Tamron 1.4 TC

Toshi · 01-21-2009, 05:38 PM

My recent habit of photographing birds had me wanting a little extra reach so I decided to pick up a TC. After researching (mainly reading this thread), I decided to try to find a Tamron 1.4 TC. Obviously they're discontinued and at one point, it seemed like prices were reaching into the $200+ range. I didn't want to pay that much but I decided to try my luck on eBay and found one that was still at a low bidding price and eventually won a brand new one for $59. I just got it today and wanted to try it out on my DA*300 but unfortunately it's raining a bit here. The DA* may be weathersealed, but my DS isn't

I did try a few test shots in my backyard under cover and I'm extremely pleased with the IQ. AF speed was the same as well. I'm eager to try it some more when the weather clears up.

I also ordered the DA* 50-135 yesterday so that should pair up nicely with the TC as well. Hopefully these two new acquisitions will satisfy my lens and gear buying for a while ...

Vylen · 01-21-2009, 06:03 PM

Cool, im very interested in getting my hands on this particular TC... but they don't seem to be discontinued here down under?... well, at least to the point where ive found one good place here that sells them, heh

Ole · 01-21-2009, 06:15 PM

Good find! I'm curious as to your results with the DA* 300mm. According to Tamron's specifications it is designed to be optimal for the 50 to 135mm focal length. Which, of course, would fit your DA* 50-135 like hand in glove!

Toshi · 01-21-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally posted by Vylen

Cool, im very interested in getting my hands on this particular TC... but they don't seem to be discontinued here down under?... well, at least to the point where ive found one good place here that sells them, heh

AFAIK, I don't think Tamron is producing them anymore. But, some places may still carry old stock of it.

Originally posted by Ole

Good find! I'm curious as to your results with the DA* 300mm. According to Tamron's specifications it is designed to be optimal for the 50 to 135mm focal length. Which, of course, would fit your DA* 50-135 like hand in glove!

I'll be sure to post up some sample photos with the DA*300 + 1.4TC combo when I get a chance. I have four days off work next week so I'll be putting that and the 50-135 to work

Grimlock · 01-21-2009, 08:03 PM

I discovered earlier this week that my copy of the Tammy 1.4 pairs nicely with my Siggy 70-200mm f2.8. Much better than when I use the Sigma 2X APO TC instead. I didn't note any real degradation in focusing or sharpness, either.

Might help if I include an example, wouldn't it? Shot wide-open at 280mm. Full-size crop, straight RAW to jpeg conversion. No PP except for a bit of Clarity at 25 in ACR (it's my default for all my images).

john_ven24 · 01-22-2009, 07:21 AM

Doesn't the tamron TC have the contacts for the "power zoom" feature of some FA* zoom lenses? I am wondering if the SDM would still work when using a DA* lens in combination with the TC. But seeing that you have a *ist DS, the SDM probably doesn't work, right.

Toshi · 01-22-2009, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by john_ven24

Doesn't the tamron TC have the contacts for the "power zoom" feature of some FA* zoom lenses? I am wondering if the SDM would still work when using a DA* lens in combination with the TC. But seeing that you have a *ist DS, the SDM probably doesn't work, right.

I'm not sure about the power zoom feature on the FA* lenses, but if you check the thread that I linked to in the first post, they have a long discussion on the Tamron TC working with SDM. It seems like you need to get the one that's MC4 and it'll work. And yeah, SDM doesn't work with my DS.

jgredline · 01-22-2009, 03:31 PM

Yes, the MC-4 is fully sdm/hsm compatible.

**dadipentak** · 01-22-2009, 05:09 PM

Yep I have it and it works fine with the Sigma 70-200 and the DA*300.

The only problem I've encountered is that I lent it (and the 300mm) to my son before the holidays and still haven't gotten either back

01-21-2009, 05:38 PM	#1
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431	Tamron 1.4 TC My recent habit of photographing birds had me wanting a little extra reach so I decided to pick up a TC. After researching (mainly reading this thread), I decided to try to find a Tamron 1.4 TC. Obviously they're discontinued and at one point, it seemed like prices were reaching into the $200+ range. I didn't want to pay that much but I decided to try my luck on eBay and found one that was still at a low bidding price and eventually won a brand new one for $59. I just got it today and wanted to try it out on my DA300 but unfortunately it's raining a bit here. The DA may be weathersealed, but my DS isn't I did try a few test shots in my backyard under cover and I'm extremely pleased with the IQ. AF speed was the same as well. I'm eager to try it some more when the weather clears up. I also ordered the DA* 50-135 yesterday so that should pair up nicely with the TC as well. Hopefully these two new acquisitions will satisfy my lens and gear buying for a while ...

01-21-2009, 08:03 PM	#5
Grimlock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 115	I discovered earlier this week that my copy of the Tammy 1.4 pairs nicely with my Siggy 70-200mm f2.8. Much better than when I use the Sigma 2X APO TC instead. I didn't note any real degradation in focusing or sharpness, either. Might help if I include an example, wouldn't it? Shot wide-open at 280mm. Full-size crop, straight RAW to jpeg conversion. No PP except for a bit of Clarity at 25 in ACR (it's my default for all my images). Last edited by Grimlock; 01-21-2009 at 08:36 PM.

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01-21-2009, 06:03 PM	#2
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	Cool, im very interested in getting my hands on this particular TC... but they don't seem to be discontinued here down under?... well, at least to the point where ive found one good place here that sells them, heh

01-21-2009, 06:15 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Good find! I'm curious as to your results with the DA* 300mm. According to Tamron's specifications it is designed to be optimal for the 50 to 135mm focal length. Which, of course, would fit your DA* 50-135 like hand in glove!

01-21-2009, 07:02 PM	#4
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431 Original Poster	Originally posted by Vylen Cool, im very interested in getting my hands on this particular TC... but they don't seem to be discontinued here down under?... well, at least to the point where ive found one good place here that sells them, heh AFAIK, I don't think Tamron is producing them anymore. But, some places may still carry old stock of it. Originally posted by Ole Good find! I'm curious as to your results with the DA* 300mm. According to Tamron's specifications it is designed to be optimal for the 50 to 135mm focal length. Which, of course, would fit your DA* 50-135 like hand in glove! I'll be sure to post up some sample photos with the DA*300 + 1.4TC combo when I get a chance. I have four days off work next week so I'll be putting that and the 50-135 to work

01-22-2009, 07:21 AM	#6
john_ven24 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Posts: 43	Doesn't the tamron TC have the contacts for the "power zoom" feature of some FA* zoom lenses? I am wondering if the SDM would still work when using a DA* lens in combination with the TC. But seeing that you have a *ist DS, the SDM probably doesn't work, right.

01-22-2009, 03:29 PM	#7
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431 Original Poster	Originally posted by john_ven24 Doesn't the tamron TC have the contacts for the "power zoom" feature of some FA* zoom lenses? I am wondering if the SDM would still work when using a DA* lens in combination with the TC. But seeing that you have a ist DS, the SDM probably doesn't work, right. I'm not sure about the power zoom feature on the FA lenses, but if you check the thread that I linked to in the first post, they have a long discussion on the Tamron TC working with SDM. It seems like you need to get the one that's MC4 and it'll work. And yeah, SDM doesn't work with my DS.

01-22-2009, 03:31 PM	#8
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Yes, the MC-4 is fully sdm/hsm compatible.

01-22-2009, 05:09 PM	#9
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Yep I have it and it works fine with the Sigma 70-200 and the DA*300. The only problem I've encountered is that I lent it (and the 300mm) to my son before the holidays and still haven't gotten either back