| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
I added "heavy" to the Pros section because I've always felt like a heavy lens is easier to stabilize when hand held...up to a certain weight of course. For my stature, the weight of this lens is perfect for doing just that.
Built quality is very good, almost on par with $3000 others from more famous brands. The tripod foot is also very well built and fitted in the perfect part of the lens. The hood gives the lens a pro look, and the filter rotating hatch is a great addition.
In regards to optics, and AF in particular, things are not as good. Yet I see some amazing shots taken with this lens, so I'm questioning my shooting and/or focusing technique since I am just an amateur. But I can't help comparing it to the last similar combo I've owned: Canon 7D mk II + Canon 70-300/4.5-5.6 USM. The Pentax setup acts like someone who's trying to focus manually without wearing the prescription glasses in comparison.
AF is very slow in PDAF, but very quiet. I have a Sigma 18-35/1.8 that has similarly slow focus and only works best in CDAF. But the 300 fails in CDAF as well. And things are not getting better by closing down either. When I look at the pictures in DCU5, the focusing points displayed are not in focus, and the focus is not in front or in back either. Everything is just fuzzy for no apparent reason. |
