Vivitar 2x Macro Focusing Teleconverter

[Peter T44178]

I understand there are 2 versions of this. What is the difference between the versions?

 

[Anastigmat]

I understand there are 2 versions of this. What is the difference
between the versions?

ONly difference is the electrical contacts. One version has it; the other does not. You will need these contacts if you want to use it on the K10D or K100D or the DL and you want to use P-TTL flash. If not, then either version would work in all Pentax DSLR cameras. You don't need the contacts if you want to use it on a *ist D, DS or DS2 and use TTL flash.

 

[Peter T44178]

Thanks. I thought perhaps one of the versions only worked with stop-down metering.

 

[Jonas B]

Thanks. I thought perhaps one of the versions only worked with
stop-down metering.

And I think you are correct.

No contacts = no communication between the lens and the camera -> the camera doesn't know the maximum aperture opening -> stop down metering only.

--
Jonas

 

[GregNS]

There is one version which has that pesky Ricoh pin which can be a problem.

I've also heard that there is a version with blue lettering and one with Green lettering, though this may or may not correspond with the fact that one has the contacts to allow the "A" setting on the lens to be used.

See this thread for more info:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=17115175

And this one which discusses some differences as well
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=17052394

By the way, I have this Vivitar teleconverter (with the "A" contacts and no Ricoh mount) and I love it. I use it with my FA50mm1.4 lens and it has opened up a whole world of macro photography for me.

I've posted this picture before, but it shows a bit of what an amateur like me can achieve with the above lens and the V2xMFTC



--
Cheers,
Greg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtjkb

 

[Peter T44178]

Thanks. I thought perhaps one of the versions only worked with
stop-down metering.

And I think you are correct.
No contacts = no communication between the lens and the camera -> the
camera doesn't know the maximum aperture opening -> stop down
metering only.

That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Peter T44178]

There is one version which has that pesky Ricoh pin which can be a
problem.

I read through the threads you posted and I don't see how to determine whether the pin is there. I would be getting this off ebay and would much rather get one without the pin than try to remove it.

 

[thiago_silva]

Hey Greg,

What is the minimum focusing distance with the 50mm+TC ?

Cheers,
--
Thiago Silva - http://www.flickr.com/photos/thiagosilva/

'If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.' (Lewis Hine)

 

[JensR]

What is the minimum focusing distance with the 50mm+TC ?

Some info here:
http://www.jr-worldwi.de/photo/index.html?macro3_shootout.html

Cheers
Jens

--

'Well, 'Zooming with your feet' is usually a stupid thing as zoom rings are designed for hands.' (Me, 2006)
My Homepage: http://www.JensRoesner.de

 

[Jonas B]

There is one version which has that pesky Ricoh pin which can be a
problem.

I read through the threads you posted and I don't see how to
determine whether the pin is there. I would be getting this off ebay
and would much rather get one without the pin than try to remove it.

Peter,

As mentioned by Greg these V2XMFTC have been discussed earlier. I didn't remember the Ricoh pin problem now so I also followed the links to check it out.

I know Brandrx as a reliable source and following his link to this post:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=17052937
by Nate made me go look for my V2MFTC.

It is exactly the same as the one with green lettering to the right in Nate's pictures, and to my understanding it is the same as the one Brandrx has. Checking the box it also says

For Pentax/Ricoh and P/K-A R-P/K on it.

This V2XMFTC never caused any problems to me. It mounts and unmounts fine.

fwiw,

--
Jonas

 

[GregNS]

This is a bit of a convoluted maze through the forum, but if you follow this link and check the threads you find along the way (each thread it seems has a link to another thread . . .) you will find a wealth of information.

Beware, though, there are no clear answers to some of the questions.

For example: there are some who believe that the color of the lettering (mag ratios) on the teleconverter (green or blue) will tell you if it has the "A" contacts. If you read carefully, though, you will discover that there are members who have the contacts on a green and others have it on the blue, so it gets a tad confusing.

Also, just because it sez "PK-A/R-PK" doesn't necessarily mean you will have trouble with the dreaded "ricoh pin". I think the best thing is to get a clear picture from the seller of the mounting ring.

Sorry I can't be more clear, but I only have my own TC go go by and it works just fine and is a delight to use . . .

So . . . for an interesting journey, start here.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=21899511

hope that helps.
--
Cheers,
Greg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtjkb

 

[Jonas B]

This is a bit of a convoluted maze through the forum, ...
-snip-
Also, just because it sez "PK-A/R-PK" doesn't necessarily mean you
will have trouble with the dreaded "ricoh pin". I think the best
thing is to get a clear picture from the seller of the mounting ring.

Sorry I can't be more clear, but I only have my own TC go go by and
it works just fine and is a delight to use . . .

Yes, it is a journey. But I think it is safe saying there have never been any reports here about stuck Ricoh pins with this converter (anyone having that problem should speak up now...!). I wish Peter good luck finding this cool little add-on!

--
Jonas

(edit: spelling)

 

[GregNS]

Yes, it is a journey. But I think it is safe saying there have
never been any reports here about stuck Ricoh pins with this
converter (anyone having that problem should speak up now...!). I
wish Peter good luck finding this cool little add-on!

--
Jonas

One more thing: I just phoned home and had my wife check my TC. Even though Ron's thread has a post from "nnmo"'s with really clear pictures showing a TC with blue lettering that is missing the electrical contacts, mine has blue lettering and HAS the electrical contacts.

Go figure . . .

Mine also says "PK-A/R-PK" but has no problem with any stuck pin stuff.

--
Cheers,
Greg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtjkb

 

[thiago_silva]

Thanks Jens!

I knew your "How to Macro" page, but never noticed the comparison, since it is in another section. Maybe you could add a link to the comparison at the end of the how-to page?

Cheers,

--
Thiago Silva - http://www.flickr.com/photos/thiagosilva/

'If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.' (Lewis Hine)

 

[essH]

Yes, it is a journey. But I think it is safe saying there have
never been any reports here about stuck Ricoh pins with this
converter (anyone having that problem should speak up now...!). I
wish Peter good luck finding this cool little add-on!

--
Jonas

One more thing: I just phoned home and had my wife check my TC.
Even though Ron's thread has a post from "nnmo"'s with really clear
pictures showing a TC with blue lettering that is missing the
electrical contacts, mine has blue lettering and HAS the electrical
contacts.

Go figure . . .

Mine also says "PK-A/R-PK" but has no problem with any stuck pin stuff.

--
Cheers,
Greg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtjkb

Conclusions I can confirm from my own experience - blue lettering on both versions - the Ricoh pin problem does NOT apply to TCs (it was only found when some people attached certain Ricoh lenses directly to Pentax bodies) and the lettering is:

P/K - no contacts
P/K-A R-P/K - contacts for A series lenses and later

--
Simon
long time Pentax user

 

[JensR]

Hi Thiago!

I knew your "How to Macro" page, but never noticed the comparison,
since it is in another section. Maybe you could add a link to the
comparison at the end of the how-to page?

Umm, would make sense, wouldn't it?


I'll do it!

Cheers
Jens

--

'Well, 'Zooming with your feet' is usually a stupid thing as zoom rings are designed for hands.' (Me, 2006)
My Homepage: http://www.JensRoesner.de

 

[Peter T44178]

I see from past ebay sales that the Pentax version is selling for two to three times as much as other brands.

 

[hermanlee]

Hi guys,
I'm a newbie in DSLR. So pls be patient w/ me

I have 2 questions for this Macro converter:

1. How can we tell which one has the electronic contact?

2. Will this Vivitar 2x works with FA 43mm Ltd?

if not, can anybody pls tell me which MACRO converter that will work with FA 43 Ltd?

Thanks in advance,

--
'I will treasure every moment in my life!'
Herman

 

[ozbrit]

I believe all these macro-converters were made for Vivitar by Tokina in the 70's & 80's. In more recent times Tokina have been selling the PKA version under the brand name teleplus. Name apart everything else remains the same.

 

[paulkienitz]

I don't know about differences, or anything about Pentax versions, but I used the OM version of this teleconverter in my film days, and I never did discover any flaws in it.

--

K10D, Sig 17-70, FA 50/1.4, DA 50-200, Sig 135-400... next up: gotta get something wiiiiiide.