| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Posts: 1,411
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 29, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Very well built | | Cons: | Didn't work with my lens | |
This really isn't a review of the teleconverter since I can't use them. It is actually a review of Sigma and the fact that their website doesn't provide the necessary information.
I purchased this TC (as well as the 2x TC) to use with my Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II lens. Unfortunately I found that they did not work. When I reviewed the paperwork provided with these teleconverters my lens was not mentioned. Needless to say I am disappointed, particularly when the Sigma website was not clear about this at all. So, to help anyone else who may be considering picking up either of these TCs, the following lenses are listed in the paperwork as compatible.
- Sigma APO Macro 180mm f3.5 EX IF - Manual Focus = Both
Sigma APO 300mm f2.8 EX - Autofocus = Both
Sigma APO TELE MACRO 300mm f4 - 1.4 = Autofocus - 2 = Manual Focus
Sigma APO TELE MACRO 400mm f5.6 - Manual Focus = Both
Sigma APO 500mm f4.5 EX - Manual Focus = Both
Sigma APO 800mm f5.6 EX - Manual Focus = Both
Sigma APO 50-500mm f4-6.3 EX RF = Manual Focus = Both
Sigma APO 70-200mm f2.8 EX
= Autofocus = Both
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2009 Location: Millersville, MD Posts: 7
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp | | Cons: | Pentax lens incompatibility | | Camera Used: K5
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I bought one of these a few years ago. Shooting text at a distance, I found the lens to be very sharp. It compared well to the Tamron AF MC4 1.4x in sharpness.
The issue with this lens is that it is ever so carefully designed to only fit Sigma glass. You can put a Pentax lens on it (the 300 DA in my case) but the locking pin on the mount is cleverly placed so as as to only permit my Sigma telephoto on it. With the Pentax lens, the locking pin will not click in.
You can use it on a Pentax lens, but don't carry the lens around while mounted on the teleconverter or it will work its way free and take a nose dive...
Its an excellent lens, otherwise.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: September 11, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Works as intended | | Cons: | Limited lens compatiblity, requires manual focus (in most cases) | | Camera Used: K-50, k-70
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I purchased this converter along with my 50-500 Bigma, and at the time, it was one of the few Pentax mount Sigmas designated as compatible. I don't use it much, as the Bigma is already slow @ f6.3 - a manual focusing f9.5 700mm isn't much fun to use. Optically, it is very good in combination, though. Several other reviews noted the protruding elements as hindering use; well, the Bigma can't use this converter without a special converter lockout setting @ 100mm to get its rear elements out of the way, either. On a whim, I tried the converter with my Sigma 50mm DG EX macro and surprisingly it works the same way as Bigma - as long as the focusing is short enough to get at least 1:2 magnification, it's fine. The added benefit is that it retains autofocus ability with the 50mm, although I don't often use autofocus for macro.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697 | | Review Date: May 15, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Best TC I have ever owned | | Cons: | Only works with some Sigma lenses | |
Works extremely well with the Sigma 70-200mm APO EX (about 6yrs old, I think!) on the K-5, and "snaps" on in autofocus very rapidly - provided that the lens+TC is not already focused at a very different distance. However, if the lens+TC is focused at a very different distance then it can hunt.
Nevertheless, autofocus is much snappier than with the Sigma 2x version.
Results seem to be very good so far (although I have not made a critical comparison) on the K-5, and were always very good on the GX-10 with the same lens.
Bought cheaply in the UK about 2-yrs ago for £125 (about $180US ??) as a stock-clearance item from a big dealer when the normal price was nearer £170 - and they are now well over £200/$300  | | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Posts: 262 | | Review Date: August 12, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent optical and build quality | | Cons: | Not a 'universal' converter, expensive | |
It is important to note that this is not a 'universal' teleconverter (although to be fair, it isn't marketed as one either). The front element protrudes, so if the rear element of the lens to be fitted is flush with mount (such as a DA*50-135mm) you can't use it. There is a list of compatible Sigma lenses on the Sigma site at http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/support/faq/condaitr.htm, but it should fit other third party lenses given the above caveat, but try it first.
Build quality is excellent. Used with my Sigma 100-300mm f4 there is little drop-off in quality and autofocus is retained, although it does sometimes hunt in low light. Also fine with my second-hand 300mm f2.8, although I'm still testing that one! Not cheap (I picked up a reconditioned model - list price is over £200) but then this is supposed to be pro grade equipment...
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2007 Location: Bay area, CA Posts: 194 | | Review Date: September 9, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharp, low profile | | Cons: | Only fit certain lens | |
This adapter has shown to be very sharp coupled with the 70-200 f2.8, makes a great 300mm f4 for birds and sports. It also works well with the Sigma 70mm macro and probably all Sigma DG lens of longer focal length.
the shallow design has a disadvantage: it wouldn't work with shorter focal lens, as the rear glass element of the lens will interfere with the coupler (But then again.. i don't know if this is symptomatic of all TC or just specific to this TC)
would have give it a 9 if not for the in-compatibility.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 668 | | Review Date: March 22, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Cheap (for me, don't know about you!), does what it says on the box, pairs nicely with 70-200 f2.8 | | Cons: | Slight reduction in AF speed, but that's expected | |
Picked this up for only AU $119 (currently about US$105), brand new, from a shop here in Adelaide, Australia. Was on backorder too so it was a damn good price!
Doesn't noticeably degrade image quality of the 70-200 f2.8, only adds 140g to the weight of the camera. 98-280 f4 for $119 - why not?? Which is 147-420 f4 on APS-C crop too!
Comes with dinky little cubic case and front & rear caps.
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