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chopsie

chopsie

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michael
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Hi all

I'm sure this has been asked several times, I have looked
I'm using a D7100 and I have been looking at tele convertors, I have 2 lens I would like to try it on 120-400mm sigma and a Tamron 180mm macro.
I a bit confused as to what to buy????? I have been looking at a X2.
Would this help get even closer than 1.1 on the macro? Also would the Sigma work well for moon shots?
Would this be of use NIKON TC-201 S 2X teleconverter AI-S TC201
Thank you
Mick
 
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Bit confused by your question

Are you talking about a teleconverter for extra reach on your long lens or are you talking about extension tubes to gain extra magnification to your macro ?

Two very different things.

Adding tubes to your macro is one thing but adding a teleconverter (especially a 2x) is a minefield depending on the max aperture of your lens and at what point your body will fail to retain autofocus.

general rule of thumb

2X teleconverters - best with fast f2.8 lenses (becoming f5.6) or f4 lenses if you have a body which can retain autofocus at f8
 
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I was kinda hoping the TC would do both, Not worried about AF
 
chopsie said:
Hi all

I'm sure this has been asked several times, I have looked
I'm using a D7100 and I have been looking at tele convertors, I have 2 lens I would like to try it on 120-400mm sigma and a Tamron 180mm macro.
I a bit confused as to what to buy????? I have been looking at a X2.
Would this help get even closer than 1.1 on the macro? Also would the Sigma work well for moon shots?
Would this be of use NIKON TC-201 S 2X teleconverter AI-S TC201
Thank you
Mick
Click to expand...


You're talking about to completely different things, extension tubes increase the magnification of your lens, means you minimum focal distance is improved because the extension tube move the lens farther away from the focal plane. Extension tubes like the kenko ones come in 12, 20 and 36mm
Http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_tube

Teleconvertors increase the focal length of your lens, example 120-400mm with 2x TC becomes a 240-800mm lens. Unfortunately you also lose f-stops, so your f4 lens becomes f8 or f5.6 becomes f11, it also significantly reduces autofocus speed or renders the lens manual focus only. Teleconvertors are really designed for the faster lenses like primes, although they get used with zooms as well, not all lenses are compatable and image quality with the 2x TCs aren't great unless you've got pretty decent optics to start with.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter
 
I use a 1.4X extender on my Canon MP-E. It gets me from a maximum of 5X magnification to almost 7X magnification, so I assume any additional magnification is a simple calculation based on the size of the extender (in my case 5 X 1.4).

I have no experience with longer focal length macro lenses, but I suspect you would get a similar result, and possibly up to 1:2 with a 2X extender. A couple of points to be aware of, I have the latest extender which I can connect directly to my lens. I understand earlier versions or different lens require placing an extension tube between the extender and lens. There is a glass element in the extender which sticks out beyond the length of the extender and, as a result, is compatible with only certain lenses. I have no idea if this is the case with Nikon, but maybe something worth investigating further. If so, adding an extension tube may resolve the problem, and also provide slightly more magnification in the process.

The other consideration has already been mentioned in that you will lose light by adding an extender. You'll also likely lose some image quality and both these things are particularly bad when it comes to macro work. I read that this was far more noticeable with the 2X extender, so settled on the 1.4 despite the reduced magnification. Also, I was adding it to a F2.8 prime lens, so had a good quality base to build on.
 
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/Macro-telecon.htm

Teleconverters
Teleconverters (TCs) also fit in between the camera and lens. They are special lenses that multiply the focal length of the lens. They have an interesting effect on a macro lens. For example, consider a 2xTC. It would enable a macro lens that does 1x magnification the ability to do 2x at the same working distance or 1x at twice the working distance. An advantage is that you retain infinity focus. Some folks argue a disadvantage of TCs is that they degrade the image. While I tend to agree with this argument in other areas of photography, it seems to be much less of a problem with macro photography. Perhaps this is because macro lenses are designed to be sharp throughout the lens rather than just in the middle.
Click to expand...

Looks like the TC does work with a macro lens
 
i use tc with macro lenses, the main disadvantage you might face is the af gets worse, but it will get worse with tubes too i guess
but as a tc enlarges the center of the image circle of the lens, you gain abit more depth of field vs a tube, and itll extend your other lenses too for tele stuff.

kenko dgx 1.4 are good and will fit most lenses, the nikon ones are limited to certain lenses i think? same with sigma's.
 
A TC works well with a macro lens. It makes the focal length longer without increasing the minimum focus distance.

I can't imagine a tc working all that effectively with your sigma tele though. I think you'll really struggle for autofocus.
 
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