The adaptor in the link above uses an optical element to achieve infinity focus, which I'm sure will degrade image quality.

I have a different adaptor which doesn't have an optical element and as a result doesn't preserve infinity focus (it's like a short extension tube). However, it's fine for portrait and longer uses (my Nikkor 200mm focuses to about 15ft away).

Nikon AI lenses don't tend to fit the K-mount directly due to the indexing ridge getting in the way, which is why the pre-AI lenses fit (as they have no ridge). In my (limited) experience though, they don't lock in the mount so you have to hold them in place which doesn't make it practical for me

As Hefty says, there are loads of classic Nikkors out there that Nikon DSLR users can't use - how sad

R

Thanks Ian

BTW, I've put the lens on EvilBay now:

link

R

To be fair, the silver paint on the FA*'s is very susceptible to scratches - I'm not sure what Pentax were thinking (obviously they weren't!)

R

Thanks Dodge

It's good for sports as well - although best if you can pre-focus on a fixed point as I've done here (focus is on the far stumps):




Here's a little chap who ventured near the house yesterday:




--
R

The Epson devices have much better screens (using 4 rather than 3 colours) - no contest really as a photo viewer.

The Epson P3000 & 5000 are available quite cheaply now, as new models are available with bigger storage.

R

Yes, it's so compact that it fits in my Slingshot 200 bag whilst still attached to the camera

R

For Sale, my much loved M*300/4.

Optically the same as the A*300/4 (although slightly lighter in weight).
It's very sharp wide open and extremely compact (132mm long), which makes it great for hand-holding.

The lens itself is in superb condition.
The glass is perfect apart from a few specs of dust, having always been used with a skylight filter (included in sale).
There are some light scratches on the built-in lens hood.
There is a very small amount of paint loss on the underside of the aperture ring.

The original front and rear caps are included and the lens still has the original Japanese JIC sticker.

The lens works surprisingly well with the Pentax 1.7x AF converter (see below).

Here it is in comparison to the M200/4. As you can see it's not much bigger:




Font view:




Here's a shot of the moon with the 1.7x AF TC (on the K20D):




The only reason I'm selling it is so I can hopefully buy one of the DA* teles

I was thinking around £300. PM me if interested.

Thanks,
R

The lens shade (and soft-case) are included according to the US Pentax site:

http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/camera_lens--smc_P-DA*_55mm_F1.4_SDM/reqID--10540321/subsection--Digital_35mm_standard.

As the hood is a dedicated bayonet fit, it would be highly unusual for Pentax if they don't include it (but normal for Canon ).

R

The German online dealers are listing it around EUR 450.

Eg Technik Direkt is currently showing EUR 443:

http://www.technikdirekt.de/main/en/foto/objektive/objektive-pentax/279153/-/Article.html

Hopefully, price is going to be similar in the UK, otherwise there won't be much point buying it here.

Pentax UK Hint, Hint

R

If you buy the 31 now, you can always buy the 35 later. Might not be true the other way round.

If for some reason (can't think of any myself!) you don't like the 31, you could always sell it and not lose much money (if any)

R