Vivitar 1.4X Teleconverter

[Jerry Dewey]

I can't seem to figure this out from the description - will this retain autofocus with the DA*300 f/4 (using a K-5)?

I need to get something while waiting for Pentax to come out with theirs . . .

Thanks.
--
Jerry
I shoot birds.

 

[MaxLowLight]

Can you link the sale? Usually you can tell by the price, if it allows AF then it has to have electrical contacts on the inner ring, and it will cost much more. We are talking $20 vs $100+ , that kind of price difference. How much is it?

 

[Jerry Dewey]

Here's the item number:

VIV14XP

If you Google it you can link to B&H or Adorama (don't know if I can link directly to them because of forum rules).

I think it has the contacts, but Canon extenders, for example, won't autofocus on an f4 lens.

Thanks.
--
Jerry
I shoot birds.

 

[Greyser]

Vivitar Series1 AF 1.4X TC is re-branded clone of the Tamron 1.4X Pz-AF with no Pz-contacts (power zoom). It won't AF on SDM lenses, including DA*300/4. However, it is a very high quality AF TC when paired with regular screw driven lenses.

The only crippled option to AF with SDM lenses are mentioned above 1.4X Tamron and Kenko 1.5X Z or PZ (don't remember exactly). Why crippled? You have to pre-focus the lens manually close to the focus and then through a few half-presses of the shutter button make it AF. Actually it works similar to how Pentax 1.7X AFA is working

 

[c8imager]

Do not buy it. I purchased a (new) Vivitar 1.4x converter and it was badly machined. It will go on a lens but then cannot be removed without great effort and possibility of damage to the lens (yes, I know about the release tab). It is cheaper than Sigma and Tamron converters, and I suspect there is reason for that. Buyer beware.

Jeff

 

[Greyser]

There are few old 1.4x Vivitar TC around and the only 1.4X TC available brand new - the Vivitar Series1. The latter is a high quality 4-element re-branded Tamron. I found my genuine Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF TC better by very thin margin, which may be caused by just copies variations. For the price below $100 and non-SDM lenses the Vivitar Series1 is a good buy. In my tests it performs better than Sigma EX DG and on par with older and highly regarded Sigma EX non-DG.
That's what it does when paired with FA*300/4.5 (at f/5.6)



Crop from the above:

 

[Jerry Dewey]

Thanks for the feedback everyone - may just wait for the Pentax version to come out.

--
Jerry
I shoot birds.

 

[Anastigmat]

The newer teleconverters on the market are not SDM compatible, but they will autofocus with a screw drive AF lens.

The Canon situation is different. Canon disables autofocus on the lower priced camera models such as the Rebel and the xxD series if there is a REPORTING teleconverter and a slow lens (f/4 or f/5.6). You can still maintain austofocus if you have a 1 series body or a teleconverter that does not REPORT to the camera that you are using a teleconverter. Some people resort to taping some of the electrical contracts to allow autofocus. In any case, the newer teleconverters for Pentax do not have the two power zoom contacts so they will not autofocus with the SDM lenses.

Here's the item number:

VIV14XP

If you Google it you can link to B&H or Adorama (don't know if I can link directly to them because of forum rules).

I think it has the contacts, but Canon extenders, for example, won't autofocus on an f4 lens.

Thanks.
--
Jerry
I shoot birds.

 

[Miserere]

Thanks for the feedback everyone - may just wait for the Pentax version to come out.

--
Jerry
I shoot birds.

Did you sit down to wait, Jerry? I hope so! ;-)

I really don't understand what Pentax's problem is with not releasing a TC. Yes, I know they think they're redundant in this age of high megapixel cameras, but give the people what they want!

I hope that Ricoh will take a different view of TCs and release one soon.

Cheers,

—M.

--
My website about Photography: http://enticingthelight.com
My online photo gallery: http://worldofmiserere.com
WSSA Member #249

 

[Jerry Dewey]

Miserere:

I did buy the Vivitar, hooked it up to my K-5 with the DA*300. The back and top LCD panels started flashing randomly after I turned it on. Needless to say, back to the retailer after being on the K-5 about 3 minutes. Thought I was going to fry the K-5, but everything is okay.

So, wanting for the 1.4X TC. Along with everyone else.

 

[Miserere]

Miserere:

I did buy the Vivitar, hooked it up to my K-5 with the DA*300. The back and top LCD panels started flashing randomly after I turned it on. Needless to say, back to the retailer after being on the K-5 about 3 minutes. Thought I was going to fry the K-5, but everything is okay.

So, wanting for the 1.4X TC. Along with everyone else.

 

[GossCTP]

Miserere:

I did buy the Vivitar, hooked it up to my K-5 with the DA*300. The back and top LCD panels started flashing randomly after I turned it on. Needless to say, back to the retailer after being on the K-5 about 3 minutes. Thought I was going to fry the K-5, but everything is okay.

I think mine did the same thing until I figured out that the lens had to be mounted before the camera was turned on. Works fine now

So, wanting for the 1.4X TC. Along with everyone else.

 

[Greyser]

Miserere:

I did buy the Vivitar, hooked it up to my K-5 with the DA*300. The back and top LCD panels started flashing randomly after I turned it on. Needless to say, back to the retailer after being on the K-5 about 3 minutes. Thought I was going to fry the K-5, but everything is okay.

So, wanting for the 1.4X TC. Along with everyone else.

My K-5 was fine when the Vivitar was attached. It is not suitable for DA*300, but did well with my FA*300/4.5. Don't blame it. You have to thing of something or someone else involved

 

[Jerry Dewey]

Bad news: the lovely Ms. Jerry is taking the K-5.

Good news: Mr. Jerry is getting a K-3.

No news: still waiting for the 1.4X TC.