[tranq78]

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Hi all, just some eye candy for you.

Here are a couple pics of the FA*300mm f2.8 versus the A*300mm f2.8. I have also put a Pentax A50mm/f1.7 lens in the middle to give a sense of size/scale of the 300mm lenses.

Pictures are with and without the lens hoods. In the picture without the lens hoods, the filters are the black rings at the front of the lens. You will note the black ring on the FA*300 is about twice the width of a normal filter; this is because it has the original Pentax filter that has a black rubber bumper at the front for added protection.

I just got the FA*300/f2.8, so I thought I would take a comparison picture. I will be selling the A*300/2.8, probably on the forums. So if anyone wants this gem, give me a PM.

The A*300/2.8 is an incredible lens. The person I bought it from is a professional photog who switched to Nikon and he said it is sharper than any of his high end Nikons. I've never used a Nikon 300mm/f2.8 lens but I see no reason to doubt him.

Enjoy!



For larger image, click here... Pentax A*300mm f2.8 and FA*300mm f2.8 (without hood) - Pentax User Photo Gallery



For larger image, click here... Pentax A*300mm f2.8 and FA*300mm f2.8 - Pentax User Photo Gallery



For larger image, click here... Pentax A*300mm f2.8 lens with case - Pentax User Photo Gallery

p.s. The pics were taken with a point & shoot at low resolution because my internet is a slow connection, so my apologies for the poor image quality.

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Last edited by tranq78; 01-08-2011 at 07:03 PM.

[bollicina31]

WOWWWWWWW!!!!

i need FA* version

[tranq78]

Hi everyone.

The light was much better today so I took some better photographs with my Optio W90. I don't think it's often that one of us can get our hands on these 2 lenses at the same time so I thought additional pictures will interesting before I try to sell the A*300mm/f2.8. The little lens in the middle is a Pentax A50mm/f1.7 that I show to give a sense of scale.

Some observations about the 2 lenses from me.

1) Ergnomics. Good handling is a big plus with me and both these lenses have good ergnomics (exception is hood of FA*, see comment below). The FA*300/2.8 has a clutch for AF/MF, which is very handy.

The tripod mounts are decently sized and work well. They could be a bit bigger, but that's just my personal preference since most of my work is done on tripods. (I love the tripod mount of the F*300mm/f4.5!).

The built-in sliding hood on the A*300 is a pleasure to use, it is fast, easy & effective. The bayonet hood of the FA*300 is difficult and clumsy to use, and I seem to be fighting it all the time when mounting it and reverse-mounting for storage.

The filter drawers for both lenses are located in the back. I've had this drawer come loose on the FA*300 once already but it has never happened on the A*300.

2) Focusing. I've read how people prefer the autofocus feature of the 300mm/f2.8 lenses. I disagree and I do not think these opinions are from people who have actually used the A*300/2.8 lens for any length of time. Manual focus with the A*300 is very easy because the long focal length (300mm) + large f2.8 aperture means that in-focus subjects just "snap" into place. The focusing ring is smooth and easy to operate with a couple of fingers. It will not take you much practice before your manual focus technique is as fast as autofocus.

3) Autofocus speed of FA*300/2.8. The autofocus speed is actually pretty quick. No complaints from me. With respect to point #2 above, can I manually focus with the A*300 as quickly as the FA*300 can autofocus? Answer: yes, probably.

4) Exterior Finish. The FA* has the typical silver coating of this series lenses, which is more prone to cosmetic scuffs & scratches. The A* has the more durable white coating of this series.

5) Best IQ. Which is the better lens for image quality? If you read my previous lens reviews you will know I don't pixel peep or take lots of test photos of charts and walls. I think from normal, everyday usage both will give equal quality images, meaning they will have the classic * ["star" lens] Pentax look: needle-sharp images, jaw-dropping colors and great contrast, excellent bokeh, outstanding image resolution.

The person who sold me the A*300/2.8 bluntly stated it was sharper and gave better IQ than his top-end Nikon glass, and his Nikon lenses were the best as he was a working professional.

I do note that when the A*300/2.8 and the FA*300/2.8 were both available for sale at the same time the A*300 cost much more, so maybe this also tells you something about which is the better lens. But you simply can not go wrong with either one.

These opinions are my own. Your mileage can and will differ. Enjoy!




For bigger image click here: FA*300mm/f2.8 versus A*300mm/f2.8 - Pentax User Photo Gallery


For bigger image click here: FA*300mm/f2.8 versus A*300mm/f2.8 - no hoods - Pentax User Photo Gallery


For larger image click here: FA*300mm/f2.8 versus A*300mm/f2.8 - Pentax User Photo Gallery


For larger image click here: FA*300mm/f2.8 versus A*300mm/f2.8 -- front elements - Pentax User Photo Gallery

[NeverSatisfied]

Speechless!

[VaSA]

Dang! You can probably kill a horse if you smash it on the head with one of those things!

[borno]

Hey tranq,
I would check out the FA*300 very good before you sell the A*. The FA* I had turned out to be a dud. (looked nice though)

[bollicina31]

Hi everyone.

The light was much better today so I took some better photographs with my Optio W90. I don't think it's often that one of us can get our hands on these 2 lenses at the same time so I thought additional pictures will interesting before I try to sell the A*300mm/f2.8. The little lens in the middle is a Pentax A50mm/f1.7 that I show to give a sense of scale.

Some observations about the 2 lenses from me.

1) Ergnomics. Good handling is a big plus with me and both these lenses have good ergnomics (exception is hood of FA*, see comment below). The FA*300/2.8 has a clutch for AF/MF, which is very handy.

The tripod mounts are decently sized and work well. They could be a bit bigger, but that's just my personal preference since most of my work is done on tripods. (I love the tripod mount of the F*300mm/f4.5!).

The built-in sliding hood on the A*300 is a pleasure to use, it is fast, easy & effective. The bayonet hood of the FA*300 is difficult and clumsy to use, and I seem to be fighting it all the time when mounting it and reverse-mounting for storage.

The filter drawers for both lenses are located in the back. I've had this drawer come loose on the FA*300 once already but it has never happened on the A*300.

2) Focusing. I've read how people prefer the autofocus feature of the 300mm/f2.8 lenses. I disagree and I do not think these opinions are from people who have actually used the A*300/2.8 lens for any length of time. Manual focus with the A*300 is very easy because the long focal length (300mm) + large f2.8 aperture means that in-focus subjects just "snap" into place. The focusing ring is smooth and easy to operate with a couple of fingers. It will not take you much practice before your manual focus technique is as fast as autofocus.

3) Autofocus speed of FA*300/2.8. The autofocus speed is actually pretty quick. No complaints from me. With respect to point #2 above, can I manually focus with the A*300 as quickly as the FA*300 can autofocus? Answer: yes, probably.

4) Exterior Finish. The FA* has the typical silver coating of this series lenses, which is more prone to cosmetic scuffs & scratches. The A* has the more durable white coating of this series.

5) Best IQ. Which is the better lens for image quality? If you read my previous lens reviews you will know I don't pixel peep or take lots of test photos of charts and walls. I think from normal, everyday usage both will give equal quality images, meaning they will have the classic * ["star" lens] Pentax look: needle-sharp images, jaw-dropping colors and great contrast, excellent bokeh, outstanding image resolution.

The person who sold me the A*300/2.8 bluntly stated it was sharper and gave better IQ than his top-end Nikon glass, and his Nikon lenses were the best as he was a working professional.

I do note that when the A*300/2.8 and the FA*300/2.8 were both available for sale at the same time the A*300 cost much more, so maybe this also tells you something about which is the better lens. But you simply can not go wrong with either one.

These opinions are my own. Your mileage can and will differ. Enjoy!




For bigger image click here:
For larger image click here: FA*300mm/f2.8 versus A*300mm/f2.8 -- front elements - Pentax User Photo Gallery

Hello, congratulations, you have two lenses.
I wanted to buy the FA * 300 mm, there are those who say hammer the A * 300 mm.


given that you have both, you won't be able to give me two photos?
A to f/2.8 with both lenses, a bouquet of flowers, to evaluate the resolution,
and one with a white background and black lettering, very enlightened, to assess, the CA??


You should be grateful.


Hello

[tranq78]

Hello, congratulations, you have two lenses.
I wanted to buy the FA * 300 mm, there are those who say hammer the A * 300 mm.


given that you have both, you won't be able to give me two photos?
A to f/2.8 with both lenses, a bouquet of flowers, to evaluate the resolution,
and one with a white background and black lettering, very enlightened, to assess, the CA??


You should be grateful.


Hello

Bollicina my friend, thank you for your request. I suspect lots of people will be interested in a side-by-side comparison.

Unfortunately I can't help you, at least not at this time. I do not own a d-SLR. I have only film cameras. That's why the pictures I posted here were with an Optio.

I may try to borrow a used DS but I have no idea how to actually use it. If I can get one, I'll try to take some test pictures for you.

Here is an alternative suggestion: If there is someone who owns a Pentax d-SLR in Edmonton, Canada, I will be happy to meet and they can take some pictures and post them here.

[bollicina31]

Bollicina my friend, thank you for your request. I suspect lots of people will be interested in a side-by-side comparison.

Unfortunately I can't help you, at least not at this time. I do not own a d-SLR. I have only film cameras. That's why the pictures I posted here were with an Optio.

I may try to borrow a used DS but I have no idea how to actually use it. If I can get one, I'll try to take some test pictures for you.

Here is an alternative suggestion: If there is someone who owns a Pentax d-SLR in Edmonton, Canada, I will be happy to meet and they can take some pictures and post them here.

Hello, tomorrow if I have time, I find someone who lives close to you, and has a D-SLR.

PS: film is great

[Ash]

My, what big lenses you have.
These are a fine piece of engineering.
Look forward to seeing results with them.

[Ex Finn.]

Eye-candy my butt, this is hardcore lens porn .
Sweet equipment, lucky you.

[timh]

Just in case you want the F* 300mm too, it might need a little sprucing up...

[bollicina31]

Bollicina my friend, thank you for your request. I suspect lots of people will be interested in a side-by-side comparison.

Unfortunately I can't help you, at least not at this time. I do not own a d-SLR. I have only film cameras. That's why the pictures I posted here were with an Optio.

I may try to borrow a used DS but I have no idea how to actually use it. If I can get one, I'll try to take some test pictures for you.

Here is an alternative suggestion: If there is someone who owns a Pentax d-SLR in Edmonton, Canada, I will be happy to meet and they can take some pictures and post them here.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/130010-who-live-canada.html#post1349515

[A-Craig]

Wow, that's some serious eye candy there :O

[RonHendriks1966]

Thanks for your input on the manual focussing.