F*, FA*, DA*300mm which is better?

[pinholecam]

Putting this on my scope.
But which is better? Esp. Performance wide open
Why many like the F* and FA* even though its 0.5 stops slower than the DA*?

From what I can gather, their prices are rather close.

I've never managed to find a shootout of all 3, though I assume the F* and FA* are similar optically.

 

[flowerpot]

i dun own any, but if i were to buy, its the F*. 3 or 4 own it, FW, des, bernard, sbc etc

ben has the FA* 300 i think...

but then again, im more interested in the FA*200mm

 

[sbc]

I had the F* and DA*.

F* - smaller and easier to carry around. I like the retracting lens hood alot!

D* - WR but long. I hate the bayonet lens hood. Not so easy to attach in a hurry. Close it down to f4.5 and you cant tell the diff btw this and the F*

 

[creampuff]

The F* and FA* versions are pretty compact. The DA* 300 is a little bigger and has that huge bayonet mount hood. At any rate all are good optically even wide open. Obviously the DA* has the silent SDM, weather sealing and f/4. Perhaps most of the 300mm prime shooters like their lenses to be white in colour. :think:

I'm with flowerpot, the DA* 200mm is a stunning lens. Uber sharp, focuses fast. I had a great time when I loaned one. Anyway fengwei is the authority on the 300mm as I think he's done some test shops with all of them. pinholecam, the one you gotta put on your radar is the FA* 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF...

 

[pinholecam]

The F* and FA* versions are pretty compact. The DA* 300 is a little bigger and has that huge bayonet mount hood. At any rate all are good optically even wide open. Obviously the DA* has the silent SDM, weather sealing and f/4. Perhaps most of the 300mm prime shooters like their lenses to be white in colour. :think:

I'm with flowerpot, the DA* 200mm is a stunning lens. Uber sharp, focuses fast. I had a great time when I loaned one. Anyway fengwei is the authority on the 300mm as I think he's done some test shops with all of them. pinholecam, the one you gotta put on your radar is the FA* 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF...

Thanks for the inputs so far.
I already have the 55-300, which is excellent in most cases, but at times, I feel its a tad too slow (f5.8 at 300mm). All it takes is a shady spot or very cloudy day to drop shutter speed below 1/300. I'd then have to crank up the ISO.

Yes, the DA*200 does seem to be good from what I have read. A bit cheaper than the 300mm if I am not wrong. :think:
Only thing not going for it is that its reach is short.

300/2.8, I think I will need to bring a pull cart for the lens

 

[creampuff]

Can also consider the DA* 60-250mm... it's like having the 50-135mm, 200mm and 300mm all combined in one lens.

 

[flowerpot]

i prefer no DA lens...thats just me, im old fashion...

 

[creampuff]

i prefer no DA lens...thats just me, im old fashion...

No ah, maybe you heard too many SDM failure bedtime stories :bigeyes:

 

[fengwei]

I've used all three, F*300 gets my vote, and I'm still keeping one

I've done a quick comparison here:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=400617

Pity the photos have been removed from my photobucket ...

 

[iFoto]

My vote is also F*300. But I never use the other two before.
I was sold because of its compactness and wide open performance. I did not consider DA* because of size and weight, SDM.
Always shoot wide open and never disappointed with the result.

During last outing, got a chance to test F*300 with Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter. Effective focal length is 600mm. Still able to shoot hand held with this setup.

BTW, F*300 is in White color too.

 

[pinholecam]

No ah, maybe you heard too many SDM failure bedtime stories :bigeyes:

He is waiting for the FF that is yet to come down from Pentax heaven

I've used all three, F*300 gets my vote, and I'm still keeping one

I've done a quick comparison here:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=400617

Pity the photos have been removed from my photobucket ...

Thank again. You are the guru man!
I'm probably decided on the F*. I just want to see if I can live with my other 2 telephoto lenses before committing the $$$.

My vote is also F*300. But I never use the other two before.
I was sold because of its compactness and wide open performance. I did not consider DA* because of size and weight, SDM.
Always shoot wide open and never disappointed with the result.

During last outing, got a chance to test F*300 with Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter. Effective focal length is 600mm. Still able to shoot hand held with this setup.


BTW, F*300 is in White color too.

Yes, I saw your lens. Nice and small for a 300mm probably quite near the 55-300mm in size.