Teleconverter info?

Giphsub

Can someone point me to where I can find info about which teleconverters are compatible with which lenses?

In particular I am wondering if can use a teleconverter with my old tamron AF XR LD (IF) 28-300. Where can I go to find this info?

ziggy53

Giphsub wrote:

Can someone point me to where I can find info about which teleconverters are compatible with which lenses?

In particular I am wondering if can use a teleconverter with my old tamron AF XR LD (IF) 28-300. Where can I go to find this info?

Mike,

I could not find a definitive answer to whether a teleconverter would physically couple to the Tamron AF 28-300mm, f3.5-6.3 XR, but I think the bigger question is whether you could get a satisfactory image from that lens and a teleconverter.

Generally, teleconverters are designed for telephoto lenses with a shallow rear convergence. I believe the lens you describe has a sharp rear convergence and that a teleconverter would not optically couple very well. You might be able to get the central portion of an image sharp, but the sharpness would rapidly decline away from the central axis.

I also doubt that you could get consistent autofocus at the longer focal lengths, because even a 1.4x converter would lose a full stop.

A teleconverter is probably just not indicated for that lens.

pathfinder

I agree with Ziggy.

TCs are a much better match with good primes, than with zooms.

Even very good zooms, like Canon's excellent 70-200 f2.8 IS L, do not create the same level of quality with a TC, as that seen with a good prime and a TC.

In optics, as in life, there really is no free lunch

Giphsub

Thanks guys, that is what I suspected, and I was looking at whether I could get away with being cheap for a while longer before biting the bullet (read: convincing the wife) and shelling out for the Bigma or something similar. I know my Nikon 18-200 can't use a tc, and wondered if my old tammy could. Anyway, thanks guys.

What recommendations do you have for a nikon setup to get me more reach that won't break my bank (and arms and legs due to my wife!)?

ziggy53

Giphsub wrote:

...

What recommendations do you have for a nikon setup to get me more reach that won't break my bank (and arms and legs due to my wife!)?

A gently used Bigma is the most cost effective solution, not that it's cheap.

The Nikkor 300mm f/4D ED IF AF-S is a very nice Nikon telephoto that probably would accept a teleconverter.

Giphsub

Thanks Ziggy. I think that nikkor lens might be out of my price range for now (not that I can buy one now anyway). Is the sigma a difficult lens to learn to use? What are the issues with it handling it?

ziggy53

Giphsub wrote:

Thanks Ziggy. I think that nikkor lens might be out of my price range for now (not that I can buy one now anyway). Is the sigma a difficult lens to learn to use? What are the issues with it handling it?

The Sigma 50-500mm, f4-6.3 EX APO DG HSM "Bigma" is a handfull. It can be used hand held, but a tripod is very useful beyond 200mm or so.

Mine has relatively low contrast and benefits greatly in post-processing.

Some folks have had luck adjusting the focus shim stack of the rear element, but I saw no improvement on my copy.

More information here:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=7263
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=25601
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=50148
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=392445&postcount=36
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=428676&postcount=51
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=29669

Giphsub

cheers ziggy, I will have a look at those over the next few days. I'm really just salivating over a bigger lense right now anyway. Still haven't received permission to go aboard from the missus!

Giphsub

So it seems getting used to a big lens like that is the major issue right? Just lots of shooting and practice, and tripod/monopod as much as possible. Well, I will think it all through a bit more and then work on the permission slip. Any thoughts on the latest tamron equivalents? Similar price for what I see, but no idea of quality.

Giphsub

I ended up going for a second hand bigma. Got it today and damn! :lift This thing is one heavy mother! It's gonna be fun getting used to it