[ivoire]

I sold all my mirror lenses and found i missed the 500-600mm reach. So, I went to Wolfs camera and dropped $100 for the Promaster 1.7 auto TC. The images using this TC with my f*300mm are a bit better than the mirror lenses in sharpmess and much nicer color rendition. It still autofocuses, a bit slowly, but is very acceptable. I' would most likely still own the 500mm Tokina mirror lens if i didn't already have the f*300mm as it is a inexpensive performer. Heres a pic shot handheld with the f*300mm and 1.7tc

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Last edited by ivoire; 10-04-2010 at 03:58 PM.

[David Whiteley]

I have the same TC. It definitely makes the purple fringing on my Tokina 80-200 worse, but combining it with my newly-acquired DA*50-135 and I was shocked at how good the results are.

I guess it's true that good glass can stand up to be paired with a TC. Wish I had a better brand name on mine though (although it looks JUST LIKE the Tamron--hmmm!)

[palmor]

I sold all my mirror lenses and found i missed the 500-600mm reach. So, I went to Wolfs camera and dropped $100 for the Promaster 1.7 auto TC. The images using this TC with my f*300mm are a bit better than the mirror lenses in sharpmess and much nicer color rendition. It still autofocuses, a bit slowly, but is very acceptable. I' would most likely still own the 500mm Tokina mirror lens if i didn't already have the f*300mm as it is a inexpensive performer. Heres a pic shot handheld with the f*300mm and 1.7tc

Very interesting. I wonder if it will AF with the DA*300...

[Buddha Jones]

I doubt you will get HSM, but you never know.... but if you are looking for a HSM TC, let me know, I have just the thing.

[ivoire]

I have the same TC. It definitely makes the purple fringing on my Tokina 80-200 worse, but combining it with my newly-acquired DA*50-135 and I was shocked at how good the results are.

I guess it's true that good glass can stand up to be paired with a TC. Wish I had a better brand name on mine though (although it looks JUST LIKE the Tamron--hmmm!)

hhhhhmmmm... i will have to try it with the tamron 70-200 f2.8 and see if PF is a problem. I was surprised at the result with the f*300/tc combo also.

[Jewelltrail]

ivoire: Thanks for the shot--very nice. I think if I were shooting that guy I'd opt for a 3x converter and skip the emphasis on IQ.

I have also heard what David says about good glass pairing well with TCs.

[John Kovarik]

The Promaster 1.7 will engage the SDM on the Da*s but will not complete the focus. At least that has been my experience on my K20. !t works fine on non-SDM AF and IQ is excellent.

[palmor]

I doubt you will get HSM, but you never know.... but if you are looking for a HSM TC, let me know, I have just the thing.

Thanks, I have a 1.5x TC that works just fine )


John

[David Whiteley]

I doubt you will get HSM, but you never know.... but if you are looking for a HSM TC, let me know, I have just the thing.

The Promaster 1.7 will engage the SDM on the Da*s but will not complete the focus. At least that has been my experience on my K20. !t works fine on non-SDM AF and IQ is excellent.

I get SDM too--it has the Powerzoom contacts (I think, like Tamnron cousin, it's labelling includes "Pz" designation--but that's from memory). In poorly lit rooms last night it was hunting like crazy but would sometimes get focus confirm. Sometimes it would get there with some quickshift help (either mostly there & I finished, or I helped it get close and SDM AF finished). I think that was a low light issue but don't have it at hand to test now that there's light.

I did find that the contacts were a bit fussy. Sometimes the F-setting communication would drop out and my display would read "F--" rather than the f-stop (F-- is right!). But other times it remained coupled just fine. May be a wee bit of give to the mount, or maybe my contacts need cleaning.

But I'm shocked that DA*50-135 + this TC is a viable combination. I'm still posting a WTB for a 200 (here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/wanted-items/50701-alternative-new-da-200...tml#post485133) but it's nice to know that I can pack light and still get results I'll be happy with out to 230mm.

[ivoire]

Since i had them out, i thought i'd try stacking the kenko1.5tc and promaster 1.7tc on my f*300mm. results are not award winning, but may be useful in some situations:

[ivoire]

The promaster does seem to add a bit of CA in high contrast situations. found this while shooting buzzards in flight with the tamron 70-200mm f2.8. Its not bad though (shows up on the wingtips.