Macro Teleconverters

**TER-OR** · 02-03-2017, 06:51 AM

I've been toying with tracking down a Sigma 180mm macro or a 200mm unit, but the FA100 works really well for me. Does anyone have experience with hand-held macro employing the new 1.4X teleconverter? I think it might be a useful way to get a bit more reach, but I don't want to disrupt the great image quality I get with the 100mm on the K3II. I have a Sunpak ring flash, so light isn't an issue.

Unregistered User 8 · 02-03-2017, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by TER-OR

Teleconverters

Hi Terry. I use the HD DA 1.4x TC with the 100 macro WR on my K-3 handheld. I find it a wonderful combination. I have a few shots in my gallery with this combo if you want to see the sort of images I get with it. The 1.4x rear converter is a great accessory IMO, with no real loss of image quality when used with good lenses. Good luck.

**TER-OR** · 02-03-2017, 07:09 AM

I'm thinking it's probably worth acquiring and experimenting with. It's just a couple of months until bee season!

Actually, I've seen emergence holes in some gravel-covered areas. I wonder if our warm snap was enough for Andrena to emerge...

**UncleVanya** · 02-03-2017, 08:59 AM

Since you likely don't need auto focus look for the 1.4x rear converter A as another option.

**TER-OR** · 02-03-2017, 09:04 AM

I use autofocus in the field, it's more useful than most people presume, and it's fast. You just have to learn how it "thinks." Plus, the switch on the camera or the body lets me drop to MF when needed without looking away. Otherwise, yeah the A series would be ideal.

BrianR · 02-03-2017, 09:47 AM

Here's the DFA100mm with the Tamron-F 1.4X Pz-AF on a k100d:

Quality was pretty good. This TC lacks weather sealing (though your lens isn't), won't adjust the focal length for SR (not an issue if you're killing the ambient), but on the plus side is much cheaper.

AF with the dfa100mm was the pits on my k100d, and even more of a joke with the TC attached. I haven't gotten around to trying AF with the DFA100+TC on my k5iis, but if this TC is on your radar I could be motivated to give it a spin (I do use AF regularly with the dfa100+k5iis for closeups/macro, I agree it's a handy tool

).

**pasorro** · 02-03-2017, 12:21 PM

I love my F-100 with hd da tc 1.4
I got a flickr explore with this sample

Dos mariposas EXPLORE 6/10/2016 #487 | paco | Flickr

**TER-OR** · 02-03-2017, 12:26 PM

NSFW!

I'm becoming convinced.

**pearsaab** · 02-03-2017, 01:41 PM

i got both the tamron and the hd...if you want to play with the tamron i would be happy to send it to you to try out

**TER-OR** · 02-03-2017, 02:01 PM

So the Tamron seems to have the SDM as well as the screw pass through. Might be worth a trial, for the cost savings.

**Digitalis** · 02-03-2017, 04:03 PM

I work with the Sigma 180mm f/3.4 APO EX Macro, I have only one teleconverter I use with it, the PZ-AF TC 1.7x - these TCs are rather rare but they have a full set of AE and AF contacts including support for SDM. optically this TC performs very well.

Pentax K-1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro with Pz-Af 1.7xTc - ISO100 f/11 1/200th - Godox flash used.

Pentax K-1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro with Pz-AF 1.7xTc - ISO100 f/16 1/180th - Godox flash used.

BrianR · 02-04-2017, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by TER-OR

So the Tamron seems to have the SDM as well as the screw pass through. Might be worth a trial, for the cost savings.

I only have one SDM lens, the DA*300. Its SDM does 'work' with the tamron TC and my k5iis in the sense that the lens tries to focus nice and quietly, but it can't lock focus worth a damn. Even in bright sunlight it pretty much hops back and forth. I don't think I've seen anything but happiness reported with the DA*300 and the HD teleconverter, but I've no hands on experience. It's a shame as this is a decent optical combo for closeups and gives a nice working distance for mid to large butterflies, but I can work with manual focus.

I did give the AF of the Tamron TC a whirl with my df100mm and k5iis. For what it's worth, using a little LED as a light source in my dark interior, it locked focus absolutely fine. Just as confidently as without the TC I'd say. It is decidedly slower though, I think half speed would be a fair estimate without doing a rigorous timing. It really sounds like the motor is working hard. I understand the k3ii to have a more powerful screwdrive... it might handle it with a little more dignity.

**Digitalis** · 02-05-2017, 12:57 AM

I suppose the extra gearing might cause AF to respond slower than usual. I never use my TC with AF due to the fact that most of the lenses I work with do not have focus limiters : which is a pain. I only use my macro lenses in manual focus mode anyway, so I don't notice the complaints over the extra amount of torque needed from the motor - but it is something to consider.

audiobomber · 02-05-2017, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

I only have one SDM lens, the DA*300. Its SDM does 'work' with the tamron TC and my k5iis in the sense that the lens tries to focus nice and quietly, but it can't lock focus worth a damn. Even in bright sunlight it pretty much hops back and forth. I don't think I've seen anything but happiness reported with the DA*300 and the HD teleconverter, but I've no hands on experience.

I have the Kenko Teleplus 1.5X PZ, the version that is the same design as the Tamron 1.4X and I agree with BrianR. It is hopeless with all the in-lens focus motors I've tried it on (DA 18-135mm, DA*50-135mm and DA*300mm). It works fine with the in-camera focus motor. IQ is very close to my HD 1.4X RC. If you take the same image and pixel peep, you can see slightly better performance with the Pentax TC.

I use the Pentax TC with my D FA 100mm macro and DA*300 almost all the time. IQ loss is negligible. AF takes a hit but I can still shoot BIF and action with the 300mm. I rarely use AF for macro.

Having 1:1.4 macro is great, but sometimes having 1.1 macro at 1.4X the MFD is even more useful.

02-03-2017, 06:51 AM	#1
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Teleconverters I've been toying with tracking down a Sigma 180mm macro or a 200mm unit, but the FA100 works really well for me. Does anyone have experience with hand-held macro employing the new 1.4X teleconverter? I think it might be a useful way to get a bit more reach, but I don't want to disrupt the great image quality I get with the 100mm on the K3II. I have a Sunpak ring flash, so light isn't an issue.

02-03-2017, 09:47 AM	#6
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Here's the DFA100mm with the Tamron-F 1.4X Pz-AF on a k100d: Quality was pretty good. This TC lacks weather sealing (though your lens isn't), won't adjust the focal length for SR (not an issue if you're killing the ambient), but on the plus side is much cheaper. AF with the dfa100mm was the pits on my k100d, and even more of a joke with the TC attached. I haven't gotten around to trying AF with the DFA100+TC on my k5iis, but if this TC is on your radar I could be motivated to give it a spin (I do use AF regularly with the dfa100+k5iis for closeups/macro, I agree it's a handy tool). Last edited by BrianR; 02-03-2017 at 10:00 AM.

02-03-2017, 04:03 PM	#11
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I work with the Sigma 180mm f/3.4 APO EX Macro, I have only one teleconverter I use with it, the PZ-AF TC 1.7x - these TCs are rather rare but they have a full set of AE and AF contacts including support for SDM. optically this TC performs very well. Pentax K-1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro with Pz-Af 1.7xTc - ISO100 f/11 1/200th - Godox flash used. Pentax K-1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro with Pz-AF 1.7xTc - ISO100 f/16 1/180th - Godox flash used. Last edited by Digitalis; 02-05-2017 at 05:05 PM.

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02-03-2017, 07:00 AM	#2
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by TER-OR Teleconverters Hi Terry. I use the HD DA 1.4x TC with the 100 macro WR on my K-3 handheld. I find it a wonderful combination. I have a few shots in my gallery with this combo if you want to see the sort of images I get with it. The 1.4x rear converter is a great accessory IMO, with no real loss of image quality when used with good lenses. Good luck.

02-03-2017, 07:09 AM	#3
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	I'm thinking it's probably worth acquiring and experimenting with. It's just a couple of months until bee season! Actually, I've seen emergence holes in some gravel-covered areas. I wonder if our warm snap was enough for Andrena to emerge...

02-03-2017, 08:59 AM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Since you likely don't need auto focus look for the 1.4x rear converter A as another option.

02-03-2017, 09:04 AM	#5
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	I use autofocus in the field, it's more useful than most people presume, and it's fast. You just have to learn how it "thinks." Plus, the switch on the camera or the body lets me drop to MF when needed without looking away. Otherwise, yeah the A series would be ideal.

02-03-2017, 12:21 PM	#7
pasorro Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 132	I love my F-100 with hd da tc 1.4 I got a flickr explore with this sample Dos mariposas EXPLORE 6/10/2016 #487 \| paco \| Flickr

02-03-2017, 12:26 PM	#8
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	NSFW! I'm becoming convinced.

02-03-2017, 01:41 PM	#9
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	i got both the tamron and the hd...if you want to play with the tamron i would be happy to send it to you to try out

02-03-2017, 02:01 PM	#10
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699 Original Poster	So the Tamron seems to have the SDM as well as the screw pass through. Might be worth a trial, for the cost savings.

02-04-2017, 09:23 PM	#12
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by TER-OR So the Tamron seems to have the SDM as well as the screw pass through. Might be worth a trial, for the cost savings. I only have one SDM lens, the DA300. Its SDM does 'work' with the tamron TC and my k5iis in the sense that the lens tries to focus nice and quietly, but it can't lock focus worth a damn. Even in bright sunlight it pretty much hops back and forth. I don't think I've seen anything but happiness reported with the DA300 and the HD teleconverter, but I've no hands on experience. It's a shame as this is a decent optical combo for closeups and gives a nice working distance for mid to large butterflies, but I can work with manual focus. I did give the AF of the Tamron TC a whirl with my df100mm and k5iis. For what it's worth, using a little LED as a light source in my dark interior, it locked focus absolutely fine. Just as confidently as without the TC I'd say. It is decidedly slower though, I think half speed would be a fair estimate without doing a rigorous timing. It really sounds like the motor is working hard. I understand the k3ii to have a more powerful screwdrive... it might handle it with a little more dignity.

02-05-2017, 12:57 AM	#13
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I suppose the extra gearing might cause AF to respond slower than usual. I never use my TC with AF due to the fact that most of the lenses I work with do not have focus limiters : which is a pain. I only use my macro lenses in manual focus mode anyway, so I don't notice the complaints over the extra amount of torque needed from the motor - but it is something to consider.

02-05-2017, 10:01 AM	#14
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by BrianR I only have one SDM lens, the DA300. Its SDM does 'work' with the tamron TC and my k5iis in the sense that the lens tries to focus nice and quietly, but it can't lock focus worth a damn. Even in bright sunlight it pretty much hops back and forth. I don't think I've seen anything but happiness reported with the DA300 and the HD teleconverter, but I've no hands on experience. I have the Kenko Teleplus 1.5X PZ, the version that is the same design as the Tamron 1.4X and I agree with BrianR. It is hopeless with all the in-lens focus motors I've tried it on (DA 18-135mm, DA50-135mm and DA300mm). It works fine with the in-camera focus motor. IQ is very close to my HD 1.4X RC. If you take the same image and pixel peep, you can see slightly better performance with the Pentax TC. I use the Pentax TC with my D FA 100mm macro and DA*300 almost all the time. IQ loss is negligible. AF takes a hit but I can still shoot BIF and action with the 300mm. I rarely use AF for macro. Having 1:1.4 macro is great, but sometimes having 1.1 macro at 1.4X the MFD is even more useful.