Tamron 90mm with 1.4X converter.

[Steve Babbs]

Hi

I've been pondering buying a Sigma 150mm or 180mm macro but I've been put off by two things: the price and the size. I like my Tamron 90mm, but it is a bit small. Anyone tried this or similar lenses with a 1.4x converter and if so what ones?

Cheers

Steve

www.freewebs.com/stevebabbs/

[Gruditch]

Not sure that it will work Steve. The Sigma 105 for example, won't work with a converter, I don't think any Canon lens under 135mm will work with a converter, I'd imagine that its the same, or similar story with other brands.

Regards Gruditch

[NickB]

Hi
I too love the Tamron 90mm (on my Nikon) - and like you, I found it a bit too short some of the time.....so I use with a Kenco Pro 3000 1.4TC. Many of last year's pictures were taken with that set-up. I found I lost 1/2 to 1 stop (down to f3.5 not f2.8 ) but none of the quality

I had to re-think some of my shooting technique; if I went as close as I had without the TC, I ended up getting too close for that set-up - wing-tips out of focus, head in-focus, that sort of thing - so I learned to draw-back a little to regain a little d-o-f.....
At around £125, the 1.4 TC is a good addition to the kit-bag (cheaper than a 150mm or 180mm macro!) and can also be used with other lenses and you still have your 90mm too. (I still ended-up getting a second-hand 200mm Nikkor for real reach, 'but that filled a gap until I could afford it!)

Worth checking-out...
N

[Gruditch]

I stand corrected the Tamron doe's work with a x1.4. Are you sure it that it doesn't loose a whole stop though Nick = F/4.

Regards Gruditch

[NickB]

I stand corrected the Tamron doe's work with a x1.4. Are you sure it that it doesn't loose a whole stop though Nick = F/4.
Regards Gruditch

I know - conventional wisdom states one stop. And I was wondering that too when I got it - but my metering says f3.5, sometimes f3.2 even, when I open it up - and I don't notice the difference in practice.

N

[Steve Babbs]

It's interesting the huge variation in price. Of this converter.It's about £190 on, the normally reasonably priced, Warehouse Express but I've found it for £111 elsewhere. I presume they haven't brought out a new version recently?

I can cope with the loss of a stop, as long as the image quality doesn't suffer so thanks for the feedback. I'd love to hear from others as well. It's certainly tempting and, although I wouldn't use it with other lenses at the moment, it could be useful in future.

[NickB]

Well mine was 2 years ago.....but it is worth looking around....
...and also making sure that they do ACTUALLY have things in stock. I have had too many "its on order" moments before from cheaper sites...but if you do wait they usually do come up with the goods.
http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.ph ... 53d7cfa8c6

This place has it for under £120...I have been tempted, but not yet used this site...from Hong Kong, although I suspect that some of the UK suppliers may just order from places like this, which would account for the time it takes some of them...
N
...and it is the Kenco Teleplus 300 Pro 1.4TC with DG....if there is a DGX, then that may be better.....
..some slight softness in the TC images; a little contrast brings it back....

[Markulous]

Yeah, I occasionally use my PRO300 1.4x with the Sigma 105mm but usually I want to get closer (as in bigger as I've the 150mm to get further back) so resort to tubes!

I think the DGX is relatively new and commands the higher prices - I've the older DG with which I've no probs (I find I lose 1 stop) snagged off fleabay at half the price of new

[Chris Pickford]

I think the issue with the apparent aperture not indicating a full stop light loss may be a consequence of the fact that the apparent aperture of the lens changes as you focus (fact of life with macro lenses usually). In other words, at infinity focus, the aperture will indicate f2.8, but as you focus closer the number rises to f5.6 at 1:1. With a teleconverter, this still appears to be the same (f2.8 to 5.6, but isn't of course).

I must say my Tamron 90mm works reasonably well with a Kenko 2x MC7 teleconverter. There is some resolution loss (drops about a third according to my measurements) and there is a bit less contrast but it does give you 180mm macro performance, and of course now focuses down to give you a 2x image at closest focus....useful for eggs and small larave!

Chris