tamron 1.4 on the DA 560

**nitehntr** · 05-30-2020, 11:07 AM

i have a question i have never seen on the forums. its probably here i just can't find it. i have an older full frame Tamron 1.4 SDM converter. it works just fine on the DFA 150-450 and the DFA 70-200 but this morning while back yard birding with the K1 i tried it for the first time on the DA 560 and it would not work. it kind of worked itself back and forth but never even tried to lock focus. i manually turned the focus ring to infinity and the same thing. i took it off cleaned all the contacts on both lenses and still the same thing. i figured it had died but i replaced the 560 with the 150-450 and it worked perfectly. the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it. i keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far. any thoughts would be appreciated.

**AstroDave** · 05-30-2020, 01:42 PM - **1 Like**

The widest aperture on the 560 is f/5.6 . I suspect with the TC added, the camera combo is not very happy with the amount of light that gets through to the autofocus system. You should still be OK with manual focus (although the image may be rather dark!).

**Apet-Sure** · 05-30-2020, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by AstroDave

The widest aperture on the 560 is f/5.6 . I suspect with the TC added, the camera combo is not very happy with the amount of light that gets through to the autofocus system.

That's what I was thinking too. Have you tried autofocus using Live View? It might make a difference.

KiloHotelphoto · 05-30-2020, 03:49 PM

Like AstroDave mentioned the F8 may not work with the Tamron TC.

I used the Pentax DA 1.4tc on the 560 when I owned it and it made the already slow auto focus glacier like but it did work.

**nitehntr** · 05-31-2020, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto

Like AstroDave mentioned the F8 may not work with the Tamron TC.

I used the Pentax DA 1.4tc on the 560 when I owned it and it made the already slow auto focus glacier like but it did work.

i had the same thoughts but the tamron functioned well with the 150-450 fully extended on the K1 and the 560 works well with the DA 1.4 on the K3. i will try it in live view and see what happens. the optics in the tamron are older it might just remain a mystery. thanks everyone for the ideas.

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-31-2020, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by nitehntr

i have a question i have never seen on the forums. its probably here i just can't find it. i have an older full frame Tamron 1.4 SDM converter. it works just fine on the DFA 150-450 and the DFA 70-200 but this morning while back yard birding with the K1 i tried it for the first time on the DA 560 and it would not work. it kind of worked itself back and forth but never even tried to lock focus. i manually turned the focus ring to infinity and the same thing. i took it off cleaned all the contacts on both lenses and still the same thing. i figured it had died but i replaced the 560 with the 150-450 and it worked perfectly. the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it. i keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far. any thoughts would be appreciated.

In re-reading this, I had a thought. Have you tried the sigma APO EX 1.4x TC? It is screw drive only, just a thought. Note the sigma TC requires a recess in the rear of the lens 35 mm in diameter 14 mm deep.

I am looking into the 560mm and this would be an interesting question to have answered, as I already have the sigma TC

**nitehntr** · 06-01-2020, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

In re-reading this, I had a thought. Have you tried the sigma APO EX 1.4x TC? It is screw drive only, just a thought. Note the sigma TC requires a recess in the rear of the lens 35 mm in diameter 14 mm deep.

I am looking into the 560mm and this would be an interesting question to have answered, as I already have the sigma TC

sigma screw drive lenses have been very quirky on my K1 i have three older film era lanes and they are basically useless on the K1 have not had the same problem with any tamron until this with the 1.4 converter. as far as the 560 goes it is a great lens. i can hand hold it at fast shutter speeds and get good shots but mostly use a gimbal head. i do a lot of backyard birding and use my jeep as a blind with a sand bag on the window sill. i recommend it highly

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-01-2020, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by nitehntr

sigma screw drive lenses have been very quirky on my K1 i have three older film era lanes and they are basically useless on the K1 have not had the same problem with any tamron until this with the 1.4 converter. as far as the 560 goes it is a great lens. i can hand hold it at fast shutter speeds and get good shots but mostly use a gimbal head. i do a lot of backyard birding and use my jeep as a blind with a sand bag on the window sill. i recommend it highly

It’s interesting, I use the Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX on my K1 MKII WITH BOTH THE 1.4x and 2 x TCs with no issue, except since the TC sends information straight though the aperture is not compensated for within the TC

angerdan · 11-24-2020, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by nitehntr

the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it.
I keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far.

The DA 560mm has no screw drive - only DC!

There are two FF TC expected: FF TC - full frame teleconverter - PentaxForums.com

**nitehntr** · 11-25-2020, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by angerdan

The DA 560mm has no screw drive - only DC!

There are two FF TC expected: FF TC - full frame teleconverter - PentaxForums.com

i must have been guilty of an assumption when i read that it had been tried on an MZS to see how it worked on full frame. it never occurred to me that they would manual focus. big DUH to me

angerdan · 02-21-2021, 03:03 AM

Does the AF of the DA560 work without TC on your K-1?

**nitehntr** · 02-21-2021, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by angerdan

Does the AF of the DA560 work without TC on your K-1?

yes quite well when mounted on the K1

gatorguy · 02-21-2021, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

It’s interesting, I use the Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX on my K1 MKII WITH BOTH THE 1.4x and 2 x TCs with no issue, except since the TC sends information straight though the aperture is not compensated for within the TC

Same here, I've not noticed any issue with the 70-200EX and those TC's either.

Hey Lowell, since we're on the subject I noticed Sigma cautions you to not try using both TC's at the same time, so I never have, even tho I've stacked other TC's on other lenses before. Is it a physical reason not to with the Sigma's, something with potential damage?

**Lowell Goudge** · 02-21-2021, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

Same here, I've not noticed any issue with the 70-200EX and either of those TC either.

Hey Lowell, since we're on the subject I noticed Sigma cautions you to not try using both TC's at the same time, so I never have, even tho I've stacked other TC's on other lenses before. Is it a physical reason not to with the Sigma's, something with potential damage?

The issue is that the protruding front element makes it impossible to stack the 2x or a 1.4x behind the 1.4x. But....

You can stack a 1.4x behind the 2x. I’ve done it once. AF performance is terrible, on,y super bright day. And MF I am concerned puts the drive at risk due to the drag of the components.

Below is a shot from the K10, about 10% of the image area, shot from a boat, hand held

05-30-2020, 11:07 AM	#1
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238	tamron 1.4 on the DA 560 i have a question i have never seen on the forums. its probably here i just can't find it. i have an older full frame Tamron 1.4 SDM converter. it works just fine on the DFA 150-450 and the DFA 70-200 but this morning while back yard birding with the K1 i tried it for the first time on the DA 560 and it would not work. it kind of worked itself back and forth but never even tried to lock focus. i manually turned the focus ring to infinity and the same thing. i took it off cleaned all the contacts on both lenses and still the same thing. i figured it had died but i replaced the 560 with the 150-450 and it worked perfectly. the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it. i keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far. any thoughts would be appreciated.

02-21-2021, 04:55 AM	#13
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,094	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge It’s interesting, I use the Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX on my K1 MKII WITH BOTH THE 1.4x and 2 x TCs with no issue, except since the TC sends information straight though the aperture is not compensated for within the TC Same here, I've not noticed any issue with the 70-200EX and those TC's either. Hey Lowell, since we're on the subject I noticed Sigma cautions you to not try using both TC's at the same time, so I never have, even tho I've stacked other TC's on other lenses before. Is it a physical reason not to with the Sigma's, something with potential damage? Last edited by gatorguy; 02-21-2021 at 07:54 AM.

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05-30-2020, 01:42 PM - 1 Like	#2
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,648	The widest aperture on the 560 is f/5.6 . I suspect with the TC added, the camera combo is not very happy with the amount of light that gets through to the autofocus system. You should still be OK with manual focus (although the image may be rather dark!).

05-30-2020, 01:53 PM	#3
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	Originally posted by AstroDave The widest aperture on the 560 is f/5.6 . I suspect with the TC added, the camera combo is not very happy with the amount of light that gets through to the autofocus system. That's what I was thinking too. Have you tried autofocus using Live View? It might make a difference.

05-30-2020, 03:49 PM	#4
KiloHotelphoto Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Glen Mills, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,030	Like AstroDave mentioned the F8 may not work with the Tamron TC. I used the Pentax DA 1.4tc on the 560 when I owned it and it made the already slow auto focus glacier like but it did work.

05-31-2020, 05:34 AM	#5
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238 Original Poster	Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto Like AstroDave mentioned the F8 may not work with the Tamron TC. I used the Pentax DA 1.4tc on the 560 when I owned it and it made the already slow auto focus glacier like but it did work. i had the same thoughts but the tamron functioned well with the 150-450 fully extended on the K1 and the 560 works well with the DA 1.4 on the K3. i will try it in live view and see what happens. the optics in the tamron are older it might just remain a mystery. thanks everyone for the ideas.

05-31-2020, 05:57 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by nitehntr i have a question i have never seen on the forums. its probably here i just can't find it. i have an older full frame Tamron 1.4 SDM converter. it works just fine on the DFA 150-450 and the DFA 70-200 but this morning while back yard birding with the K1 i tried it for the first time on the DA 560 and it would not work. it kind of worked itself back and forth but never even tried to lock focus. i manually turned the focus ring to infinity and the same thing. i took it off cleaned all the contacts on both lenses and still the same thing. i figured it had died but i replaced the 560 with the 150-450 and it worked perfectly. the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it. i keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far. any thoughts would be appreciated. In re-reading this, I had a thought. Have you tried the sigma APO EX 1.4x TC? It is screw drive only, just a thought. Note the sigma TC requires a recess in the rear of the lens 35 mm in diameter 14 mm deep. I am looking into the 560mm and this would be an interesting question to have answered, as I already have the sigma TC

06-01-2020, 06:48 AM	#7
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge In re-reading this, I had a thought. Have you tried the sigma APO EX 1.4x TC? It is screw drive only, just a thought. Note the sigma TC requires a recess in the rear of the lens 35 mm in diameter 14 mm deep. I am looking into the 560mm and this would be an interesting question to have answered, as I already have the sigma TC sigma screw drive lenses have been very quirky on my K1 i have three older film era lanes and they are basically useless on the K1 have not had the same problem with any tamron until this with the 1.4 converter. as far as the 560 goes it is a great lens. i can hand hold it at fast shutter speeds and get good shots but mostly use a gimbal head. i do a lot of backyard birding and use my jeep as a blind with a sand bag on the window sill. i recommend it highly

06-01-2020, 08:57 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by nitehntr sigma screw drive lenses have been very quirky on my K1 i have three older film era lanes and they are basically useless on the K1 have not had the same problem with any tamron until this with the 1.4 converter. as far as the 560 goes it is a great lens. i can hand hold it at fast shutter speeds and get good shots but mostly use a gimbal head. i do a lot of backyard birding and use my jeep as a blind with a sand bag on the window sill. i recommend it highly It’s interesting, I use the Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX on my K1 MKII WITH BOTH THE 1.4x and 2 x TCs with no issue, except since the TC sends information straight though the aperture is not compensated for within the TC

11-24-2020, 04:07 PM	#9
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Originally posted by nitehntr the only difference i can see is the 560 has screw drive capabilities and so does the converter and i am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could the screw drive capabilities on the 560 be confusing it. I keep hoping for a Pentax branded full frame converter but nothing so far. The DA 560mm has no screw drive - only DC! There are two FF TC expected: FF TC - full frame teleconverter - PentaxForums.com

11-25-2020, 05:27 PM	#10
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238 Original Poster	Originally posted by angerdan The DA 560mm has no screw drive - only DC! There are two FF TC expected: FF TC - full frame teleconverter - PentaxForums.com i must have been guilty of an assumption when i read that it had been tried on an MZS to see how it worked on full frame. it never occurred to me that they would manual focus. big DUH to me

02-21-2021, 03:03 AM	#11
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Does the AF of the DA560 work without TC on your K-1?

02-21-2021, 04:05 AM	#12
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238 Original Poster	Originally posted by angerdan Does the AF of the DA560 work without TC on your K-1? yes quite well when mounted on the K1

02-21-2021, 05:15 AM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by gatorguy Same here, I've not noticed any issue with the 70-200EX and either of those TC either. Hey Lowell, since we're on the subject I noticed Sigma cautions you to not try using both TC's at the same time, so I never have, even tho I've stacked other TC's on other lenses before. Is it a physical reason not to with the Sigma's, something with potential damage? The issue is that the protruding front element makes it impossible to stack the 2x or a 1.4x behind the 1.4x. But.... You can stack a 1.4x behind the 2x. I’ve done it once. AF performance is terrible, on,y super bright day. And MF I am concerned puts the drive at risk due to the drag of the components. Below is a shot from the K10, about 10% of the image area, shot from a boat, hand held