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Here- Asahi SMC Pentax-M 300mm f/4.0 "Green Star" Lens - MUST SEE! (0530) | eBay

[pschlute]

An absolute bargain.

[luftfluss]

Eh... I don't know, in the past I've seen the A* version for around $100 more, and I love me some auto-aperture.

Edit: here's an A* 300/4 for $400 OBO: https://www.ebay.com/itm/144711201234?hash=item21b175b1d2:g:RjAAAOSwjXFjG~wI

[UncleVanya]

There’s also this one:
[Mint] SMC PENTAX 300mm f/4 Telephoto MF Lens For PK K Mount from Japan #1074429 | eBay

Unclear if the seller is reliable, I’ve had no personal dealings with them.

---------- Post added 10-18-22 at 12:20 PM ----------

And this one: [EXC+++] Pentax SMC FA* 300mm f/4.5 ED IF Lens for K Mount w/hood Japan #0766 27075031548 | eBay this is the prime lens I have in this focal length.

[17dew]

There’s also this one:
[Mint] SMC PENTAX 300mm f/4 Telephoto MF Lens For PK K Mount from Japan #1074429 | eBay

That one's not a green star lens though,just the common 300 f4.

[UncleVanya]

That one's not a green star lens though,just the common 300 f4.

True! So K mount pre-M.

[mlag]

Outside ebay in more expensive vintage or secondhand camera shops these green star pentaxM and pentaxA 300mmm f4 go for about 400 and 500 € /$, even bit more if with casing and packaging.
Lower prices are attractive, but the lens has a good reputation often driving price up. The M* is actually the first of the star quality lens series...

On these 300mm green star variants the front lens is significant wider diameter than the rest of the body of the lens, unlike other 300mm variants.

Nice performer in a small, compact lens body. Both are identical optics, but the M is fully manual (focus&exposure) while the A is auto exposure.

I have both, few years ago I stumbled on the M variant, impressed by it's performance and got interested in the A variant which is harder to find but easier to use.

example picture:

K-3II with Pentax A*300 & Pentax 1,7x AF convertor (I know the exif says something crazy different...),510mm (300x1,7x) f6,7, at 10 meter distance, lifesize statue. Even pushed by this teleconvertor, it produces nice pictures... check also the details (hair line above eye ~focus point).

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Last edited by mlag; 10-19-2022 at 05:06 AM.

[17dew]

So K mount pre-M.

Correct.

[Texdance]

IMHO the only older Pentax 300 to have is the SMCP F* 300/f4.5, with the tripod foot. It is not too heavy, not too light, moderate size filter ring, and the reason is its f4.5 max aperture. For the loss of only 1/3 stop compared to an f4 lens the F* 300/f4.5 gets its reduced filter size and reduced overall size and weight, just enough to make it a lighter, quick handling lens despite its solid metal construction and built-in hood. It will even take stunning flower photos wide open, with nice bokeh. Add it to a Pentax camera with in-camera stabilisation and you really have a winner.
p.s. I have not had much luck using any TC with this lens, but then I only had the PZ1P and the *istD for mine to attach to. YMMV with newer bodies and improved AF systems.
p.p.s. newer lens technology has caused a few consumer primes and zooms to perform equal to or perhaps even better than older Star lenses, especially if they have been 'rode hard and put away wet' as the saying goes. The buyer should do their due diligence finding reviews and especially MTF graphs from reputable sources before making an expensive buying decision on any old lens. In my fifty years of photo experience any photography gear repair shop is likely to say one of these older lenses needs a hundred dollars or more work on it. Minor repairs are their bread and butter business, and they will always suggest a CLA for some old gem. They know that no twenty or thirty year old lens can honestly be rated Like New condition or even Excellent + condition, unless it was hermetically sealed all those years.

[UncleVanya]

IMHO the only older Pentax 300 to have is the SMCP F* 300/f4.5, with the tripod foot. It is not too heavy, not too light, moderate size filter ring, and the reason is its f4.5 max aperture. For the loss of only 1/3 stop compared to an f4 lens the F* 300/f4.5 gets its reduced filter size and reduced overall size and weight, just enough to make it a lighter, quick handling lens despite its solid metal construction and built-in hood.

I own the FA* 300 f4.5 and like it and I don’t miss the tripod foot.

[Mikesul]

Long gone.