First Impressions: DA*300 with Tamron 1.4 TC

[brad_n]

<p>Thanks to Ben I now have a Tamron 1.4 TC. As expected, AF works but doesn't use the SDM. I took two shots with and without the TC: AF mode, ISO 400, f8, tripod. The goose was about 75ft away and I cropped them both for full frame. I did exactly the same PP in Lightroom.</p>

<p>OK. These pics won't win any awards but geese will stand still for a long time.</p>

<p>With Tamron 1.4 TC:</p>

<p><img src="http://smile-123.smugmug.com/photos/473017654_GMHgi-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Just DA*300</p>

<p><img src="http://smile-123.smugmug.com/photos/473017701_9tqUa-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>If you compare the detail in the fine brown feathers and the upper backgrounds, you can easily see some degradation caused by the Tamron TC. But...not bad at all. Which brings us to the question, are you better off cropping for that extra lens length? In this case I'd say yes. But if the subject isn't in focus cropping isn't going to help. This is a large subject at a reasonable distance. With smaller subjects or longer distances I have no doubt that the a good TC is a significant advantage.<br>

One signficant drawback to the Tamron TC and any existing TC is that AF is very slow. I tried to capture some BIFs, like a GBH that flew straight at me and over my head, and not one shot was in focus. I think that I can alleviate this problem somewhat by adjusting my technique to compensate. </p>

<p> </p>

[daniel_tong1]

<p>Brad,<br>

Would appreciate if you can provide us with the exact model of your TC.<br>

I am sure some Kenko/Tamron TC can operate the SDM of your lens. It is possible that your TC has the power contacts like what I have in 1.5x. It is possible that shooting at F8 could severely limit the inflow of light.<br>

My TC is pz-af 1.5x teleplus shq . There is no mark as to whether it is Kenko or Tamron on the TC itself. On the other side it states Made in Japan. Nonetheless, it marks Kenko on the box only. There is no DA*300mm ready to be tested in a local camera store yet.<br>

Degradation is unavoidable. The only unsure thing is by how much<br>

Thanks for your input on this coveted lens</p>

<p>Daniel</p>

<p><img src="http://www.pbase.com/palmor/image/92387860/original.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[brad_n]

<p>Daniel,<br>

Its a Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF MC4.<br>

Before I found that (they are out of production, apparently sold to Pentax) I could olny find a Kenko 2x, Bowers 2x, and Pheonix C/D7 AF at my local dealer. All of them worked with AF on non-SDM lenses. NONE of them worked AF on SDM lenses. I compared all three and found the Pheonix to be sharper than the other two and bought that. I just can't live without AF.<br>

I've had my DA* 300/F4 for nearly a year. My local US dealer also stocks a DA*100 and DA*200. The 100 and 300 have both received rave remarks in this forum. I don't recall seeing any mention of the DA* 200 here but I am sure that it too is suppurb. PS They are in the US Pentax catalog on-line.<br>

I also noticed that the Tamron increases contrast. You can see that above in the test photos.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Man, this can get confusing! My Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x <em>does</em> work with SDM as well as 'regular' AF lenses. My Kenko DG Pz-AF 1.5x TELEPLUS MC does not AF at <em>all</em> with the DA*300mm but works just fine with 'regular' (olde school? ;~) AF lenses.</p>

<p>But your "TC or crop" question is a good one, Brad, and one I ponder as well. I think there are several considerations: If shooting MF, the TC might help me achieve the sharpest focus. If shooting with the K100D I'd probably opt for the TC to preserve MPs whereas I wouldn't miss the MPs as much with the K20D. I also think I'd be more inclined to reach for the TC in good light than in low light. Am I making sense?</p>

<p>Daniel, Don't you have the DA*200mm? Have you tried your TC with that lens?</p>

<p> </p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>The TC should have faster AF with a faster lens, like the DA* 200mm f/2.8 since more light is incoming. I also have the Tamron 1.4x AF TC, with the PZ power contact, but have the older FA* 300mm f/4.5 without SDM. I have not yet evaluated its AF speed.</p>

[daniel_tong1]

<p >Ok </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Let me recap what works what</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 AF works. SDM no re Brad</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x both SDM & AF works re Dave </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Kenko DG Pz-AF 1.5x TELEPLUS MC no AF no SDM on DA*300mm re Dave</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Kenko DG Pz-AF 1.5x TELEPLUS MC AF works on older AF lens re Dave </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Kenko pz-af 1.5x teleplus shq both AF & SDM works for DA*200mm and all older AF lens re Daniel </p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p >I am to continue to expand this list when input is provided by other forum members</p>

<p > </p>

<p >It is mindboggingly confusing </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Michael : can you confirm the exact model of your TC. Likely it is Pz-AF ?</p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Daniel <br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/pentax-camera-forum/"></a></p>

[jacques c pelletier]

<p>Daniel,<br>

I am in the same boat here!<br>

Which TC will definitely work with the DA*300 SDM? and also, by extension, work with other "AF" lenses? As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was trying to figure out, if I bought the DA*300, which TC to get. I am just as confused as anyone else.<br>

Wouldn't it be nice to have a list, such as you are doing here, showing all TC's compatible with DA*/DA/ FA and such lenses?<br>

JP</p>

 

[shots worth sharing]

<p>A bit of serendipity: all this TC talk got me doing a bit of testing and, in the process, I inadvertently stacked the Tamron 1.4 and the Pentax A 2x-s on the 300mm. Unfortunately, I deleted the files before I realized what had happened but the results were pretty good.</p>

[daniel_tong1]

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Jacques</p>

<p > </p>

<p >AF (screw drive) of most FA and DA lenses work with AF TCs</p>

<p > </p>

<p >SDM (which need separate power contacts) particularly of DA*300mm is tricky as its F4 aperture is slower than those of DA*200mmF2.8 & DA*50-135mmF2.8. Always bear in mind that faster lenses works better with TCs.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >These 3 have reported the following:</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x both SDM & AF works for DA*300mm as per Toshi, moderator of Pentaxforums.com. </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Tamron-F Pz-AF MC4 1.4x both SDM & AF works for DA*300mm re Dave (photo.net)</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Kenko Pz-AF 1.5x TELEPLUS SHQ both AF & SDM works for DA*300mm re Borno (Tom) of Pentaxforums.com ….according to him, he is not happy that SDM hunts a bit with DA*300mm</p>

<p > </p>

<p >It would be easy for you to search these recent entries</p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

<p >Daniel </p>

[jgredline]

<p>As far as TC's and what does and does not work, click here.<br>

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/19694-tamron-tc-converter-pics.html</p>

<p>As far as the OP goes and there are a few things that are a must when using a TC..I use them all the time and get extremely good results with very to NO loss in detail. I always shoot in AV mode and always wide open when using a TC. I never shoot with less that 640 and usually 800-1000 ISO when using a TC and always use between +.3 and +1 EV to make up the difference in the stop I loose...Works great for me.</p>