Has anyone out there used a 2x converter on this Sigma lens? Which converter do you use and how well does it perform? Thanks.
Hi Dan,
I can't speak for the 150-600 Sigma, but I have a 150-500 Sigma and I have had no luck at all using a 2x converter with it. Right now my 2x converter is doing nothing more then filling a hole in my camera bag. Having said that, I have heard some good results have been had when using a converter made by Sigma. My suggestion would be to seek out a local Camera Store and try I one out. I noticed your from NH and there is a Hunt's Store in Manchester which I have used often. They have always allowed me to try a piece of equipment before I purchased it.
Jack from Dover
Dan5000 wrote:
Has anyone out there used a 2x converter on this Sigma lens? Which converter do you use and how well does it perform? Thanks.
For starters you will have to manually focus focus the lens. What are you using for a camera, FF or crop? With a Nikon crop you are looking at 1800mm field of view and a Canon crop 1920mm field of view. It would be a "bright sunny day" kind of set up. If you just use a crop body on that lens, 1.5/1.6, you have a field of view of 900/960mm and your AF will function. I myself would not use a 2x on that lens and refrain from using a 2x in favor of the 1.4 even on my primes. I do have one 2x and two 1.4 TC.
Dan5000 wrote:
Has anyone out there used a 2x converter on this Sigma lens? Which converter do you use and how well does it perform? Thanks.
You lose a lot with converters. 1.7 is iffy, 1.4 works fairly well. When using a converter, a tripod and remote shutter release is a must. with the 2x you will probably need to manually focus. if you can return the 2x, do so and get a 1.7 or 1.4 and you will be able to better use them.
DWU2
Loc: Phoenix Arizona area
I think you're doomed to disappointment in trying to use a 2X with that lens.
DWU2 wrote:
I think you're doomed to disappointment in trying to use a 2X with that lens.
There have been many threads on this subject,but it will never die in our quest to get closer! There are a few that claim not much image degradation with a 1.4 and I don't recall anything positive about a 1.7 and forget the 2X. Primes are a different story.
My 80-400 and 200-500 aren't horrible with a 1.4 on a D500,but I won't use them if I'm looking for fine detail.
If you have to do it, I recommend renting a couple and try before purchasing!
Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll pass on the 2x. I've had good luck with this lens and for that I am happy.
Dan
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Dan5000 wrote:
Has anyone out there used a 2x converter on this Sigma lens? Which converter do you use and how well does it perform? Thanks.
I have a Sigma Sport 150-600, and I also have a 600mmF4 Nikkor. With the Sigma at 600 and F8, my results are usually indistinguishable from the Nikkor at F8. When I put a 1.4x on the Nikkor, it becomes an 840mm lens and because it is really sharp wide open, I can use it at it's effective aperture of F5.6.
The Sigma is too soft for use wide open with an extender. It is "ok" when set to F8 - with the one stop loss it is F11, but that limits it's usefulness to the middle of the day. Also, focus speed and accuracy suffer. Now the dock offers some AF tweaking, with respect to accuracy and speed to acquire, and I have not played around with that yet.
When I need the "reach" the only solution is the big lens.
Besides, no matter what camera you have, with a 2x extender you'd need one of these to hold it steady - It will only set you back about $14,000.
WTF? Can't anyone answer a straight question? I've never tried a teleconverter but at least I understand the question. What is wrong with you people?
Hi Dan,
Check with Sigma. I have a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 and the 1.4 tele-converter that Sigma sells as a "matched" unit for that lens. It works very well, but I've not tried any other converter with that lens.
Hope that helps.
Cal in Maine
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Dan5000 wrote:
Has anyone out there used a 2x converter on this Sigma lens? Which converter do you use and how well does it perform? Thanks.
Most auto focus camera's will now focus to F8 and not beyond that, ie. F 11 is a no no. Your lens comes out at 6.3, a 2X converter would take you over the F8 threshold so you cannot auto focus, YOU CAN MANUAL focus. Now, the bad news, generally speaking, every converter lessons your IQ, so the 1.4 slightly reduces the IQ, the 1.7 gets worse and the 2.0 gets even worse. Now, a 2X on a Sigma, what do the folks from Jersey say, "forgetaboutit"
Alpix
Loc: Cambridgeshire, UK
Hi Dan,
Last year I bought the Sigma 150-600 in a kit with a 1.4x converter. It is used on a Nikon d750.
I have not liked using it with the converter, I tried it a few times and avoid using it now. But I keep it there just in case.
My take is that cropping the final image would be better than using the converter if it ever came down to it.
If you must, use only a 1.4 converter and only when nothing else (like your feet moving closer to the subject) works. Better a softer image than no image at all. And cropping may be a better choice, as Alpix said...
I have a Sigma 120-400 and a Sigma 2X converter ( bought at Hunt's in Manchester.) I tend to attempt photos in situations where there is a lot of haze distortion making it difficult to focus, like over the ocean. But the 2 items are supposed to be compatible so I'm not giving up, just have to find the right situation.
dennisallard wrote:
I have a Sigma 120-400 and a Sigma 2X converter ( bought at Hunt's in Manchester.) I tend to attempt photos in situations where there is a lot of haze distortion making it difficult to focus, like over the ocean. But the 2 items are supposed to be compatible so I'm not giving up, just have to find the right situation.
No haze and plenty of light with a contrasting subject would be a good start!
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