Thinking of Buying a new Macro lens

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by MTR

I would be very interested what happens when you get your 1.4X Graham

Please keep us posted preferably with some photo's

I've been using my Sigma 150 with a Kenko Pro 1.4 extender for a while now, and I'm very pleased with the results. There is an increase in working distance and no major drop in quality. Here are a few recent examples:

[MTR]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I've been using my Sigma 150 with a Kenko Pro 1.4 extender for a while now, and I'm very pleased with the results. There is an increase in working distance and no major drop in quality. Here are a few recent examples:

Matt

Those photo's look OK to me
I assume that these shots were all taken using a tripod and not hand held?
Does the Kenko Pro 1.4 still allow you auto-focus with the Sigma 150?

How does the 1.4X affect your DOF?

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by MTR

Matt

Those photo's look OK to me
I assume that these shots were all taken using a tripod and not hand held?
Does the Kenko Pro 1.4 still allow you auto-focus with the Sigma 150?

How does the 1.4X affect your DOF?

Hi Mark,

Yes, they were all taken with a tripod. I have the pins taped on the converter and AF works fine, it hunts a bit occasionally but then I find that the lens does that sometimes anyway. I quite often use MF. I'm not sure I need to tape the pins on an f2.8 lens, but I have them taped for when I use it on my 400mm lens.

The converter does give you cleaner backgrounds like any longer lens tends to do, although aren't I right in saying that technically DOF isn't affected by focal length? That's always something that's confused me slightly.

The increased working distance is probably the main benefit though, great for skittish insects such as dragons and butterflies.

Matt

[glsammy]

I found a Web site of a user who uses the Kenko 2X with the 150mm, and with superb results. Unfortunately I can't find the link! I'll keep looking, it was his site that gave me the idea in the first place.
You loose AF with the 2X, even though it's still only a F5.6, but you do retain it with the 1.4X. Loosing AF doesn't bother me, I nearly always use manual anyway when using the 150mm.

[eeyore]

this was taken with my tamron 90mm with a jessops own 2xtc on it - this set up does maintain AF but I generally use MF for macro anyway