Can I use TC-DC58A with a DSLR and 70-300?

It's a quite simple question but I couldn't find the answer.

It looks this might be a solution to my longer range lens problem, combined with the 70-300 zoom. This one is intended for Powershots but as it has a 58mm diameter, it looks like it would fit to my lens as well. Any ideas or recommendations would be welcome.

http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​5d4ebeefd3

i wouldn't bother with that...you'd probably be better off just cropping your photos...

not sure what you are trying to shoot, but a kenko 1.4X does attach to that lens...AF is sketchy at best though

Well... mostly aviation. Trying to extend my range with a budget in mind.

Unfortunately there is no real budget option for longer focal length than 300mm. There are some 500mm mirror lenses about, but they really are pants, although for most aviation you do not really have to worry about the donut bokeh. They are soft and very low contrast with a lot of vignet. Even with good PP the results are very disappointing. Forget about using a 1.4× or 2× converter, as AF will not be working at those apertures. So it's MF only and that is really hard on an AF lens, as the throws are so short. Also infinity focus is before the end stop to prevent damage to the AF drive systems

Aside from those then really you are looking at the 100-400 L MK I. I guess they are now available new at around/under £1000 now the MK II is out. The Tamron 150-600 looks really good for the money, but be aware the VC system won't work while panning, so slow shutter speeds for good prop blur are difficult. The Sigma 150-600 is good but the price is high. I would guess that the old 150-500 OS would probably be the cheapest buy, but that is till going to be around £500.

Alan

Thanks a lot for your guidance Alan. For some time I considered using the lenses that you attach to the front of your lens but they wont make me happy either. I guess I need to start saving money. Or winning the lottery might be an option as well.

As I am a disabled single parent I also do not have much, if any money to spend on kit. My answer for the times I need more than 300mm is to rent. I can rent the 100-400 L MKI for a three day weekend for about £80 including the courier both ways. The new MKII is £80 without shipping, so I guess about £110 all in. For an important airshow once or twice a year that is not too bad. Pick the right airshow and actually 300mm as your long end is not too bad. That generally means smaller shows though, as often the flight line will be closer to the crowd line. Again for general aviation use around airports and small airfields 300mm should be quite adequate. Many small GA airfields can actually be quite good about giving you access to good positions to photograph from if you talk to the people there nicely. Of course a bit of knowledge of aviation can help in this situation.

Alan

Thanks a lot for the recommendations. Sadly, the situation here is a bit different. Although the attitude seems to be changing, most of the times spotters are not welcome near the airports here. Its not uncommon to be visited by police while trying to shoot near the fence. So, you want to have bigger a mm. And I also would like to dip into bird photography.

Hiring seems a good idea. I just saw 100-400 L lens for $35/day.

There's a OTAN Tiger Meet and I already registered for two days and I think I'm going to hire one of these.

Oh yes just had a look at your location. I remember back in the 80's or possibly 90's a group of British plane spotters were arrested for spying, as they had taken photos near an airport that also had military aircraft. I think it was some old Phantoms that had photographed, as they were a bit of a classic by then. I'm sure they must have small light aviation airfields with flying clubs even in Turkey. That's the sort of place that you can often find very welcoming given the right approach.

Alan

A non reporting 1.4x teleconverter like the Kenko DG will mount and focus. The focus will be slower. I have used one with a 70-300L. It needs a good amount of light to focus but it does and I've gotten good results through the viewfinder and very good results using live view focus.

Well, it is much better now and generally speaking, you are much welcome near the fields. But Turkey is a bit different and we have much less small air fields as the number of such clubs in very limited and mostly, these clubs use bigger and commercial airports. As a result, I bigger lens is much usable. In May, I'll be attending an OTAN Tiger Meet and I am desperately trying to get/use a better lend than my 70-300 IS USM.

I considered 1.4 Kenko converter at first but when I gave a little more thought into I changed my mind. My lens is softer 200+ and if I use a converter, I'll get a 300 and it won't make much difference.

Maybe I should wait and save some money and buy a second hand Sigma 150-500 or Tamron 160-600.

Hate the waiting, though.

I'd avoid the Tamron 150-600 for aviation. Unless you like the idea of shooting at 600mm at 1/160 (or less if you are dealing with helicopters) with no image stabilization. The VC on the Tamron has no panning mode. A second hand Sigma 150-600 which has Mode 2 for panning in the OS system would be a much better option if you want the 600mm. We are still awaiting the Sigma Contemporary version of the 150-600 which is also supposed to have the Mode 2 OS system. I rented a Tamron 150-600 for an airshow last year and the results were not good at all. I shall not be doing that again. With really tight funds I guess a second hand Sigma 150-500 OS is the cheapest option to buy for the best results at the moment. The Sigma 150-600 C is what I'm looking forwards to though.

Alan

Thanks a lot for all the info Alan. It looks Sigma is the best option. Sadly I can not buy from ebay, as there'll be some issues with the customs. I'll be visiting Moscow in a month... maybe something comes up there.

Yes I was just about to post a reply about the 2× converter that you saw on Ebay when you deleted it. Remember even with those cheap non reporting converters like you linked to, there will be no AF, it just won't work. MF will be difficult with an AF lens with their short focus throws. The viewfinder will be very very dark too as the maximum aperture will be f/11.

I've tried all of these cheap options myself, and all they lead to is disappointment and wasted money. Hopefully you will be able to find a nice S/H Sigma 150-500 OS at the right price on your visit.

Alan

Yes, i deleted that link as I thought similarly, that it would only be waste of money.

I just browsed to a Russian photo equipment store and saw a 70-200 L lens for $550. That seemed a nice price and hoping to find a good deal Sigma, maybe a used one, decided to visit a couple stores in Moscow.