Sigma 2x Extender: I have the Bigma 150-500mm for Canon. Is this extender worth the money? Most complaints are that IQ goes down considerably. Is the 1.4 a better deal? Or is the...

Victor S Loc: SouthCoast MA

I have the Bigma 150-500mm for Canon. Is this extender worth the money? Most complaints are that IQ goes down considerably. Is the 1.4 a better deal? Or is the opinion here just stick with what you've got or get a BIG prime lense if IQ is the most important?

Thank you.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Hope you get some useful responses as this question interests me too.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Best suggestion is to totally forget a TC of any size on the big Sigmas. They are not designed to work with them. Also, they are light hogs already and using a TC just costs more light as well as autofocus. I have tried both the 1.4X and 2X on Nikon AND Canon bodies and results were not worth the trouble. Its a great lens, if you accept it as that you will be quite satisfied with the results.

Victor S Loc: SouthCoast MA

MT Shooter wrote:

Best suggestion is to totally forget a TC of any size on the big Sigmas. They are not designed to work with them. Also, they are light hogs already and using a TC just costs more light as well as autofocus. I have tried both the 1.4X and 2X on Nikon AND Canon bodies and results were not worth the trouble. Its a great lens, if you accept it as that you will be quite satisfied with the results.

Thanks Shooter, I'll stick with it as it is.

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Sigma makes a TC 1.4 that works specifically with their lenses like the 120-400 and 150-500 mm. Not sure how good they are, but they are dedicated for these and a few other Sigma lenses.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sigmas TC compatibility chart for current as well as discontinued lenses:
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/teleconverter-compatibility

bilko

I have the "Big Sig" and have been using a Kenko Pro 2X T.C. with no problem. Autofocus works, obviously, under most good light conditions, on my old D200. Happy with it.

Robin Poole Loc: Missoula, Mt

Don Vittorio wrote:

I have the Bigma 150-500mm for Canon. Is this extender worth the money? Most complaints are that IQ goes down considerably. Is the 1.4 a better deal? Or is the opinion here just stick with what you've got or get a BIG prime lense if IQ is the most important?

Thank you.

Don, I have both extenders to use on a Sigma Lens on a Sigma Camera. The lens they usually go on is the Sigma 120 - 300mm f/2.8.Both extenders cost a loss of IQ. The loss caused by the 1.4 was acceptable. The 2X isn't. I would imagine that if the 1.4 were put on a 500mm lens the results wouldn't be worth it. The 2X, forget it!!! Cheers, Robin

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

in my experience,the better the primary lens the better the results. i have stacked up to 2 2x tc's on a G or L lens an gotten great results.there are many samples in the search section.i wonder if many of the nay-sayers have really worked with them.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

bull drink water wrote:

in my experience,the better the primary lens the better the results. i have stacked up to 2 2x tc's on a G or L lens an gotten great results.there are many samples in the search section.i wonder if many of the nay-sayers have really worked with them.

Bull,

I have worked with them, and to me, most of the time the IQ is not acceptable when using the 2X TC's. What one person considers acceptable is not necessary acceptable to another.

I do agree though that the better the lens you start with the better the results.

Jim D

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

oldtool2 wrote:

Bull,

I have worked with them, and to me, most of the time the IQ is not acceptable when using the 2X TC's. What one person considers acceptable is not necessary acceptable to another.

I do agree though that the better the lens you start with the better the results.

Jim D

I have worked with them also, several brands actually. I currently do not own any 2X models and will not stock them in my sales or rental inventories. I do have 1.4X models in stock from Nikon, Canon and Sigma and like their results on the right lenses.

gessman Loc: Colorado

It sure would be nice if you folks who say things like, "I've been using a TC with my bigma and I'm happy with it" would put up some pictures so we could see exactly what it is that makes you happy. This is a photography forum and nothing would give you credibility like some images posted in 100% resolution with the "store original" selected so they can be downloaded and viewed magnified.

Otherwise, start a thread with those images so everyone can see them and make a comment in threads like this one referring to them. For anyone, but especially new members, to say you're happy with something when nobody knows what makes you happy you're just wasting everyone's time, yours and ours.

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

gessman wrote:

It sure would be nice if you folks who say things ... (show quote)

This is a good point.....

It's just amazing that some real CRAP makes some people happy. Gotta see to believe.

In addition to that, the point about uploading "store original" at 100% is well made.

UHH is likely one of the worst focus and IQ sites I have ever seen if you just look at the images on the web pages. If you are not taking the time to download and look at original images your question is a waste of time.

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

MT Shooter wrote:

I have worked with them also, several brands actually. I currently do not own any 2X models and will not stock them in my sales or rental inventories. I do have 1.4X models in stock from Nikon, Canon and Sigma and like their results on the right lenses.

Hello MT. I was wondering whats your opinion of the 1.4 w/ 70-200 2.8?

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

gessman wrote:

It sure would be nice if you folks who say things ... (show quote)

gessman,

My point exactly! See above post. What makes some happy I delete all day long.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Jim D