DA* 200mm with 1.4 TC sharpness

xinu · 01-14-2011, 05:52 AM

Has anyone compared the overall sharpness of a DA* 200mm using a 1.4-1.7 TC with a DA 50-300mm at or around 300mm or prime (like a Tak) or another consumer zoom in that price range? I'm assessing if using a DA* 200mm with TC would be better than buying a lower cost zoom to get out to 300mm or more when I need it.

Thanks Greg

newarts · 01-14-2011, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by xinu

Has anyone compared the overall sharpness of a DA* 200mm using a 1.4-1.7 TC with a DA 50-300mm at or around 300mm or prime (like a Tak) or another consumer zoom in that price range? I'm assessing if using a DA* 200mm with TC would be better than buying a lower cost zoom to get out to 300mm or more when I need it.

Thanks Greg

I will be watching this thread with great interest. I have not tested the DA*200 with a TC but have been trying to learn about the effect of TC's on image quality.

In my reading and testing I have seen only one objective measure of a TC that did not degrade sharpness at least as much as cropping (a Canon TC reported at photozone.de). My tests with a Kenko 1.5x (SQH?) have been disappointing.

I'd be very cautious of anecdotal reports and want to see directly comparable test photos before believing glowing claims regarding any particular TC.

I hope someone comes through and clearly identifies a superb TC!

Dave

PS Photozone says the mtf50 for the DA*200 at F:4 is 2026 & that for the DA 55-300 at 300:5.8 is 1769; about 14% different, so the TC has a little room for degradation.

Here's a Photozone analysis of a Nikon 300mm lens with two different teleconverters: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/228-nikkor-af-s-300mm...report?start=1

See: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1339

**dadipentak** · 01-14-2011, 09:24 AM

Assuming a top quality TC, I'd bet on the DA*200mm over the DA 55-300mm. Don't get me wrong: the zoom is a very nice lens but the 200mm is outstanding.

dubloons · 01-14-2011, 12:05 PM

This image was shot with a DA 55-300 on a Tamron 1.4 TC. I think the sharpness is fantastic. I just got a DA*300 and I'll be testing it out with the TC this weekend.

**dadipentak** · 01-14-2011, 05:51 PM

That is very impressive, dubloons!

01-14-2011, 05:52 AM	#1
xinu Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Eastern Ontario Posts: 34	*DA 200mm with 1.4 TC sharpness** Has anyone compared the overall sharpness of a DA* 200mm using a 1.4-1.7 TC with a DA 50-300mm at or around 300mm or prime (like a Tak) or another consumer zoom in that price range? I'm assessing if using a DA* 200mm with TC would be better than buying a lower cost zoom to get out to 300mm or more when I need it. Thanks Greg

01-14-2011, 07:05 AM	#2
newarts Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ames, Iowa, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 2,965	Originally posted by xinu Has anyone compared the overall sharpness of a DA* 200mm using a 1.4-1.7 TC with a DA 50-300mm at or around 300mm or prime (like a Tak) or another consumer zoom in that price range? I'm assessing if using a DA* 200mm with TC would be better than buying a lower cost zoom to get out to 300mm or more when I need it. Thanks Greg I will be watching this thread with great interest. I have not tested the DA200 with a TC but have been trying to learn about the effect of TC's on image quality. In my reading and testing I have seen only one objective measure of a TC that did not degrade sharpness at least as much as cropping (a Canon TC reported at photozone.de). My tests with a Kenko 1.5x (SQH?) have been disappointing. I'd be very cautious of anecdotal reports and want to see directly comparable test photos before believing glowing claims regarding any particular TC. I hope someone comes through and clearly identifies a superb TC! Dave PS Photozone says the mtf50 for the DA200 at F:4 is 2026 & that for the DA 55-300 at 300:5.8 is 1769; about 14% different, so the TC has a little room for degradation. Here's a Photozone analysis of a Nikon 300mm lens with two different teleconverters: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/228-nikkor-af-s-300mm...report?start=1 See: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1339 Last edited by newarts; 01-14-2011 at 09:32 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
k-7 sharpness / fine sharpness / fine sharpness 2	mattdm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	12-12-2010 08:10 AM
Sharpness VS Fine-Sharpness in k20d	wasim_altaf	Pentax DSLR Discussion	8	10-12-2009 11:41 AM
Sharpness vs Fine Sharpness on K20D	morfic	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	11-02-2008 10:13 AM
Fine sharpness and sharpness move together on K20D 1.01	morfic	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	07-11-2008 09:18 PM

01-14-2011, 09:24 AM	#3
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Assuming a top quality TC, I'd bet on the DA200mm over the DA 55-300mm. Don't get me wrong: the zoom is a very nice lens but the 200mm is outstanding*.

01-14-2011, 12:05 PM	#4
dubloons New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 22	This image was shot with a DA 55-300 on a Tamron 1.4 TC. I think the sharpness is fantastic. I just got a DA*300 and I'll be testing it out with the TC this weekend.

01-14-2011, 05:51 PM	#5
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	That is very impressive, dubloons!