TomFama

I have a Nikon D500 and a Sigma 160-600mm Contemporary. I am considering a 1.4x teleconverter and would like any info on using a Nikon versus a Sigma TC.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

Sigma makes a converter that is specific to this lens, and 3 other models. I have the converter and it works extremely well with my 150-600mm Contemporary.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Nikon makes teleconverters for their lens and their cameras.
Sigma makes teleconverters for their lens and different brands of cameras (Sony, Nikon, Canon, etc.)

Therefore, a Nikon teleconverter would not work on the Sigma lens and their (Nikon) cameras (at least not that I have seen).

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It's important that whichever TC you may purchase be compatible with both the camera and the lens.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Nikon vs Sigma? There are some Nikon lenses that are not compatible with a Nikon teleconverter. Teleconverters are not a one size fits all device.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I don't think your statement is accurate. I have a Tamron teleconverter that works very well with my Canon 70-200mm lens. In general, if you match the lens manufacturer with the TC manufacturer, that's the combination most likely to succeed. And, sometimes, a TC is physically incompatible with a particular camera body. But, sometimes mixing the manufacturers will still work.

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

It should match the lens. And a good match is not necessarily the same mfgr. I use a Kenko 300 plus 1.4x TC with a Nikon 80-200 F2.8 AF-D with excellent results. Nikon's TC requires a physical modification, and after being modified it is no better than the Kenko. There are other combinations that are awful, even though they are the same brand. Like a Nikon 1.7 TC and a Nikon 70-200 F.28 AFS VR I, though it works much better with the VR II version.

When in doubt, and when it is possible, it's always best to test the combo.

Specific to your question, the Contemporary is not a particularly sharp lens at 600mm - compared to the Tamron, it's about the same. Compared to the Sport, or the Tamron G2, it is clearly not in the same league. I can get decent results with a Sigma 1.4 TC (Mod #1401) on the Sport, but I don't have access to a Contemporary to test. However, when I purchased the Sport last September, I found the Contemporary lacking in sharpness by comparision. I would expect the TC to just make things worse. From what I have read (Link below) the Contemporary with the TC is noticeably softer).

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6.3-DG-OS-HSM-Contemporary-Lens.aspx

This is all assuming that your camera can do autofocus with a lens that has a max aperture of F8.

If you really think you need to get a longer lens, consider that it may not be the answer.

These images were all taken with a Canon 5D Mk III - a full frame sensor, and a 400mm F5.6, hand held, with no optical stabilization.

https://untamednewyork.smugmug.com/Birds

My guess is that you may not have fully exploited what you can do with your current setup, so getting a TC will only cost you more money and provide poorer results until you fully leverage what you have now.

Question? Have you ever tried to hand-hold a 1260mm lens, and tried to manually focus through a lens that is F8? Or put such a combo on a tripod (you'd need to spend around $1000 to $1500 to get support stable to hold that combo steady.

Focal length isn't everything. But you are free to spend your money as you wish.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

In general the same brand works best in combo, if the lens is compatible with the extender. Check the site list for the brand of the extender.
I have a Canon 1.4X III that I use with my 100-400L, one of the lenses it was made to work with. Works great, AF a tad slower, f/8.0 of course and the IQ takes a very small hit-actually better than some of my other lenses without extender.
I also have both a 1.4 and a 2.0 in the Kenko Pro 300 line. They work with a wide variety of lenses, but not all and the 2.0 with only a few lenses. I am not referring to the functions, I am referring to the IQ. On many lenses the 2.0 degrades the sharpness a lot.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Kenko PRO 300 might be your best bet.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

First, the Nikon brand TC will NOT even mount on your Sigma lens.
Second, Sigma makes their TC1401 which is factory matched to your lens so the answer is easy in this instance, get the Sigma.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I would mate a Sigma TC with that lens, Nikon TC will not work. Kenko brand may work

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I use a Kenko 1.4 with Nikon camera and lenses.

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

Neither will improve your image quality. They will only further degrade it. I would highly recommend buying the Nikon 200-500, it has been formulated to work perfectly with your Nikon D500. Then, if you must, buy a NIKON 1.4. Hey man, stick with the brand.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

I accidentally slapped my Sigma 1.4 TC on to my Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6 and it did not like it at all. I now ensure that I use each of my TC's with the correct brand lens.

photomarkz Loc: parma hts,ohio

Kenko pro 300. Use it with my canon 300 f4 L