Tamron 1.4 converter: Has anyone used a Tamron 1.4 converter with the 150-600 G2? If so what are your thoughts on how well it works. Thanks!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Has anyone used a Tamron 1.4 converter with the 150-600 G2? If so what are your thoughts on how well it works.
Thanks!

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I'm thinking about getting one. I understand they cut down on the light reaching the sensor but, I don't think 1.4 would be bad.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

The problem is cumulatives.
More pieces of extra glass makes for iffy sharpness.
Adding more steps to a 4.5 (or smaller aperture) makes for iffy focus.

Bill_de Loc: US

Harry0 wrote:

The problem is cumulatives.
More pieces of extra glass makes for iffy sharpness.
Adding more steps to a 4.5 (or smaller aperture) makes for iffy focus.

Harry,
Have you actually used this one.

I am planning on getting this lens and debating the 1.4x. I read that the converter is designed for this lens.
Typically reading lens specs more elements is considered better.

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speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Bob Mevis wrote:

I'm thinking about getting one. I understand they cut down on the light reaching the sensor but, I don't think 1.4 would be bad.

Well, bad or not, you'll lose 1 stop of light, the question therefore would be, if your camera would still be able to autofocus!

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Bill_de wrote:

Harry,
Have you actually used this one.

I am planning on getting this lens and debating the 1.4x. I read that the converter is designed for this lens.
Typically reading lens specs more elements is considered better.

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Actually, I have a cranky old Sigma. Not really cranky, just some focusing issues.
And yes, sometimes more glass is better- in the lens it was made for.
Everything is precisely designed and fitted for a discrete purpose.
That teleconverter adds 2 more surfaces as a universal kludge in between the lens and the sensor.
Mine actually works pretty well. In the daylight. Hold still.

I got mine to basically double the amount of virtual lenses. Let's say I have a Nikon with the kit lenses- the 18-55 and the 55-200. That's 2 lenses on hand, 1 on the camera. The 1.4+ will give me the ability to bridge them with @ 25-75, with the 55mm in the middle of the range. And/or if I need a little more range, zip! and I have up to a 280mm. I STILL carry only 2 lenses, with 1 on the camera. From backpack to fanny pack.

Bill_de Loc: US

Harry0 wrote:

Actually, I have a cranky old Sigma. Not really cr... (show quote)

Thanks very much Harry.

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

Harry0 wrote:

Actually, I have a cranky old Sigma. Not really cr... (show quote)

Teleconverters are intended for Telephoto lenses (and telephoto zooms). It is never a good thing to try and use a TC on a wide to normal zoom, or a normal to tele zoom. If you can get past the risk of mechanical collision - glass to glass, you still have to contend with a dark viewfinder, greatly reduced AF sensors that can work at F8, slow AF performance, and worst of all, pretty crappy image quality. The 55-200 is weakest at 200mm, as are many consumer zoom lenses. TCs perform best with fast, long lenses.

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

Photolady2014 wrote:

Has anyone used a Tamron 1.4 converter with the 150-600 G2? If so what are your thoughts on how well it works.
Thanks!

I tried the Sigma version on the Sigma Sport. It wasn't worth the negatives - slow AF, fewer AF points,. dark viewfinder, needing a tripod after getting the Sigma Sport to use hand-held now that I've sold my 600mmF4, and worse image quality from softness related to the TC, and one stop higher ISO needed to compensate for the loss imposed by the TC. I don't think it would be any different with the Tamron, which, like the Sigma, has a dedicated TC for the G2.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Gene51 wrote:

I tried the Sigma version on the Sigma Sport. It wasn't worth the negatives - slow AF, fewer AF points,. dark viewfinder, needing a tripod after getting the Sigma Sport to use hand-held now that I've sold my 600mmF4, and worse image quality from softness related to the TC, and one stop higher ISO needed to compensate for the loss imposed by the TC. I don't think it would be any different with the Tamron, which, like the Sigma, has a dedicated TC for the G2.

Other than that, they're a great investment for the G2.

I don't remember the last time I used mine.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Gene51 wrote:

I tried the Sigma version on the Sigma Sport. It wasn't worth the negatives - slow AF, fewer AF points,. dark viewfinder, needing a tripod after getting the Sigma Sport to use hand-held now that I've sold my 600mmF4, and worse image quality from softness related to the TC, and one stop higher ISO needed to compensate for the loss imposed by the TC. I don't think it would be any different with the Tamron, which, like the Sigma, has a dedicated TC for the G2.

I think I have decided against it! However my 1.4 does well on my Canon 100-400.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Photolady2014 wrote:

Has anyone used a Tamron 1.4 converter with the 150-600 G2? If so what are your thoughts on how well it works.
Thanks!

All the negatives previously mentioned plus the tolerance stack up of the mechanical interfaces. There is a chance they may cancel each other out the odds are not favorable. If your TC truly does not degrade IQ...play the lottery or better still get your eyes examined.

Bill_de Loc: US

Photolady2014 wrote:

I think I have decided against it! However my 1.4 does well on my Canon 100-400.

I ordered the lens tonight without the converter. B&H included the Tap in Console and a B+W filter.

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Photolady2014 wrote:

Has anyone used a Tamron 1.4 converter with the 150-600 G2? If so what are your thoughts on how well it works.
Thanks!

Sharpest results, a OEM prime lens.
2nd place, a OEM prime lens with a OEM 1.4 converter
3rd place, a OEM prime lens with a OEM 1.7 converter
4th place, a tamron prime lens
5th place, a tamron prime lens with a tamron 1.4 converter
6th place, a tamron zoom lens with a tamron 1.4 converter ******** (this is where your combo ranks)
7th place, a OEM prime lens with a OEM 2.0 converter
8th place, a tamron lens with a tamron 1.7 converter
9th place, a tamron lens with a tamron 2.0 converter

gasstro Loc: Indiana

I used the Tamron 1.4 with the 150-600 G2 last week. I didn't notice and drop off in sharpness while shooting Bald Eagles from the window of my Jeep just using the door for a brace.