Pentax SMCP-FA J 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 AL

markdpace

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Price Paid:  $130.00 from E-Bay

Summary:
Because of its light weight and compactness this lens is easily hand-held and even built-in flash can be used. The autofocus requires manual correction every now and then, but it is within normal limits and otherwise the lens focus is fairly fast and generally accurate. This is a great travel lens, very light, compact and zoomcreep-free. It is surprisingly sharp starting at f8. I do not recommend it for any critical applications at apertures wider than f8.

Strengths:
Light-weight, compact, no zoomcreep, surprisingly sharp from f8 on, great price.

Weaknesses:
No distance markers, lacks sharpness up to f8, rotating front element, plastic mount, lens shade sold separately.

Similar Products Used:
Sigma DL AF Macro 70-300mm, Tamron SP 60-300mm

Customer Service:
None needed so far

Marco

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5,
3 votes

Price Paid:  $158.00 from www.kamera-express.n

Summary:
Very useable lens! It weighs almost nothing, it is very small and, very important, it doesn't suffer from zoom-creep. So if you like to travel light, and want a good tele-zoom up to 300 mm, this may be the solution. The price I paid is of course in Euro.

Strengths:
Light-weight, no zoom-creep, not very expensive but good build-quality, good optical quality.

Weaknesses:
No internal zoom (pity, but understandable), plastic mount (not a real problem), lens-hood not included (pity), a little bit soft towards 300 mm. This lens has an automatic aperture (no aperture-ring), so it can't be used on old cameras like the LX, only at full opening.

Similar Products Used:
Sigma 3.5-4 28-200 Pentax LX Pentax MZ-6/ZX-L

Customer Service:
Needed it once to repair my LX, no problems.