different air. Not as bad, but more wind and so more spray in the air. These are a great pair of shots to show the fun of using long lenses when it comes to conditions.


Stan

[Focusrite]

Two from a sunrise at a local geological feature known as Castle Rock, at Castle Bay, Dunsborough. Fun little place to shoot! I had made several sunrise attempts here with mixed success, but had a good morning on this one. Shots are composites of multiple exposures for dynamic range, and the second is a pano of two panels.

All shot with Leaf Credo 60 and Samyang 24mm f3.5 T/S lens.

[Focusrite]

Sunrise at Canal Rocks, on the Western Cape, Western Australia. Shot with Leaf Credo and Pentax 28-45mm at the wide end. Focus stacked and blended for dynamic range. Three individual exposures for each photo.

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[cdd29]

GFX100s w/ Tamron (Canon EF mount) 45/1.8. Probably going to replace the Tamron with a proper Fuji lens this weekend if the local shop still has it. The Tamron only is f/16 where the Fuji is f/32. That should handle the sun better (and this was taken with a +4 ND filter)

[mattb123]

Hi,
The 645 A* 300/4 is excellent. Works well with the 1.4x TC. It's OK with the 2x TC. That means I only need carry the 300 and not two additional lenses. That's a big plus for the backpack. I have the 645D, 45-85, 80-160, 200 and 300 in there. Covers a lot of bases and I can actually hike about with it all. Sometimes these lighthouses require a bit of hiking and boating with the backpack and a tripod. That's enough for me.

I have pretty much the same kit that I'm moving on from but also including the excellent A 35mm f/3.5 and decent Arsat 30mm f/3.5.
I've had success with the A*300 but less so with the 1.4x TC and very little with the 2x. In fact I have only used the 2x a couple of times and have not been impressed with the IQ. I decided cropping looked better than using that TC.
With my GFX and 32-64 lens I can eliminate the 35 and 45-85 and live with that 65-84mm gap. I'm trying to decide what could be next here with the 45-100 and 100-200 being strong contenders. I just need to decide if I'm more comfortable with significant overlap or a gap. Both seem to be well regarded lenses.

[RICHARD L.]

I'm trying to decide what could be next here with the 45-100 and 100-200 being strong contenders. I just need to decide if I'm more comfortable with significant overlap or a gap. Both seem to be well regarded lenses.

I see a backache coming back ... Just kidding !!

Best Regards

[cdd29]

I'll chime in on the 45-100 & 100-200 as I have both. Both are great lenses. The 100-200 almost feels like a toy compared to the 45-100 as it's about the same size but much lighter. IQ on either lens is good. Only complaint I have on the 100-200 is it's f/5.6, which isn't bad but would be nice if it were f/4. I'd say what focal range would you use the most? I got a deal on a used 100-200 otherwise I'd probably look at some Canon 70-200/2.8 glass. The Fringer EF->GFX adapter works well (best one I've tried) but can be a little flakey at times.

[mattb123]

I'll chime in on the 45-100 & 100-200 as I have both. Both are great lenses. The 100-200 almost feels like a toy compared to the 45-100 as it's about the same size but much lighter. IQ on either lens is good. Only complaint I have on the 100-200 is it's f/5.6, which isn't bad but would be nice if it were f/4. I'd say what focal range would you use the most? I got a deal on a used 100-200 otherwise I'd probably look at some Canon 70-200/2.8 glass. The Fringer EF->GFX adapter works well (best one I've tried) but can be a little flakey at times.

I bet for landscape the f/5.6 wouldn't matter. I do some portraits but am more focused on landscape. The lightness sounds appealing! Thanks for the info.

[itshimitis]

Didn't get into a great position, so a bit of a snapshot. This is a shot of part of the Nightglow at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. There was no mass ascent in the evenings due to warm air streams in the main flying area, because of hot weather.

Here is an iPhone video of some with Guns n Roses playing:





GFX100s GF 35 - 70



---------- Post added 08-14-22 at 04:21 PM ----------

I bet for landscape the f/5.6 wouldn't matter. I do some portraits but am more focused on landscape. The lightness sounds appealing! Thanks for the info.

The 45 - 100 is very heavy. I have the 32 - 64 and I haven't used it since i got the 35 - 70 which is astonishingly light. Will trade it for the upcoming 20 - 35

[Focusrite]

Stitched pano of Black Diamond Lake, near Collie. An ex-open pit mine where the minerals in the water give it a characteristic teal colour.

Taken mid-afternoon with Leaf Credo and Mamiya 55mm. Four exposures total, blended into two to boost the shadows, and then stitched into a pano.

[Focusrite]

Late afternoon at Wellington Dam, south of Perth. Single shot with Leaf Credo 60 and Pentax 28-45mm, probably at 30mm. Cropped to suit and to get rid of the vignetting.

The mural on the dam wall is astonishing, and well worth the visit to view.