Say you bought DA* 200mm - Which TC?

cputeq · 06-12-2008, 04:25 AM

I've been back and forth, debating for a while now on which will be my "big lens" purchase.

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
DA* 200mm
Sigma 100-300mm, etc. etc. etc.

-----------------------------

So now, I pose a sample question --

Say I were to buy the DA* 200mm. Which TC would I most want to pair with this lens? I'm hoping to use the 200mm alone for event photography and minor stuff, and pair perhaps with a 1.4/1.7/2x TC max for birding. This gives me great versatility I think -- 200mm f/2.8 for fast stuff and then I can get range and give up a stop or two.

The problem is, I don't know much about TCs. I know many of them are matched by brand - AKA SIgma APO matches sigma lenses and some Pentax, etc.

I'm looking for MAX VISUAL QUALITY TC. This is very important. I do not want the DA* 300mm, as the 200 reviews better and I need the faster stop for some lower-light stuff.

Which quality TC would you pair with the 200mm? Should I attempt to buy the Pentax 1.7x? It's incredibly expensive, but looks like an awesome TC and perhaps would be useful for old lenses, though I'm not really an old lens fan.

Sigma 1.4x? (not sure if it's compatible, I'm looking for information).

Thanks for your inputs.

Ben_Edict · 06-12-2008, 04:41 AM

This is a question, not so easily answered. I guess the best image quality would be provided by the Pentax 1.4x-S (The L-version won't fit, presumably). For 2x magnification the Pentax 2x-S would be the best choice.

BUT both don't provide AF and you would be back to manual focus, which is fine in many situations, but for birding AF would be preferable.

The second best choice is probably the Kenko 1.5x/Tamron 1.4 TC, both being different packaging around the same optical formula. Whether the Sigma TCs work, you should simply try in a shop. The lens elements of the Sigmas protrude a bit over the mount, which is a problem with many lenses.

For a 2x AF TC I would personally await the new Pentax TC, announced on the roadmap (but without a date…)

Ben

John Kovarik · 06-12-2008, 05:05 AM

There are other threads addressing this issue, but here is my experience which, I think reflects consensus. The PTX 1.7 does not support SDM so the lens must be used in manual mode - not a killer, but still a negative. Overall the best TC is the TAMRON-F AF TELE-CONVERTER 1.4x Pz-AF MC4, which supports SDM. This is discontinued and may be scarce - some have sold recently for quite high prices. IQ with my DA*200 rivals that of my DA*300 w/o TC. The Kenko 1.5 also supports SDM and produces high IQ but functioning is less certain (AF) than the TAMRON...........

Good Luck!

Buddha Jones · 06-12-2008, 06:26 AM

I don't think that putting a TC on the DA*200 is a great idea. At least for me I seem to get a lot of PF when I use that combination so I just ended up buying the DA*300 instead.

cputeq · 06-12-2008, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

I don't think that putting a TC on the DA*200 is a great idea. At least for me I seem to get a lot of PF when I use that combination so I just ended up buying the DA*300 instead.

Hrm, thanks for that response - good to hear from someone using the combo.

I suppose I will have to do more thinking about how bad I want speed over range.

mpreston · 06-12-2008, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by John Kovarik

The Kenko 1.5 also supports SDM and produces high IQ but functioning is less certain (AF) than the TAMRON...........

John are you sure the Kenko 1.5 TC supports SDM.

I just bought a new Kenko 1.5 TC along with a new DA*300 and it will not autofocus the lens on my K10D (with firmware 1.3). Actually its not communicating with the camera as I can't get the Fn key to activate the Function screen (flashes on then off?.

THe DA*300 works perfectly alone and the Kenko 1.5 TC works well with a DA18-250 and a FA50 1.7

But no luck with the DA*300? Any thoughts?

danielchtong · 06-13-2008, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by mpreston

John are you sure the Kenko 1.5 TC supports SDM.

I just bought a new Kenko 1.5 TC along with a new DA*300 and it will not autofocus the lens on my K10D (with firmware 1.3). Actually its not communicating with the camera as I can't get the Fn key to activate the Function screen (flashes on then off?.

THe DA*300 works perfectly alone and the Kenko 1.5 TC works well with a DA18-250 and a FA50 1.7

But no luck with the DA*300? Any thoughts?

I can confirm that K100D super works with my Kenko15 & DA*200mm . Full AF and full SDM. See http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=591175&forum_id=9...889664#p889664

Daniel

06-12-2008, 04:25 AM	#1
cputeq Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 464	*Say you bought DA 200mm - Which TC?** I've been back and forth, debating for a while now on which will be my "big lens" purchase. Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 DA* 200mm Sigma 100-300mm, etc. etc. etc. ----------------------------- So now, I pose a sample question -- Say I were to buy the DA* 200mm. Which TC would I most want to pair with this lens? I'm hoping to use the 200mm alone for event photography and minor stuff, and pair perhaps with a 1.4/1.7/2x TC max for birding. This gives me great versatility I think -- 200mm f/2.8 for fast stuff and then I can get range and give up a stop or two. The problem is, I don't know much about TCs. I know many of them are matched by brand - AKA SIgma APO matches sigma lenses and some Pentax, etc. I'm looking for MAX VISUAL QUALITY TC. This is very important. I do not want the DA* 300mm, as the 200 reviews better and I need the faster stop for some lower-light stuff. Which quality TC would you pair with the 200mm? Should I attempt to buy the Pentax 1.7x? It's incredibly expensive, but looks like an awesome TC and perhaps would be useful for old lenses, though I'm not really an old lens fan. Sigma 1.4x? (not sure if it's compatible, I'm looking for information). Thanks for your inputs.

06-12-2008, 04:41 AM	#2
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	This is a question, not so easily answered. I guess the best image quality would be provided by the Pentax 1.4x-S (The L-version won't fit, presumably). For 2x magnification the Pentax 2x-S would be the best choice. BUT both don't provide AF and you would be back to manual focus, which is fine in many situations, but for birding AF would be preferable. The second best choice is probably the Kenko 1.5x/Tamron 1.4 TC, both being different packaging around the same optical formula. Whether the Sigma TCs work, you should simply try in a shop. The lens elements of the Sigmas protrude a bit over the mount, which is a problem with many lenses. For a 2x AF TC I would personally await the new Pentax TC, announced on the roadmap (but without a date…) Ben Last edited by Ben_Edict; 06-12-2008 at 05:16 AM.

06-12-2008, 09:09 PM	#6
mpreston Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 120	Question for you? Originally posted by John Kovarik The Kenko 1.5 also supports SDM and produces high IQ but functioning is less certain (AF) than the TAMRON........... John are you sure the Kenko 1.5 TC supports SDM. I just bought a new Kenko 1.5 TC along with a new DA300 and it will not autofocus the lens on my K10D (with firmware 1.3). Actually its not communicating with the camera as I can't get the Fn key to activate the Function screen (flashes on then off?. THe DA300 works perfectly alone and the Kenko 1.5 TC works well with a DA18-250 and a FA50 1.7 But no luck with the DA*300? Any thoughts?

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06-12-2008, 05:05 AM	#3
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	There are other threads addressing this issue, but here is my experience which, I think reflects consensus. The PTX 1.7 does not support SDM so the lens must be used in manual mode - not a killer, but still a negative. Overall the best TC is the TAMRON-F AF TELE-CONVERTER 1.4x Pz-AF MC4, which supports SDM. This is discontinued and may be scarce - some have sold recently for quite high prices. IQ with my DA200 rivals that of my DA300 w/o TC. The Kenko 1.5 also supports SDM and produces high IQ but functioning is less certain (AF) than the TAMRON........... Good Luck!

06-12-2008, 06:26 AM	#4
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	I don't think that putting a TC on the DA200 is a great idea. At least for me I seem to get a lot of PF when I use that combination so I just ended up buying the DA300 instead.

06-12-2008, 02:26 PM	#5
cputeq Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 464 Original Poster	Originally posted by Buddha Jones I don't think that putting a TC on the DA200 is a great idea. At least for me I seem to get a lot of PF when I use that combination so I just ended up buying the DA300 instead. Hrm, thanks for that response - good to hear from someone using the combo. I suppose I will have to do more thinking about how bad I want speed over range.

06-13-2008, 06:17 PM	#7
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by mpreston John are you sure the Kenko 1.5 TC supports SDM. I just bought a new Kenko 1.5 TC along with a new DA300 and it will not autofocus the lens on my K10D (with firmware 1.3). Actually its not communicating with the camera as I can't get the Fn key to activate the Function screen (flashes on then off?. THe DA300 works perfectly alone and the Kenko 1.5 TC works well with a DA18-250 and a FA50 1.7 But no luck with the DA300? Any thoughts? I can confirm that K100D super works with my Kenko15 & DA200mm . Full AF and full SDM. See http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=591175&forum_id=9...889664#p889664 Daniel