Sharp! Clutch from manual to autofocus modes

Missing tripod colar f4.5 instead of f4 Price

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

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

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

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

none

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!

Similar Products Used:

sigma 75-300 f/4.5-5.6

Good wide open sharpness. Good size. Fast AF.

The lack of tripod adaptor.

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.

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

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

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!

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AIS 300/4.5 ED

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.

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

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!!!!

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 75-300mm AF with tripod collar

Sharpness and perfect grey scale rendtion. Results are more than good. They are pretty...artistic. Close focusing. Performance wide open.

I really miss the f4 max speed of my old A series Pentax. Also miss the built in lens hood and the black finish. But no tripod collar is an unbelievable oversight by Pentax. What were they thinking!

One of the sharpest lenses I have used. Focus is spot on and fast enough. A little white leakage at the edges in color slides shot wide open. Stupendous results with B&W.

Customer Service

Not needed. But Pentax has been responsive, good and rarely needed over the years.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax-A* SMC 300mm f4

Fantastic optics! Very fast autofocus. Sharp with a Sigma 1.4X Autofocus teleconvertor.

The FA version has no tripod mount. Silver color of FA version may scare wildlife.

This review is for the F version, White with a tripod mount. FA version is optically identical but lacks tripod mount and is silver.

This is an incredible lens. I got it for my fiancee (but guess who seems to be using it more?). It focuses very close for a 300mm lens. I've usedit with a 2X manual Teleconvertor (2X-S) and got beautifully sharp slides out of it (realizing that I was shooting now at f9). Just for grins I put the 1.4X Sigma TC AND the 2X Pentax effectively making a 840mm f12.6 lens. Would you believe this lens was still sharp? This weird combo out performed a 800mm f11 Cat lens I have! Fun, but at f12.6 not very practical. Still it did give me an idea of how good the optics are on this lens.

Customer Service

Pentax servive is excellent for new lenses. Cheap replacement manuals.

Similar Products Used:

400 f5.6 APO Sigma, 300 f 5.6 Spirltone

Ease of Handling
Quality of images
Size
Cost
Auto focus

none after three years usage

Hard to beat the image quality for the cost, size and weight of this lens.
Have also gotten superb images when used with the Pentax 1.4 convertor.

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

None

Fast AF among Pentax tele lens even still a bit slower than USM.
Compact size, solid structure.

No tripod mount available.

Very good optics and flare control, but the corners sharpness is a bit soft at F4.5. The AF speed is unexpectly fast (with Z-1p) coz Pentax tele lens usually give slower AF speed. Its compact size makes me not hestiate to go travelling with it, but it don't provide tripod mount and cause unavoided vibrations during windy condition even camera is mounted on the tripod.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Tokina ATX AF 100-300F4, Nikon AFS300/2.8

Super sharp, very fast autofocus. Have used this lens with STACKED Pentax teleconvertors for *acceptable* results

This version (FA) has no tripod mount

I wish Pentax hadn't removed the tripod mount. Otherwise a fantastic lens!

Customer Service

Unused for this product but Pentax is generally excellent.

Similar Products Used:

300 f 4.5 F Pentax
400 f5.6 APO Sigma