D50 with Sigma 28-300 and coverter possible?

[Richard]

Hi, Does anyone know if you can fit a sigma 1.4x or 2x convertor to a Nikon D50 and a Sigma 28-300 zoom lens - If so would the AF work or would you have to use the Manual focus?

Thanks in advance for any help as this is still all new to me!

Cheers
Richard

It probably will fit, but the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG MACRO is not one of the lenses they suggest you use the converters on. As it is a budget lens with quite an ambitious range, it is probably fully stretched already and you might get results hardly any better with the 1.4 converter than without it and just more heavily cropped.

You can get an answer direct from [email protected] (and more lens info from that web-site) or maybe someone else will have more direct experience.

Do you already have the body and if so what other lenses already?

[Richard]

Thanks - Yes I have the Body and the original Nikon 18-55 lense as well.
Richard

[Richard]

Looking at Motorsport shots from a reasonable distance but still on a budget - any recommendations?

[yelvertoft]

Possible and advisable are two different things. Any zoom lens with a range from 28-300 has some serious limitations regarding its optical performance, adding a t/con will seriously compromise this performance further.

You could well do it, but I'd be very surprised if the resulting images would match the ones you have in your head. You are trying to avoid the large expense of a big lens and get the same results on the cheap. I'm afraid it's not that easy. As a general rule, t/cons will not give good results when used on budget lenses, the 28-300 falls into this category. I have tried using a 1.5x t/con on my Sigma 135-400 (another budget lens, but probably better performance than a 28-300) and found the results all but unusable.

I think if you go ahead with your plan, you'll be disappointed.

As for recommendations, I wouldn't say that there are many options beyond spending a reasonable amount of cash. If it could be done on the cheap, everyone would be doing it.

Just my two penneth.

Duncan

Originally Posted by Richard

Looking at Motorsport shots from a reasonable distance but still on a budget - any recommendations?

not my scene Richard, look at what guys doing motor sport are using and include Derekb in that.(also search pbase) I suspect you have an irreconcilable problem between performance and budget. In the long run you will only want top quality lenses and will have wasted cost of any cheaper substitutes you buy in the meantime. Also don't forget converters go between body and lens, so more changes, more sensor dirt.

Are you familiar with the review sites eg
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/182...s-55-200mm.htm
http://www.bythom.com/18200lens.htm
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Ni...DX-VR-f35-56-G

http://www.nikonlinks.com/sitemap.htm gives all reviews by lens

[Roy C]

I thought that Sigma tc,s have a protrusion similar to the Canon ones!. If this is so then it will only Physically fit certain lenses. This is done to stop you putting a converter on a lens which the manufacturer deems unsuitable. Having said that, a Kenko Pro tc will fit just about any lens.

[gordon g]

I would agree that you're probably looking at saving for a better lens. It might be worth thinking about a secondhand sigma 50-500 or tamron 200-500. Both are reasonable performers at the long end, and will take a TC, although IQ suffers as does AF. I have had 2 sigma 50-500 over the years, and found the lens to be very versatile. Secondhand prices seem to be around £350-400 for the sigma, so you get a lot of reach for your money. An alternative would be a secondhand sigma 70-200 f2.8 with a 1.4 or 2*TC, less reach than either of the other lenses, but a good general purpose lens.