Pentax FA 80-320 test shots

I'm selling this lens for a friend (its in the classified section) and decided to give it a run to see how it performed.
I was quite impressed with its performance especially in low light.
All pics straight out of the camera no processing.

This was taken in pitch black leaning over my balcony. I couldn't see anything through the view finder and was surprised i got a focus confirmation So i just snapped the shot.
Focal length was 100mm, f8, iso 400, 1/45sec, AF-360 flash.



At 200mm, f11, iso400, 1/180sec and again instant focus confirmation looking out into the dark.



anything over 240 though and the lens began to hunt.

I also tried it at miday the following day in bright sunshine.
Both these shots at 320mm, f8, iso200





A little soft at the long end.

This is a much maligned lens which IMHO performs very well. Most zooms in this range are soft at the long end. It's a good 'un, you should keep it if it's not already sold.

There were reviews of this when it was released that were very positive.

Apart from the softness at the long end, which as Peter says, is forgivable, the thing that put me off about it was difficulty getting it to focus. Admittedly I only had it for a short time, but several times it hunted like crazy, even in good light with contrasty subjects.

I compared it at the time with my FA 28-200, which was much better. The 55-300 has similarly given me no problems.

The 55-300mm looks attractive as a proposition and we may well end up going for that.

How close does it focus?

1.4m (4.6 feet) is the marking at the end of the scale.

I am interested in this lens also but i don't want to pay over AU$600 for it here in Aust.

Whats the best price you are getting in UK for it:

Well it's £219 at SRS and Bristol.

That works out at about AU$470, and then add on postage and insurance and it may not be all that viable an option. I would have to take warranty into account as well. Thanks Chris