TC: AFA 1.7 vs HD 1.4

**spartan** · 05-14-2015, 03:47 AM

HI All

I have a DA*300 and the AFA 1,7. I am going to wyoming and would like to have some reach.
Has anyone done a comparison between these two TCs with respect to IQ?

**jpzk** · 05-14-2015, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by spartan

HI All

I have a DA*300 and the AFA 1,7. I am going to wyoming and would like to have some reach.
Has anyone done a comparison between these two TCs with respect to IQ?

I have that same set up: DA*300/4 and both TC's.

My (non scientific) opinion: they render about the same results.
I like the AFA 1.7X for its fast "AF" focusing once you get within the range. Great reach.
I like the simplicity of the HD 1.4X. I wouldn't say that it is better than the other one in terms of IQ.

Take both !

normhead · 05-14-2015, 06:15 AM

I like to take both as well. What's the drawback? ... you get a 420mm lens and a 510 mm lens for a couple pretty small pieces of glass in your bag. I use the 1.7 where I can predict where the subject is going to be, I use the 1.4 when the subject will be moving more than the 1.7 can compensate for, requiring manual focussing and possibly missing shots. My guess is that the 1.4 is better for IQ, but not enough to make up for the lost extra reach.

vonBaloney · 05-14-2015, 06:39 AM

The AFA sometimes needs some AF focus calibration adjustment for different lenses, so I'd practice with the lens in question to make sure it is nailing its spots and adjust as needed for front/back focus -- it has pretty decent IQ when the base lens is very sharp. (I think some people call the AFA soft but they just aren't hitting focus or haven't upped their shutter speed enough.) STILL, there is of course some degradation and I'd expect the 1.4x to be a bit better (but with less magnification -- no free lunch)...

**spartan** · 05-15-2015, 07:08 AM

I actually like the way the AFA focuses with the DA*300. sort of a focus limiter...pretty fast as aresult.
The IQ I am still on the fence... Seems good, but the pictures I have seen with the DA TC seem excellent.

fwcetus · 05-16-2015, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by spartan

I actually like the way the AFA focuses with the DA*300. sort of a focus limiter...pretty fast as aresult.

I don't have either a DA* 300 or the HD 1.4X, so I can't really help much with the OP's actual question, I guess.

However, I would just like to add that I agree with spartan on one really neat feature of the AFA 1.7X, and that's how it does act as a "focus limiter" of sorts for fast autofocusing (as long as there's still enough light getting to the camera body).

Finally, I'd agree with jpzk and normhead -- take both -- they're both pretty small, and you get some "inexpensive" (as in size and weight, not as in cost) flexibility for how you use any one particular lens.

05-14-2015, 03:47 AM	#1
spartan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 428	TC: AFA 1.7 vs HD 1.4 HI All I have a DA*300 and the AFA 1,7. I am going to wyoming and would like to have some reach. Has anyone done a comparison between these two TCs with respect to IQ?

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05-14-2015, 06:06 AM	#2
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by spartan HI All I have a DA300 and the AFA 1,7. I am going to wyoming and would like to have some reach. Has anyone done a comparison between these two TCs with respect to IQ? I have that same set up: DA300/4 and both TC's. My (non scientific) opinion: they render about the same results. I like the AFA 1.7X for its fast "AF" focusing once you get within the range. Great reach. I like the simplicity of the HD 1.4X. I wouldn't say that it is better than the other one in terms of IQ. Take both !

05-14-2015, 06:15 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I like to take both as well. What's the drawback? ... you get a 420mm lens and a 510 mm lens for a couple pretty small pieces of glass in your bag. I use the 1.7 where I can predict where the subject is going to be, I use the 1.4 when the subject will be moving more than the 1.7 can compensate for, requiring manual focussing and possibly missing shots. My guess is that the 1.4 is better for IQ, but not enough to make up for the lost extra reach.

05-14-2015, 06:39 AM	#4
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	The AFA sometimes needs some AF focus calibration adjustment for different lenses, so I'd practice with the lens in question to make sure it is nailing its spots and adjust as needed for front/back focus -- it has pretty decent IQ when the base lens is very sharp. (I think some people call the AFA soft but they just aren't hitting focus or haven't upped their shutter speed enough.) STILL, there is of course some degradation and I'd expect the 1.4x to be a bit better (but with less magnification -- no free lunch)...

05-15-2015, 07:08 AM	#5
spartan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 428 Original Poster	I actually like the way the AFA focuses with the DA*300. sort of a focus limiter...pretty fast as aresult. The IQ I am still on the fence... Seems good, but the pictures I have seen with the DA TC seem excellent.

05-16-2015, 08:34 AM	#6
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by spartan I actually like the way the AFA focuses with the DA300. sort of a focus limiter...pretty fast as aresult. I don't have either a DA 300 or the HD 1.4X, so I can't really help much with the OP's actual question, I guess. However, I would just like to add that I agree with spartan on one really neat feature of the AFA 1.7X, and that's how it does act as a "focus limiter" of sorts for fast autofocusing (as long as there's still enough light getting to the camera body). Finally, I'd agree with jpzk and normhead -- take both -- they're both pretty small, and you get some "inexpensive" (as in size and weight, not as in cost) flexibility for how you use any one particular lens.