[heatherslightbox]

Here are a couple of samples that I got yesterday. The first shot for each scene is shot with the TC, the second with the 55-300 alone and cropped to the approximate view of the shot taken with the TC.










Overall, I'm very pleased with the performance of the 55-300 + TC. That TC was definitely a smart purchase.

Heather

PS: please excuse the hairy UFOs in the pics. Cats and lenses don't mix. Next time I'll make sure to take the blower and blow out both body and lens before shooting.

[hinman]

The promaster 1.7 TC seems to work well for you with the DA 55-300. I wish somebody who has SDM lens can confirm if it works or not with AF in SDM lens. Javier and others noted that the AF don't work with SDM lens even though the TC has the 2 SDM contacts. I am glad you like the TC for the occasional use with long tele shots. I find it quite dependable.

And I tried the Tamron 1.4x TC on FA 50 f/1.4 as a 70mm f/2.0 with AF, results are reasonable but not spectacular. And I have tried the Promaster 1.7x on the FA 50 f/1.4 for a 85mm f/2.8 setup but I have not had a lot of test pictures to show the performance. AF works well in all lens that I have tried.

Thanks,
Hin

[k100d]

thanks for the test heather. the TC tests look pretty decent to me
doesn't the viewfinder get awfully dark at 300mm x 1.7 @ f5.8 x 1.7?

[nulla]

Heather

what is the darker crooked grey line appearing in the first 2 shots?

Neil

[JJJPhoto]

Heather

what is the darker crooked grey line appearing in the first 2 shots?

Neil

It appears to be a hair on the image sensor ... similar to what happens with dust spots, only this time it's a hair.

[audiobomber]

Looks like a draw, pretty much. The cropped 55-300mm may be a little more contrasty? Not much pf, which is nice to see. How did the AF behave?

[hinman]

Looks like a draw, pretty much. The cropped 55-300mm may be a little more contrasty? Not much pf, which is nice to see. How did the AF behave?

I don't see a reply from Heather and I will jump in with my experience. AF works quite well with the Promaster 1.7x TC, perhaps a bit slower than that in the Tamron 1.4x TC. And I find AF working with pleasing performance with Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro, FA 50 f/1.4 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

One question that I have on the promaster TC is whether the SDM contacts actually work with SDM lens. Someone noted that it doesn't work for the SDM lens and I like to confirm with others who have tried SDM lens with the promaster TC.

Two golden SDM contacts inside



Promaster 1.7x AF TC

Thanks,
Hin

[audiobomber]

I don't see a reply from Heather and I will jump in with my experience. AF works quite well with the Promaster 1.7x TC, perhaps a bit slower than that in the Tamron 1.4x TC. And I find AF working with pleasing performance with Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro, FA 50 f/1.4 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

Thanks Hin. What about Shake Reduction? Does the camera know that the focal length has changed with the Promaster mounted?

[hinman]

Thanks Hin. What about Shake Reduction? Does the camera know that the focal length has changed with the Promaster mounted?

Very good question as I tend to forget mentioning to others: the SR is registered for the lens without addition for the extra length added by TC. Both the Tamron 1.4x and Promaster 1.7x TC have the problems with inaccurate SR. And you will see the exif in shooting 300mm with the TC stays at 300mm instead of 510mm.

That sucks a bit but I find normal use within close range not noticeable for the lack of accurate SR. But I do notice difference when I use the TC on 300mm and shoot far away objects like over 100 feet. On a 300mm lens, I find close range like within 30 feet pretty acceptable for hand holding. For far distance objects with a TC, I will go for the tripod and have the SR off.

• Promaster 1.7x TC test photos: http://flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157606438119604/
  
• Tamron 1.4x TC test photos: http://flickr.com/photos/hin_man/sets/72157606332306216/

[heatherslightbox]

In my experiences with the TC, I didn't find SR to be a problem. The samples I posted that were taken with the TC were at 300 (510)mm. The pics turned out ok, but next time, I'll be sure to take my monopod with me, as it would help with balancing it all--I had meant to bring it the day I shot those pics, but I forgot to put it in the car before I left home.

As for the AF, it worked OK with only a little hunting, but then I've noticed the same thing with the 55-300 without the TC attached.

Heather

[jamesm007]

Now your going to cost me some money , maybe . IMO there is a tad more detail with the 1.7TC versus the cropped pic. So why the maybe? What are the cons, does it produce more PF, can you focus as quickly, how is it in the field; I meen when you see something do you fight to get a focus or is it straight away. If you can get a focus lock fairly quick and it does not introduce much more PF, I may get it if it soon. If you can post a follow up after you have spent some time with it, especially on a tripod. A tripod is where I am thinking it would be great because then I dont really care about speed as long as my subject is not moving. Thanks for the post and taking the time to show us, most important you like it have fun .

[heatherslightbox]

I finished PPing the pics from Monday's outing and here is another pic with the 55-300+TC:



My next round of TC experimenting will be with the Tamron 28-75 and I'll post pics once I have time to get some decent ones. Depending on what I can find to shoot with it, I'll try to remember to use the tripod.

For those of you who are on the fence about whether or not to buy the TC, I say take the plunge. It's such an inexpensive buy and if you decide you don't like it with the lenses you use, then I don't think you'll have a problem selling it.

Later on down the road, I may sell my A100 macro and get a Sigma 105 macro, so I can have a longer 1:1 macro and the extra stop that will make it easier for me to use the TC with it in lower light levels.

Heather

[jgredline]

I don't see a reply from Heather and I will jump in with my experience. AF works quite well with the Promaster 1.7x TC, perhaps a bit slower than that in the Tamron 1.4x TC. And I find AF working with pleasing performance with Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro, FA 50 f/1.4 and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8

One question that I have on the promaster TC is whether the SDM contacts actually work with SDM lens. Someone noted that it doesn't work for the SDM lens and I like to confirm with others who have tried SDM lens with the promaster TC.

Two golden SDM contacts inside



Promaster 1.7x AF TC

Thanks,
Hin

Hin, I have 4 sdm lenses and the pro master TC does not work with them. The things just hunt.
All 4 of my sdm lenses work great with the Tamrom MC-4TC

That pro master 1.7 tc is quite good though. I am happy with mine. I find it great with my Sigma 70-300APO lens.

Heather,
Can you post a pic of that 55-300 lens with hood fully extended? I am curious to see how long it is. How does length compare to say a 70-300 Tamron or sigma lens.
Thanks a bunch sister.

[heatherslightbox]

...coming right up.

Measurements, fully extended with hood attached:
Including the mount: 9 3/4 in. long
As mounted on the camera: 9 1/4 in. long

I don't know how it compares to the Sigma or Tamron 70-300s, though.

HTH,
Heather

[jgredline]

Thanks Helen,
I was hoping it would not be so long. That would have been my only attraction to it.
Thanks again