wjansen
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70-300G2 with 1.4 Converter?
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wjansen
Leading Member
I'm considering the new version of the 70-300 and am wondering if it would pair up well with Sony's 1.4 teleconverter. On my A77ii I would have a reach of approximately 630mm at somewhere around f8. Wonder if AF would still work? Any thoughts?
Edward Sargent
Senior Member
I have used the G1 with Tamron TC's, I don't think anyone has the G2 yet.
K E Hoffman
Veteran Member
You would lose PDAF
AF works to F5.6 I believe, only the 500mm Mirror F8 has AF with the central spot only.
I have just did a simple test.
70-300G with Kenko 1.4x can still focus at F8 on A77ii.
It is slow, but it still work.
..
70-300G with Kenko 2.0x can focus at F9~F11 on A77ii.
It works sometimes, but it hunt most of the time.
Manual focus will be faster at this case.
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rgwaller1
Senior Member
I use a Kenko 1.4x Teleplus MC4 on my Sony 70-300G with great results(A77II). I have a couple of threads on here with that combo.
Sonolta Shooter
Senior Member
AFAIK, you can't use a TC with a lens over F/4.5 and retain AF. The SAL 70-300 G II is F/5.6 so would be MF only. That said, have you considered a 100-300/4 lens? They're better and cheaper + you can use a TC without degrading IQ hardly at all unlike 70-300mm lenses and they generally lose IQ beyond 250mm so it's not a good combination in any case. The 70-300 SSM G II also has a ridiculous price tag assuming you're considering buying new (based on the Sony website price), so if you need a quality tele-zoom, then I would recommend an alternative. Telephoto is my main area of use as I shoot aviation and motorsport, so know which can track, retain focus lock, has smooth bokeh, excellent IQ and great colour rendition. I've bought/owned/used/sold an awful lot of top-shelf and upper level tele-prime and tele-zoom lenses as well as entry and lower spec tele-zooms, though if you must have a 70-300mm, the the Tamron AF 70-300 Di USD is in the same ballpark as the original Sony 70-300 G SSM in terms IQ, weight, motor etc, but it's a fraction of the price, though I've never owned/used the Sony 70-300 G SSM II version, so cannot offer any input with that model, but you really don't need to spend silly money to get very high quality lenses that produce top quality results so I know which works best at all focal lengths and apertures and you might be very surprised with the results, so don't for one minute think that a $1000.00 G lens is the best because it isn't, but it's your decision, though I would be inclined to go to the Dyxum lenses section and do some searching there just to ensure you've not missed anything before you part with your money.
I have images posted online with certain telephoto prime/zoom lenses which (if interested) can provide the URL's so you can see for yourself.
I have images posted online with certain telephoto prime/zoom lenses which (if interested) can provide the URL's so you can see for yourself.
rgwaller1
Senior Member
I do not know about the Sony 1.4x Converter but the Kenko 1.4x Teleplus MC4 works on my Sony 77II and Sony 70-300 G SSM with AF and I get 630mm with very good sharpness. I know some people on here will tell you it will not but that is not true. Here are a couple of examples with this combo. These are all handheld.
RussAdams
Leading Member
I do NOT think either the old or new SAL70300 will pair up well with the Sony 1.4.
However, Kenko's 1.4 converter does work with the 70-300. See rbwaller1's post in your thread. He posted samples:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55451572
Here is Dyxum's write up on teleconverters:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic2100.html
Lots of good information in there about the differences between the different converters, and what works with what.
Here's what they say about non-chipped (ie non-Sony) 1.4 converters and using a zoom in that range:
75-300mm or 100-300mm F4.5-5.6 with a 1.4X TC will normally not AF, but with a non-chip 1.4X or even 1.7X TC, it will try to AF but whether it can lock focus is another story
I have a Kenko 1.4 and have used it successfully to auto-focus my SAL70400 I. It's slow, but it works. I just bought an A77ii and SAL70300G I, and look forward to playing with it!
You're going to need good (lots of) light...
Russ
wjansen
Leading Member
Thanks for all the replies. I'm most interested in getting a lens that can take full advantage of the A77ii's capabilities. The new 70-300 supposedly is 4x faster than the older model, and should have good AF speed for tracking BIF. The lens is available now, so tests should soon confirm if this lens is worth it. I wish Sony would offer a 300f4, but I doubt it will ever happen, and if it did, it would be terribly expensive. The 70-400G2 would take care of the teleconverter issue, but at much greater cost and weight.
I own the first generation of the Sony 70-300 and 70-400. I also own the Kenko 1.4 converter. Both lenses will autofocus with this converter. However, my virtually new converter sits on a shelf and is never used. These lenses will produce images that can be cropped and upsized, and will be just as good as those from the teleconverter, so I don't know why anyone would want to give up the light or focus speed to use the converter.
RussAdams
Leading Member
Thanks for stating this!
I agree. The quality is pretty equivalent. Not sure you could resolve anything using the TC any better than upscaling an image not using the TC.
I've not experimented though.
Russ
Sonolta Shooter
Senior Member
If you want a 300/4, the get a Tokina AT-X 300/4 AF (AF 304). It's also much better than the Minolta 400/4 and is smaller, lighter, very well built, has a sliding hood and costs less. No need to be paying Sony stupid money for what's already available which also applies to their 70-300/400 zoom lenses which have equal or better options available that are much cheaper. I wouldn't get hung-up over the new 70-300mm, though if it's proven beyond doubt that it doesn't have any excessive barrel or pincushion distortions and is capable of producing top quality images a lens that can be added to those that already do that.
I would also like to get confirmation that the Mk II can maintain focus and not hunt whilst tracking fast moving subjects especially at 300mm which is where the majority of tele and super-tele zooms tend to 'struggle' (that's a polite way of putting it), therefore is the hype and price tag of Sony re-releasing what could be best described as 'flawed products' warranted? I doubt it very much, though I find it stage that Sony have decided to re-release an existing model with some upgrades and a price tag to match and not develop totally new models, whether a 100-300/4 with internal focus as the 70-300/400 and similar zooms look like 'excited donkeys' when at their maximum focal range (and they look darned silly as well).
There is a Minolta 300/4, but the Tokina is better, though you could buy a 300/2.8 and add a 1.4x or 1.5x TC for a 420/4 equivalent if you want a tele-prime. If anyone advises of the Sigma 120-400mm, then forget it. It's IQ is woeful and the OS will suck your batteries dry faster than a bath full of peckish Leeches and a flock of vampire bats. It was supposed to replace the Sigma 100-300/4 EX DG (IF) APO, but it's a dreadful lens and isn't anywhere near as good in any department, so forget it completely and walk on by.
Sony could do a 200/4 and a 250/4 which in theory should be more affordable to the great unwashed (maybe one is FF and the other is APS-C), but there are many superb optics already out there and were producing top quality results on the Dynax/Maxxum 5D, 7D and Sony A100 - A900 not to mention existing SLT models (as they still do today), so I don't see the relevance to matching a lens to a body. The bottom line is what's attached on the front and who's operating from behind and between those two doesn't really matter that much.
Well, you are misinformed. As I and others have said in previous posts, the Sony 70-300 and 70-400 both autofocus with a Kenko 1.4 TC. I only have the first generation of these lenses, but there is absolutely no reason to believe the MKII versions do not also autofocus with the Kenko.
RussAdams
Leading Member
According to the Dyxum site section on teleconverters any of the 'generic' converters that do not have a chip can autofocus.
Evidently if the camera knows it's slower than f5.6 it will refuse to try to autofocus.
My Kenko will AF. Slowly. Sometimes.
But as mentioned elsewhere in this thread I'm not sure it's worth the hassle. May as well just upscale the image from the original lens. Not sure I could tell the difference between an upsized and cropped image w/out tele versus the lens plus tele combo.
I'll have to play with it and see.
Russ
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rgwaller1
Senior Member
I agree with Digititus. I also have the Sony 70-400G2 and 70-300G with the Kenko 1.4x attached it will still AF. You seem to have a bias against Sony lenses even thou you have a Sony camera. Just because you do have that bias you should not come on here and misinform members when the truth is the opposite. Just because some of Sony's lenses cost more than you think they should it is up to each user to decide at what cost they most feel comfortable with. If you want a cheaper priced lens buy it. If I want a more expensive lens of the same specs I will buy it. Just go out and take photos but do not misinform. I have provided examples so what more can be asked?
Sonolta Shooter
Senior Member
Maybe Dyxum should be informed in that case based on their TC AF compatibility thread here. I was not trying to mis-inform anyone, quite the opposite, but if it's known to work, then I wasn't aware, so stand corrected.
Russ,
What camera were you using with the SAL70-400/Kenko combination? If not the a77ii, do you think that would be faster?
Thanks, Tom
rgwaller1
Senior Member
I agree with you on that. I read the link you provided me and I think what I found makes us both right to a certain degree.
The following 1.4X, 1.7X and 2X teleconverters (partial list) do not have chip inside therefore it will not report the correct F stop or focal length information to the camera. Could transfer list here.
The Kenko 1.4x Teleplus MC4 is not on the list but this would apply to it also.
The camera just ignores the presence of the tele-converter although you still have correct exposure since exposure is based on actual amount of light passing through the lens. You'll also notice the viewfinder is dimmer and the focusing is slower because of the reduction of light to the camera.
One side benefit of using non-chip pass through TC is the camera will attempt to AF with a slower lens previously not possible.
Example:
75-300mm or 100-300mm F4.5-5.6 with a 1.4X TC will normally not AF, but with a non-chip 1.4X or even 1.7X TC, it will try to AF but whether it can lock focus is another story
With the Sony 70-300G and Sony 70-400G2 along with the A77II with the better AF module I can get really good AF and sharpness.
The following 1.4X, 1.7X and 2X teleconverters (partial list) do not have chip inside therefore it will not report the correct F stop or focal length information to the camera. Could transfer list here.
The Kenko 1.4x Teleplus MC4 is not on the list but this would apply to it also.
The camera just ignores the presence of the tele-converter although you still have correct exposure since exposure is based on actual amount of light passing through the lens. You'll also notice the viewfinder is dimmer and the focusing is slower because of the reduction of light to the camera.
One side benefit of using non-chip pass through TC is the camera will attempt to AF with a slower lens previously not possible.
Example:
75-300mm or 100-300mm F4.5-5.6 with a 1.4X TC will normally not AF, but with a non-chip 1.4X or even 1.7X TC, it will try to AF but whether it can lock focus is another story
With the Sony 70-300G and Sony 70-400G2 along with the A77II with the better AF module I can get really good AF and sharpness.
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