DA* 50-135 + Kenko 1.4X TC - an FF beauty on K-1!

Mock · 06-02-2016, 07:10 PM - **2 Likes**

Received a Kenko 1.4X AF DG teleconverter today. It is a non-SDM unit and would not auto focus the DA* 50-135 by default. The lens will tell the camera to use SDM motor, even if there is no connection through the SDM contacts.
So I followed Blacknight659's useful post on converting the lens to screwdrive, and it works like a charm with the TC!

Better yet, unlike with the DA 1.4x Rear Converter, this one vignettes much less. The image quality is pretty good too! I'm very happy with this new DA* 70-189mm f/4.

Vignetting tests:

50mm, f/2.8 - Ignore the tree in the corner, it's out of focus, and moving in the wind.

135mm, f/2.8

50mm, f/11

135mm f/11

Feline gauntlet -a bit of processing on these images, but sharpening is the same for each.

135mm, f/2.8, ISO 10000

80mm, f/2.8

80mm, f/4

80mm, f/5.6

Last edited by Mock; 06-02-2016 at 07:18 PM.

**luftfluss** · 06-02-2016, 07:23 PM

You have a gorgeous cat.

Mock · 06-02-2016, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

You have a gorgeous cat.

I wanted to do a series at 135mm too, but she had enough of my bounce flash for one day. Went off to nap somewhere more secluded.

Huy · 06-02-2016, 09:37 PM

Thank you very much for sharing. This is a very good news for my DA* 50-135mm.

Originally posted by Mock

Better yet, unlike with the DA 1.4x Rear Converter, this one vignettes much less.

How much more vignetting is the combo DA* 50-135mm + Pentax 1.4x rear converter?

Mock · 06-02-2016, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by Huy

Thank you very much for sharing. This is a very good news for my DA* 50-135mm.

How much more vignetting is the combo DA* 50-135mm + Pentax 1.4x rear converter?

They're not my images to share, but a little bit worse for vignetting, especially at 135mm which looks nearly the same as using the lens in FF mode at 135mm without TC. The extreme corners were also soup in terms of resolution, both at 50 and 135mm.
Remember that the Pentax unit is designated DA, and it shows, which is unfortunate because I'd rather have a weather-sealed converter to match the lens.

The samples here don't give a good example of corner resolution, but this TC does a much better job.

surfar · 08-01-2016, 06:33 PM

I own that TC, its pretty good and value too.Turns my 135-400mm to 189-560mm and the plastic fantastic 50 to 70mm F2.5.

Sandy Hancock · 08-01-2016, 07:33 PM

For shots with the subject in the centre and darkness in the peripheries, it looks like you're on a winner.

I'll stick to using it on a crop body. In that environment it really is a beauty

surfar · 08-03-2016, 08:09 PM

55/300 with Vivitar 1.4x TC...crop mode @300mm

azath · 08-22-2018, 01:54 PM

Seems great!
What about 50-135 + DA 1.4 TC on a K-3 or K-3 II, anyone?
I'm actually liking the idea of that compact lightweight quality "70-200 f4", and do own a K-3 II.
50-135 is just gorgeous anyway.
How's the AF affected by the TC?

06-02-2016, 07:10 PM - 2 Likes	#1
Mock Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 314	*DA 50-135 + Kenko 1.4X TC - an FF beauty on K-1!** Received a Kenko 1.4X AF DG teleconverter today. It is a non-SDM unit and would not auto focus the DA* 50-135 by default. The lens will tell the camera to use SDM motor, even if there is no connection through the SDM contacts. So I followed Blacknight659's useful post on converting the lens to screwdrive, and it works like a charm with the TC! Better yet, unlike with the DA 1.4x Rear Converter, this one vignettes much less. The image quality is pretty good too! I'm very happy with this new DA* 70-189mm f/4. Vignetting tests: 50mm, f/2.8 - Ignore the tree in the corner, it's out of focus, and moving in the wind. 135mm, f/2.8 50mm, f/11 135mm f/11 Feline gauntlet -a bit of processing on these images, but sharpening is the same for each. 135mm, f/2.8, ISO 10000 80mm, f/2.8 80mm, f/4 80mm, f/5.6 Last edited by Mock; 06-02-2016 at 07:18 PM.

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06-02-2016, 07:23 PM	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,618	You have a gorgeous cat.

06-02-2016, 07:27 PM	#3
Mock Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 314 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss You have a gorgeous cat. I wanted to do a series at 135mm too, but she had enough of my bounce flash for one day. Went off to nap somewhere more secluded.

06-02-2016, 09:37 PM	#4
Huy Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 87	Thank you very much for sharing. This is a very good news for my DA* 50-135mm. Originally posted by Mock Better yet, unlike with the DA 1.4x Rear Converter, this one vignettes much less. How much more vignetting is the combo DA* 50-135mm + Pentax 1.4x rear converter?

06-02-2016, 09:46 PM	#5
Mock Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Edmonton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 314 Original Poster	Originally posted by Huy Thank you very much for sharing. This is a very good news for my DA* 50-135mm. How much more vignetting is the combo DA* 50-135mm + Pentax 1.4x rear converter? They're not my images to share, but a little bit worse for vignetting, especially at 135mm which looks nearly the same as using the lens in FF mode at 135mm without TC. The extreme corners were also soup in terms of resolution, both at 50 and 135mm. Remember that the Pentax unit is designated DA, and it shows, which is unfortunate because I'd rather have a weather-sealed converter to match the lens. The samples here don't give a good example of corner resolution, but this TC does a much better job.

08-01-2016, 06:33 PM	#6
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,137	I own that TC, its pretty good and value too.Turns my 135-400mm to 189-560mm and the plastic fantastic 50 to 70mm F2.5.

08-01-2016, 07:33 PM	#7
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	For shots with the subject in the centre and darkness in the peripheries, it looks like you're on a winner. I'll stick to using it on a crop body. In that environment it really is a beauty

08-22-2018, 01:54 PM	#9
azath Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Alps Photos: Gallery Posts: 35	Seems great! What about 50-135 + DA 1.4 TC on a K-3 or K-3 II, anyone? I'm actually liking the idea of that compact lightweight quality "70-200 f4", and do own a K-3 II. 50-135 is just gorgeous anyway. How's the AF affected by the TC?

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