[geo444]

.

the web is full of news and rumors of a Pentax FF camera coming soon since... 2010 ?...

this time... Kenko is back with 3 new DG MCx AF Converters :
www.kenkoglobal.com/photo/lens_accessories/teleplus_dg_pk.html
-> Features / -> Specifications

what do you think ?... a good one ?...
... or just a mirage ?
(PANTAX)

lol !

[LensBeginner]

Hi,
I have an old Kenko 2x Macro converter... nothing fancy, just... working, that's all! :-D
I've done many good macro shots with it, and couldn't find better for what I paid it (flea-market price ), definitely a fan!
So, if this is news, then I'm very happy to hear it!

[rawr]

So have they re-released these? Interesting if true.

Judging by the web site product images, it doesn't look like they have updated these models at all, however. The DG MC4 AF 1.4X model looks identical to the Kenko DG MC4 AF 1.4X I already have.

[Not a Number]

From the Kenko website:

"The 4-element design (for the MC4) and 7-element design (for the MC7) are made with high quality multi-coated optical glass supplied by Hoya Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of optical glass."

Bwahahahaha!

[LensBeginner]

From the Kenko website:

"The 4-element design (for the MC4) and 7-element design (for the MC7) are made with high quality multi-coated optical glass supplied by Hoya Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of optical glass."

Bwahahahaha!

Nnnnooooo!!!!
Well... at least they are still selling them, or have started selling them again, which is still good news... am I rite?

[dakight]

I'm having trouble making the connection to FF... What am I missing?

[LensBeginner]

I'm having trouble making the connection to FF... What am I missing?

A 2x TC is much more useful on FF than on APS-C, since you already have the crop in the latter.
With FF you "lose reach", so to speak.
Plus, those are models that cover a 35mm frame, so...

We still don't know how much of it is a blunder from the marketing dept. at Kenko, though...

[geo444]

Hi, I have an old Kenko 2x Macro converter... nothing fancy, just... working, that's all!
I've done many good macro shots with it, and couldn't find better for what I paid it (flea-market price ), definitely a fan!
So, if this is news, then I'm very happy to hear it!

Hi, +1
my first Kenko was a DG 300 2x for Canon Eos...
the sharpness is excellent when mounted with a good prime lens :
Eos 5d + EF 50mm F1.4 :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,53896.msg869429.html#msg869429
the Wow crop :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,53896.msg869840.html#msg869840
Eos 20d + 200/1000 Skywatcher :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,167898.msg3438349.html#msg3438349

generally it's better than a Mirror lens, because you only keep the center " Sweet Spot "
vs with a Mirror lens... you lose the center " Sweet Spot " due to Secondary obstruction
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,167898.msg3438457.html#msg3438457

.

So have they re-released these? Interesting if true.
Judging by the web site product images, it doesn't look like they have updated these models at all, however. The DG MC4 AF 1.4X model looks identical to the Kenko DG MC4 AF 1.4X I already have.

Ok, I thought Kenko DG Converters were more recent...
that's why I wrongly said " new "...

[LensBeginner]

This is a crop of a three-image stack made with the 50mm f/1.7 and the Kenko 2X APK Macro TELEPLUS MC7.
Manual focus (layers re-aligned in post), around 1:1 macro magnification, tripod of course.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/278916-macro-hawk.html#post3020457

[geo444]

.
it's sharp !

I think your Kenko 2X APK Macro TELEPLUS MC7 is more or less the same...
as my " FOCA HR7 Macro 2x Converter for Nikon " used here :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,167898.msg3438457.html#msg3438457

[LensBeginner]

.
it's sharp !

I think your Kenko 2X APK Macro TELEPLUS MC7 is more or less the same...
as my " FOCA HR7 Macro 2x Converter for Nikon " used here :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,167898.msg3438457.html#msg3438457

When used properly (i.e. soft indirect light, good 50mm prime, sweet-spot aperture of f/5.6, good PP) then yes.
As a TC with, for instance, a 200mm, even a SMC-M f/4 eeeh... not so much

[geo444]

When used properly (i.e. soft indirect light, good 50mm prime, sweet-spot aperture of f/5.6, good PP) then yes.
As a TC with, for instance, a 200mm, even a SMC-M f/4 eeeh... not so much

is an "Economic" 200mm F/4 enough corrected for use w/ a TC 2x ?
- Smc Pentax-M 50mm F/1.7 1982 "reference" was 450 Francs
- Smc Pentax-M 200mm F/4.0 1982 price was 1000 Francs
- Smc Pentax 200mm F/2.5 1982 price was 2850 Francs
I will limit F/4 lenses with TC 1.4x... Kenko or Pentax

but the Nikon Ais 180mm F2.8 ED is very good w/ an old TC 2x :
www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php/topic,92274.msg2794865.html#msg2794865
except in harsh Contrast conditions, where Chromatic aberration blows up

the Canon EF 200mm F2.8 L II excellent w/ a TC 2x :
Holmes 15.12.07 : Eos 20d 18x30sec 1600 iso - Comets - astronomy photos AstronoMike.net
No softness, No aberrations of any kind...
your 280mm F4 and 400 F5.6 !
a tiny price for 3 lenses

this kind of long FL lens is what you have to find for Pentax
= perfect with a TC 1.4x, excellent even with a TC 2x
take a look at the reviews of this 200 F2.8 L II

[LensBeginner]

is an "Economic" 200mm F/4 enough corrected for use w/ a TC 2x ?
*snip*

Interesting...
Well, that's what I have... I've also tried the 100mm f/2.8, but it's not a very useful thing to do, since I already have a faster 200mm...
It works ok... the point is that - as you implied - its sharpest setting is around f/8 or f/11, hence f/16 or f/22 with TC, hence quite a bit beyond the limit of diffraction on a 16MP sensor.
I think the best application is moon photos and landscapes. Everything else? crop and enlarge of course.

If you mean corrected for CA, then the 200mm is a pretty good lens in that respect if not shot wide open.

[geo444]

.
I didn't say it's a bad lens, I would get one for my K5 ! ...
... but as any inexpensive F/4 lens, I think I should limit it to 1.4 x converters...

.
Back to this hypothetical (?) Pentax Full-Frame (?) camera...
I wonder what Pentax could imagine, invent, to achieve a likable DSLR or MILC :
Now that Nikon has shown its D750 = the best FF DSLR... at ~1500€ in a few weeks... unless a D760 soon ?
Now that Sony has shown its A7-II = the best FF MILC... at ~1250€ in a few weeks... plus an A7R-II soon ?
Pentax waited, hesitated too long... month after month, it becomes a more difficult challenge !

Another thorn in the side : NiKon and Pentax mounts are exclusives :
- one can mount NiKon Fx lenses on Canon-EF / Sony-E cameras (w/ adapters)
- another can mount Pentax K(n) Lenses on Canon-EF or Sony-E cameras (with adapters)
you must choose, you can't mount Nikon F lenses on Pentax K DSLR, there are no adapters that work this way.
Lens speaking, Pentax is somehow a lonely player... hope Cosina / Voigländer will be back soon too !

wait & see...

[LensBeginner]

*snip*
you must choose, you can't mount Nikon F lenses on Pentax K DSLR, there are no adapters that work this way.
*snip*

...nor you can mount Pentax lenses on Nikon cameras because of the shorter registration distance - except with an adapter with... ewww... glass inside