[awaldram]

I don't have mine yet, but I find the reach of the DA*300 is limited by the ability to get accurate focus. Even on the K-3 having the subject magnified so that it can lock focus will help. I expect a slight degradation in IQ, I don't think that can be avoided. Last summer the 150-500 sigma, although not equal to the IQ of the DA*300 got more keepers because it allowed focus. If the subject was in focus, the cropped DA*300 shots were better, but with the realities of wildlife shooting, with moving targets and busy scenes in dodgy light, getting that focus was a challenge.

With you 100% on this cropping is so good I'm rarely limited good glass achieves reasonable results even at 100%.

But getting the image sharp when its a pin prick is more challenging and where all my lens run out of go, whether I'm using 300, 400 or 500

So a good AF TC will allow me to achieve the reach the cropping allows.

[normhead]

Heres a few more images for you to look at..
A few quick images from this morning...

A crow stopped by up on the hill. The impressive thing to me in this shot is the crow is at least 40 meters away from me, the image is cropped to maybe 50% of it's original size and it still shows good feather detail. I'm not sure you could make the argument this shot could have been as good without the TC.



And of course, your usual squirrel images.







Full reach image 60-250 with 1.7 (shows as 450 in exif)



Full reach image 60-250 with 1.4 (show as 350mm in exif)


Full reach image 60-250 (shows as 250 in exif)


60-250 with 1.7 scaled as close as I could guestimate to 250..


60-250 with 1.4 exif says 252 mm.


The new TC 1.4 is definitely easier to use, calculates your focal length with the TC on and will probably live on my 60-250 when needed. The 1.7 TC is more difficult to use. But after the initial focus, the short throw of the TC acts as a limiter making AF very quick, it has noticeably more reach, but it doesn't accurately report the change in zoom setting, reporting everything as the max. available setting, so my 250 mm image (above) in the exif show 450.

The 1.7 also ads partial AF to MF lenses which the 1.4 does not.

I'm planning on keeping both.

[jpzk]

I'm watching this closely also. I don't mind paying the price for a quality accessory like this, but have to prove to myself that it is worth it.

I would be using it with my DA* 300 on my K-5IIs. I just can't see how this TC would be much better than cropping that little bit.

Kudos !
Eagerly awaiting results taken with this TC and the DA*300/4.

JP

---------- Post added 03-07-14 at 02:42 PM ----------

Originally posted by jpzk Thanks a bunch to you two ! @ imtheguy ... In terms of IQ, if I were to compare the shots taken with the DA*300/4 with/without the TC, what is your "rating" from your posted images ?
JP I really cant rate it yet from just a single set of indoor shots, but at least did not see anything discouraging.....was soooooo looking forward to sunlight today but not getting that wish.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.
I am looking forward to some shots "in good daylight" conditions!

Cheers!

JP

[stormtech]

I don't have mine yet, but I find the reach of the DA*300 is limited by the ability to get accurate focus. Even on the K-3 having the subject magnified so that it can lock focus will help. I expect a slight degradation in IQ, I don't think that can be avoided. Last summer the 150-500 sigma, although not equal to the IQ of the DA*300 got more keepers because it allowed focus. If the subject was in focus, the cropped DA*300 shots were better, but with the realities of wildlife shooting, with moving targets and busy scenes in dodgy light, getting that focus was a challenge.

Very good point! I'm keeping an open mind about this and appreciate your theory - it does make sense to me.

[imtheguy]

I don't have mine yet, but I find the reach of the DA*300 is limited by the ability to get accurate focus. Even on the K-3 having the subject magnified so that it can lock focus will help. I expect a slight degradation in IQ, I don't think that can be avoided. Last summer the 150-500 sigma, although not equal to the IQ of the DA*300 got more keepers because it allowed focus. If the subject was in focus, the cropped DA*300 shots were better, but with the realities of wildlife shooting, with moving targets and busy scenes in dodgy light, getting that focus was a challenge.

and thats why i always shoot in Hi-Drive mode for long distance and moving subjects. At least 3 frames with varying degrees of focus usually yield at least one perfect focus.

[normhead]

OK, since I was interested, I went out again... this time, 3 shots at each setting picked the best of each,

The scene shot at 250mm.


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @250mm.


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @350mm. DA*60-250 + 1.4


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @400 mm (A-400)


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @450mm. DA* 60-250 + F 1.7 TC


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @560 mm (A-400 +1.4 TC)


The trend seems to be a constant improvement with longer focal length. No apparent degradation of the image due to TC use. IN this series the A-400 came out better than the DA*60-250 with the 1.4. I might have to devise a tie break.

[derekkite]

OK, since I was interested, I went out again... this time, 3 shots at each setting picked the best of each,

The scene shot at 250mm.


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @250mm.


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @350mm. DA*60-250 + 1.4


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @400 mm (A-400)


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @450mm. DA* 60-250 + F 1.7 TC


The test chart, cropped to the size of the chart @560 mm (A-400 +1.4 TC)


The trend seems to be a constant improvement with longer focal length. No apparent degradation of the image due to TC use. IN this series the A-400 came out better than the DA*60-250 with the 1.4. I might have to devise a tie break.

Thanks for this. I'm wondering if the first shot was suffering from inaccurate focus. Any detail that it could focus on would be too small for the 250mm.

[crewl1]

First cropped shot has motion blur - was it windy?

[normhead]

First cropped shot has motion blur - was it windy?

That could have been it...

A few more images, this time using the Sigma 70 macro and 1.4 TC.. which registers as a 98mm ƒ4.

K-3 SIgma 70 macro with HD DA 1.4 TC

Wide open at ƒ4


Stopped down to ƒ22


Up close and personal @ ƒ22

[panoguy]

A few more images, this time using the Sigma 70 macro and 1.4 TC.. which registers as a 98mm ƒ4.

K-3 SIgma 70 macro with HD DA 1.4 TC

Wide open at ƒ4

Looks like a nice combo for a 100mm macro! Your working distance is longer or the same? It's been a while since I used a TC on a macro lens... (unless you count the Vivitar 2x macro-focusing TC.)

[dc1500]

Cross posted from that other TC thread.
A few questions answered...it works pretty much seamlessly, it works on third party lenses, it allows you to use selective focus, works seamlessly on either SDM of screw drive, ... and it tells the exif file what it's doing... I didn't have a lot of time with it today... but I got out late.

On the DA * 60-250 (SDM)



On the Tamron 90 Macro (screw drive).

As an aside, is that last one with the Tamron 90 a big crop? It looks very noisy for ISO 800. I'm finding my K3 quite noisy with blue skies at relatively low ISO as well.

[normhead]

As an aside, is that last one with the Tamron 90 a big crop? It looks very noisy for ISO 800. I'm finding my K3 quite noisy with blue skies at relatively low ISO as well.

The noise on the bird is because he's backlit on a bright sky and dodged, contrasted etc.... I'm, not seeing the sky as all that bad, although I know what you're talking about.

With the F-70-210 and DA 1.4 TC on the camera I went looking for some purple fringing... and didn't find any... this lens definitely has purple fringing problems with the 1.7

The finches on this tree remind me of Christmas decorations...

There seems to be more and more noise every day.... and they are definitely sparring to establish territory, after living together all winter the nuthatches and woodpeckers are definitely getting into it.

[dc1500]

They are great shots. Really sharp and as you say no PF.