Sigma 2x converter

Nikon_Nick

Nikon_Nick

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Nick
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Morning,

I've been considering getting one of the Sigma APO DG 2x converters for use with my 70-200 f2.8 OS, and based on the reviews I've read, haven't been able to make up my mind.

Have any of you had any experience of this set up? What are your thought on it?

Cheers

Nick
 
I'd like to know about this please, as I am about to buy the latest Sigma 70-200 in the next few weeks, and a teleconverter before Christmas.
 
hi gents
I have both on my canon mount.
pleasantly surprised by the TC
not my best examples but most of these were shot with a 70-200 OS HSM and 2x TC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/sets/72157630851910188/


IMG_9118 by DizMatt, on Flickr

v
IMG_9084 by DizMatt, on Flickr


IMG_9894 by DizMatt, on Flickr


IMG_9736 by DizMatt, on Flickr

I used a monopod for these shots.

different day, heavily cropped

bbc bear grylls by DizMatt, on Flickr

well it's not a compromise on weight or size vs the canon 70-200. it's huge
but the results are pretty nice. for price vs performance, I'm quite happy with it.
The OS I think takes a while to settle to be most effective. My experience with canon IS is that it's working continuously and doesn't require a second or so to settle down (on my 70-300 IS USM).

Softness? well there is definitely a benefit to stopping down on the lens. and this carries over to the TC. so I stop down to f/8-9 when using the TC to regain some sharpness.
I find the f2.8 to be softer wide open than when you get to f4 or 5.6, similarly with the 2x TC I think but with a 2 stop difference of course.

Focussing? I haven't used it extensively yet but I thought the focusing was pretty good overall on the combination but I did have issues on the airshow day but I think that was more down to my 40D needing a clean! so will take a can of compressed air to that soon!

I hope that helps. I'm pleased with the combination, have seen the pair for £1k on ebay and I bought mine for 2nd hand for a bit cheaper (about £800 for the pair I think). also go for the DG version of the TC, as I think that's the newer version iirc
 
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Hi Nick,

Based on my own experience the Sigma 2 X TC as with most 2 TCs are a mixed bag they need stopping down at least one stop to obtain good results. The 1.4 TCs offer much better performance.

If you need 400mm then apart from buying a new lens it's the only way to go.
 
Cyclops said:
Hi Nick,

Based on my own experience the Sigma 2 X TC as with most 2 TCs are a mixed bag they need stopping down at least one stop to obtain good results. The 1.4 TCs offer much better performance.

If you need 400mm then apart from buying a new lens it's the only way to go.
Click to expand...

I agree I have a sigma and kenco 2x tc's and never use them I only use my 1.4x tc's
 
DizMatt said:
hi gents
I have both on my canon mount.
pleasantly surprised by the TC
not my best examples but most of these were shot with a 70-200 OS HSM and 2x TC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/sets/72157630851910188/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/7623314170/
IMG_9118 by DizMatt, on Flickr

vhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/7623315038/
IMG_9084 by DizMatt, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/7623312102/
IMG_9894 by DizMatt, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/7623312808/
IMG_9736 by DizMatt, on Flickr

I used a monopod for these shots.

different day, heavily cropped
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizmatt/7822045566/
bbc bear grylls by DizMatt, on Flickr

well it's not a compromise on weight or size vs the canon 70-200. it's huge
but the results are pretty nice. for price vs performance, I'm quite happy with it.
The OS I think takes a while to settle to be most effective. My experience with canon IS is that it's working continuously and doesn't require a second or so to settle down (on my 70-300 IS USM).

Softness? well there is definitely a benefit to stopping down on the lens. and this carries over to the TC. so I stop down to f/8-9 when using the TC to regain some sharpness.
I find the f2.8 to be softer wide open than when you get to f4 or 5.6, similarly with the 2x TC I think but with a 2 stop difference of course.

Focussing? I haven't used it extensively yet but I thought the focusing was pretty good overall on the combination but I did have issues on the airshow day but I think that was more down to my 40D needing a clean! so will take a can of compressed air to that soon!

I hope that helps. I'm pleased with the combination, have seen the pair for £1k on ebay and I bought mine for 2nd hand for a bit cheaper (about £800 for the pair I think). also go for the DG version of the TC, as I think that's the newer version iirc
Click to expand...

Nice one! Cheers Matt for your detailed response. Much appreciated.

I've just been trying to weigh up the whole image quality/value for money thing, so if it means stopping down more for better results, then it's not really a major issue for me.

Thanks again
 
Cyclops said:
Hi Nick,

Based on my own experience the Sigma 2 X TC as with most 2 TCs are a mixed bag they need stopping down at least one stop to obtain good results. The 1.4 TCs offer much better performance.

If you need 400mm then apart from buying a new lens it's the only way to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ian. Fully appreciate the trade off with these kind of things. I'm looking to do a little wildlife photography (not something currently in my comfort zone), so rather than laying out mega money for a new lens that I may not use very often, I thought this would be a good compromise......at least whilst I work out if that particular genre of photography is something I want to pursue anyway :0)

Cheers
 
Rebel t3i said:
I agree I have a sigma and kenco 2x tc's and never use them I only use my 1.4x tc's
Click to expand...

Cheers Tony.

The main reason im looking at 2x over 1.4x is that I will be using these on a full frame body. I'm not sure that the 1.4x will be quite long enough.

Cheers

Nick
 
I wanted longer reach and opted to try the 2x TC. weighed up the 1.4x but frankly the benefits weren't quite there
if needed I'll look into it but don't regret my 2x purchase.
I can post up some results for you if you like, take some test shots.
also I think with Sigma it can depends slightly on your 'copy'. Mine is pretty good I think. 2nd hand shops might be a good way to go. take it in and make a couple of tests.

Any 400mm (x1.6) shots that I make are typically going to be in good light.
for trickier shots I'll be at f2.8 and much closer to the subject.
 
DizMatt said:
I wanted longer reach and opted to try the 2x TC. weighed up the 1.4x but frankly the benefits weren't quite there
if needed I'll look into it but don't regret my 2x purchase.
I can post up some results for you if you like, take some test shots.
also I think with Sigma it can depends slightly on your 'copy'. Mine is pretty good I think. 2nd hand shops might be a good way to go. take it in and make a couple of tests.

Any 400mm (x1.6) shots that I make are typically going to be in good light.
for trickier shots I'll be at f2.8 and much closer to the subject.
Click to expand...

Cheers Matt, yeah, some test shots would be great.

So far, it appears that I have got a good copy. Shots are nice and crisp across the range.

Cheers

Nick
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Morning,

I've been considering getting one of the Sigma APO DG 2x converters for use with my 70-200 f2.8 OS, and based on the reviews I've read, haven't been able to make up my mind.

Have any of you had any experience of this set up? What are your thought on it?

Cheers

Nick
Click to expand...

I bought one to use with my 70-200 O.S a few weeks ago. I have not gotten much use from it as yet to be honest but I have been happy enough with the shots I have taken with it so far. You will lose some I.Q unavoidable but you just have to decide if you can live with it or not. I am happy enough with mine, picked up the DG version second hand for £100. I would not consider buying one of these new as there value plummets fairly quickly.
 
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Soda Farl said:
I bought one to use with my 70-200 O.S a few weeks ago. I have not gotten much use from it as yet to be honest but I have been happy enough with the shots I have taken with it so far. You will lose some I.Q unavoidable but you just have to decide if you can live with it or not. I am happy enough with mine, picked up the DG version second hand for £100. I would not consider buying one of these new as there value plummets fairly quickly.
Click to expand...

Cheers Tommy.

From the replies do far, it does just seem like I'll have to give it a whirl, and decide from there. Maybe I'll look for a second hand one for the time being...
 
I've given it a wirl a few times and have stuck with using the 1.4 X due to the IQ
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Cheers Tommy.

From the replies do far, it does just seem like I'll have to give it a whirl, and decide from there. Maybe I'll look for a second hand one for the time being...
Click to expand...


When I was looking for mine there seemed to be a fair few around the £125 mark, one was sold on here recently for £100. At that sort of money its worthwhile trying one out and seeing how you get on, there is no point in getting the 1.4 for all the extra focal length you get on FX. You can always sell it on again for the same money if you decide you don't like it.
 
I've used the 2X with my Sigma 120-300 f2.8 and it works fine, this is a moderate crop shot with that combo.

IMG_7120.jpg
 
artyman said:
I've used the 2X with my Sigma 120-300 f2.8 and it works fine, this is a moderate crop shot with that combo.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that! What f-stop did you use for this shot?
 
A lot depends on the quality of the lens that the TC is being attached to. A good quaility lens will gove good results, a lesser lens will give 2X lesser results, but with decent glass they are acceptable, unless you are ultra picky. Not everyone can afford long ultra expensive lenses.
 
artyman said:
A lot depends on the quality of the lens that the TC is being attached to. A good quaility lens will gove good results, a lesser lens will give 2X lesser results, but with decent glass they are acceptable, unless you are ultra picky. Not everyone can afford long ultra expensive lenses.
Click to expand...

I definitely can't afford ultra expensive lenses!! :0)

The IQ I've got from the lens so far has been great, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.
 
Well I picked up a 70-200mm DG EX HSM MACRO II last night, so I'll be looking for a TC probably in 2 months. If you get yours first Nick, please post some pics (I'm sure you will)
 
j07cmt said:
Well I picked up a 70-200mm DG EX HSM MACRO II last night, so I'll be looking for a TC probably in 2 months. If you get yours first Nick, please post some pics (I'm sure you will)
Click to expand...

No worries Chris! I will probably get it in around 2 weeks time, so will be posting up some examples.
 
if you have a poor quality lens whilst it may take reasonable quality pictures on it's own
using a tele converter will just magnify the lenses short comings
The higher the quality of lens the less short comings there are to magnify but it will also magnify them.
A poor quality image is better than no image at all though
I find I only use my 1.4x I don't like the image quality the 2x's gives me even on my ef 70-200 F2.8L IS nor do I like the fact that it won't focus and the view finder image is seriously affected
 
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^^ seems fair
I sold my 50-150 f2.8 and my 70-300 IS to fund the replacement
70-200 OS plus the 2x TC
I thought it would be more convenient....the truth is now that I miss the 50-150 as it was small (without OS) and really handy for pictures of the family.
and the 70-200 is such a beast that, although I like it a lot, I think I need to buy a 55-250 IS for holidays or walkabout and similar

The curse of lenses....what you have is never enough!
should be able to get some samples done tonight
 
Rebel t3i said:
if you have a poor quality lens whilst it may take reasonable quality pictures on it's own
using a tele converter will just magnify the lenses short comings
The higher the quality of lens the less short comings there are to magnify but it will also magnify them.
A poor quality image is better than no image at all though
I find I only use my 1.4x I don't like the image quality the 2x's gives me even on my ef 70-200 F2.8L IS nor do I like the fact that it won't focus and the view finder image is seriously affected
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with all of that, still going to give it a punt though I think. The EX DG 2x converter does auto focus on my lens though, so that's a bonus at least :0)
 
DizMatt said:
^^ seems fair
I sold my 50-150 f2.8 and my 70-300 IS to fund the replacement
70-200 OS plus the 2x TC
I thought it would be more convenient....the truth is now that I miss the 50-150 as it was small (without OS) and really handy for pictures of the family.
and the 70-200 is such a beast that, although I like it a lot, I think I need to buy a 55-250 IS for holidays or walkabout and similar

The curse of lenses....what you have is never enough!
should be able to get some samples done tonight
Click to expand...

You can definitely never have enough lens options!

Cheers, I'll keep an eye out for the photos
 
I don't know why Tony, but I get the feeling that your aren't a fan of the 2x........ ;0)
 
Rebel t3i said:
eventually :lol::lol:
Click to expand...

What a load of nonsense the 2x is more than quick to AF on the 70-200.

To be fair the camera body effects focus speed as well and you do have the little Canon...

:nikon:
 
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Soda Farl said:
What a load of nonsense the 2x is more than quick to AF on the 70-200.

To be fair the camera body effects focus speed as well and you do have the little Canon...

:nikon:
Click to expand...

Lol, uh oh....
 
RIGHT! for you 'orrible lot :p
Tripod, out of my window this morning up in the sunny north east
Not very scientific and taken on a 7D which is 18MP so this is properly pixel peeking

Shot at 200mm, without a teleconverter
f4.5%20200mm%20650px.jpg


crops below
 
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Matt, I presume you are about to post shots with the TC, but any chance of stitching them side by side for a proper comparison?
 
70-200 OS HSM with 2x TeleConverter at 204mm (100mm on the dial)
f5.6 is wide open of course

f5.6
f5.6%20204mm%202x.JPG
f7.1
f7.1%20204mm%202x.JPG
f9
f9%20204mm%202x.JPG

f11
f11%20204mm%202x.JPG
f14
f14%20204mm%202x.JPG
f18
f18%20204mm%202x.JPG
 
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70-200 OS HSM with 2x TeleConverter at 400mm (200mm on the dial)
f5.6 is wide open of course

f5.6
f5.6%20400mm%202x.JPG
f7.1
f7.1%20400mm%202x.JPG
f9
f9%20400mm%202x.JPG

f11
f11%20400mm%202x.JPG
f14
f14%20400mm%202x.JPG
f18
f18%20400mm%202x.JPG
 
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there is definitely a benefit to stopping down on the 70-200 from 2.8 to 3.2 I feel for that little bit of sharpness
on the TC, similar..in that f5.6 is softer and f7 or f8 is much improved
more shots coming

I also think that the 200mm shots are marginally sharper without the TC and this is at the far end of the focal length where sometimes it's not as good. so the extremes of the lens are better than the middle of the focal range with the TC added.
if that makes sense
 
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