[thibs]

Sure thing... I'll be putting it through the usual "getting to know you" routine.

Including the AF behaviour as, if I remember well, the AF1.7x adapter only provides center AF function.
Thank you

[Mike.P®]

Well, we never knew for sure - but now we do:

Thank you for using a PENTAX K-5 digital camera.
RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. wishes to announce the release of Firmware Update Software Version 1.16 for K-5.
Firmware in this document is the software that runs inside digital cameras.

Changes to V1.16
[LIST][*]Correspond to HD PENTAX-DA AF REAR CONVERTER 1.4X AW.

Just to add I downloaded and installed this firmware update for my K-5II and the Kenko 1.5x teleconverter is MUCH better with both SDM and Sigmas HSM lenses. Still no reporting of change in focal length or aperture but it definitely locks focus faster. The DA* 300mm was the only lens that didn't acquire focus first time ... hopefully the Pentax TC will put that to rest and along with it's reporting ability it should be worth the outlay.

New firmware tested on:

16-50mm f2.8
17-70mm f4
18-135mm WR
50-135mm f2.8
60-250mm f4
300mm f4
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM OS
Sigma 50-500mm HSM OS

[cali92rs]

Just to add I downloaded and installed this firmware update for my K-5II and the Kenko 1.5x teleconverter is MUCH better with both SDM and Sigmas HSM lenses. Still no reporting of change in focal length or aperture but it definitely locks focus faster. The DA* 300mm was the only lens that didn't acquire focus first time ... hopefully the Pentax TC will put that to rest and along with it's reporting ability it should be worth the outlay.

New firmware tested on:

16-50mm f2.8
17-70mm f4
18-135mm WR
50-135mm f2.8
60-250mm f4
300mm f4
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM OS
Sigma 50-500mm HSM OS

That's great to know
I was not planning to download the firmware because it seemed only to add support for the new Pentax TC. But if it makes a difference with the Kenko TC (which i have) I will give it a try

[thibs]

That's great to know
I was not planning to download the firmware because it seemed only to add support for the new Pentax TC. But if it makes a difference with the Kenko TC (which i have) I will give it a try

Thanks Mike. It confirms Asahi Man previous comments.
So the SDM+TC problem was more of an AF-related camera firmware issue.
The firmware is also probably made to support contrast AF+TC.

It also confirms that, as it is the case with the 1.7X converter, the resultant focal/aperture transmission is indeed made by the TC, not by the camera.
It also means that this transmission is effective for older classic AF cameras (and non SDM ones).

[crewl1]

The DA* 300mm was the only lens that didn't acquire focus first time ... hopefully the Pentax TC will put that to rest and along with it's reporting ability it should be worth the outlay.

And don't forget the WR feature also.

Did the DA*300 eventually work or does it still have issues with the Kenko with the new firmware?

[Mike.P®]

Did the DA*300 eventually work or does it still have issues with the Kenko with the new firmware?

It took approx 3 presses of the AF button but it did lock eventually.

My biggest surprise was how well the Kenko converter works with the Sigma 50-500mm OS now.

[crewl1]

Thanks for the follow up. I sold my Kenko a while back i may need to think about reacquiring it.

[jpzk]

Just to add I downloaded and installed this firmware update for my K-5II and the Kenko 1.5x teleconverter is MUCH better with both SDM and Sigmas HSM lenses. Still no reporting of change in focal length or aperture but it definitely locks focus faster. The DA* 300mm was the only lens that didn't acquire focus first time ... hopefully the Pentax TC will put that to rest and along with it's reporting ability it should be worth the outlay.
New firmware tested on:
16-50mm f2.8
17-70mm f4
18-135mm WR
50-135mm f2.8
60-250mm f4
300mm f4
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM OS
Sigma 50-500mm HSM OS

Nice to know, Mike.

I wonder if that would also be the case with the Tamron 1.4X Pz-AF MC4 ?
I will download/install the update and see what that does when using this TC with the Sigma 150-500 (the OS version) and the DA*300/4 (which you have mentioned above).

Anyone here tried the Tamron (non-OS) 70-200 with this set up ?

Can't wait and see what goes with the new Pentax TC though.

Thanks for sharing!

JP

[Stone G.]

It took approx 3 presses of the AF button but it did lock eventually.

My biggest surprise was how well the Kenko converter works with the Sigma 50-500mm OS now.

Same experience here with the DA*200 and the Kenko Pz-AF SHQ 1.5X: The update offers no improvement here, and I still need to press the AF button some three times too. I am eager to learn, how the Pentax TC and the DA*200 work together!

[normhead]

A few questions answered...it works pretty much seamlessly, it works on third party lenses, it allows you to use selective focus, works seamlessly on either SDM of screw drive, ... and it tells the exif file what it's doing... I didn't have a lot of time with it today... but I got out late.

On the DA * 60-250



On the Tamron 90 Macro

[fotogaffer]

A few questions answered...it works pretty much seamlessly, it works on third party lenses, it allows you to use selective focus, works seamlessly on either SDM of screw drive, ... and it tells the exif file what it's doing... I didn't have a lot of time with it today... but I got out late.

Hey Norm.
Thanks for posting these. The photos look great, nice and sharp with good detail on the birds. I am interested in hearing your observations on how the TC affects focus. For example, the Kenko TC I have really hunts for focus before locking on and needs a lot of help pre focusing. How does it go with focus with the Pentax TC, especially on your 60-250? I am looking to pair this with my DA 300 but have held off preordering waiting for some feedback on the speed and accuracy of acquiring focus with this TC attached. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Don

[audiobomber]

Same experience here with the DA*200 and the Kenko Pz-AF SHQ 1.5X: The update offers no improvement here, and I still need to press the AF button some three times too.

I have the same converter and a similar experience, using a DA*300. Focus hunts, took +/- three presses on the shutter release to achieve focus. Hit rate from my shots was about 50%. Nothing new there, but there was a difference; the hunting was faster. The speed at which the focus motor moves was definitely improved, but still near useless. I wouldn't even waste a shot at a bird in flight with the Kenko mounted.

[RuiC]

Am I right to deduce that K10 and K20 are not supported ???? Why that???

[normhead]

Hey Norm.
Thanks for posting these. The photos look great, nice and sharp with good detail on the birds. I am interested in hearing your observations on how the TC affects focus. For example, the Kenko TC I have really hunts for focus before locking on and needs a lot of help pre focusing. How does it go with focus with the Pentax TC, especially on your 60-250? I am looking to pair this with my DA 300 but have held off preordering waiting for some feedback on the speed and accuracy of acquiring focus with this TC attached. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Don

With both the Tamron 90 and 60-250 it was like there was no TC on the camera. If there was a difference it wasn't noticeable. I can't see any reason why it would be different on your 300 or any other ƒ4 or better lens.

[fotogaffer]

With both the Tamron 90 and 60-250 it was like there was no TC on the camera. If there was a difference it wasn't noticeable. I can't see any reason why it would be different on your 300 or any other ƒ4 or better lens.

Thanks - good to know!