[jpzk]

Just to clarify, since it's hard to figure from the sigma charts, with a pentax mount the 1.4 TC gives you autofocus using the sigma 300 2.8? The lens is screw af, is it not? Does the TC have a screw af mechanism?

I'm asking because every time I look I come to a different conclusion

Derek

Good posts: I am getting the same confusing "conclusions".

JP

[jpzk]

Does anyone here have pics of their setup with a K5+ Sigma 300/2.8 + TC on a tripod/monopod without a Gimgall head?

Thanks!

JP

[wildman]

not the type of lens I would carry along on trails.

You will get no argument from me...

...show me how to get, consistently, within 10 feet of a wild bird out in the field that is 1/3 the size of my fist with a short hand-held tele, and also give me the quality I want, and I would switch over in a heart beat.


Full frame for scale and a very severe crop. I'm at my limits so far as quality is concerned with this crop.

Cape May Warbler in full spring breeding plumage.
4.5" from head to tail. Weight - 1/4 oz
Distance about 25 feet. In over 50 years of birding this is the closest I ever got to a breeding Cape May in the wild.

[RockvilleBob]

Good posts: I am getting the same confusing "conclusions".

JP

Add me to your list of "confused ones" - Does the Sigma 300 2.8 autofocus when used with a Sigma TC and a K-5? Is anyone using the this combination with autofocus operational?

[joe.penn]

Just to clarify, since it's hard to figure from the sigma charts, with a pentax mount the 1.4 TC gives you autofocus using the sigma 300 2.8? The lens is screw af, is it not? Does the TC have a screw af mechanism?

I'm asking because every time I look I come to a different conclusion

Yes, the Sigma 1.4 TC (In Pentax Mount) is a screw drive AF TC - this is why the Sigma TC compatibility chart for TC's shows it works for AF only under the lenses that deploy the screw drive AF system (for pentax type sigma lenses [300 2.8]).

Does anyone here have pics of their setup with a K5+ Sigma 300/2.8 + TC on a tripod/monopod without a Gimgall head?

Thanks!

JP

I use this lens combo in Nikon mount - maybe @cmohr can chime in again and show a pic of his setup.

Add me to your list of "confused ones" - Does the Sigma 300 2.8 autofocus when used with a Sigma TC and a K-5? Is anyone using the this combination with autofocus operational?

Yes - there is a number of users on the forums here that uses that combo. A couple pages back you can see results from @cmohr using this combo.

[jpzk]

You will get no argument from me...

...show me how to get, consistently, within 10 feet of a wild bird out in the field that is 1/3 the size of my fist with a short hand-held tele, and also give me the quality I want, and I would switch over in a heart beat.


Full frame for scale and a very severe crop. I'm at my limits so far as quality is concerned with this crop.

Cape May Warbler in full spring breeding plumage.
4.5" from head to tail. Weight - 1/4 oz
Distance about 25 feet. In over 50 years of birding this is the closest I ever got to a breeding Cape May in the wild.

No argument here either, wildman.

Just that I find this setup quite large/long for me ... your shot of the warbler proves that you can handle it very well, something I would have a tough time doing.

Mind you, I just might get into "trouble" with a Siggy 300/8 and a TC ... that would be quite "large" as well.

Great shot!

JP

[TenZ.NL]

Similair quest here...also considering the sigma 300 F2.8

Add me to your list of "confused ones" - Does the Sigma 300 2.8 autofocus when used with a Sigma TC and a K-5? Is anyone using the this combination with autofocus operational?

Currently I have the sigma 100-300 F4 with matching sigma 1.4x DG EX telcon and AF works so (as Joe allready said) it will work on the 300 F2.8 As for AF my understanding is that the sigma lenses will maintain AF if the combination will not exeed F5.6 (so a 300F4 with a 2x TC will not work because that TC has 2 stops loss of light, making it F8)

I also have the sigma 150-500 OS HSM. Bought it second hand for a good price and while being sceptical at first, it surprised me in a positive way. It`s not as good as the 100-300 but it can deliver some very decent pictures. But imho it`s slow on aperture and AFspeed and is far from sharp wide open, one must stop down to at least F8. It also needs a good portion of light, on a bright sunny day I allready require ISO 500 to get decent shuttertimes.

But...I`m also not happy with the sigma TC when combined with the 100-300 F4. The lens itself is very sharp, even wide open but there is a significant loss of IQ when using the TC. I mean, It`s better to crop a 300mm image than using the TC. That makes me reluctant to decide on the 300mm F2.8 and seriously consider a 7D with a 400 F5.6 L.

Maybe a stupid question but is it possible to calibrate or check up a TC?

[jpzk]

Sigma 300/2.8 $3400.00
Sigma 1.4xTC 250.00

Canon 7D $1500.00
400 F5.6 L 1300.00

Just did a comparison in pricing: you might have a good point.

JP

[TenZ.NL]

And you get a better AFtracking system...allthough I love Pentax, the 7D/400mmL combo is a nobrainer, especially with a used 7D body for half the price.

[crewl1]

Cape May Warbler in full spring breeding plumage.

Excellent shot of a pretty specimen.

[wildman]

Excellent shot of a pretty specimen.

Thank you - appreciated.

[stormtech]

Sigma 300/2.8 $3400.00
Sigma 1.4xTC 250.00

Canon 7D $1500.00
400 F5.6 L 1300.00

Just did a comparison in pricing: you might have a good point.

JP

I don't know why, but seeing those figures made me contemplate. We seem to be talking about trying to match the IQ of our DA*/FA* 300 lenses in a 400mm+ configuration. It just hit me that with most of the suggestions here, there is such a big dollar investment to get from 300mm to 400mm.

This has taken me back a step to try to figure out how to get closer with my 300mm...........

[joe.penn]

This has taken me back a step to try to figure out how to get closer with my 300mm

Blinds, blinds and more blinds. I will have 3 stationary blinds setup along the river in spring and summer and also will be in my mobile blind (my kayak). Think about it, an extra 100mm really isn't nothing, depending on the subject moving 10ft closer can make up that extra 100mm and then some...

[stormtech]

Blinds, blinds and more blinds. I will have 3 stationary blinds setup along the river in spring and summer and also will be in my mobile blind (my kayak). Think about it, an extra 100mm really isn't nothing, depending on the subject moving 10ft closer can make up that extra 100mm and then some...

Yep - after you and a couple other members have tried to beat that into my head, I am finally getting it. I already have a pseudo blind worked out for my pavilion at the river - going to work on something simple for at the waters edge also.

And I believe you are correct - I think 10' will more than make up for the difference between 300mm & 400mm - I might be able to push it more toward 20'.

[audiobomber]

Blinds, blinds and more blinds. I will have 3 stationary blinds setup along the river in spring

What sort of blinds?