this tamron is huge. not as big as thr 500/4.5 but almost as heavy. just went out and shot 17 shots and not a blemish , flare, rainbow in any of them. i think i may have gotten the deal of the century. guess it's time to stop being self confined.

pix to follow..

roy

this lens has a couple of internal chips on the edge of 2 lenses. i took a chance but i'm sure it paid off. the rest of the lens is immaculate. just wish it had come with the matched converters... roy's a happy camper. here's 3 shots,f2.8,8,11

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100% center crop, PPed, from about 80yards, meters, f2.8

3 different 300mm
left is the tamron 300/2.8
middle front is a pentax A*300/4
rt. rear is a pentax M42 300/4

Hi Roy,

Congrats! A deal of the century candidate for sure. I was wondering how this would turn out after your first post, and it looks good.

I also take some chances in bidding low on "not perfect" high end lenses, and so far -- so good. I think that the great majority of people want only E+ lenses, and don't want to take a chance on anything less. . . but the real deals are in the less than perfect ones -- where the faults have no real effect on IQ or useabilitly.

The Tamron SP300/2.8 is actually about 2 lbs lighter than you 500/4.5, but is probably considerably more front heavy with the 115mm front element. If you didn't get one, you might want to look for the palm rest for this lens. It looks kinda goofy, and I just tried it because it was there -- but it really positions your left hand perfectly to focus this lens if your trying to handhold it.

Scott

scott,
i've been out playing and focusing is a real trip. fortunately it's got a short throw on the ring, which is also bad. i've shot some with the hood on quite close to the sun. NO FLARE!!.. glass is perfect except for a couple small chips on the edge. so far i have found absolutely nothing wrong with this lens.. what's a new one cost?? if you have to ask.......

how do you get the pka adapter in AE or f32??? i haven't figured that out yet. i know this is going to get some HEAVY use. manual Ev is right on the money.. so far for $200 this is the deal of the century. guess one of the other 300s is going. just can't think of which.. so far, i'm a real happy camper. you're right about taking chances, this one could have expensive.. i know why you like this now..

roy

oh, do you have a link for the palm rest??

roy

Looks like one stop take it's toll in size and weight.

Kjell