Pentax FA 645 300mm f/4 ED IF Medium Format Lens
The Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF is a 300mm f/4 lens designed for Pentax 645 mount cameras. Used copies start from $407.66 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Pentax FA 645 300mm f/4 ED IF Medium Format Lens
Used Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
Key Features — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
300mm Medium Format Prime: Fixed 300mm focal length designed for the Pentax 645 system, providing a long telephoto perspective with the resolving power of medium format.
f/4 Maximum Aperture: A reasonably fast maximum aperture for a medium format telephoto prime, enabling subject separation and usable performance in moderate light.
ED Glass Element: Extra-low dispersion glass minimizes chromatic aberration, helping maintain edge sharpness and color accuracy at the telephoto end.
Internal Focus Design: IF construction means the lens does not change length during focusing, keeping balance consistent and allowing front-mounted filters to stay in position.
Autofocus with Manual Override: Supports both AF and manual focus operation, giving photographers flexibility across shooting situations without switching between separate lens modes.
Pentax 645 Native Mount: Designed specifically for the Pentax 645 medium format system, ensuring full electronic and mechanical compatibility with Pentax 645 bodies.
Lens Specifications — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Birding, Sports |
| Lens Type | Telephoto |
| Format | Medium Format |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4 |
| Camera System | Medium Format |
| Lens Mount | Pentax 645 |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Manual, Auto |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
Description — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
The Pentax FA 645 300mm f/4 is a prime telephoto lens designed for the Pentax 645 medium format system. It delivers a fixed 300mm focal length with a maximum aperture of f/4, making it a purposeful choice for medium format photographers who need extended reach. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus, providing operational flexibility across different shooting scenarios.
A 77mm filter thread makes it straightforward to use standard circular filters without additional adapters. At 1170g, this is a substantial optic consistent with the demands of medium format telephoto photography. The lens has no image stabilization, so achieving sharp images at this focal length will depend on shutter speed, camera support, or shooter technique.
Mounted via the Pentax 645 lens mount, it integrates directly with Pentax 645 system bodies and is classified as a medium format, telephoto prime.
Pros — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
- ✓Fixed 300mm focal length prime design optimized for telephoto medium format shooting
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/4 provides a reasonably bright view for a medium format telephoto prime
- ✓Supports both autofocus and manual focus operation for shooting flexibility
Cons — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring careful technique or support at 300mm
- ✗At 1170g, the lens is heavy and may require additional support for handheld use
- ✗Single fixed focal length offers no zoom flexibility for framing adjustments
Videos — Pentax 300mm f/4 ED IF
Pentax 645-D DSLR is it better than the Fujifilm GFX 100 medium format Mirrorless camera ? Class 88 — Carmine Taverna