300mm alternative.

I.ve been searching for a very long time for a Pentax 300mm F 4.5 and am about to give up.
Can someone recommend an alternative make that would be as good as the 4.5 that I could search for.

regards thoramay.

The DA*300MM f4!......beautiful lens!

I think your birdy shots prove that

The DA*300 is a wonderfull lens but a tad ecxpensive at c.£1000 (new). For years I used a Sigma 300mm f/4 APO Tele Macro and was very happy, lovely build, very sharp, great tripod collar and works well with the Sigma EX 1.4x converter giving 420mm f/5.6. It has good seudo Macro ability as well. Well worth considering if you can find one s/h. The Sigma 100-300 f/4 APO is apparently very good also, but also expensive. This was shot with the 300mm f/4 APO on the K10D:

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/user-5966/cormorant-17491

Regards,

John

I ought to have said that I need the 300mm to work well with my 1.7 converter. I hear very good things in this respect for the Pentax 300 F 4.5.

I have three zooms to 300mm, plus the tamrom 600mm mirror and the Pentax 400-600mm, but none excel as wildlife lens.

There are other manufacturers with 300mm lens but I cannot establish compatability to the 1.7. I was hoping a member would have experience they would kindly pass on to me.

regards Thoramay

Does it have to be autofocus or will you consider manual focus. I noticed that a camera shop not too far from me has a Pentax SMC-M 300mm f4 for sale:

link

which is certainly cheaper than the DA*300 or the sigma 100-300, although I should stress I have no experience with the SMC-M - others on the forum may have:

Regards

PS - if you follow the link you have to then click on 'used cameras' and then 'manual focus lenses' under pentax...

Regards

Hi

Sorry, no experience with the 1.7x TC, I take it you mean the Pentax version? I'm using a DA*300/4 currently with the following: Tamrom-F AF1.4X Pz-AF MC4, Teleplus Pz-AF 1.5x SHQ, Pz-AF 1.7x SHQ and all give me SDM AF and good results, focus hunts a little at times but locks on after a manual 'teak' with quick shift.

Regards,

John

You may even get AF with the Pentax 1.7x rear converter! It worked well on film cameras, never used it on Digital, CA may be an issue

John

Thanks, John.

The M 300mm version is tempting. However. I have the 200mm M version.

The 1.7 Pentax coverter does shift a manual lens into auto focus. My attempts with the 200mm works fine but does not give me a sharp picture using it with the 1.7.

Maybe it is the lens, maybe me, but it makes me nervous to go for the 300mm in case I get the same result.

regards Thoramay

The F* 300mm f4.5 works well with the 1.7x .. shot below that I took yesterday with the combo (50% crop hand held). Other lenses would be the A* 300mm, FA* 300mm and I know the DA* 300mm works with it as Amin used to use them.

I could try the M (K) 300/4 on my K10D and post a sample, tomorrow, but I don't have the Pebtax 1.7x converter to go with it if's it's any help. right I'm off to do some wildlife photography.......Hope Carr....never been before

Regards,

John

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for?

link

There are other lovely items also by the same seller....

link

Maybe I could sell the car?

MZ

Ouch! You could get a DA*300 fot that and have change!

John

Ohhhhh! and what would her with the purse strings have to say about a bid for that 300 4.5.

If ever the lottery needed to come up, it's this week. But!! as is mentioned, a DA wwould be more affordable.

Followed the 300mm on E.Bay with a scratched front element. It went for over £300.!!! Crazy prices, but it shows how sought after these lens are, and how difficult it will be to find one in my price range.

regards thoramay.