[gerardbaron]

Is the TC works with the DA 55/300?

[nomadkng]

sigma 100-300 f4 with pentax tc

[amber waters]

I know the new HD1.4x tc is praised by some DA*300 owners. I've never used a TC before and am a big skeptical.
I love the DA*300, but a little more reach would be welcomed.

My big questions, I'm sure using the 1.4x provides better results compared to a comparable crop from the DA*300 alone. But is the result worth the $450?

I can pull up pictures from the forum and compare, sure. Not many have compared the exact framing between the two on identical subjects.
ie: Setup a tripod and take 10 subjects with 300 alone, and 10 with 1.4x+300.

But, I just want to hear it from actual owners of the lens, the tc and preferably the K-3ii/k-3.

If you have the combo and have an opinion, please share it!

I have the trio of which you speak.

Let me first say that I'm new-ish to both the DA*300 and the 1.4x TC, so it's likely that my technique is not the best for obtaining consistent, pristine results. That said, I've found the combination both satisfying and frustrating. When there is adequate light (and I can get the shutter speed high enough) I find the resulting images to be quite sharp. There is no degradation in AF speed or accuracy with the TC vs the DA*300 alone. The bokeh of the combo seems consistent with that of the DA*300 also. Most of my frustrations lie in obtaining consistent, sharp results...missed focus, too slow shutter speeds, and narrow dof haunt me with this combo. Again, I think it is something that technique can improve, but I'm not there yet (at least not 100% of the time.)

Here are some recent examples:










I also did part of the test you mentioned. Its not 100% scientific, but you get the idea. (I don't work for and am not plugging Aluma trailers...it was just a convenient target.)

DA*300


DA*300 + 1.4x TC


DA*300 (100% crop)


DA*300 + 1.4x TC (100% crop)




I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

[noelpolar]

The only comparable alternative would be DFA 150-450, but that's a toy priced much higher. And what would you gain? 30mm.

Heaps and heaps of flexibility.... but the TC question would still remain....... and be even tougher to answer.


The bit that does my head in is the cost of the TC.... not much cheaper then a K3!

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Last edited by noelpolar; 04-01-2016 at 06:13 PM.

[jpzk]

I have the trio of which you speak.

Let me first say that I'm new-ish to both the DA*300 and the 1.4x TC, so it's likely that my technique is not the best for obtaining consistent, pristine results. That said, I've found the combination both satisfying and frustrating. When there is adequate light (and I can get the shutter speed high enough) I find the resulting images to be quite sharp. There is no degradation in AF speed or accuracy with the TC vs the DA*300 alone. The bokeh of the combo seems consistent with that of the DA*300 also. Most of my frustrations lie in obtaining consistent, sharp results...missed focus, too slow shutter speeds, and narrow dof haunt me with this combo. Again, I think it is something that technique can improve, but I'm not there yet (at least not 100% of the time.)

Here are some recent examples:










I also did part of the test you mentioned. Its not 100% scientific, but you get the idea. (I don't work for and am not plugging Aluma trailers...it was just a convenient target.)

DA*300


DA*300 + 1.4x TC


DA*300 (100% crop)


DA*300 + 1.4x TC (100% crop)




I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

I am actually surprised with your results vs. what I am getting with this combo with the K5 and K3 .... I do not have a K3II but I would assume that the results should be similar to those with the same combo and a K3.
Mine are always "soft" (a bit, I might say) and certainly not as sharp as with the DA*300/4 on its own.
Great pics you have here !

[UserAccessDenied]

I have the trio of which you speak.

Let me first say that I'm new-ish to both the DA*300 and the 1.4x TC, so it's likely that my technique is not the best for obtaining consistent, pristine results. That said, I've found the combination both satisfying and frustrating. When there is adequate light (and I can get the shutter speed high enough) I find the resulting images to be quite sharp. There is no degradation in AF speed or accuracy with the TC vs the DA*300 alone. The bokeh of the combo seems consistent with that of the DA*300 also. Most of my frustrations lie in obtaining consistent, sharp results...missed focus, too slow shutter speeds, and narrow dof haunt me with this combo. Again, I think it is something that technique can improve, but I'm not there yet (at least not 100% of the time.)

Here are some recent examples:










I also did part of the test you mentioned. Its not 100% scientific, but you get the idea. (I don't work for and am not plugging Aluma trailers...it was just a convenient target.)

DA*300


DA*300 + 1.4x TC


DA*300 (100% crop)


DA*300 + 1.4x TC (100% crop)




I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks so much for putting that together!
It looks great. Still not convinced it's worth $450 to me, perhaps it will be in the future. But for now that extra bit of crop will just have to make do.

Thanks again. Your pics look great!
Looks like you have a perfect copy of both the DA*300 and the TC!

[zapp]

Tried the TC on DA* 300 and was not happy with speed, performance, ... the whole combo. The Pentax TC performs better than the old Tamron version with SDM support, butz still I returned the TC. TC is not full frame compatible and thus not a long term investment. With pixel density of K3, a TC is on the extreme side. Pentax could use more lenses instead of TCs especially lenses that can be used with a TC.

[zzeitg]

TC is not full frame compatible and thus not a long term investment.

Can't agree with this statement. As K-1 offers less MPx in crop mode compared to K-3, it won't be the first choice for serious wildlife photographers who need the reach.

[normhead]

I generally keep my 1.4x more or less permanently mounted on my FA* 300mm f/4.5. I use that in combination with my DA* 60-250mm. Makes for a decent "long" setup and not "terribly" heavy (at least compared to anything that CaNikon offers). In my case, both also use the same 67mm filters also reducing weight and size while traveling.

Michael

My 1.4 is almost always on the 60-250. I need 250-350 way more than I need 60-90.

We use the TC for more magnification on the 70 and 90 macros, and on the 60-250. But, a this point I would be happy to save weight by selling the Sigma 70 macro, buying a 50 macro and using it with the TC to get to 70. With the TC every lens over 50mm becomes two lenses.

[nomadkng]

. TC is not full frame compatible and thus not a long term investment.

where has this been stated definitively?

I have seen a whole bunch of conjecture and arguments for both sides.

the silliest argument I've seen yet is someone stuck a DA12-24 on a TC and claimed the vingetting proved it wasn't ff compatible. Yet the original DA12-24 image on ff looked like a fisheye lens. the TC actually made it MORE ff compatible than it originally was.

if you definitive proof, please cite examples, because this would be a MAJOR concern for all current TC owners. if you are just regurgitating a rumor, please don't state that as fact

[Kath]

@UserAccessDenied - I often use the 1.4 TC on the F*300 for birding, though it's not the best for birds in flight. Here's one with that combo:





But the best thing about the TC is its versatility. I carry it with me everywhere and use it with most tele lenses. With the K3, cropping gets you closer, but I've found the TC sometimes offers a lens quality not found in cropped images. When you can find the funds, it's a great tool to have in your bag.

[audiobomber]

I have a K-3 and DA*300mm. I would not be without the HD TC. The IQ difference vs. crop is not worth worrying about, but the difference in retained pixels means you can crop harder or print larger, which is worthwhile to me. There is a compromise in AF-C tracking, but I don't hesitate to use the TC if I need the extra length. In dim conditions, I use the bare lens.
Bare lens, 100% crop, f5.6


DA*300 with HD TC, 100% crop, f8 (to maintain same DOF as above)


I have a Kenko SHQ Teleplus PZ 1.4X which is very nearly as good as the Pentax TC on my Tamron 70-200mm, but the Kenko TC has horrible auto-focus on an SDM or DC lens, and of course no WR or correction factor for IBIS.