Teleconverter advice please.

[phillipb]

I'm thinking of buying a 2x TC to use with my Sigma 105 2.8. I'm looking at kenko, they have a few different models such as Pro 300, MC7 etc.
Anyone have experience with these?, which one is worth buying?

[birddog114]

I'm thinking of buying a 2x TC to use with my Sigma 105 2.8. I'm looking at kenko, they have a few different models such as Pro 300, MC7 etc.
Anyone have experience with these?, which one is worth buying?

phillipB

DIY by going into Bunning hardware and grab a PVC plumber grade pipe

To be honest! what do you want or expecting to achieve 2x TC with that lens?
Is it worth? or will it work? does Sigma TC work with it?

[phillipb]

To be honest! what do you want or expecting to achieve 2x TC with that lens?
Is it worth? or will it work? does Sigma TC work with it?

Birddog, I was hoping to achieve a macro lens of around 200mm. Loosing 2 f-stops wouldn't matter becuse in macro you tend to use f11 or smaller anyway.

[birddog114]

To be honest! what do you want or expecting to achieve 2x TC with that lens?
Is it worth? or will it work? does Sigma TC work with it?

Birddog, I was hoping to achieve a macro lens of around 200mm. Loosing 2 f-stops wouldn't matter becuse in macro you tend to use f11 or smaller anyway.

That's OK! but does the Kenko or Sigma TC work on it (105mm)?

[birddog114]

I know none of any TC works (un-attachable to) with the Nikkor 105 macro.

[phillipb]

Don't know, that's why I'm asking the question. I'm hoping someone here knows because so far I can't find it on the net.

[birddog114]

Don't know, that's why I'm asking the question. I'm hoping someone here knows because so far I can't find it on the net.

My reply is NO.

[phillipb]

You're most probably right Birddog, in the Sigma website's FAQ they show a compatibility chart which starts with the 180mm. I tried emailing them but the email returned an error.

[gstark]

You're most probably right Birddog, in the Sigma website's FAQ they show a compatibility chart which starts with the 180mm. I tried emailing them but the email returned an error.

It would seem that their email system is of similar quality to their hardware.

[phillipb]

I knew as soon as I saw who was replying that I would regret clicking into the thread.

[Glen]

Philip, sirhc55 (the Sigma Chairman) has 2Xtc and the 105. Ask him if it works

I have the 105, my manual Nikon 2X works (ie fits, auto nothing)

[phillipb]

Thanks Glen,
I have a Soligor 2x TC and it fits on the sigma 105 auto nothing as well, that's what prompted me to try and find an AF one.

[sirhc55]

The Sigma 2x will NOT work on the 105mm. It will work with the 150 or 180mm macro

[phillipb]

Isn't it amazing, we have nikon lenses that will not take nikon TC's but will take other brands, and sigma lenses that will not take sigma TC's
Who designs these things?

[sirhc55]

The Sigma 2x is designed to be used exclusively with the following Sigma lenses:

120-300mm; 70-200mm and 300mm in the AF mode plus a select few in the manual mode. The same applies to the 1.4x unit.

A teleconverter has design criteria that limits their usage and is generally made to work with specific lenses

[birddog114]

Phillip,
You may find an old Nikon TC (Non AF) and it works as Glen said.
As I said earlier non of new TC (with AF or AF-S) works on the 105.
TC is not designed to fit or work on short or medium zoom lens + it's only fits within specific range.

[robboh]

The TC's that are the most 'compatible' around are the Kenko Pro 300 DG TCs.

Id imagine those '2 stops' will matter as you lose 1/2 your DOF with a TC.

I dont know much about macro, but would a Canon closeup filter be a better option? I often see mentioned that these do a good job and help with working distance.

[Mj]

Phillip... I'll take a slightly different tack here and ask... what do you wish to achieve?... do you want higher magnification?, more working distance? This might help sort out the best answer.

I'm currently thinking you have the following options:

- extension tubes
- diopter
- tc
- bellows
- another lens !!!

cheers.

[RICPIC]

i have a Kenko 2X TC that i use on a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8. I don't use it on my macro lens cause it would reduce quality, though i haven't tested it.

i have snapped the macro lens onto the TC and it does work in the sense that it gives you the extended focal length but cause i usually manually focus i didn't see if metering and auto focusing worked properly.

[phillipb]

Phillip... I'll take a slightly different tack here and ask... what do you wish to achieve?... do you want higher magnification?, more working distance? This might help sort out the best answer.

I'm currently thinking you have the following options:

- extension tubes
- diopter
- tc
- bellows
- another lens !!!

cheers.

Greater working distance.

[Glen]

Philip, Sigma 180 and Nikon 200 both get rave reviews in their pricepoints

[birddog114]

Philip, Sigma 180 and Nikon 200 both get rave reviews in their pricepoints

Also Nikkor 500mm AF-S/ f4 can be used as a good looooooooong macro lens as well.

[phillipb]

This is what I call the nuclear fusion effect.


Step 1. I see a 2x TC on ebay going for $49
Step 2. I start thinking if it can be of any use to me.
Step 3. Check my lenses and find that the Sigma 105 macro is the only one remotely probable.
Step 4. I post in this forum to get opinions.
Step 5. I sell the house to finance the purchase of the new lens.

[Oneputt]

So Phillip, what is wrong with that?

[Glen]

Remember to allow a bit extra for the Canon 500D for the front of your new 500/4

[Mj]

:lol:

Remember to allow a bit extra for the Canon 500D for the front of your new 500/4

Nope... no good... that'll short the working distance which is his primary objective !!!

[Steffen]

Remember to allow a bit extra for the Canon 500D for the front of your new 500/4

Nope... no good... that'll short the working distance which is his primary objective !!!

Shouldn't be too bad, given that the working distance without diopter is 4.6m...

Cheers
Steffen.

[phillipb]

Well I just got a reply from Sigma USA. This is what they had to say

Thank you for your inquiry.

Unfortunately our teleconverters are dedicated type, they only fit certain lenses, but not all.

This lens does not work with either of our teleconverters

What everyone here except me knew all along.

[birddog114]

Well I just got a reply from Sigma USA. This is what they had to say

Thank you for your inquiry.

Unfortunately our teleconverters are dedicated type, they only fit certain lenses, but not all.

This lens does not work with either of our teleconverters

What everyone here except me knew all along.

PhillipB,
Have you added the TC with 500 AF-S/ f4 for macro and ask Sigma USA?