Tamron Teleconverter for K10D

switch79 · 07-18-2007, 06:25 PM

Hi all,

Well I've pretty much decided to go with the Tamron 18-250mm as my general lens. For the price, what it does, image quality and the reviews from fellow Pentaxians such as yourselves it looks like the goods.

I'll be travelling at years end to Japan, Europe and Africa backpacking so I really need to limit my space and also changing lens, especially in dusty conditions in Africa. I'll be taking my Sigma 10-20mm, 50mm 1.7, the 18-250 and the mighty K10D. My main concern is the tele end. I considered purchasing a larger lens, ideally the 50-500 but obviously i'm on a budget and have to consider space. I really want to able to have the ability to capture tele shots.

I got thinking. Does anyone have any experience using Tamron teleconverters, if so what would be the best one to use on a K10D and the 18-250. Whether it be a 1.4, 1.7 or even 2x. If it gets me over the 300mm i'd be happy to consider them.

Your feedback and experiences are much appreciated.

switch79

daacon · 07-18-2007, 06:50 PM

Do not have any advice to offer - however I am taking a couple of trips soon (Vegas and Mexico) and have the same questions. I am pretty sure I am going to get the Tamron 18-250 replacing two of my sigmas and anxioulsy await the experts advice on teleconvertors

and · 07-18-2007, 07:08 PM

Deffinetley not a 2x of any kind, you loose 2 stops and get a bit degraded image quality.

IMO with tc's its better the faster and better your lens is, typically a long f2.8 prime can have a 1.4, 1.5 or 1.7x tc added and still be good.

But adding a tc to extend the slow long end of a consumer grade superzoom lens, I dont think its going to be great.

I believe the best bet is the tamron 1.4x. The pentax 1.7 is great but its discontinued and you have to be prepared to shell out to get one, I think its cheaper to get a new 70-300 tamron than to get a used 1.7x tc. so that leaves you with the tamron.

You want to get over 300mm? crop your 250mm....

Your tc'ed lens will be very slow and very long, meaning you better have a tripod for it. And how often do you need more than 250, imo thats pretty long already. Unless of course in afrika if you are going for a safari then the longer the better.

But remember it will be hard to hand hold it.

If you should decide to get a tc then I belive the tamron 1.4x should be your best bet.

Confused · 07-18-2007, 07:33 PM

Hi switch79

I'm afraid I can't help you out as far as advice on teleconverters is concerned, but only just yesterday I purchased a brand new outfit comprising K10D (body only), D BG-2 battery grip and Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DiII LD lens. I can assure you that the 18-250 is a truly 'sweet' optic and IMHO this combination is a way more preferable alternative to carting around one of those all-in-one consumer superzoom cameras with their crappy miniscule sensors e.g. Fuji S9600/Panasonic FZ-50 types etc. So I say simply go for it, sunshine.........I've no regrets so far, but just bear in mind that a superzoom will always be some kind of a 'compromise' when compared to 'prime' fixed focal-length lenses. After may years of lugging both 35mm film SLR's and medium format outfits around, I personally decided to ditch the 'weight of it all' along the same lines you are contemplating. Just imagine for a second those wonderful photos you are going to be capturing, whilst all the camera-buffs in the surrounding vicinity will be constantly fiddling around changing their expensive 'prime' lenses and missing unrepeatable shots in the process !! And here's another tip......I don't how much spare cash you have, but don't try putting one of those Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC zooms on your K10D, because you seriously ain't gonna want to take it off again.....don't say you haven't been warned o.k. It's truly an astonishing landscape/architecture lens and appears to be 99.9% devoid of barrel distortion.....unfriggin believable !!!!

Last edited by Confused; 07-18-2007 at 07:41 PM.

SupremeMoFo · 07-18-2007, 08:18 PM

A 2x teleconverter will give you a 36-500mm f7-12.6 lens, which is a shocking aperture range to be working with at the long end especially. I'd leave it at a 1.4x.

switch79 · 07-18-2007, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by Confused

Hi switch79

I'm afraid I can't help you out as far as advice on teleconverters is concerned, but only just yesterday I purchased a brand new outfit comprising K10D (body only), D BG-2 battery grip and Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DiII LD lens. I can assure you that the 18-250 is a truly 'sweet' optic and IMHO this combination is a way more preferable alternative to carting around one of those all-in-one consumer superzoom cameras with their crappy miniscule sensors e.g. Fuji S9600/Panasonic FZ-50 types etc. So I say simply go for it, sunshine.........I've no regrets so far, but just bear in mind that a superzoom will always be some kind of a 'compromise' when compared to 'prime' fixed focal-length lenses. After may years of lugging both 35mm film SLR's and medium format outfits around, I personally decided to ditch the 'weight of it all' along the same lines you are contemplating. Just imagine for a second those wonderful photos you are going to be capturing, whilst all the camera-buffs in the surrounding vicinity will be constantly fiddling around changing their expensive 'prime' lenses and missing unrepeatable shots in the process !! And here's another tip......I don't how much spare cash you have, but don't try putting one of those Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC zooms on your K10D, because you seriously ain't gonna want to take it off again.....don't say you haven't been warned o.k. It's truly an astonishing landscape/architecture lens and appears to be 99.9% devoid of barrel distortion.....unfriggin believable !!!!

Yeah I've got the 10-20, unreal lens, use it for some architecture work and weddings.
Give it 20 min and the 18-250 will be being prepared to ship. Whoo hoo.

Peter Zack · 07-18-2007, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by and

Deffinetley not a 2x of any kind, you loose 2 stops and get a bit degraded image quality.
You want to get over 300mm? crop your 250mm....

If you should decide to get a tc then I belive the tamron 1.4x should be your best bet.

Originally posted by SupremeMoFo

A 2x teleconverter will give you a 36-500mm f7-12.6 lens, which is a shocking aperture range to be working with at the long end especially. I'd leave it at a 1.4x.

I'd agree with both. Get the 1.4x You don't loose too much speed (about one stop) which can be compensated with a boost in ISO and that will give you about 350mm at the long end. The other option is to take the shots as sharp and steady as possible with the thought of cropping the picture later to magnify to your desired result. The combination of lenses you suggest is great for almost any situation.

If I may suggest (and you may have already considered this), you should take as many good SD cards or a memory storage device so you can shoot as much as possible in RAW (PEF to get the most out of the cards). It will give you more to work with when you are cropping and PP'ing a shot. Maybe a card reader would be a good idea since you could email yourself from an internet cafe, the files to a Gmail account which has almost unlimited storage. Also consider a decent, lightweight monopod and/or one of those small fold up mini tripods. The Mini tripod will allow you to set the camera up on any surface, a rock, table, fence post etc. and could make a huge difference in a good shot or a great shot. It could really help with those longer shots.
Sounds like a fantastic trip and we'll all be waiting to see the results.

EDIT: As RussellW says below the Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 EX is a great lens. I also have one and it will fit in my backpack bag without issue. It is 1.8Kg x 95mm Dia x 218mm L so not too big for a decent bag. Long and sharp and easy enough to hand hold. If you can find one before your trip it would be the best solution. Only issue is they run around $1000 USD used and about $12-1400 new.

Last edited by Peter Zack; 07-19-2007 at 04:47 AM.

RussellW · 07-18-2007, 09:23 PM

I have the 50-500 and can highly recommend it, the only issue is with non photographers who look at you with some rather strange looks when they see it.

I have travelled around the world for business and take a backpack with all of my gear it that is ds, 10/20, 28/70, 50/500, flash, filters and stuff. also with a laptop, I haven't had a issue with airlines or secuirty in the US.

07-18-2007, 06:25 PM	#1
switch79 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Posts: 49	Tamron Teleconverter for K10D Hi all, Well I've pretty much decided to go with the Tamron 18-250mm as my general lens. For the price, what it does, image quality and the reviews from fellow Pentaxians such as yourselves it looks like the goods. I'll be travelling at years end to Japan, Europe and Africa backpacking so I really need to limit my space and also changing lens, especially in dusty conditions in Africa. I'll be taking my Sigma 10-20mm, 50mm 1.7, the 18-250 and the mighty K10D. My main concern is the tele end. I considered purchasing a larger lens, ideally the 50-500 but obviously i'm on a budget and have to consider space. I really want to able to have the ability to capture tele shots. I got thinking. Does anyone have any experience using Tamron teleconverters, if so what would be the best one to use on a K10D and the 18-250. Whether it be a 1.4, 1.7 or even 2x. If it gets me over the 300mm i'd be happy to consider them. Your feedback and experiences are much appreciated. switch79

07-18-2007, 06:50 PM	#2
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	Count me interested Do not have any advice to offer - however I am taking a couple of trips soon (Vegas and Mexico) and have the same questions. I am pretty sure I am going to get the Tamron 18-250 replacing two of my sigmas and anxioulsy await the experts advice on teleconvertors

07-18-2007, 07:33 PM	#4
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	Tamron Teleconverter for K10D Hi switch79 I'm afraid I can't help you out as far as advice on teleconverters is concerned, but only just yesterday I purchased a brand new outfit comprising K10D (body only), D BG-2 battery grip and Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DiII LD lens. I can assure you that the 18-250 is a truly 'sweet' optic and IMHO this combination is a way more preferable alternative to carting around one of those all-in-one consumer superzoom cameras with their crappy miniscule sensors e.g. Fuji S9600/Panasonic FZ-50 types etc. So I say simply go for it, sunshine.........I've no regrets so far, but just bear in mind that a superzoom will always be some kind of a 'compromise' when compared to 'prime' fixed focal-length lenses. After may years of lugging both 35mm film SLR's and medium format outfits around, I personally decided to ditch the 'weight of it all' along the same lines you are contemplating. Just imagine for a second those wonderful photos you are going to be capturing, whilst all the camera-buffs in the surrounding vicinity will be constantly fiddling around changing their expensive 'prime' lenses and missing unrepeatable shots in the process !! And here's another tip......I don't how much spare cash you have, but don't try putting one of those Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC zooms on your K10D, because you seriously ain't gonna want to take it off again.....don't say you haven't been warned o.k. It's truly an astonishing landscape/architecture lens and appears to be 99.9% devoid of barrel distortion.....unfriggin believable !!!! Last edited by Confused; 07-18-2007 at 07:41 PM.

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07-18-2007, 07:08 PM	#3
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Deffinetley not a 2x of any kind, you loose 2 stops and get a bit degraded image quality. IMO with tc's its better the faster and better your lens is, typically a long f2.8 prime can have a 1.4, 1.5 or 1.7x tc added and still be good. But adding a tc to extend the slow long end of a consumer grade superzoom lens, I dont think its going to be great. I believe the best bet is the tamron 1.4x. The pentax 1.7 is great but its discontinued and you have to be prepared to shell out to get one, I think its cheaper to get a new 70-300 tamron than to get a used 1.7x tc. so that leaves you with the tamron. You want to get over 300mm? crop your 250mm.... Your tc'ed lens will be very slow and very long, meaning you better have a tripod for it. And how often do you need more than 250, imo thats pretty long already. Unless of course in afrika if you are going for a safari then the longer the better. But remember it will be hard to hand hold it. If you should decide to get a tc then I belive the tamron 1.4x should be your best bet.

07-18-2007, 08:18 PM	#5
SupremeMoFo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 668	A 2x teleconverter will give you a 36-500mm f7-12.6 lens, which is a shocking aperture range to be working with at the long end especially. I'd leave it at a 1.4x.

07-18-2007, 09:03 PM	#6
switch79 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Posts: 49 Original Poster	Originally posted by Confused Hi switch79 I'm afraid I can't help you out as far as advice on teleconverters is concerned, but only just yesterday I purchased a brand new outfit comprising K10D (body only), D BG-2 battery grip and Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DiII LD lens. I can assure you that the 18-250 is a truly 'sweet' optic and IMHO this combination is a way more preferable alternative to carting around one of those all-in-one consumer superzoom cameras with their crappy miniscule sensors e.g. Fuji S9600/Panasonic FZ-50 types etc. So I say simply go for it, sunshine.........I've no regrets so far, but just bear in mind that a superzoom will always be some kind of a 'compromise' when compared to 'prime' fixed focal-length lenses. After may years of lugging both 35mm film SLR's and medium format outfits around, I personally decided to ditch the 'weight of it all' along the same lines you are contemplating. Just imagine for a second those wonderful photos you are going to be capturing, whilst all the camera-buffs in the surrounding vicinity will be constantly fiddling around changing their expensive 'prime' lenses and missing unrepeatable shots in the process !! And here's another tip......I don't how much spare cash you have, but don't try putting one of those Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC zooms on your K10D, because you seriously ain't gonna want to take it off again.....don't say you haven't been warned o.k. It's truly an astonishing landscape/architecture lens and appears to be 99.9% devoid of barrel distortion.....unfriggin believable !!!! Yeah I've got the 10-20, unreal lens, use it for some architecture work and weddings. Give it 20 min and the 18-250 will be being prepared to ship. Whoo hoo.

07-18-2007, 09:17 PM	#7
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by and Deffinetley not a 2x of any kind, you loose 2 stops and get a bit degraded image quality. You want to get over 300mm? crop your 250mm.... If you should decide to get a tc then I belive the tamron 1.4x should be your best bet. Originally posted by SupremeMoFo A 2x teleconverter will give you a 36-500mm f7-12.6 lens, which is a shocking aperture range to be working with at the long end especially. I'd leave it at a 1.4x. I'd agree with both. Get the 1.4x You don't loose too much speed (about one stop) which can be compensated with a boost in ISO and that will give you about 350mm at the long end. The other option is to take the shots as sharp and steady as possible with the thought of cropping the picture later to magnify to your desired result. The combination of lenses you suggest is great for almost any situation. If I may suggest (and you may have already considered this), you should take as many good SD cards or a memory storage device so you can shoot as much as possible in RAW (PEF to get the most out of the cards). It will give you more to work with when you are cropping and PP'ing a shot. Maybe a card reader would be a good idea since you could email yourself from an internet cafe, the files to a Gmail account which has almost unlimited storage. Also consider a decent, lightweight monopod and/or one of those small fold up mini tripods. The Mini tripod will allow you to set the camera up on any surface, a rock, table, fence post etc. and could make a huge difference in a good shot or a great shot. It could really help with those longer shots. Sounds like a fantastic trip and we'll all be waiting to see the results. EDIT: As RussellW says below the Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 EX is a great lens. I also have one and it will fit in my backpack bag without issue. It is 1.8Kg x 95mm Dia x 218mm L so not too big for a decent bag. Long and sharp and easy enough to hand hold. If you can find one before your trip it would be the best solution. Only issue is they run around $1000 USD used and about $12-1400 new. Last edited by Peter Zack; 07-19-2007 at 04:47 AM.

07-18-2007, 09:23 PM	#8
RussellW Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	I have the 50-500 and can highly recommend it, the only issue is with non photographers who look at you with some rather strange looks when they see it. I have travelled around the world for business and take a backpack with all of my gear it that is ds, 10/20, 28/70, 50/500, flash, filters and stuff. also with a laptop, I haven't had a issue with airlines or secuirty in the US.