A*300 f2.8 etc

This is my A*300 f2.8 ED IF attached to my LX with winder. Also shown are the 1.4x L and 2x L matched converters for the 300 making the focal length 420 f4 or 600 f5.6. Incidentally this is the lens I am interested in selling.

It is a good looking lens - any idea yet how much you'd want for it?

I wouldn't be suprised if it fetched £1500 on eBay (more if you threw in the two convertors) but it's hard to say as they're not exactly common! Unfortunately that puts it well outside of my budget but I wish you well with the sale, let us know how much you get for it in the end.

I was hoping to get about £1100 which I dont think is unreasonable, and probably about £125 each for the converters.Someone somewhere is looking for one of those ! I have had it since new ('96 ) and its in excellent condition. I even had a protection filter made for the front element when I first had it so the element did not get damaged. That cost me £140 !! Yes it is included if I sell it.

Richard S

why you selling for.

Well to cut a very long story short I shoot motorsport photos at my local circuit for a weekly magazine during the summer and because I am getting long in the tooth (old) I really did need an auto focus 300 2.8. ( I was using this on an ist D.but manually focusing.) You try to find a pentax one !! Unfortunaately after 28 years I have had to change to another camera brand in order to find what I needed. Jolly expensive business to change everything I can tell you. Thats it in a nut shell. I have not used it since Nov. 2007.

ok and yeah it is expesive i went from pentax, sold all stuff for sony and within a month sold sony stuff for pentax again sony just didn't have the cutting edge of the pentax.

Even the new DA* 300mm is "only" F4 although with 3200 ASA available on the K20D I guess that one stop of speed is less critical than it used to be.

Best wishes, Kris.

The trouble with using high ISO Kris is the old noise problem. I usually shoot at 200 max unless the weather is particularly dull. Then I might use 400 or 640 if its like night time. Thats the thing with those big lenses, they retain thier quality even wide open. They really are not just for show. Shame they are so silly expensive. By the way the new 300 2.8, the make of which begins with C, is probably no better IQ than the old Pentax. Oh for good eyes !!

Richard S

Snetterton by any chance? I can imagine why you need a *very* long lens there! Not exactly spectator-friendly as circuits go...

There's a brand new AF Sigma 300/2.8 in Pentax mount on eBay at the moment - works out at £1930 plus p&p. Link.

I'd think you should get your £1100 easily for yours, however, you'll get the best price from overseas buyers as the £ is so weak at the moment. Do you have an eBay account or do you know someone who'd be willing to sell it on your behalf?

The noise at high ISOs is slowly getting better and better. I have read that the noise on the K20 at high ISOs is much better than my K10 but as always, the lower you can keep the ISO the better. Mannesty said this is a stunning lens, and I have seen no reason to disagree!

The alternative to hefty's ebay suggestion, as we have already discussed, is a commission sale with someone like SRS.

I look forward to seeing it in the flesh one day!

Best wishes, Kris.

Yes it is Snett .. my second home just about. Its not bad for lens focal length. At least you dont need a 600 f4 !! At Silverstone you need one of those for panned shots

I have already taken the plunge and bought another 300 so bit late for going the Sigma route. I have to say that I do believe the camera manufacturers primes do have the edge over the independents.

Yes I have an e bay account but I would much rather sell via a forum like this or maybe a commission sale via a second hand camera dealer to be honest.

Richard S

You had better hurry back from over there then Kris

Richard S

My flight is booked for the 10th Jan!

I've always liked Mallory Park from a photographer's point of view - nice and compact with the best cooked breakfasts I've ever sampled.

My friend (who actually has a race license) does like Snetterton though so I've tagged along a few times.

It's a shame you don't want to sell via eBay though; this really is the best time to be selling things overseas. As Kris suggested though you could give SRS a call and see what sort of a deal they'd do for you?

If you don't mind me asking, what is it that puts you off using eBay? Is it just the fees or do you not see it as being "safe"? Sorry to be so nosy!

Better save hard then Kris ... You will love it !!! Oh maybe a few trips to the gym for muscle toning too .. or do you have a mono pod ?
Yes it is a touch on the weighty side. Good though !

Richard S