Vivitar 2X Macro Teleconverter
Posted 03/06/2011 - 08:59
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IMO the main advantage is critical - increased working distance during macro shooting which usually also means more light and less chance of frightening off your subject !
This shot just posted was taken with a Tamron 90 & Viv x2 macro TC : link
However if you want to use it for distant subjects then you shouldn't buy a macro converter, rather the Tamron x1.4 is excellent or for more money the Pentax AFA x1.7 is also superb. You retain AF with the AFA but only after you MF to within the approximate distance of the subject - so it can also be used to convert MF lenses to 'semi-AF' !
Most people accept that a x2 TC will lead to more degradation than a x1.4 or the x1.7 though sometimes it's not that visible unless pixel-peeping.
This shot just posted was taken with a Tamron 90 & Viv x2 macro TC : link
However if you want to use it for distant subjects then you shouldn't buy a macro converter, rather the Tamron x1.4 is excellent or for more money the Pentax AFA x1.7 is also superb. You retain AF with the AFA but only after you MF to within the approximate distance of the subject - so it can also be used to convert MF lenses to 'semi-AF' !
Most people accept that a x2 TC will lead to more degradation than a x1.4 or the x1.7 though sometimes it's not that visible unless pixel-peeping.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Posted 03/06/2011 - 11:37
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I have the Kenko branded version of this TC, and in my experience it is a fairly good 2x TC even for long range stuff. IMO it heavily depends on the quality of the lens you're converting. I got my best results using it with the highly regarded S-M-C Takumar 135/2.5 (6 element version). Your primes should give you decent results, don't know about the 35-105.
I wouldnt expect much from the 50-200 with a 2x TC though. The 1.4 suggested by Frogfish would be better, and you might even keep AF. The 1.4x cost about £120ish though, so you might be better off selling the 50-200 and buying the 55-300.
I wouldnt expect much from the 50-200 with a 2x TC though. The 1.4 suggested by Frogfish would be better, and you might even keep AF. The 1.4x cost about £120ish though, so you might be better off selling the 50-200 and buying the 55-300.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 03/06/2011 - 14:05
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Thank you both for your answers!
Frogfish: That is an amazing macro! I would not have enjoyed having an A2 format print of that fly in my bedroom
I realise that the Vivitar TC is mainly for macro, but I wanted to see what result I could achieve using it as a 2x TC. I paid about GBP 30 for it, and I am now just learning how to use it. The focus ring of my Vivitar goes sligthly (1mm) past infinity when using it as a 2x TC, is this how it should be?
Is the DA 55-300 a good choice for capturing birds in flight. In other words, is the AF fast enough, and is 300mm long enough?
Frogfish: That is an amazing macro! I would not have enjoyed having an A2 format print of that fly in my bedroom
I realise that the Vivitar TC is mainly for macro, but I wanted to see what result I could achieve using it as a 2x TC. I paid about GBP 30 for it, and I am now just learning how to use it. The focus ring of my Vivitar goes sligthly (1mm) past infinity when using it as a 2x TC, is this how it should be?
Is the DA 55-300 a good choice for capturing birds in flight. In other words, is the AF fast enough, and is 300mm long enough?
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981 posts
16 years
Trondheim,
Norway
Will an orginal Pentax Teleconverter, like an A2X-S, give much better images that the Vivitar?
I want to find a lens combination for taking pictures of birds, maybe saving money for the Pentax DA 55-300 is a better option than trying to use a Teleconverter?
Any suggestions?
Best regards
Bjørn
PPG
Flickr