>Quick question - FA100-300mm > >There appear to be two versions. A power zoom version (f4.5-5.6) and a > >current silver version (f4.7-5.8) >The comments on Stan's site all seem to pertain to the power zoom >version, >and imply that it's not worthy to carry the Pentax name. > >What about the new version? It's considerably cheaper, but does that >mean >that it's an even worse performer than its older brother? > >wendy beard
There are at least three (in addition to the newish silver #27607/#27608 80-320 4.5-5.6): 1. #27927 FA 100-300 4.5-5.6 (black) (out of production, no longer on Pentax USA site) This is powerzoom and was twice as expensive as the one below. 2. #27931 F 100-300 4.5-5.6 (black) (probably out of production, though if so it stopped after the FA production stopped. Still on Pentax USA website. Getting harder to find. Looks like the FA - both have ellipse shaped impressions in the zoom rings.) Probably the least expensive. 3. #27617 FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 (silver) newer and current. FA but not powerzoom. >From what I understand, (1.) and (2.) are the same optically but the second is cheaper because, though later, it lacks powerzoom; both are considered poor. I don't know about (3.). Most people seem to say the 80-320 is the best one of all, though not stellar. It's usually around $280. Last I checked you could still get the FA Powerzoom 100-300 at Focus for $260, and the other 100-300s (the F versions) at a number of places for much less. This is probably one of the best areas in which to consider third party lenses - and particularly the alternative of third-party used fixed focal length lenses (especially if you were looking to use the zoom lens at longer focal lengths where they are all mediocre at best). Rob _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
