| Author: | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: Evanston IL Posts: 62
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 18, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, AF speed | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3, K-5, K20D
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This lens works VERY well with the HD 1.4x teleconverter. No apparent loss in sharpness unless one goes intensely pixel-peeping. The combination is easily handholdable even for a septuagenarian, thanks to in-camera shake dampening.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2014 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 27, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Incredible IQ | | Cons: | Weighs a ton | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5, K-3
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This is my favorite birding lens IF I don't have to hike a mile into the bush. Everything that has been said in its favor I'll say again. But it is old glass in a metal body and weighs a ton. When I travel I take a 55-300 (and 18-135) in my kit and regretfully leave the 300 at home.
Still, it is the sharpest lens I own. When IQ trumps everything else, it's the one I use.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Posts: 4,310
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 7, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $999.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size, IQ, Construction, Lens Hood | | Cons: | Nil | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k5II
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Just got a mint copy of this lens on eBay from Japan (minus tripod foot). Great Image quality and small size really impressed me. Exceptional build quality. Similar image quality to the 77 limited. Love it! This lens alone would keep me with pentax for ever.
  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 12, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,030.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Contrast, AF, Compact | | Cons: | Rare | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This lens is razor sharp wide open. f/4.5 and f/8 are nearly indistinguishable. Corner sharpness is already excellent at f/4.5, but somehow manages to get sharper at f/8. Center sharpness is already maxed out at f/4.5. You do get a bit more contrast stopping down, but just marginally. Being able to shoot at 99% IQ wide open is a huge advantage for a 300mm lens, as shutter speed is a significant priority for handheld telephotos and for shooting sports and other fast moving subjects.
The body of the lens feels super solid and sturdy. The built in hood is a really nice addition. The tripod mount is great, though usually I will just handhold the lens if it's bright enough outside.
Coming from the DA55-300, the difference is night and day. Everything about this lens is better, though it comes at a higher cost, more weight, and a lack of zoom. If you can find one, it is well worth the $1,000
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 9, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,055.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, well constructed, sharp, color, IQ, easy to handle | | Cons: | Hard to find | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3
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This is the lens everyone should dream on. I will extend my review later, and provide some photographs to show its beauty. For now, here are couple I took in a rush:
NOTE: THE SCREW AF ROCKS ON THE K-3, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW FAST THE AF IS ON THE K-3.
Update from Nov. 14/14:
 SnowyEgret1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 PxFA300mmf4.5-PajaroCarpintero3-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
================
With the Tamron 1.4x TC:
Californiapoppy1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
DryFountainwithbird1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
No TC, just the lens on a K3:
These three photos were taken of the same subject with the F*300mm f/4, without a TC, with the Tamron 1.4xTC, and with the KEnko 2xTC. You, be the judge!
MORE RECENT PHOTOS (APRIL 26-2014):
 PxF*300mmf4.5-Pajarito1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 redneck1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 PentaxK-3+SMCP-F*300mmf4.5- Whisteria&Bird2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 PentaxK-3+SMCP-F*300mmf4.5- BathingHummingbird1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Spring Tree Swallow by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Tree Swallow Arriving by Palenquero, on Flickr
 SMCPF*300MMF4.5-GORRIONHAMBRIENTO2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 SMCPF*300MMF4.5-BEE1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 SMCPF*300MMF4.5-LAGARTIJA2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Gorrion Silverstre by Palenquero, on Flickr
More samples posted on April 30, 2014:
 SMCPxF*300-4.5-1.4xTCTamron-Mockingbird1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
Update: May 3, 2014: K3 + SMC F*300mmf4.5 + Tamron 1.4X PZ TC
 Colibri2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Colibri4-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 HouseFinchFemale1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Jilguero1OnBranch-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
 Finch2onBranch-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Posts: 621
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 28, 2014 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k-r, k10d
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excellent is an understatement, i have adamaged lens with a huge scratch on the front element, no issue at all ( a feature of all lens), i do have other quality lens as at-x pro 28-70 f2.8 ver 1, angenieux formula. voigtlander color ultron 1.8/50
the beauty of this lens is unsurpassed. and have generally used it handleld @4.5/5.6
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2014 Posts: 1
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 10, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Imaging oil, color code full thick, style, virtual beautiful, delicate, reasonable design. Wide open aperture imaging good shadow detail, good performance, high Guangrou and level. Is a worthy of love. | | Cons: | Focus switch is not convenient, the outer layer is easy to scratch | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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A lens is very good, the good manufacturing capabilities, is one of the classic PENTAX,
Compact and solid materials gives this lens the high-end durable quality. Full aperture imaging is very good, very convenient for handheld shooting. The strong reduction of heavy color, very good, good sharpness! It is always worth having good lens. But now has been discontinued, good fineness of the secondary lens is hard to find. Such delicate telephoto, full frame lenses, still have what not satisfactory?
I very much love and recommend the lens!
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Florence Posts: 7 | | Review Date: December 8, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: K-3
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 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: egypt Posts: 435
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | light . razor sharp@4.5 | | Cons: | the lousy grey paint | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: k5
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I was surprised when I hold it.
It is light and small for this range.
sharpeness is noticable at f 4.5.
if there is some thing negative about this lens ..it is the bad quality of paint.
I like it so far and will try it in real field the next days.
ubdate:
this lens is razor sharp wideopen wow!!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Pathum Thani, Thailand Posts: 47
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 16, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,140.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, handling, autofocus, size, weight | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5
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What to say...
This lens became available on ebay on my birthday!! How could I resist?
Experimented in/around the garden for a week or so and then, after getting bored with static objects, got the opportunity to photograph a Rugby Sevens tournament and gave it a thorough three-day action test.
Fast auto-focus, so sharp I can count stitches in players kit from 20metres away and it resolves the small dimples on the ball as well... I'm completely blown away.
There is nothing negative to say. If there is any room for improvement it is in my hand-holding technique, not the lens itself.
It commands a high price, and is fully justified in doing so.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,622
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 31, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | super small, excellent sharpness, 67mm filter size | | Cons: | pricey | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
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Wow, I was not prepared to be so impressed with this lens. I bought one after reading all of these reviews and a few others online. I must say, this lens really delivers long reach with great IQ. I put my Tamron F 1.4x TC on it and the quality is still great.
They said it was small but i was still surprised to see just how small it is. The tripod mount is not really necessary because the lens is very light; it almost balances better using the body mount on my rig. I will keep it though because it allows 90 degree rotation without adjusting the tripod. This is also handy to move the arm out of the way for shooting handheld.
AF is turned off via a push pull choke collar similar to the other FA* lenses i've tried. I do find AF to be a little slow but doable for my soccer shooting. Focus ring is well damped for ease of very fine tuning which i like.
I could not figure out how to fix the outer hood piece in the extended position at first, but eventually realized it screws counterclockwise onto the inner hood and holds tightly in place. This is a clever design and has the PENTAX logo emblazoned on the hood. Take that, you Canikonians!
These don't come up all that often but easily worth the price (i paid $1,100 and have no regrets), especially vs the less sharp modern DA*300/4 which I have rented from time to time and have been a bit unimpressed. No need to do that anymore, I found a winner!
check out these sunspots and texture of the sun surface:
 Sun Spots
F*300 with Tamron 1.4x TC
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Cypress,OC,CA Posts: 495
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 2, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Light, sharp and fast focus | | Cons: | Color and the loose hood.. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Did I say loose hood, it is only because the hood can not be screwed back on when extended. But then again, it is better than having to put it on when ever you want it....like the FA*300 F4.5 lens which I sold at a loss to get this lens.
I found the focus better than the FA*300 F F4.5 and the images even better. It is also a little lighter than FA*300 F4.5.
I think it is a better companion for my Sigma 500 F4.5 than the FA*300 F2.8 to carry, on a hike.
I think I will keep it.
Harish
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 105
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, sharpness | | Cons: | Rotation of barrel, availability | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
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Superb lens with pro feel and wonderful images. I was willing and even happy to pay $1250 for an excellent condition, buy-it-now copy with tripod foot from a Korean seller (came w/in a week with a multi-coated Hoya filter).
I was surprised at the small size; smaller or about same as the DA300 f/4, the FA300 f/4.5 or the 50-135mm f/2.8. Solid metal, with ingenious retracting, twist-to-lock hood.
Only complaint might be the rotating barrel. This is not much of a problem on the smaller, limited primes, but on a lens this size your fingers have to reach across the long-ish rotating portion. It works, but you may prefer to use a more solid hand hold. The K5 is small, and on it lens feels a little off balance.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: April, 2009 Location: Cymru Posts: 136
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 9, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Exceptional lens, very sharp, superb boken, tripod mount. | | Cons: | slightly slow auto-focus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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The optical quality of this lens is just superb, excellent boken, comes with tripod collar. The auto-focus is slightly slow for to-days digital cameras, but I first used it on my Pentax SFXn film camera.
Produces excellent digital results.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 371
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | size, inbuilt hood | | Cons: | availability | |
The above reviewers have said pretty much everything that can be said about this lens. I have had this for a few weeks now and absolutely adore it. When I first recieved it I was amazed by the size of it. The images I get out of it are fantastic and this lens is definately better than my ability to take photos. If pentax were to rerelease it I would buy another just to get a new copy and to have a back up. The AF of this is fast, doing a minimum to infinity test alongside a DA60-250 the two lenses focused in the same time (any difference was marginal and we were unable to differentiate). Did I mention it is small? A canon shooting friend was suitably impressed with the size and focusing of it. The IQ and sharpness are fantastic. As another rewiewer mentioned the AF mechanism is a little odd with the pull back collar but that is just nit picking.
In summary I love this lens, it is small enough that I would never need to leave it behind due to size and weight. It is harder to find than the FA but well worth it should you stumble across one.
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