FA 300 4.5 ED IF

3 questions:

1. Anybody any experience with this lens - how would it compare to a DA*300?

2. Is is relatively easy and inexpensive to get them serviced - i.e. dust removed?

3. What would be a reasonable price for one with marks to the body but unmarked glass but some internal dust?

Thanks
Carl

Are you talking about this lens? Some reviews there and a price indication (not accurate).

I assume you mean the one that just went on t'bay. Did you win? If so, perhaps you could give us your feedback. Cheers.

Tony

Your better off with the F 300mm... optically identical, but
has a foot. Plus better focussing ring for manual. The DA*300 is slightly better wide open, probably about
the same from one stop down. The four photos in my gallery were taken with the F 300mm.
I've now got the DA*300mm and hardly notice any difference.

The one on ebay yesterday looked very rough from the one photo
that the seller posted. One went a week or two ago from a seller
with 1 for feedback for about £550 I was surprised. From a good
seller they go for £580 - £650 ish.

I notice the DA*300mm has been reduced to £909 at SRS.
Not very nice for anyone who paid the original price and it's
devalued everyone's SH values

Thanks for you replies guys - I was actually looking at 2 of them - the one some of you mentioned on ebay and one advertised by a forum member.

I have been saving up for a DA*300 and had not considered one of the older models - so was interested to hear how they compared as I am not at all precious about having the latest model - I just want a reasonably long lens I can use for wildlife on the move - which I struggle to capture with my Sigma 400 or Sigma 170-500

Carl

I've noticed a few lenses dropping noticeably in price lately (the first being the DA35 Macro) - I'm now hoping it'll apply to the FA77 soon

This one. I was watching that too ...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=270658615109...

No one (apart from buyers) complained a couple of years ago when the price rocketed .. so increasing SH values

Swings and roundabouts in the end.

A friend of mine just picked up a mint boxed DA*300- for £750 so if good examples of the FA300 go for £650 - I may as well hold out for a DA*

I'd like the F* so I can use it on my film cameras too... Dream on Kris, dream on...

I have a F*300f4.5 lens, very beautiful white color, small, and interesting. but I have to say the DA*300f4 is a better lens.

BTW: the F*300f4.5 and FA*300f4.5 share the same optic design with different appearance. but the DA*300f4 is believed a new design one.

Are there any 'long' 'Series A' manual focus lenses.

My 80-320mm FA really struggles to focus with moon shots & other long distance efforts - you can't set the lens manually to infinity because it 'goes' slightly beyond (its just the way the AF lenses work). If I could find a manual focus lens I could also use my Manual/App Priority 'doubler' on it.
Best effort so far with 80-320:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28204187@N08/5115534484/in/set-72157622606758962/

There were. Mostly quite rare now, but manual focus lenses up to 2000mmm were manufactured.

In the A series alone, these included: 200mm f2.8, 300mm f2.8, 300mm f4, 400mm f2.8, 400mm f5.6, 600mm f5.6, 1200mm f8.

Nearly all 300mm + lenses focus past infinity.... it's to allow
for thermal expansion and contraction.

Algi,

Thanks for that - no need to panic then!

John,
Thanks for the reminder - I think I still have my Lens Catalogue which came with my Program A back in 85, I will have to find it - if only to reminisce the once great range of lenses produced by Asahi Optical Co., LTD.