Anybody Have The DA*300mm f/4?

<p>Does anyone have the DA*300 f/4 lens? If so, could you give a recommendation on it? And some shots, please.</p>

<p>Justin, you have mentioned using this lens, haven't you?</p>

<p>Steve, I just sold mine. I had both the Sigma 100-300F/4 and the DA*300F/4 and both had the same image quality...I will dig out some pics for you...By the way, If I had to do that again, I would have got the Sigma 300F/2.8 or Pentax FA*300F/2.8</p>

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<p>I tested the DA 300mm vs. the DA 200mm.</p>

<p>The DA 300mm was a good lens, but not incredible wide open. Whereas the 200mm was sharp as nails wide open, and a full stop faster.</p>

<p>My recommendation would be to buy the 200mm f/2.8 and a 1.4X Tamron MC-2 (i think that is the model). SHould cost about the same as the 300mm, give the same results, and be more flexible.</p>

<p>My opinion (based on the results of shooting both lenses side by side, as well as comparing to other lenses) the 200mm is one of the best telephotos you can buy, the 300mm is a good lens, and not a dog but just not as good as the 200mm.</p>

<p>Steve,<br>

I primarily shot birds and the DA*300 with or without the Tamron 1.4x was my favorite bird lens, albeit, at bit short for that application. Its contrast and saturation are superb and its sharpness is very good. Can I say that mine is for sale in classifieds because I have changed to Canon.</p>

<p><img src="http://www.smile-123.com/Nature/Birds/Best-of-Portfolio/IMGP7196-Edit-3/501959198_rHFmq-L-1.jpg" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.smile-123.com/Nature/Birds/Best-of-Portfolio/Catalog-3622/411937865_mqxQ3-L-4.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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<p>and a 1.4X Tamron MC-2 (i think that is the model).</p>

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<p>The correct (full) name is Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 teleconverter. Steve, you'll have to buy it used if you want it, most likely on eBay.</p>

<p>Thanks...for the clarification.</p>

<p>I still think that is the route to go, however, the 300mm f/4 is a really nice lens, and if you find yourself needing 300mm+ than going with it is the smart move. If 300mm is as long as you will need, than I think the 200mm+TC is the smart move. </p>

<p>My Tamron 1.4 was a PZ-AF MC4. I spent 3 or 4 months looking for it and sold it in 1 day.</p>

<p>I have the DA*300mm and think it's really terrific. I often use a TC (either the Tamron 1.4x or the Pentax FA 1.7x): it's a great way to get very good IQ at 420 & 510mm from a pretty portable package.</p>

<p>Here's an unprocessed 100% crop of a shot I took this summer with the DA*300mm & the Tamron 1.4x (1500s, f/6.3, ISO=1000)<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Other/test/IMGP9654100/800320921_n4XLv-L.jpg" alt="" /><br>

And a processed shot taken (no TC) and cropped from 14.5 to 4.3MP (1/400s, f/7.1, ISO=160)<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Other/test/IMGP7580cas1200/783175149_E9i9F-L.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="600" /><br>

Both shots with a K20D, btw.</p>

<p>How comparable are the Tamron and Pentax TC?</p>

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<p>How comparable are the Tamron and Pentax TC?</p>

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<p>Well, there's the obvious 1.4 vs 1.7 and the unusual AF arrangement with the Pentax. In terms of IQ, I don't see much difference but I haven't attempted a controlled comparison (and don't have the most discerning eye in any case. )</p>

<p>Hi Steve.<br>

I use the DA*300/4, 90% of the time for birding. I know it is sometimes a bit short for this type of photography, but I get very good results ... without a TC, and pretty much all hand held shots. I use it on both the K20D and the K7.<br>

Mind you, because of the focal length, I have to get as close as possible to the subjects.<br>

On the other hand, it is rather light and can be carried all day without much strain on my neck or back/shoulders.</p>

<p>Here:<br>

<a href="http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=4372403&subSubSection=0&language=EN">http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=4372403&subSubSection=0&language=EN</a><br>

you will find a few sample shots taken with this lens. Review the pics carefully because some were taken with "other" lenses. You will see when it says Pentax DA*300 F4.<br>

Hope this helps.</p>

<p>JP</p>

 

<p>Jacques, those are great images. I think I look at those and can say that when my images suffer by comparison, it ain't the equipment's fault.</p>

<p>Hi Andrew,<br>

And thanks for the compliment!<br>

I really like my DA*300/4: light, not too bulky so very easy to carry aound. There are times, however, when I could use a little more light but overall, it has been great even for handheld shots.<br>

I wish I had the funds for a 400/2.8 but!! ... how do you carry this large piece of glass around?<br>

Cheers.</p>

<p>JP</p>

 

<p>@Dave<br>

Does your tamron 1.4x work well with sdm, in autofocus mode? On wich camera do you use it? I frequently listened that SDM and TC don't work well togheter. I'm thinking to buy the DA* 300, but I prefer naturalistic photos, so a 300mm could be a short lens.<br>

Thanks,<br>

Alessandro.</p>

 

<p>Actually, I haven't used that combination for a while, Allesandro, and I'd like to take a few shots to make sure I give you good information. It's night here now so let me get back to you tomorrow morning.</p>

<p>Ok, Alessandro, I did some testing with the Tamron 1.4x and I'm glad I did. The fact is that, because it's often required for wildlife photography, I've gotten used to manual focusing with long lenses and haven't paid that much attention to AF performance.</p>

<p>What I discovered is that, despite this morning's very contrasty light, the Tamron TC's AF with my DA*300 is virtually unusable. It hunts a lot and, more often than not, would not acquire focus that my K20D found acceptable. Otoh, it performed quite well with the (screw-drive) DA 55-300mm.</p>

<p>Did some shooting late last summer and fall 2009 and it did work OK; I agree that it hunts but it is "unuseable".<br>

If there is too much AF hunting, just go manual, that'll solve your problem.</p>

<p>JP</p>

<p>I'm undecided between DA* 300 and Sigma 100-300 with sigma TC 1.4x. The good thing of pentax lens is the sdm and, in bird photography from huts, this is important to avoid that birds flee away.<br>

ps: I'm sorry for my english.</p>

<p>Hmm, my favorite TC ids the Pentax F 1.7x but it isn't silent like SDM. Manual fiocusing is very quiet though ;~)</p>

<p>@ Jacques: maybe I was doing something wrong but I was in AF-S focusing on very contrasty subjects but, at <em>least </em> half the time, the shutter refused to trip. Manual is fine with me though.</p>

<p>@Dave<br>

The Pentax 1.7x became too expensive. I've not any problems with manual focusing but I read on a forum that sometimes, using a TC on K20D and sdm lenses can causes an error. What do you think about?</p>

<p>What kind of error, Alessandro? Except for the AF issue I described above, I can't recall any sort of problem. I should say that I'm not technically inclined so, whenever I encounter a problem, I assume it's my fault and, while that's probably true 99% of the time, it means I'm really not the best person to respond to the kind of questions you're asking ;~) </p>

<p>I finally popped for the DA* 200 f/2.8 last year. I did it at retail price at a local dealer in DC. It was well worth it! It's what I use for tele. I don't even use my DA* 50-135 f/2.8 any more (I've hardly ever used it). The reach is excellent, it's f/2.8, and could always be TC if needbe. I have the DA 55-300 f/4-5.8 as well, and even in bright daylight, I still use the DA* 200 f/2.8. The DoV is too buttery and sweet to use anything else.</p>