Pentaxian Registered: October, 2011 Location: British Columbia Posts: 377 | | Review Date: October 10, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, price, IQ | | Cons: | No SDM contacts, only passes along focal length data (does not modify it) | | Camera Used: K-1
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I've really enjoyed having this teleconverter on my Pentax k - 1. It pairs nicely with the FA 135 mm f/2.8. The sharpness remains very high, at least with my copy of the TC. Expect to see a slight drop in contrast. Also be aware that lenses that transmit lens data to the camera body will not report having an increased focal range. That is to say, a 135mm will still be stabilized at 135mm, not 189mm. That being said, this is probably the best teleconverter I've ever used. For the money, I would recommend it should you find yourself with screwdrive telephoto lenses that you wish were just a bit longer.
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New Member Registered: September, 2017 Posts: 14
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 17, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $42.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Autofocus works | | Cons: | Stiff manual focus | | Camera Used: K-50
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I've used this Tele Converter with a few different lenses. I find it quite useful with the Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro. It makes manual focusing a little stiffer, but the fact that it allows autofocus to work at all is wonderful. It is offers much better image quality than my 2x teleconverter.
The following images were taken using the Tamron 70-300 mounted on this Simga 1.4x Tele Converter AF. None are cropped or post-processed in any way:
Gator Breath
Pond Apple
Purple Gallinule Strikes
Green Heron Eating Small Fish
Lily Pad | |
Veteran Member Registered: June, 2013 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,954
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 14, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Lighter and thinner than comparable TCs; 5 elements 1.4X TC; FF | | Cons: | No SDM or HSM contacts | |
I came across this oddity recently in a LBA rage and could not resist purchasing it. An internet search later concluded this TC is either uncommon and/or poorly reported. In reality it is probably both scenarios as the performance was completely unexpected.
I tested the TC on the FA*80-200 and F*300. Wide open, the TC showed some CA in both lenses, but by comparison to other 'comparable' TCs it was either as good (Tamron-F 1.4X Pz-AF MC4) or better (Kenko 1.5X Teleplus DG). Stopped down, the CA is almost completely gone and IQ very good.
Contrast was slightly down by comparison with cropped images of the master lens sized to match. Not a major concern as post processing can easily account for that.
Sharpness was weaker than comparable cropped images, but not noticeably so. See below images of the F*300 - the first is cropped (no TC0 and the second is cropped (with TC).
F*300 (no TC) @ f8
F*300 (Sigma X1.4 AF) @f8
Focusing was fast and not fussy - although I only tested bright light conditions.
In summary, I found the the F*300 + TC combo exceptional. While cropping the F*300 (minus TC) is likely to produce a better image than use with the TC, it is possible that far field images would benefit from TC use. I speculate that the combo may even be equal to, or better than the max zoom range of the newly appointed DFA 150-450mm  if so - a a pocket rocket  | |
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