Well, there was an hour of sunshine here this morning, first time it hasn't been practically dark since my TC arrived. I took the opportunity to do some tests with the TC, just out of my bedroom window.
Camera is 70D. Results may not apply to other models.
With Sigma 15 - 600 Contemporary : a/f fine up to 400mm. At 500 mm, a little slower, but gets there. No a/f possible at 600 mm. With this combination, I would say that the TC has limited use for moving subjects e.g BIF. After all, 400 mm x 1.4 only gives 560 mm equivalent and it makes more sense to use the Sigma on its own at 600mm. For still or slow moving subjects e.g a duck on water, 500 mm is possible with a/f giving 700 mm equivalent. Above that, only m/f is possible. Strangely, at 500 mm and the focus limiter set for 10m to infinity I couldn't get a/f, while with full range it was OK, I would have expected the reverse.
My conclusion is that, with my camera at least, the TC has limited use with this Sigma lens.
However, I didn't get the TC for use with this lens and expected these limitations. I'm writing this to advise anyone who might buy the TC primarily for this purpose. You might be disappointed.
The TC works perfectly with both my 60 mm Canon and 90 mm Tamron macro lenses, which is what I primarily wanted it for. With the Tamron, it gives the full frame equivalent of about a 200 mm F4 macro lens, should be ideal for butterflies etc. With the 60 mm Canon, it gives the equivalent of twice life size images at closest focus, not very useful in the field, but I need to photograph a large number of insect specimens on a special table top setup, for which it will be most helpful.
Of course, it also works with the 55 - 250 STM providing a very lightweight telephoto, a useful carry around combination when I don't want to carry the weight of the Sigma.
Camera is 70D. Results may not apply to other models.
With Sigma 15 - 600 Contemporary : a/f fine up to 400mm. At 500 mm, a little slower, but gets there. No a/f possible at 600 mm. With this combination, I would say that the TC has limited use for moving subjects e.g BIF. After all, 400 mm x 1.4 only gives 560 mm equivalent and it makes more sense to use the Sigma on its own at 600mm. For still or slow moving subjects e.g a duck on water, 500 mm is possible with a/f giving 700 mm equivalent. Above that, only m/f is possible. Strangely, at 500 mm and the focus limiter set for 10m to infinity I couldn't get a/f, while with full range it was OK, I would have expected the reverse.
My conclusion is that, with my camera at least, the TC has limited use with this Sigma lens.
However, I didn't get the TC for use with this lens and expected these limitations. I'm writing this to advise anyone who might buy the TC primarily for this purpose. You might be disappointed.
The TC works perfectly with both my 60 mm Canon and 90 mm Tamron macro lenses, which is what I primarily wanted it for. With the Tamron, it gives the full frame equivalent of about a 200 mm F4 macro lens, should be ideal for butterflies etc. With the 60 mm Canon, it gives the equivalent of twice life size images at closest focus, not very useful in the field, but I need to photograph a large number of insect specimens on a special table top setup, for which it will be most helpful.
Of course, it also works with the 55 - 250 STM providing a very lightweight telephoto, a useful carry around combination when I don't want to carry the weight of the Sigma.
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