Lens/Teleconverter Combination: Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what...

Waterboy23 Loc: Toms River, NJ

Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what all the abbreviations stand for but I like the price and the 18-300mm range. Also, would it work well in auto focus with a teleconverter and, if so, would you recommend a 1.4x, 1.7x or 2.0x. Any comments would be appreciated.

TucsonCoyote Loc: Tucson AZ

The general rule with TC is, don't go over 1.4 or put up with all the problems that go with your decision to go higher.
Common weekly question...suggest you do a search.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Despite the manufacturer's nomenclature, this is NOT a macro lens. Maximum Reproduction Ratio = 1:3 (1/3 life-size), which is not too different than a typical lens of same focal length: http://www.thephoblographer.com/2015/02/04/review-sigma-18-300mm-f3-5-6-3-dc-macro-os-hsm-contemporary-lens-canon-ef/#.VYpLykY1Z1V

I am sure that this lens functions nicely as a zoom tele-photo lens, per resolution charts: http://www.lenstip.com/427.4-Lens_review-Sigma_C_18-300_mm_f_3.5-6.3_DC_MACRO_OS_HSM_Image_resolution.html , but if you want macro, then look at a dedicated fixed focal length macro lens.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

if the tc's are sigma's check for compatibility. with any of them kiss auto focus goodby. only trial and error will tell image quality.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Waterboy23 wrote:

Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what all the abbreviations stand for but I like the price and the 18-300mm range. Also, would it work well in auto focus with a teleconverter and, if so, would you recommend a 1.4x, 1.7x or 2.0x. Any comments would be appreciated.

That lens is one of the best 300mm all in one's available. But its NOT compatible with TC's.

Waterboy23 Loc: Toms River, NJ

MT Shooter wrote:

That lens is one of the best 300mm all in one's available. But its NOT compatible with TC's.

A previous responder told me about compatability charts which I researched and discoverd the same thing myself. Many thanks.

Waterboy23 Loc: Toms River, NJ

Nikonian72 wrote:

Despite the manufacturer's nomenclature, this is N... (show quote)

***********************

Many thanks for your links and your comments. I'm not really interested in macro but in extending the reach of my Nikon 55-300 zoom telephoto to maybe 500 or 600mm without breaking the bank. I bought a Promaster 2x about 2 or 3 years which was completely useless in auto focus. I want the reach for wildlife and I'm now trying to figure out whether there is a TC that works with my current 55-300 OR whether I should buy another telephoto that goes up to 300mm with a TC that works, OR go for broke and pick up a 150-500 or 150-600 from Tamron or Sigma and call it a day. Lots of possibilities. If you have any thoughts, I'd certainly welcome them. I wouldn't want to go much above $1,000 for the package, (lens + TC), whatever I end up doing. I discovered in the compatibility charts online that there are great telephotos that are compatible with 1.4x and 2x TC's but as far as I could determine, they are $2,000 - $4,000 and more than I want to spend.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Waterboy23 wrote:

*********************** br br Many thanks for you... (show quote)

Get the 150-600 and forget about TC's. Your images will be MUCH better and you will be MUCH happier with the results.

Waterboy23 Loc: Toms River, NJ

MT Shooter wrote:

Get the 150-600 and forget about TC's. Your images will be MUCH better and you will be MUCH happier with the results.

******************
You are sooo right!!! I always make things more complicated than they really are. I'll just concentrate my research on Tamron and Sigma and forget about TC's. Thanks for the advice.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Waterboy23 wrote:

Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what all the abbreviations stand for but I like the price and the 18-300mm range. Also, would it work well in auto focus with a teleconverter and, if so, would you recommend a 1.4x, 1.7x or 2.0x. Any comments would be appreciated.

Do not put a TC on a wide angle superzoom. You won't be happy with the results, you will not be able to autofocus, and trying to focus through an F8 or smaller aperture is not fun. But these are relatively minor reasons. The biggie is that the rear element may protrude far enough to intersect with the front element of the TC.

Bad idea. Wait until you can get a better lens.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Waterboy23 wrote:

Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what all the abbreviations stand for but I like the price and the 18-300mm range. Also, would it work well in auto focus with a teleconverter and, if so, would you recommend a 1.4x, 1.7x or 2.0x. Any comments would be appreciated.

At aperture f6.3 is no good with any converter!!

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Waterboy23 wrote:

*********************** br br Many thanks for you... (show quote)

I also have the Promaster 2x and agree that it's ugly for auto focus, unless you keep your zoom down to 150 or less, then it seems to work a bit better. But then, why bother with it?

I have also read that regardless of brand, TC's work best on primes, not zooms. I'm gonna try it on my D7000 with my 35mm 1.8 to see what happens. It'll give me a 70mm 5.6, roughly equivalent to a 105 short tele in the 35mm full frame format. Probably lose some quality though.
:?

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

Waterboy23 wrote:

Does anyone have experience with a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary lens? Would it work with a Nikon D7100? I have no idea what all the abbreviations stand for but I like the price and the 18-300mm range. Also, would it work well in auto focus with a teleconverter and, if so, would you recommend a 1.4x, 1.7x or 2.0x. Any comments would be appreciated.

Just remember, for $600.00 you're only going get a $600.00 Lens.
I would not put a Teleconverter on that Lens.
It will give you fits with a Teleconverter in Autofocus.
Craig

marsdad Loc: NE Florida

I have a Nikon D3300 and use a Kenko 1.4 Teleplus Pro 300 for Nikon AF with my Nikkor DX 55-300,AF-S lens. Auto focus seems to work fine, been happy with several shots where I had to reach way out.