Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF vs Pentax 1.4x TC

**csa** · 06-01-2022, 03:50 PM

I just ordered the new 55-300 PLM. Wondering if I would see much (any) difference in photos, using my current Tamron, vs the Pentax? The Pentax is fairly expensive, so want to know if it would be worth it.

kypfer · 06-01-2022, 03:59 PM

The Pentax unit will report the adapted focal length to the camera, so the Shake Reduction (and potentially Astrotracer function) can work optimally.
The Tamron unit, as far as I am aware, is rather older technology, so the camera doesn't know of it's existence and won't adjust accordingly.

**csa** · 06-01-2022, 04:11 PM

Thanks!

**clackers** · 06-01-2022, 04:37 PM - **2 Likes**

I have both the Pentax and the Tamron (in its original Kenko form).

Not even close. The Pentax is sharper, WR, better coatings, etc.

Rather than get the Tamron you're almost better off simply cropping your pictures.

**csa** · 06-01-2022, 05:43 PM

Excellent information. I've had the Tamron for a couple of years now. But with the PLM coming in, I wondered if there would be enough difference to warrant the cost of the Pentax.

You just answered my question!

vonBaloney · 06-01-2022, 06:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

I have both the Pentax and the Tamron (in its original Kenko form).

Not even close. The Pentax is sharper, WR, better coatings, etc.

Rather than get the Tamron you're almost better off simply cropping your pictures.

Eh...the Tamron is pretty good optically unless you've got a messed up copy -- they are not far apart there. (There are different coatings from different generations or maybe Tamron vs Kenko though.) The Pentax has the big advantage of communicating the proper aperture adjusted focal length. The Tamron is also full frame and the Pentax is not.

**clackers** · 06-01-2022, 06:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Eh...the Tamron is pretty good optically unless you've got a messed up copy

It's not, it's just average, I agree with the owner reviews: Tamron AF 1.4x Teleconverter 35mm Converters user reviews : 3.3 out of 5 - 7 reviews - photographyreview.com

The Pentax is actually good, that's been documented here many times.

The DA does vignette on FF, but in birding we crop all the time anyway, it's not an issue like it would be in landscape photography, IMHO.

**UncleVanya** · 06-01-2022, 07:45 PM

I own both but I don't have time for a quick validation of the image quality. I have a mint - pristine - copy of the Tamron and I have never used it. The HD DA 1.4x Pentax is very good. I bought it to use on a full frame Sony but the Monster doesn't work with it. I had hoped that it would work transparently but I can't get it to mount - the shield is too large. I haven't resorted to modifying this pristine copy yet...

**AstroDave** · 06-01-2022, 07:53 PM

The Pentax 1.4x is currently on sale, too (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029081-REG/ricoh_37962_1_4x_hd_da_af...981&). I am about to pull the trigger.

If you go at B&H, sign up for the their "payboo" card - pays for/covers your local sales tax. I did this for my K-3 III -- saved almost $100.

I have no relation to B&H, but these seem like pretty good deals.

**UncleVanya** · 06-01-2022, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by AstroDave

The Pentax 1.4x is currently on sale, too (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029081-REG/ricoh_37962_1_4x_hd_da_af...981&). I am about to pull the trigger.

If you go at B&H, sign up for the their "payboo" card - pays for/covers your local sales tax. I did this for my K-3 III -- saved almost $100.

I have no relation to B&H, but these seem like pretty good deals.

The sale price is superb. I paid nearly that or more used a long long time ago.

**wadge22** · 06-01-2022, 08:08 PM

Just for some more links, there may or may not be two different versions of the Tamron, at least if it's true that the Kenko is the same as (some of) the Tamron(s). The review database (here at Pentax Forums) has an entry for Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF TC (which gets an 8.85), as well as an entry for Kenko 1.4/1.5x TC (which gets an 8.31). And of course, the Pentax DA WR converter (with a 9.19).

This thread here has additional very useful info on some of these 1.4x converters. Sadly, not much on the Pentax.

**csa** · 06-01-2022, 08:12 PM

pays for/covers your local sales tax.

Not a concern; my State has no sales tax.

**wadge22** · 06-01-2022, 08:19 PM

And as far as pricing goes, it's always good to at least check the Deal Finder thingy here, which would steer you to Amazon right now (~$340).

mikesbike · 06-01-2022, 08:44 PM

Since Pentax has had the K-1 out for quite a while, it would be nice to have a FF HD WR 1.4x TC to go with it. I've had that top level Tamron for many years, bought new for film use. I've mainly used it with my FA* 300mm f/4.5 but I do wonder if since it was designed in the days of screw-driven AF only, would it AF with my DA* 200mm f/2.8 SDM? I have yet to try that out.

**csa** · 06-01-2022, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by wadge22

And as far as pricing goes, it's always good to at least check the Deal Finder thingy here, which would steer you to Amazon right now (~$340).

Great price! I'm wondering about the description in Spanish, and delivery much longer than usual for Amazon. Anything to be concerned about?

06-01-2022, 03:50 PM	#1
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,096	Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF vs Pentax 1.4x TC I just ordered the new 55-300 PLM. Wondering if I would see much (any) difference in photos, using my current Tamron, vs the Pentax? The Pentax is fairly expensive, so want to know if it would be worth it.

06-01-2022, 08:08 PM	#11
wadge22 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	Just for some more links, there may or may not be two different versions of the Tamron, at least if it's true that the Kenko is the same as (some of) the Tamron(s). The review database (here at Pentax Forums) has an entry for Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF TC (which gets an 8.85), as well as an entry for Kenko 1.4/1.5x TC (which gets an 8.31). And of course, the Pentax DA WR converter (with a 9.19). This thread here has additional very useful info on some of these 1.4x converters. Sadly, not much on the Pentax. Last edited by wadge22; 06-01-2022 at 08:14 PM.

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06-01-2022, 03:59 PM	#2
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 2,552	The Pentax unit will report the adapted focal length to the camera, so the Shake Reduction (and potentially Astrotracer function) can work optimally. The Tamron unit, as far as I am aware, is rather older technology, so the camera doesn't know of it's existence and won't adjust accordingly.

06-01-2022, 04:11 PM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,096 Original Poster	Thanks!

06-01-2022, 04:37 PM - 2 Likes	#4
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 15,995	I have both the Pentax and the Tamron (in its original Kenko form). Not even close. The Pentax is sharper, WR, better coatings, etc. Rather than get the Tamron you're almost better off simply cropping your pictures.

06-01-2022, 05:43 PM	#5
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,096 Original Poster	Excellent information. I've had the Tamron for a couple of years now. But with the PLM coming in, I wondered if there would be enough difference to warrant the cost of the Pentax. You just answered my question!

06-01-2022, 06:22 PM - 1 Like	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 5,986	Originally posted by clackers I have both the Pentax and the Tamron (in its original Kenko form). Not even close. The Pentax is sharper, WR, better coatings, etc. Rather than get the Tamron you're almost better off simply cropping your pictures. Eh...the Tamron is pretty good optically unless you've got a messed up copy -- they are not far apart there. (There are different coatings from different generations or maybe Tamron vs Kenko though.) The Pentax has the big advantage of communicating the proper aperture adjusted focal length. The Tamron is also full frame and the Pentax is not.

06-01-2022, 06:56 PM - 1 Like	#7
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 15,995	Originally posted by vonBaloney Eh...the Tamron is pretty good optically unless you've got a messed up copy It's not, it's just average, I agree with the owner reviews: Tamron AF 1.4x Teleconverter 35mm Converters user reviews : 3.3 out of 5 - 7 reviews - photographyreview.com The Pentax is actually good, that's been documented here many times. The DA does vignette on FF, but in birding we crop all the time anyway, it's not an issue like it would be in landscape photography, IMHO.

06-01-2022, 07:45 PM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,478	I own both but I don't have time for a quick validation of the image quality. I have a mint - pristine - copy of the Tamron and I have never used it. The HD DA 1.4x Pentax is very good. I bought it to use on a full frame Sony but the Monster doesn't work with it. I had hoped that it would work transparently but I can't get it to mount - the shield is too large. I haven't resorted to modifying this pristine copy yet...

06-01-2022, 07:53 PM	#9
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,371	The Pentax 1.4x is currently on sale, too (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029081-REG/ricoh_37962_1_4x_hd_da_af...981&). I am about to pull the trigger. If you go at B&H, sign up for the their "payboo" card - pays for/covers your local sales tax. I did this for my K-3 III -- saved almost $100. I have no relation to B&H, but these seem like pretty good deals.

06-01-2022, 07:54 PM	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,478	Originally posted by AstroDave The Pentax 1.4x is currently on sale, too (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029081-REG/ricoh_37962_1_4x_hd_da_af...981&). I am about to pull the trigger. If you go at B&H, sign up for the their "payboo" card - pays for/covers your local sales tax. I did this for my K-3 III -- saved almost $100. I have no relation to B&H, but these seem like pretty good deals. The sale price is superb. I paid nearly that or more used a long long time ago.

06-01-2022, 08:12 PM	#12
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,096 Original Poster	pays for/covers your local sales tax. Not a concern; my State has no sales tax.

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06-01-2022, 08:19 PM	#13
wadge22 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	And as far as pricing goes, it's always good to at least check the Deal Finder thingy here, which would steer you to Amazon right now (~$340).

06-01-2022, 08:44 PM	#14
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,199	Since Pentax has had the K-1 out for quite a while, it would be nice to have a FF HD WR 1.4x TC to go with it. I've had that top level Tamron for many years, bought new for film use. I've mainly used it with my FA* 300mm f/4.5 but I do wonder if since it was designed in the days of screw-driven AF only, would it AF with my DA* 200mm f/2.8 SDM? I have yet to try that out.

06-01-2022, 10:01 PM	#15
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,096 Original Poster	Originally posted by wadge22 And as far as pricing goes, it's always good to at least check the Deal Finder thingy here, which would steer you to Amazon right now (~$340). Great price! I'm wondering about the description in Spanish, and delivery much longer than usual for Amazon. Anything to be concerned about?