Well, I did it...

[Johnboy2978]

Lol, maybe someone should have done more research before dropping that much dough

It has unfortunately become very much "carpe diem".


Ralph

I believe you mean caveat emptor, meaning buyer beware. Capre Diem is latin for seize the day.

 

[Stamp]

Neither of the 2 Sigma TC's will bring your lens to 480mm (they will go to 280 and 400 respectively).

Thats kind of what I thought... It sounded like a hot new Sigma TC, by the way he described it... either way, I'm sure the price I gave for it is still a deal if it is just the EX 2x TC.

By the way, I did call Sigma to make sure I wasn't missing anything, and they confirmed that they only had the 2 TC's, and you'll still lose light using a TC. No big deal though, I'm sure it'll come in very handy.

 

[gsgary]

Neither of the 2 Sigma TC's will bring your lens to 480mm (they will go to 280 and 400 respectively).

Thats kind of what I thought... It sounded like a hot new Sigma TC, by the way he described it... either way, I'm sure the price I gave for it is still a deal if it is just the EX 2x TC.

By the way, I did call Sigma to make sure I wasn't missing anything, and they confirmed that they only had the 2 TC's, and you'll still lose light using a TC. No big deal though, I'm sure it'll come in very handy.

Save it for when you get a nice prime lens

 

[Stamp]

Got the goods yesterday.... AMAZING! Although, turns out they really misled me on the TC. It turns out to be a Kenko 1.5x TC, and the AF doesn't work with it. Lets just say they'll be getting that thing back ASAP. Very pleased with the lens. The HSM af motor is absolutely silent, lightening fast, and the overall lens just reeks with quality and heft... Thumbs up to Sigma :thumbup:

 

[Phranquey]

It used to be that talking to the people selling the equipment was considered doing enough research. Unfortunately, nowadays salespeople don't even know what they're selling. It has unfortunately become very much "carpe diem".

Carpe Diem = Sieze the day.

I think you may have meant Caveat Emptor ... Let the buyer beware.

EDIT: Didn't see Johnboy's post....



And, yes, as everyone has stated, even though your readout still may say 2.8, you will lose light with the TC. I have a 500 f/4, and when I add my 1.4 TC, the camera will still show f/4, but the meter tells the difference.

Bummer on the mislead. I would definitely return the TC, but glad you are happy with the lens...

 

[pbelarge]

I'll slip in here and agree with Gary - I don't have a sigma 70-200mm f2.8, but I have the canon and on that whilst I have the option of using a 1.4TC or a 2*TC I use a 1.4 almost all the time whilst the 2*TC tends to come out just for fun. Sadly the light loss is as others say - a physical effect so even if the lens does not report it you won't get that light back - a good shutter speed, bright conditions and an aperture of f8 and you can get some decent shots out of it.
For the internet at 1000pixels on the longest side its good but the internet is very forgiving in image quality.

The 1.4 on the other hand gives good image quality and only loses one stop of light - on a good shot you can't even really tell that the TC was attached (by image quality) so its a shorter, but far more usable option.

And this isn't a sigma bash either - I have the TCs in sigma and canon make and honestly on crop sensor I hadly notice a difference between the 1.4s and the 2*TCs most of the difference only shows when they are compared side by side (and that is that the sigma is a 1.95ish TC whilst the canon a 2TC so the sigma gives a tiny bit less reach - nothing in the field would show this up though)

This gives an idea of the canon and a 2*TC at f8.
little birds photos test - a set on Flickr
note that whilst the light was dim at that time I did use flash to boost it up.
edit - I really should repeat that test oneday 1/100sec shutter speed can't be helping the lenses case even with dominant flash freezing the frame.

edit 2 just added otters to the test - its now 1000times better (the test that is not the TC combo )

I am not questioning your talent or method, but I am confused by this.

1. How far were you from your target?
2. How does/did the flash help with this type of shot?

Thanks

P.S.
I looked at the photo in the link, and it is very similar to a number of shots I take...some not even close to any kind of keeper.

 

[NateWagner]

Ok, I have a quick question... I think it's on topic.

Does the teleconverter actually steal the light? as in, keep the light from reaching the lens?
Or is it because when the teleconverter doubles the focal length the aperture opening doesn't also double in size thus the f/ratio is different.

 

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Congrats on the new glass, I have that lens and it is nice. I also have the identical Nikkor glass and I can't tell a difference. Sigma did a good job.

(Ok to you techies, under one in a billion type scenarios I see the difference, but is it worth the money for real day to day shoots?)

I don't have any TC so I can't tell you anything about them, I top out at 500mm in my glass collection so maybe one day I will buy a TC but it isn't in the budget right now. I have often thought about it as during the summer months I travel with an airshow circuit shooting their pictures for them- I digress.