Anyone using a Teleconverter with K30?

gerax · 07-01-2015, 02:32 AM

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I was intrigued by the review on this one (Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews ) and I thought it could afford me some extra reach for my wildlife shoots while I master my Sigma 70-300 and wait for the right opportunity to get a Sigma 150-500.

Thanx

LensBeginner · 07-01-2015, 05:37 AM

...you want to "get by" with a 400 Euros (not 40E) TC and get mediocre shots while "saving" for a lens that you can find used for about double that amount, even less?

gerax · 07-01-2015, 06:10 AM

If I could find an used Sigma 150-500 for THAT amount I'd be over it in a heartbeat...problem is I haven't seen many of those going for less than 600/700€...while it goes for 780€ new...

LensBeginner · 07-01-2015, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by gerax

If I could find an used Sigma 150-500 for THAT amount I'd be over it in a heartbeat...problem is I haven't seen many of those going for less than 600/700€...while it goes for 780€ new...

Couple examples:

Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens - Pentax Fit 0085126737566 | eBay
776 Euros plus postage, if you're from the UK you're in luck.
Listed as ex-demo with minor marks on collar, not my insertion..

gerax · 07-01-2015, 07:57 AM

SIGMA 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO DG HSM - PENTAX - 4 ANNI DI GARANZIA
...and it's juts a few miles from my house...so this is what I was talking you about...difficult to find an used one for less that I can have it for in this store.

LensBeginner · 07-01-2015, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by gerax

SIGMA 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO DG HSM - PENTAX - 4 ANNI DI GARANZIA
...and it's juts a few miles from my house...so this is what I was talking you about...difficult to find an used one for less that I can have it for in this store.

I still don't get it... you're ok with basically wasting 400E while trying to save for less than 800?
I'd skip it, since TCs only worsen flaws in a given lens, and I wouldn't put my money on a budget zoom lens...

gerax · 07-01-2015, 08:31 AM

I've seen the Sigma Teleconverter go used for like 200€... but I just wanted an opinion on whether it could be a viable solution or not since the review gave it decent points.
If you say it's not I take your point.

LensBeginner · 07-01-2015, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by gerax

I've seen the Sigma Teleconverter go used for like 200€... but I just wanted an opinion on whether it could be a viable solution or not since the review gave it decent points.
If you say it's not I take your point.

Maybe decent points with a prime or a high-tier zoom?

Let's put it this way, with a 1.4x TC you'd get a soft 420mm f/8.
I don't think AF can work that thing very well, it starts getting too dark for the machine.

With a TC you're putting your picture in a sort of photographical coffin corner... no stall speed here, but diffraction limit and minimum acceptable sharpness.
Let's say your Sigma starts to get ok at f/8 and has its peak at f/11, you'd work it between f/11 and f/16, the latter being a little too much for an APS-C 16Mp sensor.
That, without considering how every little flaw of the lens is going to be magnified as well (PF, softness etc.).

I think the best option for the moment is to crop and resize with an intelligent algorithm (Alien Skin's perhaps? or a simple bicubic would do), because it's probably giving you better or equal detail than a TC.

**crewl1** · 07-01-2015, 08:53 AM

You could get something like a Kenko 1.5 or Tamron 1.4 if you have money you'd rather not keep to wait till you can get the big zoom.
If your sigma is HSM it may not auto focus with any teleconverter.
If you want to go a little cheaper the older 170-500 sigma has pretty good reach and quality.

Main thing though is in our desire for reach we try to come up with cheaper solutions but all have drawbacks and may not give the results you want.
As previously advised it is better just to bite the bullet and spend for the long lens vs waste money on your road there.

Inexorable · 07-01-2015, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by gerax

I was intrigued by the review on this one (Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews ) and I thought it could afford me some extra reach for my wildlife shoots while I master my Sigma 70-300 and wait for the right opportunity to get a Sigma 150-500.

Thanx

I use the converter with my K-30 for birding and am extremely satisfied. The drop in IQ, if any, is minor.

**clackers** · 07-02-2015, 01:58 AM

I use it on my K-30 and it works fine. You may have trouble getting AF with your slow lens.

07-01-2015, 02:32 AM	#1
gerax Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 224	Anyone using a Teleconverter with K30? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I was intrigued by the review on this one (Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews ) and I thought it could afford me some extra reach for my wildlife shoots while I master my Sigma 70-300 and wait for the right opportunity to get a Sigma 150-500. Thanx

07-01-2015, 06:10 AM	#3
gerax Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 224 Original Poster	If I could find an used Sigma 150-500 for THAT amount I'd be over it in a heartbeat...problem is I haven't seen many of those going for less than 600/700€...while it goes for 780€ new... Last edited by gerax; 07-01-2015 at 06:17 AM.

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07-01-2015, 05:37 AM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	...you want to "get by" with a 400 Euros (not 40E) TC and get mediocre shots while "saving" for a lens that you can find used for about double that amount, even less?

07-01-2015, 06:49 AM	#4
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by gerax If I could find an used Sigma 150-500 for THAT amount I'd be over it in a heartbeat...problem is I haven't seen many of those going for less than 600/700€...while it goes for 780€ new... Couple examples: Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens - Pentax Fit 0085126737566 \| eBay 776 Euros plus postage, if you're from the UK you're in luck. Listed as ex-demo with minor marks on collar, not my insertion..

07-01-2015, 07:57 AM	#5
gerax Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 224 Original Poster	SIGMA 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO DG HSM - PENTAX - 4 ANNI DI GARANZIA ...and it's juts a few miles from my house...so this is what I was talking you about...difficult to find an used one for less that I can have it for in this store.

07-01-2015, 08:03 AM	#6
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by gerax SIGMA 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO DG HSM - PENTAX - 4 ANNI DI GARANZIA ...and it's juts a few miles from my house...so this is what I was talking you about...difficult to find an used one for less that I can have it for in this store. I still don't get it... you're ok with basically wasting 400E while trying to save for less than 800? I'd skip it, since TCs only worsen flaws in a given lens, and I wouldn't put my money on a budget zoom lens...

07-01-2015, 08:31 AM	#7
gerax Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 224 Original Poster	I've seen the Sigma Teleconverter go used for like 200€... but I just wanted an opinion on whether it could be a viable solution or not since the review gave it decent points. If you say it's not I take your point.

07-01-2015, 08:44 AM	#8
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by gerax I've seen the Sigma Teleconverter go used for like 200€... but I just wanted an opinion on whether it could be a viable solution or not since the review gave it decent points. If you say it's not I take your point. Maybe decent points with a prime or a high-tier zoom? Let's put it this way, with a 1.4x TC you'd get a soft 420mm f/8. I don't think AF can work that thing very well, it starts getting too dark for the machine. With a TC you're putting your picture in a sort of photographical coffin corner... no stall speed here, but diffraction limit and minimum acceptable sharpness. Let's say your Sigma starts to get ok at f/8 and has its peak at f/11, you'd work it between f/11 and f/16, the latter being a little too much for an APS-C 16Mp sensor. That, without considering how every little flaw of the lens is going to be magnified as well (PF, softness etc.). I think the best option for the moment is to crop and resize with an intelligent algorithm (Alien Skin's perhaps? or a simple bicubic would do), because it's probably giving you better or equal detail than a TC.

07-01-2015, 08:53 AM	#9
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	You could get something like a Kenko 1.5 or Tamron 1.4 if you have money you'd rather not keep to wait till you can get the big zoom. If your sigma is HSM it may not auto focus with any teleconverter. If you want to go a little cheaper the older 170-500 sigma has pretty good reach and quality. Main thing though is in our desire for reach we try to come up with cheaper solutions but all have drawbacks and may not give the results you want. As previously advised it is better just to bite the bullet and spend for the long lens vs waste money on your road there.

07-01-2015, 06:17 PM	#10
Inexorable Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Noida, UP Posts: 145	Originally posted by gerax I was intrigued by the review on this one (Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews ) and I thought it could afford me some extra reach for my wildlife shoots while I master my Sigma 70-300 and wait for the right opportunity to get a Sigma 150-500. Thanx I use the converter with my K-30 for birding and am extremely satisfied. The drop in IQ, if any, is minor.

07-02-2015, 01:58 AM	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I use it on my K-30 and it works fine. You may have trouble getting AF with your slow lens.