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questions 300mm lens

thoramay
Posted 15/06/2010 - 19:29 Link
1. What is the going rate for a 300mm 4.5

2. Would the 300 4.5 be a better bet than the DA 300mm. Concerned about the sdm motor on the DA.

Would a Contact/Yashica with a T mount be able to fit to the K10.

Would a 300mm CZJ lens be conpatable with a Pentax K10.

Would a zoom to 400mm give results compatable with a 300mm prime.

regards thoramay.
MrCynical
Posted 16/06/2010 - 01:22 Link
1. No idea

2. If you're worried about SDM then yes, since it doesn't have SDM (obviously!)

3. No idea

4. If it is M42 (not aware of CZJ lenses in any other mounts) then yes, with an adapter it will work in stop-down metering mode (ie 'M' mode, press green button to take meter reading)

5. Probably not, especially if it's an old MF zoom. If reach is your primary consideration, perhaps consider the Sigma 400mm f5.6 AF? (discontinued, but they come up for used sale relatively often either here or at SRS)
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 07:15 Link
1. I wouldn't give more then £450
2. If you're *only* worried about SDM then yes, buy the "f" it has a tripod mount the "FA" doesn't, everything else the DA*300. (I'd rather have the Sigma 300mm f/4 APO than a 300/4,5 and it would probably be cheaper, mine's not for sale!)
3. No idea
4. As above post
5. Not unnless it was the new Nikon 200-400 and even then I doubt it, one reason I'm put off the Sigma 120-400 OS HSM

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
thoramay
Posted 16/06/2010 - 09:10 Link
Thanks. The only 300mm 4.5 I have found is from Japan at £750. I did not want to get my fingers burned.

I am also reading of the 'fantastic' results of zooms to 400mm. Just wondering if this would be a better option than the primes. Again, don't want to be disappointed if I took that rtoute.

Had a comment that the SDM motor could let you down. Their quietness would be a boon for birding.

Maybe I am reading too many opinions and only confusing myself.

regards Thoramay.
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 09:41 Link
Anything can let you down given time and use, the only lenses I've had problems with in the last couple of years have been FA's. The FA*85/1.4 refusing to AF when switched to MF then back to AF and my FA 135/2.8 went for a service as the results were no longer as sharp as remember. Michael Spencer sorted that for me, now it's as good as ever it was. I've had 3 SDM lenses for a few years, no problems as of yet, but who knows. If the DA*300 SDM plays up I'll use the Sigma while it's off for repair

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
Anvh
Posted 16/06/2010 - 15:31 Link
thoramay wrote:
Had a comment that the SDM motor could let you down. Their quietness would be a boon for birding.

The DA*16-50 had a lot of problems and some DA*50-135 but I never heard of a problem with one of the DA* prime lenses or with the newer SDM lenses. Yeah one with the DA 17-70 but cleaning the contacts solved that one.
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:05 Link
Anvh wrote:
thoramay wrote:
Had a comment that the SDM motor could let you down. Their quietness would be a boon for birding.

The DA*16-50 had a lot of problems and some DA*50-135 but I never heard of a problem with one of the DA* prime lenses or with the newer SDM lenses. Yeah one with the DA 17-70 but cleaning the contacts solved that one.

The DA*200 and DA*300 seem very sturdy and reliable, the only lenses I've owned lately that reminded me of a genuine K series prime, solid yet with a certain finesse. The DA*16-50 is still very good, I've had no issues with mine yet.

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
Edited by johnwhit: 16/06/2010 - 17:05
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:29 Link
thoramay wrote:
Their quietness would be a boon for birding.

regards Thoramay.

Yes, really appreciated at times and the quick shift focusing for when focus is lost in heavy foliage etc is a major advantage at such times, it's good to see Sigma implemeting a similar system in their HSM lenses.

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
Anvh
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:34 Link
And then the shutter goes off and gone are the birds
I think you should get yourself a K7 as well
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:40 Link
Anvh wrote:
And then the shutter goes off and gone are the birds
I think you should get yourself a K7 as well

Yeah but at least I got the shot

I'm waiting for the K7 replacement

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
thoramay
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:48 Link
When you stop and think about it all seriosly, it is a lot of struggle and expense just to take a good picture of a bird which you can mostly see every day with your normal vision.

I am getting really dispondant in trying to source a decent long lens. Better to get myself a charity shop jigsaw and begone with all the hastle.

Out of my eighteen lens, not one is giving me the results that I expect.

Going down the 6x7 route is a problem as the only lens capable of quality shots are just as expensive as the 35mm primes.

Just has a sqirrel visit the bird feeders. Ten shots and not one worth the time.

Ah well. That's got my despondency off my chest. There is always tommorrow.

regards thoramay
Anvh
Posted 16/06/2010 - 17:57 Link
The biggest problem with these long lenses is your own motion, have you ruled out this possibility as the cause of the not so good photos?

Could we maybe see some photos, probably the experts here can give you some tips to improve?
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Edited by Anvh: 16/06/2010 - 18:03
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 18:08 Link
Anvh wrote:
The biggest problem with these long lenses is your own motion, have you ruled out this possibility as the cause of the not so good photos?

I think thoramay uses a tripod AFAIK, I usually shoot hand held but use whatever is available to steady the lens. Technique is important even breathing, I gently depress the shutter release. I used SR at first but found it unreliable with longer lenses especially using rear converters, so.........I set the camera on TAV 1/500th sec (minimum 300mm and longer) choose the aperture and deal with any high ISO noise in post processing along with any other adjustments and slight sharpening.

Regards,

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
Anvh
Posted 16/06/2010 - 18:34 Link
Yes it's better to have noisy/grainy photos than blurred ones.

My longest lenses I've owned was the DA 18-250 so I'm not able to give much if any advice
Strangely enough though I've shot more bird photos with the DA*50-135 than with the DA18-250, I even have more bird shots with the DA40 so why the long lenses?
Reminds me of this clip link
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
johnwhit
Posted 16/06/2010 - 18:47 Link
Anvh wrote:
Yes it's better to have noisy/grainy photos than blurred ones.

My longest lenses I've owned was the DA 18-250 so I'm not able to give much if any advice
Strangely enough though I've shot more bird photos with the DA*50-135 than with the DA18-250, I even have more bird shots with the DA40 so why the long lenses?
Reminds me of this clip link

We have some very shy birds over here

John
PPG link

In LBA hiatus.
Edited by johnwhit: 16/06/2010 - 18:48

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