150-600 vs 70-300 + 2x TC

Digishooter2021 · Jun 26, 2022

I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

wantfastcars · Jun 26, 2022

I will not claim to be an expert by any means, but from reading threads on here the general consensus seems to be that the 2x TC isn't very good - it results in image degradation noticeable to even casual observers, and IIRC would also be slower across all focal lengths and a stop slower than the 150-600 at 600 (f/11 equivalent compared to f/8, I believe?).

It would certainly help save more than a handful of bucks, but I think most here would likely say the tradeoff isn't worth it.

number_5 · Jun 26, 2022

There was a thread about 70-300 + 2x TC, and the link below has the best reply:

Re: 600mm F11 usable? (70-300 + 2x TC) Any examples: Fujifilm X System / SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I photography birds quite a bit around sunset and sunrise, and I really do want that one stop of light.

MarcosV · Jun 26, 2022

Digishooter2021 said:
I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

Outdoors with lots of daylight, the 70-300 with 1.4x TC is pretty good. You can see the image degradation with the 2x TC (which I also own) and it also noticeably takes longer to get AF lock. I wouldn't use the 2x TC unless I was very desperate or very bored.

The 70-300 is a great lens for what it is; I don't like using it to shoot moving subjects, especially indoors. AF lock is hard to maintain, even when trying a variety of AF-C settings.

Artur Darulewski · Jun 26, 2022

If 600/11 is enough for you (forget about moving subjects and use it in decent light conditions only) then fine, but you don't need to spend ~$2k to buy real 150-600/5.6-6.3 - half if this price is enough. Is it worth? Depends on your needs.

Cheers,

Artur

Rod McD · Jun 27, 2022

Artur Darulewski said:
If 600/11 is enough for you (forget about moving subjects and use it in decent light conditions only) then fine, but you don't need to spend ~$2k to buy real 150-600/5.6-6.3 - half if this price is enough. Is it worth? Depends on your needs.

Cheers,

Artur

Hi Artur -

A 150-600mm for around $1000? You seem to have something in mind that's available for the money - what are you thinking of?

Curious.....

Cheers, Rod

Craig268 · Jun 27, 2022

Digishooter2021 said:
I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

If you can swing it, go for the 150-600. A TC will always degrade IQ to some extent even the 1.4x TC.

That said, I have the 100-400 and the 2x TC. I don't always use the 2x TC but when I do, I'm satisfied with the results. It all comes down to needs, wants, desires.

If you need the reach of the 2xTC with the 70-300, go for it. The 1.4x will provide less impact to the IQ but the 2x might yield perfectly satisfactory images for you.

If possible, perhaps rent the 2x TC to test it?

Stuart VC · Jun 27, 2022

I wouldn't want to go past the 1.4TC (which is excellent) personally, but i can see the issues with paying £2000 for a lens so it's definitely worth consideration.

Powerdoc · Jun 27, 2022

Digishooter2021 said:
I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

Are you serious ?

The 70-300 alone is far away from the optical quality of the 150-600. Only the best primes can give decent results with at TC 2. thus, a 70-300 with TC 2 will give very poor results

Morris0 · Jun 27, 2022

I own all of this though a different brand 150-600. For static images the 70-300 + 1.4x is quite good so I'm no surprised you are happy with the results. Add action and the combination is not good at tracking while a bare 150-600 will have no problem. Even with the best technique, the 70-300 + 2.x is very hard to get crisp static images yet they do happen and lots of practice will help yet if you are not very experienced the crisp images may elude you.

You did not state what your subjects will be and what you want out of your images. If you are looking to document what you have seen, then the combination will do that. If you want to take photos that you will display in our home as art, then I suggest saving for the longer lens.

Morris

Morris0 · Jun 27, 2022

Rod McD said:
Artur Darulewski said:

If 600/11 is enough for you (forget about moving subjects and use it in decent light conditions only) then fine, but you don't need to spend ~$2k to buy real 150-600/5.6-6.3 - half if this price is enough. Is it worth? Depends on your needs.

Cheers,

Artur

Click to expand...

Hi Artur -

A 150-600mm for around $1000? You seem to have something in mind that's available for the money - what are you thinking of?

Curious.....

Cheers, Rod

Artur and I both own the Sigma 150-600 C for Canon and use a Fringer lens mount adapter with the lens. The results are quite pleasing and birds of flight works well.

Morris

Stuart VC · Jun 27, 2022

Powerdoc said:
Digishooter2021 said:

I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

Click to expand...

Are you serious ?

The 70-300 alone is far away from the optical quality of the 150-600. Only the best primes can give decent results with at TC 2. thus, a 70-300 with TC 2 will give very poor results

Forgive my ignorance here but how can we be so sure of this when the former hasn't even been released yet? Such a definitive statement you have made.

Rod McD · Jun 27, 2022

Morris0 said:
Rod McD said:

Artur Darulewski said:

If 600/11 is enough for you (forget about moving subjects and use it in decent light conditions only) then fine, but you don't need to spend ~$2k to buy real 150-600/5.6-6.3 - half if this price is enough. Is it worth? Depends on your needs.

Cheers,

Artur

Click to expand...

Hi Artur -

A 150-600mm for around $1000? You seem to have something in mind that's available for the money - what are you thinking of?

Curious.....

Cheers, Rod

Click to expand...

Artur and I both own the Sigma 150-600 C for Canon and use a Fringer lens mount adapter with the lens. The results are quite pleasing and birds of flight works well.

Morris

Hi Morris.

I watch your posts with your various teles and would happily acknowledge the Sigma C with Fringer in good hands, but that's surely not a combo available for $1000???

Regards, Rod

Morris0 · Jun 27, 2022

Stuart VC said:
Powerdoc said:

Digishooter2021 said:

I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

Click to expand...

Are you serious ?

The 70-300 alone is far away from the optical quality of the 150-600. Only the best primes can give decent results with at TC 2. thus, a 70-300 with TC 2 will give very poor results

Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance here but how can we be so sure of this when the former hasn't even been released yet? Such a definitive statement you have made.

I've shot with the Fuji 150-600 and also own the Fuji 70-300. I don't know how Stuart is making this judgement yet my experience with the Fuji 150-600 is that it's a very sharp lens with lovely bokeh. The 70-300 is also very sharp yet it's personality when it comes to bokeh and snap is not at the same level.

Morris

Morris0 · Jun 27, 2022

Rod McD said:
Morris0 said:

Rod McD said:

Artur Darulewski said:

If 600/11 is enough for you (forget about moving subjects and use it in decent light conditions only) then fine, but you don't need to spend ~$2k to buy real 150-600/5.6-6.3 - half if this price is enough. Is it worth? Depends on your needs.

Cheers,

Artur

Click to expand...

Hi Artur -

A 150-600mm for around $1000? You seem to have something in mind that's available for the money - what are you thinking of?

Curious.....

Cheers, Rod

Click to expand...

Artur and I both own the Sigma 150-600 C for Canon and use a Fringer lens mount adapter with the lens. The results are quite pleasing and birds of flight works well.

Morris

Click to expand...

Hi Morris.

I watch your posts with your various teles and would happily acknowledge the Sigma C with Fringer in good hands, but that's surely not a combo available for $1000???

Regards, Rod

Sigma 150-600 C for Canon $899

Fringer EF to X $250

Total $1,149

These are the current prices at B&H. If you watch for specials and/or shop used you can save at least $100 new and $200 to #300 used.

Morris

biza43 · Jun 27, 2022

The rule of thumb is that a 2x TC normally degrades the image quality, compared to a "proper" lens. But it can work. I guess you can rent the gear and try it yourself?

Digishooter2021 · Jun 27, 2022

Thanks to all for your thoughtful replies.

yes, it was/is a serious question. I own the non-IBIS XT-3, and even though the 150-600 has stabilizing technology, it’s unclear to me whether using it at the long end really requires IBIS to get the best results, so that could be another $1500-2500 for XT-4, XH2S, or eventually XT-5. So, it could be more like a $3-4k difference.

as far as what I shoot goes, I’ve taken up (large) birding during COVID times, some static, and some in flight. Still hit or miss in flight with my current combo, but improving.

seems like Fringer plus a fully stabilized lens may be the way to go.

Really not trying to stir the pot here, and I’m sure various tests and comparisons will be forthcoming. I’ll wait and see.

Powerdoc · Jun 27, 2022

Stuart VC said:
Powerdoc said:

Digishooter2021 said:

I have the 70-300 w/ 1.4 tc and am very pleased with the output. The new 150-600 looks like an amazing $2k lens, but I wonder whether the 2x TC, which turns the 70-300 into a 140-600, with roughly identical apertures (taking account of the loss of light due to the TC) for $449 new makes sense for the non professional. Lighter, smaller, a bit more than half price all in. Anybody else thinking along these lines?

Click to expand...

Are you serious ?

The 70-300 alone is far away from the optical quality of the 150-600. Only the best primes can give decent results with at TC 2. thus, a 70-300 with TC 2 will give very poor results

Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance here but how can we be so sure of this when the former hasn't even been released yet? Such a definitive statement you have made.

Well, lots of pics from this lens have been published, but the more important point, is the official MFT curves from Fuji , and the one of the 150-600 are really impressive.

the 70-300 (very decent MFT curves ) : https://fujifilm-x.com/fr-fr/products/lenses/xf70-300mmf4-56-r-lm-ois-wr/specifications/

The 150 -600 (stellar curves) https://fujifilm-x.com/fr-fr/products/lenses/xf150-600mmf56-8-r-lm-ois-wr/specifications/

Digishooter2021 · Jun 27, 2022

Here’s what I’m getting from the 70-300 + 1.4 tc; yesterday, jpegs SOOC.

Stuart VC · Jun 27, 2022

Digishooter2021 said:
Here’s what I’m getting from the 70-300 + 1.4 tc; yesterday, jpegs SOOC.

Yeah those are definitely decent results, i like the 1.4TC. nice to see you getting some BIF with it too.

these are a few ive taken with the 70-300, mixture of both on its own and TC, im hugely impressed with it, apologies for the links im at work and dont have the photos at hand.

A garden visitor | Grey Squirrel in our neighbours back gard… | Flickr

It must be Winter. | A Robin in our back garden waiting pati… | Flickr

Deer at Raby Castle | Stu | Flickr

Winter is here.. | A shot of a Robin in our back garden. | Stu | Flickr

Surfs up | Saltburn surfers enjoying the waves at sunset on … | Flickr

Middlesbrough Transporter | Evening shot of the landmark Tra… | Flickr

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