Teleconverter for macro work

[EdV]

Quick question and maybe a dumb one at that. I am thinking of occasionally using a 1.4x teleconverter with my Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens. I have a Kenko PRO 300DG 1.4x for Canon EOS. Would that be a good match for the Sigma 150 Macro with Canon mount? I spoke to someone from a well known camera shop and he said image quality would be better if I went with something like the Sigma 1.4x TC over the Kenko? Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Would I be better off picking up the Sigma TC or is the Kenko just fine?

[JeffreyG]

I have no direct experience with either, but anecdotally the Kenko and Sigma pro grade TC's are pretty comparable.

[EdV]

Thanks Jeff. Anyone else with direct experience? Other opinions? I have to decide whether to go ahead and order the Sigma TC or hold pat with my Kenko.

[Anomalyi]

I think if you did a search in regards to your question, you'd find several threads that cover the topic of "which 1.4x converter?"

I have the Canon 1.4x II but I only have canon lenses to use with it, so I think my opinion would perhaps be biased.

Good luck!

[Geno DM]

I have the Canon 1.4x II but I only have canon lenses to use with it, so I think my opinion would perhaps be biased.

Good luck!

You say LENSES. Which ones do you use it with?

[RPCrowe]

I use my Canon 1.4x TC (I have the original model) with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and with my 300mm f/4L IS. It makes the 300mm f/3L IS lens into a pretty nice 420mm close-up lens incorporating IS.

The 300mm f/4L IS lens can achieve 1:4.2 image ratio without the TC and achieves a better ratio (although I have not calculated just how much better) with the 1.4x TC.

Since I always bring my 1.4x TC with me when I am doing nature photography with the 300mm f/4L IS - the fact that I can get in pretty close with that combination is an added bonus.

The 1.4x will make your 150mm into a nice 210mm tele lens with better than 1:1 capability.

[Canon Bob]

I tested all three (Canon, Kenko and Sigma) 1.4x T/C's last year for IQ comparisons....very little to choose between them. The Sigma shots did have a different colourcast and this was thought to be some slight interaction between the lens coatings....done on a 300/4 IS.

I frequently use a Canon 1.4x on my 180L for macro work and don't see any problems.

Bob

[Greg_C]

I also often use my Canon 1.4x on my 180L with no known problems.

I say give the Kenko a go.

[evandavies]

The Kenko is very good, almost as good as the Canon according to Lightrules.

If you want it for macro work maybe the Kenko extension tubes would be worth a look too.

[Lester Wareham]

Quick question and maybe a dumb one at that. I am thinking of occasionally using a 1.4x teleconverter with my Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens. I have a Kenko PRO 300DG 1.4x for Canon EOS. Would that be a good match for the Sigma 150 Macro with Canon mount? I spoke to someone from a well known camera shop and he said image quality would be better if I went with something like the Sigma 1.4x TC over the Kenko? Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Would I be better off picking up the Sigma TC or is the Kenko just fine?

I doubt there is much differnce between them, I would stick with the Kenko. But don't forget macro use will show up the lowering of sharpness due to the the TC more than infinity focus use, so don't assume a different TC will be better if things look a bit soft.

If the the TC is non-reporting with that lens (shows the same max apature f2.8 when fitted) don't forget to open up a stop from your normal macro f-stop to avoid diffraction softening.

If you want to use the 1.4x more working distance then fine, but if it is for more magnification extension tubes will give better quality with a smaller working distance at higher magnification, no infinity focus of course.

[ajayclicks]

if you already have the kenko with you, why not take a few test shots and see if the IQ is acceptable...

[Roy C]

The Kenko is very good, almost as good as the Canon according to Lightrules.

If you want it for macro work maybe the Kenko extension tubes would be worth a look for extra magnification.
I thought extension tubes just give you a closer Min focus distance not extra magnification (I know this is kind of the same thing)

[Roy C]

I use the Kenko pro 300 1.4x with my Canon 100mm macro lens and it works very well (certainly as well as the Canon 1.4 which I also have).

[|)\/8]

I use the Kenko pro 300 1.4x with my Canon 100mm macro lens and it works very well (certainly as well as the Canon 1.4 which I also have).

I did not think the Canon 1.4 TC was compatible with the Canon 100mm Macro?

[Roy C]

I did not think the Canon 1.4 TC was compatible with the Canon 100mm Macro?
You are right, it does not fit. I did not put it very well, I have tested the two tc's with the 70-200 f4 and 400mm f5.6 and there is nothing in it as far as IQ goes IMO.

[Lester Wareham]

I did not think the Canon 1.4 TC was compatible with the Canon 100mm Macro?

You can use the Canon 1.4X and 2X with the 100mm macro by adding a 12mm tube between the TC and lens.

[TeamSpeed]

Either the Kenko 1.4x TC or the Kenko tubes (or both) is a great thing.

I have both sets, and have used all tubes + tc + lens before to convert the 100-400 into a macro lens. Sounds weird, I know, but it looked even stranger when I was done mounting the white bazooka to all the black add-ons! ;)

You will see no discernible differences between the Sigma and the Kenko, my guess is that your shop has a higher profit margin on Sigma products and wants to push you into that direction. Any person that knows these products well enough would not have told you that, which leaves either greed, ignorance, or both.

[EdV]

Thanks for all the discussion.

Just a couple of things here. First off, I already own a set of Kenko tubes and the Kenko 1.4x TC. They are safely tucked away in my bags.

Second, I have to keep reminding myself that my macro lenses are both Sigmas while my other lenses are all Canon L glass. My immediate thought was that I want to use the TC with the Sigma macro lenses and on Canon bodies (XT and 30D).

Third the sales rep from B&H was telling me that the Sigma 1.4x TC will deliver better IQ with the Sigma macro lenses than will the Kenko that I ALREADY HAVE!

Ergo the do I stay with the Kenko or get the Sigma 1.4x TC for use with the macro lenses. If I got the Sigma, I would be the proud father of two 1.4x TCs.

And then enlightenment! In addition to macro, I also do a lot of bird photography. I am hoping to get a Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens for birds somewhere down the road. And I want to use a 1.4x TC with it to give me 700mm. And I had all but decided that when I get the 500mm lens, I would also get the Canon 1.4x TC.

Geez, if I got the Sigma and then the Canon, that would make three 1.4x TC. Now I don't know about you, that spell overkill in my book.

So I think I have come up with a solution. Use the Kenko until I get my gov't stimulus plan $$$ and then buy the Canon 1.4x, forget the Sigma TC and then look forward to the 500mm.

Make sense?

[wimg]

Thanks for all the discussion.

Just a couple of things here. First off, I already own a set of Kenko tubes and the Kenko 1.4x TC. They are safely tucked away in my bags.

Second, I have to keep reminding myself that my macro lenses are both Sigmas while my other lenses are all Canon L glass. My immediate thought was that I want to use the TC with the Sigma macro lenses and on Canon bodies (XT and 30D).

Third the sales rep from B&H was telling me that the Sigma 1.4x TC will deliver better IQ with the Sigma macro lenses than will the Kenko that I ALREADY HAVE!

Ergo the do I stay with the Kenko or get the Sigma 1.4x TC for use with the macro lenses. If I got the Sigma, I would be the proud father of two 1.4x TCs.

And then enlightenment! In addition to macro, I also do a lot of bird photography. I am hoping to get a Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens for birds somewhere down the road. And I want to use a 1.4x TC with it to give me 700mm. And I had all but decided that when I get the 500mm lens, I would also get the Canon 1.4x TC.

Geez, if I got the Sigma and then the Canon, that would make three 1.4x TC. Now I don't know about you, that spell overkill in my book.

So I think I have come up with a solution. Use the Kenko until I get my gov't stimulus plan $$$ and then buy the Canon 1.4x, forget the Sigma TC and then look forward to the 500mm.

Make sense?
Yes, good plan.

The Sigma is not going to be better than the Kenko anyway. :D They're about the same.

BTW, just to make you feel better: there are 4 converters in my bag currently :).

Kind regards, Wim

[TeamSpeed]

The Kenko is just fine, I don't think there is any reason to get the Canon. If you just want two 1.4x TCs, just get another Kenko. They are so similar and the Kenko has been proven to work with more lenses in the long run.

And if you put all 3 tubes on the 500, along with the TC, you will have a bazooka macro lens.

[EdV]

This shouldn't be this difficult! I've just been told that the Canon TC won't work with the Sigma 150mm Macro. Is this true?

I assume the Sigma TC will work. And the Kenko?

[TeamSpeed]

Canon TCs seem to be the most restrictive of the TCs it seems. The Kenko has worked with all my Sigma lenses, so I cannot imagine the 150mm would be any different.

Have you had time to go through the teleconverter sticky, there might be some info there on this lens and TC combo.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41922

[Roy C]

Thanks for all the discussion.

Just a couple of things here. First off, I already own a set of Kenko tubes and the Kenko 1.4x TC. They are safely tucked away in my bags.

Second, I have to keep reminding myself that my macro lenses are both Sigmas while my other lenses are all Canon L glass. My immediate thought was that I want to use the TC with the Sigma macro lenses and on Canon bodies (XT and 30D).

Third the sales rep from B&H was telling me that the Sigma 1.4x TC will deliver better IQ with the Sigma macro lenses than will the Kenko that I ALREADY HAVE!

Ergo the do I stay with the Kenko or get the Sigma 1.4x TC for use with the macro lenses. If I got the Sigma, I would be the proud father of two 1.4x TCs.

And then enlightenment! In addition to macro, I also do a lot of bird photography. I am hoping to get a Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens for birds somewhere down the road. And I want to use a 1.4x TC with it to give me 700mm. And I had all but decided that when I get the 500mm lens, I would also get the Canon 1.4x TC.

Geez, if I got the Sigma and then the Canon, that would make three 1.4x TC. Now I don't know about you, that spell overkill in my book.

So I think I have come up with a solution. Use the Kenko until I get my gov't stimulus plan $$$ and then buy the Canon 1.4x, forget the Sigma TC and then look forward to the 500mm.

Make sense?
I am sure the Kenko tc will be every bit as good as the Sigma, the fact that you are putting it on a Sigma lens and Canon body is irrelevant.
The Salesman who told you the Sigma would be better is talking rubbish IMO (that's assuming you have the Kenko Pro and not the cheaper Kenko).

A lot of birders even use the Kenko pro with the Canon 500mm f4.

I have both Canon and Kenko tc's and have done several test with my Canon L lenses (70-200 and 400mm f5.6) and I cannot see much difference at all in the IQ.

P.s Does the Sigma 1.4tc even fit the 150 macro? according to a chart that I saw it will only work with the 180mm macro.

[Roy C]

Canon TCs seem to be the most restrictive of the TCs it seems.
The Sigma tc's have also got a protrusion similar to the Canon. Like Canon they will also only work with certain Sigma lenses.