Pentax SMCP-FA 300 f/4.5 ED(IF) Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

stemked
( Expert)

Review Date
March 31, 2005

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 11

Price Paid: $550.00 from KEH

Summary:

A beautiful lens. Just for fun I tried this lens with a 1.4X-S AND a 2.0X-S teleconvertor. Everyone in the world will tell you that the result should be an unsharp photo. Even under a loup the slides I took with this combo were impressive. So imagine how good it is without a TC? Unfortunately Pentax removed the tripod colar when they switched from the F to FA versions. I also wish it were a f4 for TC use, but it is one great optic

Strengths:

Sharp! Clutch from manual to autofocus modes

Weaknesses:

Missing tripod colar f4.5 instead of f4 Price

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 400 f5.6 APO. Pentax 200 macro f4 Several Pentax/Sigma/Tamron 70/80-300/320 zooms

Customer Service:

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Rating
Reviewed by:

seahbc
( Intermediate)

Review Date
December 8, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 2 of 11

Price Paid: $1400.00 from Singapore

Summary:

I have the older ver - F300f/4.5. Its so sharp that I could not/did not buy a 100-300 zoom. I got so just to the sharpness at f5.6. f4.5 is still very usable, but 1 stop down is fantastic!

Strengths:

Have the tripod collar! hehe! Off-white is nicer looking than silver.

Weaknesses:

none

Similar Products Used:

sigma 75-300 f/4.5-5.6

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Rating
Reviewed by: Alan Chan
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 11, 2004

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 3 of 11

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Mine is the F* version which has the oversized tripod adaptor. This is a pretty compact 300mm with excellent sharpness. With metal bodies, sturdy tripod and tripod head, the lens can do without the tripod adaptor. However, the tripod adaptor is a must if used with TC or extension tube. AF speed is very fast by Pentax standard.

Strengths:

Good wide open sharpness. Good size. Fast AF.

Weaknesses:

The lack of tripod adaptor.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Winston
(Intermediate)

Review Date
December 2, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 11

Price Paid: $400.00 from Indonesia

Summary:

It's an F 300/4.5 - the white one. This is my first Pentax lens. A local camera shop had it for years and could not sell it. So I just made a bargain out of it! And guess what - it's a superb lens! Very sharp from f/4.5 already!

Strengths:

Very very sharp Compact size for a 300mm built in hood tripod collar excellent build quality focuses close

Weaknesses:

The white color does not match my body and other silver lenses

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AIS 300/4.5 ED

Customer Service:

not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Cliff N
(Expert)

Review Date
June 18, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 11

Price Paid: $775.00 from Henrys

Summary:

This is a review for the F version with the tripod collar. Overall a superb lens, worth every penny. Sharpness and contrast are truely exceptional. Very sturdy construction (metal) and it is unusually small in size. The FA version needs a tripod collar!!!!

Strengths:

Superb optical quality in every respect. Very rugged construction, very compact, and AF speed is quick. The clutch auto to manual focus is very nice.

Weaknesses:

The FA version needs a tripod collar! Pentax needs to come out with AF teleconverters as well.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 75-300mm AF with tripod collar

Customer Service:

Good

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