On Sun, 02 Dec 2001 16:41:07 -0600, you wrote: I have the F* version with the tripod collar. But it is a very large tripod collar - so large that it either (a) stays on and makes a very good hand grip and personal defense weapon, or (b) gets removed and left at the house, or (c) gets removed and replaced by the much smaller collar from the A* 200/4 macro.
After a few years with the F* 300/4.5, I don't think I would hate the FA* just because the FA* doesn't have a tripod collar. My F* 300 is quite hand-holdable with the collar removed - I would have to try the FA* version to see if it handles just as well. Nowadays, since I use a 300/2.8 so much, the 300/4.5 usually goes without its collar and feels as light and hand-holdable as a 50mm. Also, with the collar removed, the 300/4.5 lens is steady on my PZ1p with just the camera attached to the tripod. To me, the main reason for a choosing the lens with the tripod collar is the quick switch from horizontal to vertical composition (without removing one's eye from the viewfinder) that a collar allows. Weight and balance makes a collar extremely desirable for long, heavy lenses; but I don't think weight or balance is a major factor for the Pentax 300/4.5's. >Hi Bill, > I have the FA* 300/4.5, and use it quite extensively. I love the lens. I >am using it primarily on a pz1p and the autofocus operation is very good. >The manual focus is smooth and easy to operate. There is not the "friction" >that you will get when using a real MF lens, in other words it is easier to >turn, but it does feel solid. Besides I like the focus rings on my lenses >"looser." The one thing that I ***definetly*** miss on this lens is a tripod >collar. If you decide that this is something you have to have, look for the >F* version, I believe KEH.com still has one for sell. > -- John Mustarde - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
