Do I need a 1.4x tc

**LOU16** · 03-19-2014, 08:15 PM

Has anyone been on a Rhine River Cruise. I'm going next year and taking my K50 with 18-135 and 55-300. Would it be advisable for me to purchase one of the new 1.4x tc's. I just wondering if it would really be usefull or overkill for this trip. Thanks

Adam · 03-19-2014, 08:23 PM

If you're taking the 55-300mm I'd say you're good to go. 300mm on APS-C already gives you a lot of reach, and it should (more than) suffice for just about any travel photograph

DSims · 03-19-2014, 08:57 PM

That TC's really built for more expensive lenses - generally lenses with a constant f/4 aperture at most (but you could get away with f/4.5). I had the similar Tamron 1.4x TC (latest version) and it didn't do much for my DA55-300 - sometimes (I should probably say often, actually) it had trouble focusing because the lens is f/5.8 at 300mm.

I agree with Adam. You're good with what you have unless you're planning to upgrade a lens - which might be a good idea, because you can get even better Image Quality. But those are pretty good travel lenses, so if you're happy with them I'd stick with them.

Alizarine · 03-19-2014, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by LOU16

Has anyone been on a Rhine River Cruise. I'm going next year and taking my K50 with 18-135 and 55-300. Would it be advisable for me to purchase one of the new 1.4x tc's. I just wondering if it would really be usefull or overkill for this trip.

I guess it depends on what you plan to shoot there - if it's wildlife or something that needs the reach I think yeah that will be OK.

Now that you said that...
Having the same thoughts too but for a different purpose. I currently do more on corporate events and the 50-135 is a good FL for it, but when I do weddings or go outdoors for nature trips it really falls short.

Would getting a Sigma/Tamron 70-200 f2.8 solve the case? Or if I add the TC to the DA* (making it a 70-190 f/4) and just push ISO one stop up to compensate... and retain 100% WR?

Ishpuini · 03-20-2014, 01:40 AM

You're not going to see much need for long glass on such a cruise I think. Most stops along the way will be for excursions in cities/villages where even 300mm is probably much longer than you'll ever need. For landscapes from the boat, your lenses' reach will be fine.

The only subject a TC on your 50-300 might help you with is birds that might be flying over the river. If you're a birder and really want shots that allow you to identify the species, a longer reach than 300mm can be practical. However, the IQ of the 50-300 on a TC might not be super, and you'll have to stop down the lens dramatically for optimal results (possibly needing to go into the high ISOs for fast enough shutter speeds). Note that depending on the weather (e.g. overcast skies) all birds flying overhead will just be silhouettes...

To be honest, I wouldn't invest in a TC with your lenses. If you really have space in your bag for an item the size of a TC, the DA15/4 limited might be a better idea. You might need a wider angle than 18mm in the narrow streets of the old German towns you will be visiting.

Wim

splash_fr · 03-20-2014, 02:30 AM

+1 for a wider wideangle for travel in europe!

Basie · 03-20-2014, 09:01 AM

On my DA* 300 mm F4 , I actually get the same better results shooting without the TC and cropping and adding the TC. But I do have an olderT C which forces me to manual focus and manual meter and then I take longer with the photo and that has led to better results as well!

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-20-2014, 09:24 AM

I have not done the Rhine cruse, but I have found on my last trip to southern France in 2007 and on a trip to Corsica in 2012 that wildlife is somewhat limited during the summer. The Rhine is a little further north, but it doubt you will use more than 300mm. Generally for Europe, I don't even bother any more at longer than 100mm

KevinR · 03-20-2014, 12:18 PM

For Europe, get a 10-20, 12-24, 10-24, 15-ltd or similar. You won't regret it... And 300mm is way long enough unless you plan on doing birding along the way.

60-70% of my photos from 4 weeks in Europe (Norway, Germany, Italy, Paris) were with a Sigma 10-20.

normhead · 03-20-2014, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by Basie

On my DA* 300 mm F4 , I actually get the same better results shooting without the TC and cropping and adding the TC. But I do have an olderT C which forces me to manual focus and manual meter and then I take longer with the photo and that has led to better results as well!

Like lenses, the only TC that matters is the one you're thinking of buying. What other TCs do is pretty much irrelevant...

I don't think the 18-135 is recommended for use with the TC.

**LOU16** · 03-21-2014, 01:26 AM

Thanks for all the input. I thought the tc would be a waste of time and money. Maybe I'll put the money towards a wider angle zoom.

**mgvh** · 03-22-2014, 08:41 AM

I have the Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ which is the same as the Tamron 1.4x and which by some accounts is as good as the new Pentax TC.
I have both the 18-135 and 55-300. These lenses cannot really take advantage of a TC. I get very minimal improvement using the TC with them as compared to not using the TC and enlarging.
Further, if you put the TC on the 55-300, you're really going to want to shoot with a tripod.
So, like others, I would agree that getting an UWA would be much more preferable. I use the old Sigma 10-20, but for better quality and traveling (smaller and lighter), I'm dreaming of the DA 15.

SpecialK · 03-22-2014, 09:34 AM

Overkill. I'd leave the 55-300 at home and take a 10-20, 12-24 or similar.

03-19-2014, 08:15 PM	#1
LOU16 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 60	Do I need a 1.4x tc Has anyone been on a Rhine River Cruise. I'm going next year and taking my K50 with 18-135 and 55-300. Would it be advisable for me to purchase one of the new 1.4x tc's. I just wondering if it would really be usefull or overkill for this trip. Thanks

03-19-2014, 08:23 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	If you're taking the 55-300mm I'd say you're good to go. 300mm on APS-C already gives you a lot of reach, and it should (more than) suffice for just about any travel photograph Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Tamron TC 1.4x, Vivitar 2x Macro TC P/k-A, Takumar 50f/4, Vivitar 55mm 2.8 Macro	davidgreen3003	Sold Items	3	10-30-2013 03:18 AM
For Sale - Sold: Tamron AF 1.4X TC, 2X TC, Pentax Bellows Unit K	SOldBear	Sold Items	3	09-22-2012 08:09 AM
Wanted - Acquired: Tamron 1.4X TC or Kenko Pz-AF 1.5X SHQ TC	kesong	Sold Items	2	08-22-2012 07:31 PM
help! with a tamron 140F 1.4X TC	pentax_wayne	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	06-07-2012 12:03 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax-A 135mm, DA 55-300mm, Tamron MC4 1.4x TC & Tokina 2x TC	Light_Horseman	Sold Items	8	07-08-2009 07:03 PM

03-19-2014, 08:57 PM	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	That TC's really built for more expensive lenses - generally lenses with a constant f/4 aperture at most (but you could get away with f/4.5). I had the similar Tamron 1.4x TC (latest version) and it didn't do much for my DA55-300 - sometimes (I should probably say often, actually) it had trouble focusing because the lens is f/5.8 at 300mm. I agree with Adam. You're good with what you have unless you're planning to upgrade a lens - which might be a good idea, because you can get even better Image Quality. But those are pretty good travel lenses, so if you're happy with them I'd stick with them.

03-19-2014, 09:08 PM	#4
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by LOU16 Has anyone been on a Rhine River Cruise. I'm going next year and taking my K50 with 18-135 and 55-300. Would it be advisable for me to purchase one of the new 1.4x tc's. I just wondering if it would really be usefull or overkill for this trip. I guess it depends on what you plan to shoot there - if it's wildlife or something that needs the reach I think yeah that will be OK. Now that you said that... Having the same thoughts too but for a different purpose. I currently do more on corporate events and the 50-135 is a good FL for it, but when I do weddings or go outdoors for nature trips it really falls short. Would getting a Sigma/Tamron 70-200 f2.8 solve the case? Or if I add the TC to the DA* (making it a 70-190 f/4) and just push ISO one stop up to compensate... and retain 100% WR?

03-20-2014, 01:40 AM	#5
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	You're not going to see much need for long glass on such a cruise I think. Most stops along the way will be for excursions in cities/villages where even 300mm is probably much longer than you'll ever need. For landscapes from the boat, your lenses' reach will be fine. The only subject a TC on your 50-300 might help you with is birds that might be flying over the river. If you're a birder and really want shots that allow you to identify the species, a longer reach than 300mm can be practical. However, the IQ of the 50-300 on a TC might not be super, and you'll have to stop down the lens dramatically for optimal results (possibly needing to go into the high ISOs for fast enough shutter speeds). Note that depending on the weather (e.g. overcast skies) all birds flying overhead will just be silhouettes... To be honest, I wouldn't invest in a TC with your lenses. If you really have space in your bag for an item the size of a TC, the DA15/4 limited might be a better idea. You might need a wider angle than 18mm in the narrow streets of the old German towns you will be visiting. Wim

03-20-2014, 02:30 AM	#6
splash_fr Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 178	+1 for a wider wideangle for travel in europe!

03-20-2014, 09:01 AM	#7
Basie Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Photos: Gallery Posts: 989	On my DA* 300 mm F4 , I actually get the same better results shooting without the TC and cropping and adding the TC. But I do have an olderT C which forces me to manual focus and manual meter and then I take longer with the photo and that has led to better results as well!

03-20-2014, 09:24 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	I have not done the Rhine cruse, but I have found on my last trip to southern France in 2007 and on a trip to Corsica in 2012 that wildlife is somewhat limited during the summer. The Rhine is a little further north, but it doubt you will use more than 300mm. Generally for Europe, I don't even bother any more at longer than 100mm

03-20-2014, 12:18 PM	#9
KevinR Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 653	For Europe, get a 10-20, 12-24, 10-24, 15-ltd or similar. You won't regret it... And 300mm is way long enough unless you plan on doing birding along the way. 60-70% of my photos from 4 weeks in Europe (Norway, Germany, Italy, Paris) were with a Sigma 10-20.

03-20-2014, 12:25 PM	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Basie On my DA* 300 mm F4 , I actually get the same better results shooting without the TC and cropping and adding the TC. But I do have an olderT C which forces me to manual focus and manual meter and then I take longer with the photo and that has led to better results as well! Like lenses, the only TC that matters is the one you're thinking of buying. What other TCs do is pretty much irrelevant... I don't think the 18-135 is recommended for use with the TC.

03-21-2014, 01:26 AM	#11
LOU16 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 60 Original Poster	Thanks for all the input. I thought the tc would be a waste of time and money. Maybe I'll put the money towards a wider angle zoom.

03-22-2014, 08:41 AM	#12
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,029	I have the Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x Teleplus SHQ which is the same as the Tamron 1.4x and which by some accounts is as good as the new Pentax TC. I have both the 18-135 and 55-300. These lenses cannot really take advantage of a TC. I get very minimal improvement using the TC with them as compared to not using the TC and enlarging. Further, if you put the TC on the 55-300, you're really going to want to shoot with a tripod. So, like others, I would agree that getting an UWA would be much more preferable. I use the old Sigma 10-20, but for better quality and traveling (smaller and lighter), I'm dreaming of the DA 15.

03-22-2014, 09:34 AM	#13
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Overkill. I'd leave the 55-300 at home and take a 10-20, 12-24 or similar.