Teleconverter advice

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lionofjudah

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Hi
I have a Nikon D90 with Nikon 55-300 lens and possibly looking to get a sigma 150-600 lens.
Would there be certain teleconverters which could work with both lenses?
Is it really necessary to get a teleconverter especially with 150-600 lens?
I can get sigma 1.4x TC 1401 converter bit cheaper than RRP but obviously not sure if it would work on both above lenses.
 
Sigma shows the lens compatibility of their TCs on their website.
 
How about a Kenko t/c, I just got one, 1.4 DGX pro, seems ok and will take all the different lens and it gives all the data.
One stop Digital was the place that I got mine, cheapest of all places, its a grey import and is posted from HK but it got to me ok and its seems like a nice built t/c.
 
would the kenko tc work with both Nikon 55-300 and sigma 150-600? on their website it shows Nikon/canon compatibility but nothing for sigma.
 
If I remember correctly there was different answer depending where you look.
I wouldn't use a teleconverter on the sigma as the iq loss is very noticeable.
I had the 150-500 on my d90 and I found that more than enough reach. So I would of thought the 600 would be ideal.
 
lionofjudah said:
would the kenko tc work with both Nikon 55-300 and sigma 150-600? on their website it shows Nikon/canon compatibility but nothing for sigma.
Click to expand...
Best I dont answer that as I dont know :D
 
kingo15 said:
If I remember correctly there was different answer depending where you look.
I wouldn't use a teleconverter on the sigma as the iq loss is very noticeable.
I had the 150-500 on my d90 and I found that more than enough reach. So I would of thought the 600 would be ideal.
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ok that answers it - if I am looking at getting the 150-600 then there's no point of the teleconverter. I was just thinking as had found a deal for 150-600 lens + sigma t/c for £850 so i'll just save the £150 to use towards something else.
many thanks
 
Wait to see what others say mate. As I may be proved wrong.
But seeing as I have both and I'm not happy with the iq at the min.
If you do go for the 150-600 then get the dock that is a better investment in my opinion
 
Not sure if this will help you decide but the photos marked with TC on my Flickr account are with the Siggy and the TC 1401 It was first time out with the TC so go easy:D Steep learning curve on using the TC with my 80D. Black Friday saw most sellers offering 10% off the lens and TC I manged to bag mine with the TC for £743 inc 3.9% cashback from Top cashback expect the 10% discount again in the new year sales keep your powder dry!. Link below to my Flickr account

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51944381@N05/
 
lionofjudah said:
ok that answers it - if I am looking at getting the 150-600 then there's no point of the teleconverter. I was just thinking as had found a deal for 150-600 lens + sigma t/c for £850 so i'll just save the £150 to use towards something else.
many thanks
Click to expand...
Indeed if you have the 160-600 which is f6.3 at the 600 end, putting a 1.4 teleconvertor on would put you down at f10,11 and a 2x tele would mean you're at f13. I can't think af anything at either 840mm or 1200mm that would yield good results at f13
 
mazdaman said:
Not sure if this will help you decide but the photos marked with TC on my Flickr account are with the Siggy and the TC 1401 It was first time out with the TC so go easy:D Steep learning curve on using the TC with my 80D. Black Friday saw most sellers offering 10% off the lens and TC I manged to bag mine with the TC for £743 inc 3.9% cashback from Top cashback expect the 10% discount again in the new year sales keep your powder dry!. Link below to my Flickr account

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51944381@N05/
Click to expand...

I prefer your shots without the TC to be honest. The IQ loss is visible but not as bad but of course at a reach of 600 do I really need a TC. where did you get your from for that price? I'm not in a rush for it yet so can wait to see price changes for both lens and TC or just lens by itself.
 
lionofjudah said:
I prefer your shots without the TC to be honest. The IQ loss is visible but not as bad but of course at a reach of 600 do I really need a TC. where did you get your from for that price? I'm not in a rush for it yet so can wait to see price changes for both lens and TC or just lens by itself.
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Agree IQ loss is the trade off but if you know in advance what you intend to shoot then you can decide if you require the TC. There is also the argument are you better off cropping images without the TC.

Best place to look is download camera price buster app setup a watch list. Bought mine from WEX if the 10% discount is offered in the New Year sales it would be a good time to buy. The dock can be had for £40 gives you some options to customise the lens.

Given the price of this lens vs what a prime would cost even with a TC I think it's a great buy
 
If you are getting a 150-600 do you really need need a teleconverter? Teleconverters were meant for you use with fast f2.8 and f4 lenses. Only in recent years have we seen manufacturers push them for use with these long zooms. I honestly think it because it's opened another market to sell them to making them money rather than them being as much use.

With a f6.3 zoom you are going to be at least f10-11 with a 1.4tc, is that really that useful? Being at such a small aperture means either shutter speed has to be reduced (blur) or ISO increased (noise), not that useful in the British light levels in all but the brightest day. So now you are either shooting with a low shutter speed or an ISO pushed too far, again affecting the image quality.

Another thing to think of is focal and minimum shutter speed to stop camera shake from hand holding. If you go by the 1/focal length or 1/(focal length x 1.5) for a crop body you are going to be needing between 1/600 to 1/1000 without a TC, with it it's going to be 1/1000 to 1/1250. A tripod with stop this but you still need around 1/500-1/800 as a minimum for wildlife subjects (that's the usual reason why teleconverters are used).

It is possible to get closer without needing a teleconverter? The further from the subject the more the atmosphere has an effect.
 
Don't get a sigma 1.4x TC, I had one and the front worked loose from the back part, the centre holding it together is not strong enough. The first I returned for the same reason and the replacement was just as bad. Eventually i just chucked it as it was the biggest load of rubbish I have ever bought. Can't say about other makes but you are better off donating the cost of it to a charity. The Nikon D90 already has a crop factor of 1.5 or there abouts so a 300mm lens is infact 420mm if my memory serves me correctly
 
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