Pentax F 1.7x AF TC

LeDave · 12-31-2009, 06:12 AM

Found this in another forum:

Quote:

Certainly some good news running up to 2010.

The Pentax F 1.7x AF teleconverter seems to be now manufactured new in Vietnam.
I was able to obtain this from a shop in Japan. New with warranty.

The Box (says made in Vietnam)

Hoya declaration and warranty (ie. a recent event; so this is not old stock)

The teleconverter

For those who what to know what the big fuss this is about, this teleconverter is truly unique. Firstly, Pentax does not have a teleconverter in the DA series (ie. now). Secondly, its a very good teleconverter with a 1.7x magnification. Now, the most important part is that it has a focusing element within the teleconverter (no one else has this). With this, a Manual lens becomes an auto focus lens (yes, I did not type it wrongly).

So start pulling your Jap connections and get one

Source: Pentax F 1.7x AF teleconverter -LIVES AGAIN! - ClubSNAP Photography Forums

older not wiser · 12-31-2009, 07:20 AM

I am sure that I remember somthing like this back in the 80s, just after Pentax went AF. The idea was that you could use your old lenses as a stopgap while you got around to getting the new FA lenses. The problem was that it increased the focal lenth of all lenses attached to it, so itwas not all that popular. Now that most people have AF lenses maybe they are having another go. Back then it was thought to be a good teleconvertor but a bad device for turning manual lenses into AF ones.
This is not a negative comment as I would be very interested in a Pentax AF teleconvertor as they are invaluble when traveling light.

koper · 12-31-2009, 07:24 AM

i would like to know if the teleconverter work with

Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM ??????

Fl_Gulfer · 12-31-2009, 07:43 AM

I would like a new one of those. If It's not toooo expensive...

Fototim · 12-31-2009, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by koper

i would like to know if the teleconverter work with

Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM ??????

I have the old one. The TC-AF works, but no SDM.

**jpzk** · 12-31-2009, 09:08 AM

Great news! It's about time Pentax comes back with a brand-name TC.
About SDM ... does it really matter, I don't think it will deter those owning SDM lenses to buy it anyway.
JP

koper · 12-31-2009, 09:29 AM

if the teleconverter dose not work with SDM lenses,that means that he can not work with

Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM or similar SDM lenses
most of the photographers have tamron TC
nobody is going to bay it

jogiba · 12-31-2009, 09:45 AM

I purchased a new Pentax 1.7x AF adapter with Hoya documentation the same time I purchased my manual focus 85mm F1.4 Samsung. The AF works great even with my 165mm F2.8 Pentax 67 lens.

**Septrain** · 12-31-2009, 10:21 AM

Manufactured or Made in Vietnam is totally different from Assembled in Vietnam.
The box shows Assembled in Vietnam.
In this case, components like elements are made elsewhere and shipped to Vietnam for final assembling due to lower labour cost.

Samsungian · 12-31-2009, 11:42 AM

With no remaining pentax camera and lens plants in Japan, where have you read pentax camera and lens components come from now?

Its been over a year since hoya closed the last pentax japan plants to further cut costs. I always feel "Offshoring" production is not done to improve quality control, instead its done to increase profits.

" Hamada, 50, formerly president of Dell Inc.’s Japan unit, took over day-to-day operations at Pentax, Japan’s oldest maker of single-lens reflex cameras, in April 2008 and oversaw the closure of the company’s last domestic digital-camera factory. "

above taken from

Hoya Eyes $1 Billion M&A to Boost Health Business (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

From what I've read Pentax has production plants remaining only in the Philippines and VietNam now as of Dec 31st 2009, unless you've got a current link stating otherwise?

Originally posted by Septrain

Manufactured or Made in Vietnam is totally different from Assembled in Vietnam.
The box shows Assembled in Vietnam.
In this case, components like elements are made elsewhere and shipped to Vietnam for final assembling due to lower labour cost.

Erik · 12-31-2009, 12:26 PM

Originally posted by older not wiser

I am sure that I remember somthing like this back in the 80s, just after Pentax went AF.

This is that. It's a Pentax F series teleconverter, the exact same one that was introduced in 1987. Apparently they've recently started producing them again, however.

ryan s · 12-31-2009, 12:43 PM

More units = more availability = lower cost?

Please, Pentax?

Fototim · 12-31-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by koper

if the teleconverter dose not work with SDM lenses,that means that he can not work with

You are spreading misinformation.
If a coke bottle had K-mount, this unit would focus it ;-)

This is because it does not depend on the lens it is mounted with. It is the TC itself that does the job. All it needs to work is some light to work with, any f:4 or most high contrast f:4,5 lenses will do.

I have tested it with every SDM lens I own. This includes 16-50, 50-135. and 300.
I believe I've tried it with 60-250 to, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

netuser · 12-31-2009, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by Fototim

You are spreading misinformation.
If a coke bottle had K-mount, this unit would focus it ;-)

This is because it does not depend on the lens it is mounted with. It is the TC itself that does the job. All it needs to work is some light to work with, any f:4 or most high contrast f:4,5 lenses will do.

I have tested it with every SDM lens I own. This includes 16-50, 50-135. and 300.
I believe I've tried it with 60-250 to, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

How does it work with sdm lenses ? It's like the 1.4 tamron ?

borno · 12-31-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by netuser

How does it work with sdm lenses ? It's like the 1.4 tamron ?

You rough focus manually and the 1.7 afa does the rest, it focuses faster than the DA300 alone because it also will act as a focus limiter the rear element in the AFA moves to focus. I think the manual says 30' to infinity with a 300mm, but it seemed more like 50' to infinity to me. I don't know about any other SDM lenses as I only had the 300. I tried a couple of 1.5x kenko pz shq teleconverters and they hunted too much for me.

12-31-2009, 06:12 AM	#1
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Pentax F 1.7x AF TC Found this in another forum: Quote: Certainly some good news running up to 2010. The Pentax F 1.7x AF teleconverter seems to be now manufactured new in Vietnam. I was able to obtain this from a shop in Japan. New with warranty. The Box (says made in Vietnam) Hoya declaration and warranty (ie. a recent event; so this is not old stock) The teleconverter For those who what to know what the big fuss this is about, this teleconverter is truly unique. Firstly, Pentax does not have a teleconverter in the DA series (ie. now). Secondly, its a very good teleconverter with a 1.7x magnification. Now, the most important part is that it has a focusing element within the teleconverter (no one else has this). With this, a Manual lens becomes an auto focus lens (yes, I did not type it wrongly). So start pulling your Jap connections and get one Source: Pentax F 1.7x AF teleconverter -LIVES AGAIN! - ClubSNAP Photography Forums

12-31-2009, 11:42 AM	#10
Samsungian Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado USA Posts: 1,337	With no remaining pentax camera and lens plants in Japan With no remaining pentax camera and lens plants in Japan, where have you read pentax camera and lens components come from now? Its been over a year since hoya closed the last pentax japan plants to further cut costs. I always feel "Offshoring" production is not done to improve quality control, instead its done to increase profits. " Hamada, 50, formerly president of Dell Inc.’s Japan unit, took over day-to-day operations at Pentax, Japan’s oldest maker of single-lens reflex cameras, in April 2008 and oversaw the closure of the company’s last domestic digital-camera factory. " above taken from Hoya Eyes $1 Billion M&A to Boost Health Business (Update2) - Bloomberg.com From what I've read Pentax has production plants remaining only in the Philippines and VietNam now as of Dec 31st 2009, unless you've got a current link stating otherwise? Originally posted by Septrain Manufactured or Made in Vietnam is totally different from Assembled in Vietnam. The box shows Assembled in Vietnam. In this case, components like elements are made elsewhere and shipped to Vietnam for final assembling due to lower labour cost. Last edited by Samsungian; 12-31-2009 at 12:36 PM.

12-31-2009, 02:40 PM	#13
Fototim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 268	Originally posted by koper if the teleconverter dose not work with SDM lenses,that means that he can not work with You are spreading misinformation. If a coke bottle had K-mount, this unit would focus it ;-) This is because it does not depend on the lens it is mounted with. It is the TC itself that does the job. All it needs to work is some light to work with, any f:4 or most high contrast f:4,5 lenses will do. I have tested it with every SDM lens I own. This includes 16-50, 50-135. and 300. I believe I've tried it with 60-250 to, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Last edited by Fototim; 12-31-2009 at 02:48 PM.

12-31-2009, 07:20 AM	#2
older not wiser Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 120	I am sure that I remember somthing like this back in the 80s, just after Pentax went AF. The idea was that you could use your old lenses as a stopgap while you got around to getting the new FA lenses. The problem was that it increased the focal lenth of all lenses attached to it, so itwas not all that popular. Now that most people have AF lenses maybe they are having another go. Back then it was thought to be a good teleconvertor but a bad device for turning manual lenses into AF ones. This is not a negative comment as I would be very interested in a Pentax AF teleconvertor as they are invaluble when traveling light.

12-31-2009, 07:24 AM	#3
koper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 180	i would like to know if the teleconverter work with Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM ??????

12-31-2009, 07:43 AM	#4
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	I would like a new one of those. If It's not toooo expensive...

12-31-2009, 08:07 AM	#5
Fototim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 268	Originally posted by koper i would like to know if the teleconverter work with Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM ?????? I have the old one. The TC-AF works, but no SDM.

12-31-2009, 09:08 AM	#6
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Great news! It's about time Pentax comes back with a brand-name TC. About SDM ... does it really matter, I don't think it will deter those owning SDM lenses to buy it anyway. JP

12-31-2009, 09:29 AM	#7
koper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 180	if the teleconverter dose not work with SDM lenses,that means that he can not work with Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4 ED (IF) SDM or similar SDM lenses most of the photographers have tamron TC nobody is going to bay it

12-31-2009, 09:45 AM	#8
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	I purchased a new Pentax 1.7x AF adapter with Hoya documentation the same time I purchased my manual focus 85mm F1.4 Samsung. The AF works great even with my 165mm F2.8 Pentax 67 lens.

12-31-2009, 10:21 AM	#9
Septrain Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 1° North of Equator Photos: Gallery Posts: 202	Manufactured or Made in Vietnam is totally different from Assembled in Vietnam. The box shows Assembled in Vietnam. In this case, components like elements are made elsewhere and shipped to Vietnam for final assembling due to lower labour cost.

12-31-2009, 12:26 PM	#11
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by older not wiser I am sure that I remember somthing like this back in the 80s, just after Pentax went AF. This is that. It's a Pentax F series teleconverter, the exact same one that was introduced in 1987. Apparently they've recently started producing them again, however.

12-31-2009, 12:43 PM	#12
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	More units = more availability = lower cost? Please, Pentax?

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12-31-2009, 03:39 PM	#14
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by Fototim You are spreading misinformation. If a coke bottle had K-mount, this unit would focus it ;-) This is because it does not depend on the lens it is mounted with. It is the TC itself that does the job. All it needs to work is some light to work with, any f:4 or most high contrast f:4,5 lenses will do. I have tested it with every SDM lens I own. This includes 16-50, 50-135. and 300. I believe I've tried it with 60-250 to, but I'm not 100% sure about that. How does it work with sdm lenses ? It's like the 1.4 tamron ?

12-31-2009, 04:59 PM	#15
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Originally posted by netuser How does it work with sdm lenses ? It's like the 1.4 tamron ? You rough focus manually and the 1.7 afa does the rest, it focuses faster than the DA300 alone because it also will act as a focus limiter the rear element in the AFA moves to focus. I think the manual says 30' to infinity with a 300mm, but it seemed more like 50' to infinity to me. I don't know about any other SDM lenses as I only had the 300. I tried a couple of 1.5x kenko pz shq teleconverters and they hunted too much for me.