RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
On Wed, 2002-12-11 at 21:48, J. C. O'Connell wrote: Here's my opinion on TC's: They Suck compared to real primes at the desired focal length. Especially for 35mm use. I have one for 6X7 that degrades quality just like the 35mm ones do but at least with 6X7 the quality level is still acceptable. 35mm Lenses are cheap, why not just buy the focal lengths you want ( hint, for 35mm I have everything from 15 to 1000mm ). JCO J.C, There no need to use such antagonistic language to express your opinion. When I first read your email I thought I ought to post an equally hard nosed response, but that's how flame wars get started. While you may find 35mm lenses to be inexpensive, as a student I do not. I was interested in this TC because for $45, I would be hard pressed to find a telephone prime lens. Would you care to suggest any good, inexpensive telephoto primes in the 200mm-300mm range. The other reason I'm enquiring about this particular TC is for it's macro capability. Currently I'm using a Pentax 50m/1.7 on extension tubes. I've enjoyed the photography, and the pictures, but I find swapping the tubes around to be quite awkward. -Scott
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
At 12:52 PM 12/11/2002 -0800, you wrote: I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. I used it with both of those lenses and loved the results I got. Using it with the 135mm and the Vivitar 283 flash with one layer of handkerchief over the flashhead as a diffuser got me some very nice dragonfly closeups. Gary J Sibio [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.earthlink.net/~garysibio/ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas.
RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Subject: RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter On Wed, 2002-12-11 at 21:48, J. C. O'Connell wrote: Here's my opinion on TC's: They Suck compared to real primes at the desired focal length. Especially for 35mm use. I have one for 6X7 that degrades quality just like the 35mm ones do but at least with 6X7 the quality level is still acceptable. 35mm Lenses are cheap, why not just buy the focal lengths you want ( hint, for 35mm I have everything from 15 to 1000mm ). JCO J.C, There no need to use such antagonistic language to express your opinion. When I first read your email I thought I ought to post an equally hard nosed response, but that's how flame wars get started. I was agressive because I wanted my point to be HARD. TCs are only good if you want to travel light and are willing to accept soft, lower contrast images. 35mm photography is borderline enuff without resorting to these band-aids. For years NONE of the major camera companies made them because they simply dont live up to their **previously** high standards. While you may find 35mm lenses to be inexpensive, as a student I do not. I was interested in this TC because for $45, I would be hard pressed to find a telephone prime lens. Would you care to suggest any good, inexpensive telephoto primes in the 200mm-300mm range. Check ebay there are TONS of 135 and 200mm PRIME lenses made by third parties which are dirt cheap and will outperform most if not ALL lens PLUS TC combinations. Now if you want 300mm , they are a little more but you could probably find a decent 300mm F5.6 for under $100 used. The other reason I'm enquiring about this particular TC is for it's macro capability. Currently I'm using a Pentax 50m/1.7 on extension tubes. I've enjoyed the photography, and the pictures, but I find swapping the tubes around to be quite awkward. -Scott Once again, a 50mm 1.7 plus TC aint going to even come close to a real macro lens. Try to find a third party one used. For example I just got a vivitar 55mm F2.8 macro in screwmount for $60. AND it's AWESOME sharp. Sounds like you are using K mount right? If your on a tight budget, you should switch to screwmount. Far more economical for the same level of quality. JCO
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
At 01:26 AM 12/12/2002 -0500, JCO wrote: ( hint, for 35mm I have everything from 15 to 1000mm ). JCO Did you say hint because you're about to put them all on ebay or did you mean to say boast Wendy Beard, Ottawa, Canada http://www.beard-redfern.com
RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Subject: Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I was agressive because I wanted my point to be HARD. TCs are only good if you want to travel light and are willing to accept soft, lower contrast images. 35mm photography is borderline enuff without resorting to these band-aids. For years NONE of the major camera companies made them because they simply dont live up to their **previously** high standards. Well, Pentax made the T6-2X back in the '70's and that's a while ago. It was $150 new when third party TC's were $20. Well Pentax has been making 35mm Lenses since 1952. They probably went at least 25 yrs WITHOUT offering one. They probably caved in due to the popularity of the 3rd parties offerings, but even a T6-2X is not going to give results as good as a well made prime of the equivalent focal length. TCs are a kludge at best. A 2X TC throws away 75% of the image formed by a prime, and magnifys the remaining 25% to fill the frame. Needless to say the result is a softer image and less conrast due to more elements. I dont take pictures often enuff to waste the time I do using an inferior lens system like a 2XTC. Based on my latest digital image processing and printing, 35mm is capable of excellent quality, but you need really good optics film to achieve it. I'll pass on the TC's thank you. JCO
RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
No, Not selling. I plan on using them on a PENTAX digital SLR in a few years. For now, I'm getting great results with that old fashioned thing called FILM. If Pentax decides not to go the digital SLR route, I just might buy a Canon EOS digital and mount them on that if I have to. I am a strong believer in using the right lens for the job. Hence, I bought a WHOLE BUNCH of them dirt cheap about 10 yrs ago. These are all Takumars. In the late 80's early 90's when Pentax came out with AF, people were dumping screwmount lenses like hot potatoes! It was perfect timing for me as I just got back into photography around 1988 after about a 12 year layoff. As a matter of fact at that time I felt they were so undervalued That I invested in them and at one point had over 175 extra ones. But I needed cash last year and sold all of them ( just the extras ) at ebay. I made a healthly profit to say the least. Even with todays higher prices, the takumars are still excellent value. Way cheaper than the K, M, or A lenses and just as good in many respects. -Original Message- From: wendy beard [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 8:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter At 01:26 AM 12/12/2002 -0500, JCO wrote: ( hint, for 35mm I have everything from 15 to 1000mm ). JCO Did you say hint because you're about to put them all on ebay or did you mean to say boast Wendy Beard, Ottawa, Canada http://www.beard-redfern.com
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
John (JCO), I hear you on TC's. I've never been a big fan of them, but... It's Gymnastics season and for the last 3 meets, I've dragged the camera along. The gym is dark. The stands are a long way from the vault, bars, beam and floor. Even with the A135/1.8 and 800 Fuji film, things are tough to shoot. The girls are moving, flying, twirling, spinning... I've taken the 300mm along before, but I won't climb the bleachers with the 400! (Last night was the PZ-1p, A135/1.8, monopod, 43 77 limiteds... a light kit!) As it is, the A1.4X-S and A2.0X-S give me some flexibility without weight. More photos suffer from slow shutter speed than from using the TC. So I think they have a place... Regards, Bob S. [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: TCs are a kludge at best. A 2X TC throws away 75% of the image formed by a prime, and magnifys the remaining 25% to fill the frame. Needless to say the result is a softer image and less conrast due to more elements. I dont take pictures often enuff to waste the time I do using an inferior lens system like a 2XTC. Based on my latest digital image processing and printing, 35mm is capable of excellent quality, but you need really good optics film to achieve it. I'll pass on the TC's thank you.
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
In a message dated 12/11/02 3:59:08 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. -Scott Get it you can't go wrong. It's not only a very good 7element converter it's excellent for macro... Highly recommended. With the 50mm it gives you the ability to do some incredible selective focus.. Vic
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
The only time I find myself using a teleconverter is when I need something longer than my 300/2.8 (in other words, when there's no alternative for me!) I think this means I'm agreeing with JCO, but I'm not sure ;) -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Message text written by INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] The only time I find myself using a teleconverter is when I need something longer than my 300/2.8 (in other words, when there's no alternative for me!) I think this means I'm agreeing with JCO, but I'm not sure ;) -- Mark Roberts he says you should go and buy that 600 f5.6. Herb
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Hi, Bob. Does anyone know how it compares to the A 2X-S or L ? ...or the Vivitar 2X Fred mentioned? I've never compared the Vivitar Macro-Focusing TC with the A 2X-L, but I have shot it side-by-side (on an A* 300/4) with the A 2X-S and the T6-2X, and I've found the three TC's to be quite similar in quality. Vivitar seems to have made so many 2X TC's that I wouldn't know how to spot the ones you guys are raving about. g Gee, I don't think it should be all that confusing, Bob. If I recall, amongst the Vivitar manual focus K-mount TC's I think there are really only two models: 1. The regular 2X model. (I think its marked as 2X-22, with the 22 referring to its K-mount.) (I think it's a 4-element design.) 2. The 2X Macro-Focusing TC. (This is is a 7-element design). Does anyone know of any other Vivitar manual focus K-mount TC's? Fred
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Scott, I don't have a good 2xTC, so this is the opinion of the poor folk. I do have a Tamron 2x (4 element) and a Tokina 2x (7 element) and the Vivitar. I'd pick the Vivitar any day of the week. The built-in extension is useful, and it's well made, and it gives me pleasing shots. -Lon Scott Nelson wrote: I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. -Scott
Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. -Scott
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
It's cheap ($80 on ebay) and it rocks. There's even an A version so you won't lose program mode if that matters to you. I don't have any examples to show you at the moment, but others on the list may have some. Note that it will siphon away two stops of light, so that 135/3.5 is going to be slooow and tough to focus in dim light. The helicoid capability is really handy; beats the heck out of using extension tubes. Using 50/1.7 will make a great pair for macro work. t On 12/11/02 12:52 PM, Scott Nelson wrote: I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. -Scott
Re: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
At 12:52 PM -0800 12/11/02, Scott Nelson wrote: I seem to recall hearing good things about this TC, but a search of the PDML archives didn't turn up anything useful. Has anyone got one? How do you like it? If I did pick one up, I'd be using it with a 135/2.5 and a 50/1.7. -Scott I picked one up on ebay last year for about $40. It is a very good performer, though since I have a 50mm macro already I usually use it just as a straight TC. A friend of mine has one for his Nikon and he thinks the world of it. -- Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Opinions Wanted: Vivitar 2x Macro Focussing Teleconverter
Here's my opinion on TC's: They Suck compared to real primes at the desired focal length. Especially for 35mm use. I have one for 6X7 that degrades quality just like the 35mm ones do but at least with 6X7 the quality level is still acceptable. 35mm Lenses are cheap, why not just buy the focal lengths you want ( hint, for 35mm I have everything from 15 to 1000mm ). JCO
