Help required from those with knowledge of fa/faj lenses
Just been looking on the lens database over on pentaxforums and the 100-300 gets a slightly better review, think i will head down with the camera tomorrow and try both. (theres also a 500mm mirror in there i'll have a try with too.)
As for the mirror lens. it'll be a manual so how do I go about the 'catch in focus' on a Gx-20?
Set it on in the menu, but the instructions ive read then state set camera to AF-C. Is this the C-AF mode from the lensmount side switch on the samsung?
Primes: DA*300 F4 | DA40 F2.8 Ltd. | SMC-A 50/1.7 | Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Sirius 28/2.8
Macro : SMC-A Dental 100 macro
Zooms: 12-24 SA | 18-55 SA | 50-200 SA | 28-80 FA | 35-80 F | Vivitar 28-200
Other: Bellows | Tube sets | Vivitar 2x PK/A Tele | SEF-36PZF Flash | SBG-D1V Grip | Billingham 335
My Flickr
The 100-300 sits in my draw at the office as a longer reach option for the iSTD I keep at work with the DA18-50 and DA50-200. Not had many occasions when the added reach is wanted and it's not been very good then (but the subjects haven't been good either in all fairness).
The best Pentax AF zoom in the range is the FA80-320. I used it with a K10D in the Kruger and it performed well (backed up with an iSTD and the DA50-200). Second hand FA80-320s go for around the £100. Of the 3, I'd go for this lens everytime.
Added point - don't think the 75-300 will work with your MZ M - the lens has no aperature ring.
Steve
Half Backs: K10+BG,DA16-45, DA50-200
Backs: LXs,Super As and lots of A, M & K lenses
Impact Subs: 28mm Shift, K 135-600 (the Banahan of Pentax zooms ), 400-600 Reflex
Steve is right in that the 80-320 is a better lens but you'd have to find one first.
but it does help
In the end didnt go for either, took the mirror lens instead!
Its a Ranger branded one, made in japan, seems better quality than the centon ones ive looked at before. It was cheap anyway so not that bothered, i'll just have some fun with it.
This LBA is kicking in though, he'd just had some pentax stuff come in. I'm now the proud owner of a sigma 28-200 aspherical IF lens (the earlier 72mm filter one)
boy that focuses quick in comparison to the kit lens. I think this one may well be on the body for 90% of the time now, seems it'll make a good companion to my 12-24.
Primes: DA*300 F4 | DA40 F2.8 Ltd. | SMC-A 50/1.7 | Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Sirius 28/2.8
Macro : SMC-A Dental 100 macro
Zooms: 12-24 SA | 18-55 SA | 50-200 SA | 28-80 FA | 35-80 F | Vivitar 28-200
Other: Bellows | Tube sets | Vivitar 2x PK/A Tele | SEF-36PZF Flash | SBG-D1V Grip | Billingham 335
My Flickr
I imagine it would make a good "traveling light" walking around pair with the 12-24, even if that combination does initially seem unusual since you're paring one of the best lenses in any mount (12-24) with an all purpose high ratio zoom.
but it does help
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120 posts
14 years
Norfolk
Now i know that the FA is a slightly older lens by a couple of years or so (and has an aperture ring), but does anyone have any idea which will be the sharper lens at the top end? At the moment ive taken the 75-300 home to have a try, but he's a very helpful gent in the shop, and wont mind at all if i go back tomorrow and swap for the other.
(I would love a 300 or 400 prime but havent the funds for one even if I was lucky enough to stumble on one at present - just looking for a budget solution at the moment)
Primes: DA*300 F4 | DA40 F2.8 Ltd. | SMC-A 50/1.7 | Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Sirius 28/2.8
Macro : SMC-A Dental 100 macro
Zooms: 12-24 SA | 18-55 SA | 50-200 SA | 28-80 FA | 35-80 F | Vivitar 28-200
Other: Bellows | Tube sets | Vivitar 2x PK/A Tele | SEF-36PZF Flash | SBG-D1V Grip | Billingham 335
My Flickr