Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Minolta and Sony Mount Lenses

by Sigma

Product Details

• Item Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000CD6B6W
• Item model number: B000CD6B6W
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 17, 2005

Product Description

Style: Minolta and Sony Mount Lenses

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Minolta Digital SLR Cameras is a dedicated APO teleconverter that can be mounted between select lenses and the camera body to increase the focal length by the power of 2. The multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting, which is a common problem with digital cameras. The lens also offers maximum magnification without any variation in the minimum focusing distance. Compact and lightweight, this teleconverter can convert your lenses into longer focal-length lenses, so you don't have to do a lot of unnecessary footwork. A case for the lens is included.

Product Description

The dedicated APO teleconverter can be mounted between select lenses and the camera body to increase the focal length by the power of 2.0x. The new multi layer coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. They demonstrate best performance with DG series lenses. They also offer maximum photography magnification by 2.0 x, without any variation in the minimum focusing distance. Compact and lightweight, these teleconverter convert your lenses into longer focal-length lenses, so you don't have to do a lot of unnecessary footwork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sigma 2X EX DG APO Teleconverter for Nikon AF Cameras, February 16, 2007

By 

T. Spencer (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Nikon Mount Lenses (Electronics)

After reading the two reviews above, I was somewhat baffled. If you do any research on this product, you will find it clearly is made only for use with Sigma lenses, not Nikon lenses. The instruction manual that comes with the converter even lists which specific Sigma lenses to use. If you want a converter for Nikon lenses, buy the Nikon TC-20E (retails for more than twice the Sigma). Of course the quality of this product is poor when using a Nikon lens! I have a Sigma 70-200 zoom and it works beautifully; it is well worth the price.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful enhancement, within reason, May 21, 2009

By 

Photoleif (colorado, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Canon Mount Lenses (Electronics)

First, to set things straight: this TC is intended for only Canon cameras, and for Sigma lenses that mount on a Canon camera. Anything else, you're taking your chances. Second, there are optical laws that invariably predict a 2-stop decrease in the amount of light hitting the sensor. And finally, glass, no matter which brand or how many exotic elements in it, has undesirable characteristics and you will always lose some amount of clarity, saturation and perceived quality (how much varies from lens to lens and eye to eye).

Now that those fundamentals are out of the way, the results and recommendations. I took several photos using this TC mounted on my Sigma 70-200/2.8 and my Sigma 150-500/5.6~6.3. I also attempted to mount my Canon 28-70/2.8L on it, but the fit did not work (it scrapes and sticks and will not lock into place), and thus I believe they are incompatible. I did not test it with my Sigma 10-20/4.5~5.6 for obvious reasons.

AF is maintained throughout the entire range of the 70-200/2.8, as advertised in Sigma's compatibility chart. MF is engaged electronically for the entire range on the 150-500/5.6~6.3, again per the chart. AF through the 70-200 is solid, accurate, and has no degradation of speed. MF through the 150-500 @ 500 is, as one should understand, a touchy process, though it's aided considerably by the optical stabilization function.

Image quality @ 500mm (really, 1000mm) is not spectacular (though what does one expect, given a maximum aperture of about f/12.9). I didn't expect wonders but I had hopes of better. Some of this is inevitably due to my challenge in focusing, which is difficult without a split-prism finder. The image quality is still fairly bright and saturated, but somewhat noisy-looking. Exposure was accurate. I need to test on monochromatic surfaces to determine what's going on with the noise.

Tripod-mounting the camera, lens and TC for the 1000mm (500mm doubled) test shots produced the best results, improving further with MLU enabled and use of an IR remote. Image quality @ 400mm (200mm doubled) is acceptable and this should be the recommended pairing of lens and teleconverter (70-200/2.8 with this TC). This pairing results in a decent-quality 400/5.6 for well below the price of Canon's prime and zoom lenses in this range. I won't claim that the image quality is better; just, it's decent, and you save a lot of money.

Build quality of the TC is fine and nothing is worth further comment other than that it's a solid, well-built TC with multicoated elements.

I wavered between a 3-star and 4-star rating. I have owned two other TCs, and they were unquestionably 1-star at best. I went with four for this one because of its good performance with the 70-200/2.8, maintaining AF with that lens, and having pleasing build quality (I have no concerns about taking it out and using it frequently). I am however disappointed about the performance with the 150-500/4.5~5.6. I would give it a 3-star for its performance with the 150-500. I think it should at least attempt AF, and if the user has to give up and set it to MF, fine. Here, we don't even have that luxury, and there's no explanation on Sigma's website or the product literature. So, if you are considering this to get yourself a cheap 1000mm lens, be aware of the drawbacks (full-time MF, somewhat noisy images, and challenging focusing in even overcast light). If you're wanting to extend a 70-200, this is the sweet-spot.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased, May 2, 2008

By 

Ronnie Phipps "BigRPhoto" (Tn. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Nikon Mount Lenses (Electronics)

I got this 2x converter to match the Sigma 70/200 2.8 lens. I have shot around 100 pics with this set up and have been very pleased with the results. I have shot wildlife to school track meets.
The only reason I couldn't give this converter a perfect mark is I can't use it with my other Nikon lens.

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