I got this teleconverter off ebay for 150 US dollars. There was this difficult choice to either have a L converter or S converter.
I tested this converter out yesterday with A* 300 2.8 and the images were reasonable wide open!! Just the manual focusing with such narrow depth of field is an art on its own right. But I got nothing to complain at all.
No crops, full unprocessed jpeg straight out of k10d
1/125s f/3.5 at 600.0mm iso800 full exif SR
1/90s f/2.8 at 600.0mm iso800 full exif SR
1/90s f/2.8 at 600.0mm iso1600 full exif
Did you see ISO 1600 with that image quality taken wide open with teleconverter, SR and shutter speed of 1/90?
I am so happy with this teleconverter and forget about going to purchase this expensive 2L (I start to wonder what kind of image I will get with that converter that is almost 475 US dollars on bhphoto!)
There is nothing magically extra special, optically, about the -L converters over the -S converters. It is just that the -S converters, both the 1.4x and 2x, are for lenses 300mm and less in focal length; while the -L converters are for lenses greater than 300mm in focal length.
That doesn' t mean that one cannot use a -S converter with a 400mm or 500mm lens. Also be aware that some lenses will not mate with the 1.4x -L converter. I learned this the hard way with my M400/5.6 lens. Had to send the 1.4x -L back to KEH because it wouldn't fit my lens. Would have had the whole set if I kept it. You can download a crummy PDF version of the manual from the Pentax web site that has the lens compatibility chart.
I agree with you in that they are just about the best teleconverter available for Pentax lenses. Too bad they aren't autofocus.
There is nothing magically extra special, optically, about the -L converters over the -S converters. It is just that the -S converters, both the 1.4x and 2x, are for lenses 300mm and less in focal length; while the -L converters are for lenses greater than 300mm in focal length.
That doesn' t mean that one cannot use a -S converter with a 400mm or 500mm lens. Also be aware that some lenses will not mate with the 1.4x -L converter. I learned this the hard way with my M400/5.6 lens. Had to send the 1.4x -L back to KEH because it wouldn't fit my lens. Would have had the whole set if I kept it. You can download a crummy PDF version of the manual from the Pentax web site that has the lens compatibility chart.
I agree with you in that they are just about the best teleconverter available for Pentax lenses. Too bad they aren't autofocus.
Thanks for that input.
I had a hard time trying to figure out why there is a huge price difference between S and L adaptor.
The S teleconverter is not big and it in deed sacrifices little image quality!
I did not mind lack of auto focus here. Most of the time, I doubt autofocus would function well in these dim environment I have been shooting in...
I love these image quality coming out of the pentax S teleconverter. That means I would go and get the teleconverters along this series...
hey james. i have used a tamron 2x mc4 with very acceptable results. i never have liked 2x TCs but this one is a keeper for now. at 10usd it didn't break the bank either..
even using a monopod the results you have gotten are qite impressive at 600mm. i've tried the 500mm on a mono but need to learn technique..
hey james. i have used a tamron 2x mc4 with very acceptable results. i never have liked 2x TCs but this one is a keeper for now. at 10usd it didn't break the bank either..
even using a monopod the results you have gotten are qite impressive at 600mm. i've tried the 500mm on a mono but need to learn technique..
I might give X2 TC a go as well then. I had been frustrated with 1.4 TC like tamron.
Roy, could you please post some examples? That would be greatly appreciated
I got this teleconverter off ebay for 150 US dollars. There was this difficult choice to either have a L converter or S converter.
I tested this converter out yesterday with A* 300 2.8 and the images were reasonable wide open!! Just the manual focusing with such narrow depth of field is an art on its own right. But I got nothing to complain at all.
No crops, full unprocessed jpeg straight out of k10d
1/125s f/3.5 at 600.0mm iso800 full exif SR
1/90s f/2.8 at 600.0mm iso800 full exif SR
1/90s f/2.8 at 600.0mm iso1600 full exif
Did you see ISO 1600 with that image quality taken wide open with teleconverter, SR and shutter speed of 1/90?
I am so happy with this teleconverter and forget about going to purchase this expensive 2L (I start to wonder what kind of image I will get with that converter that is almost 475 US dollars on bhphoto!)
Cheers
Hi James!
I found a like new used at B&H for $199, so that's not too bad. I decided against eekbay just in case I don't like the IQ and can always return it. Your photos are VERY encouraging to me.
I already have the Kenko 7 element 2x TC, with power zoom contacts, but I couldn't pass up the Pentax 2X-S series rear converter at that price.
I'll post my findings with both my FA* lenses to see how it holds up...
I found a like new used at B&H for $199, so that's not too bad. I decided against eekbay just in case I don't like the IQ and can always return it. Your photos are VERY encouraging to me.
I already have the Kenko 7 element 2x TC, with power zoom contacts, but I couldn't pass up the Pentax 2X-S series rear converter at that price.
I'll post my findings with both my FA* lenses to see how it holds up...
I hope it's good enough...
Cheers,
Marc
Hi Marc, I did read the post of Chris Gunn using his A* 400mm f2.8 with pentax 1.7 teleconverter on DPR (the only thread that interested me though). That was a breathtaking experience seeing his images!
A Rear converter does not autofocus; so your FA* 300 f2.8 would end up being manual. Not sure if you were aware of that?
I was surprised to find the images being sharp even wide open contrary to the comments made in photodo website regarding A*300 f2.8; quite tempting isn't it?
Last few days, I had been actively hunting down other precious pentax lenses. Sorry that I did not see your reply and correspond in time...
Hi Marc, I did read the post of Chris Gunn using his A* 400mm f2.8 with pentax 1.7 teleconverter on DPR (the only thread that interested me though). That was a breathtaking experience seeing his images!
I think I have too many now - I have TBA!!!!
I own two 1.7x TC, a Kenko 1.5x, a Vivitar 2x Macro MF TC, a Kenko 2x KAF2 7 element (allows power zoom functions).
A Rear converter does not autofocus; so your FA* 300 f2.8 would end up being manual. Not sure if you were aware of that?
Yep. Thanks for letting me know though... I don't mind, since it's normally like my 1.7x config - the targets are always that minimum distance away where the lens focus distance is close to or at infinity...
I was surprised to find the images being sharp even wide open contrary to the comments made in photodo website regarding A*300 f2.8; quite tempting isn't it?
No kidding - yours sold me! I hope mine is not a dud, although I wish more colors were available outdoros right now to really confirm it's performance.
Last few days, I had been actively hunting down other precious pentax lenses. Sorry that I did not see your reply and correspond in time...
I will be eagerly waiting to see your images
Cheers
Hey, no clock was running - no worries!
Let me know if you don't decide on that FA* 200/2.8... I promise to post when time permits, since this exhibit stuff is taking a lot of my time right now...
Let me know if you don't decide on that FA* 200/2.8... I promise to post when time permits, since this exhibit stuff is taking a lot of my time right now...
Cheers,
Marc
Well, Marc. I am not letting that Fa* 200 f2.8 go easily. Hehe. If there is no deal, I will private you instead.
Really keen to use that with teleconverter too.
We are forming our own fanboy club here. lol
p.s. I might start to sell off my sigma gear if I am continuing this buying spree like this.
BTW I let go the Tamron 300 f2.8 in the end on ebay because I realised that one was an older version... No circular blade hence hectagon bokeh
