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04-16-2015, 02:08 PM   #1
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Advice Wanted about Multipliers

Anyone have any experience with a multiplier?? I'm thinking about getting a multiplier, I have a Pentax K-50. Lens is a Sigma APO DG 70-300 1:4-5.6 and a Pentax DA 50-200. Can't really afford a longer lens for wildlife and thought maybe a magnifier would be the answer. Would appreciate any knowledge or help Thanks

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04-16-2015, 02:12 PM   #2
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Lots of people have them. A good one will cost as much as either of your lenses. Bad ones are not any better than cropping the image. You lose an f-stop or two, so your lens will be even slower, requiring longer shutter speeds or higher ISOs. And dimmer in the viewfinder.
04-16-2015, 02:16 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by digitalbarn Quote
I'm thinking about getting a multiplier
I would really make this a last resort option for the reasons already given, I'd put the costs of a good one of these... towards a longer lens in the future.
04-16-2015, 02:18 PM   #4
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What SpecialK said.

Teleconvertors work rather well when combined with good quality fast prime lenses. So the DA*300 f/4 + the Pentax 1.4xRC is getting good reviews.

However, using one with a slow consumer zoom is going to be problematic. It will be slower and a toss up whether the image will be any better than just cropping. For example your 70-300 with a 1.4x TC will be minimum f/8 at 300mm and with a 2x TC will be minimum f/11. Auto-focus will be questionable.

That does not mean they will not work. Just that there is no free lunch.

04-16-2015, 03:31 PM   #5
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Perhaps another option is to look towards a older manual focus telephoto like a 300mm f/4.
04-16-2015, 04:14 PM   #6
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I've got a Kenko 1.5x teleconverter to use with my 400 prime or 100 macro. I wouldn't bother using it on my 55-300, for the reasons everyone has given. You might as well crop.

It's true there's no free lunch with long lenses.

Better to get a MF prime or keep saving for something longer. If you keep looking you might find a Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro for around $US600. I'm delighted with mine. Tokina made a 400 f5.6 AF that is a bit cheaper and gets quite good reviews.

Any of the 300mm primes (e.g. Sigma 300 f4 Tele Macro, Pentax F*300 f4.5 or FA*300 f4.5) would also be a worthwhile upgrade from your zoom (even without adding a teleconverter). Although you wouldn't gain any reach over your Sigma 70-300, the wider aperture and extra sharpness would give significantly better results when cropping.

Last edited by Des; 04-16-2015 at 09:54 PM.
04-16-2015, 07:03 PM   #7
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I have a 2x autofocus one on the marketplace now if you are interested...

I had a 1.4x as well. Given that I am selling my 2x, you might imagine that I don't have much use for them. While I did manage to get some great shots with help from the 1.4x, I found that I never really needed them. For the most part, the extra reach is about as good as cropping, so the speed hit isn't really worth it. So now that I've made a great sales pitch by putting down my own product...

04-16-2015, 08:41 PM   #8
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I've got the 1.4RC and it's been great on M 300mm f4, DA* 50-135 and Tamron 70-200 f2.8.

I agree with others who said it's best for quicker lenses, not the consumer ones.

Put even a reasonable Tamron x1.7 on slow lenses and you're probably better off cropping.
04-17-2015, 04:39 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
I've got the 1.4RC and it's been great on M 300mm f4, DA* 50-135 and Tamron 70-200 f2.8.

I agree with others who said it's best for quicker lenses, not the consumer ones.

Put even a reasonable Tamron x1.7 on slow lenses and you're probably better off cropping.
See this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/193099-tele...lens-good.html

I used the Canon 1.6x with my F70-210 with fairly good results. You do need to compensate for the light loss.

Seb
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