| Reviews : Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Nikon Mount Lenses |
Technical Details
- Teleconverter lens for Nikon SLR cameras
- Increases the focal length by the power of 2
- Multi-layer lens coating and lens design reduces flare and ghosting
- Includes lens case
Product Description
The multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range.Amazon.com Product Description
The Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras is a dedicated APO teleconverter that can be mounted between select lenses and the camera body to increase the focal length by the power of 2. The multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting, which is a common problem with digital cameras. The lens also offers maximum magnification without any variation in the minimum focusing distance. Compact and lightweight, this teleconverter can convert your lenses into longer focal-length lenses, so you don't have to do a lot of unnecessary footwork. A case for the lens is included.Similar Products
Customer Reviews
By Allen E. Thomas (upstate NY)
Perhaps I should not have been ... but I was surprised by the things I had not thought of before buying this lens extender. The first is that it made my autofocus shock reduction camera into basically a manual camera. Perhaps I had not attached the tele-extender properly to my camera, (several times under different conditions). But I could not get the autofocus to work. There's also another consideration: when you increase the telephoto power, you reduce the area of the objects you are imaging. You are also increasing the speed of the subject in relationship to the frame. When I took a picture of a goose in the back yard, the goose ended up walking partially out of the frame by the end of the extended exposure. When I took a (tripoded) picture of Jupiter, the planet had moved away from the focus point - blurring the image and giving it an extended oval shape. Although I was able to distinguish the moons of Jupiter, four that night, they too were blurred. In both cases the tele-extender worked correctly - as far as I could tell. And in itself it gave clear images. However, I may have been able to gain a better final image by cropping and editing an original from the standard telephoto lens. I haven't abandoned the tele-extender. I'm experimenting with it to find the appropriate application.
Al.
By P. Minton (S.R., CA)
I spent a day photographing a sailboat race from the shore, and thought this would be an ideal time for the converter. I was using a Sigma 50-500, so with the teleconverter, I thought I was set. When I got home, I found the photos were never sharp or crisp, and just slightly blurry when zoomed in. The next night I used the same setup to take shots of the moon, with the same results. I took off the teleconverter, and I got sharper photos. If you need good crisp accurate shots (and who doesn't?), the teleconverter does not help. I don't see a point to ever use this item again. I bought my converter on E-bay for much less, but it's still not worth the money or the expectations. It's better to just save your money and get a better quality lens.
By Ali, (Doha, Qatar)
Hi,
I have Sigma 50-500mm lens, with Nikon D90 camera, so this x2 teleconverter used to get 1000mm focal length, and it was more than GOOD. You will need the stand for your camera and you will get real nice and far shots.
To see the result please visite my flickr account on this link:
[...]
The only shortage is the fatc that you can't use it with Nikon lenses, I don't have other Sigma than 50-500mm, so I don't know if it will work with others like Sigma 50mm, or 70-300mm or any other sigma lens.(it should works)
If you will capture birds, wild-life or the sky, I think you will need it.
By D. K. Smith (Fresno, CA, USA)
This has proven to be a useful item and a worthwhile investment. It can be used in AF mode (on the lens to which it is attached) but with a longer lens (400+) it is better used in manual focus. I'm glad I purchased it and I use it frequently in taking pictures of birds and wildlife.
By Photoleif (colorado, usa)
First, to set things straight: this TC is intended for only Canon cameras, and for Sigma lenses that mount on a Canon camera. Anything else, you're taking your chances. Second, there are optical laws that invariably predict a 2-stop decrease in the amount of light hitting the sensor. And finally, glass, no matter which brand or how many exotic elements in it, has undesirable characteristics and you will always lose some amount of clarity, saturation and perceived quality (how much varies from lens to lens and eye to eye).
Now that those fundamentals are out of the way, the results and recommendations. I took several photos using this TC mounted on my Sigma 70-200/2.8 and my Sigma 150-500/5.6~6.3. I also attempted to mount my Canon 28-70/2.8L on it, but the fit did not work (it scrapes and sticks and will not lock into place), and thus I believe they are incompatible. I did not test it with my Sigma 10-20/4.5~5.6 for obvious reasons.
AF is maintained throughout the entire range of the 70-200/2.8, as advertised in Sigma's compatibility chart. MF is engaged electronically for the entire range on the 150-500/5.6~6.3, again per the chart. AF through the 70-200 is solid, accurate, and has no degradation of speed. MF through the 150-500 @ 500 is, as one should understand, a touchy process, though it's aided considerably by the optical stabilization function.
Image quality @ 500mm (really, 1000mm) is not spectacular (though what does one expect, given a maximum aperture of about f/12.9). I didn't expect wonders but I had hopes of better. Some of this is inevitably due to my challenge in focusing, which is difficult without a split-prism finder. The image quality is still fairly bright and saturated, but somewhat noisy-looking. Exposure was accurate. I need to test on monochromatic surfaces to determine what's going on with the noise.
Tripod-mounting the camera, lens and TC for the 1000mm (500mm doubled) test shots produced the best results, improving further with MLU enabled and use of an IR remote. Image quality @ 400mm (200mm doubled) is acceptable and this should be the recommended pairing of lens and teleconverter (70-200/2.8 with this TC). This pairing results in a decent-quality 400/5.6 for well below the price of Canon's prime and zoom lenses in this range. I won't claim that the image quality is better; just, it's decent, and you save a lot of money.
Build quality of the TC is fine and nothing is worth further comment other than that it's a solid, well-built TC with multicoated elements.
I wavered between a 3-star and 4-star rating. I have owned two other TCs, and they were unquestionably 1-star at best. I went with four for this one because of its good performance with the 70-200/2.8, maintaining AF with that lens, and having pleasing build quality (I have no concerns about taking it out and using it frequently). I am however disappointed about the performance with the 150-500/4.5~5.6. I would give it a 3-star for its performance with the 150-500. I think it should at least attempt AF, and if the user has to give up and set it to MF, fine. Here, we don't even have that luxury, and there's no explanation on Sigma's website or the product literature. So, if you are considering this to get yourself a cheap 1000mm lens, be aware of the drawbacks (full-time MF, somewhat noisy images, and challenging focusing in even overcast light). If you're wanting to extend a 70-200, this is the sweet-spot.
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