Tamron SP AF 2X Teleconverter Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

tcchou71
( Beginner)

Review Date
September 10, 2004

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 1 of 6

Price Paid: $194.00 from Adorama

Summary:

With this 2xTC, I see chromatic aberrations that are not present in the original lens. This is particularly noticeable as red fringing. Otherwise, pictures are sharp. I've also tried the non-SP version of the Tamron 2xTC. Not surprisingly the SP version is better, although only moderately so - there is somewhat less CA, and also less purple fringing introduced. I only recommend buying this if you have a very fast base lens, or mostly shoot stationary objects with tripods. Like all 2x TCs, you lose 2 stops of light, which will make your lens 4x slower. For moving objects, where you'd like to retain autofocus, the 1.4x TC might be more practical.

Similar Products Used:

Tamron MC7 (non-SP version of 2x converter)

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Rating
Reviewed by: Lthlwpn1979
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 14, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 6

Price Paid: $150.00 from ebay

Summary:

This doubler is a great bargain! I've heard a lot of compliments on Tamron's SP line and I agree with them. I used it on my Canon 70-300 IS USM and Sigma 170-500 lenses. On both lenses there was no noticeable light falloff or color change. The shot looked dark through the view finder on my Rebel 2000 but the prints proved otherwise. Autofocus doesn't work with the converter on but the Image Stabilizer still worked well. This piece is set up for autofocus on lenses with the three additional connectors. The converter is fairly compact and light, which is a bonus for outdoor work. Be careful about what lenses you use it with. The 70-300's rear glass element is flush with the mount, so I had to zoom it out a bit before putting the doubler on. It's too bad Canon doesn't make a 7 element converter for other than the L series.

Strengths:

Compact and light Picture quality awsome Good price, can find for $200 new

Weaknesses:

Haven't found any yet

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 1.4x

Customer Service:

None needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: B-Dawg
(Professional)

Review Date
April 5, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 6

Price Paid: $189.00 from 17th St. Camera

Summary:

The Tamron 2x SP is another example of a quality third-party piece of equipment that''ll produce images just as good as the big guys.

Strengths:

Inexpensive, but a quality build. Tamron''s pretty good at putting out very good, if not excellent products.

Weaknesses:

By the shots I''ve taken, it seems best to overexpose a little - a half a stop or so - to get a perfect shot.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jemini Joseph
(Expert)

Review Date
May 17, 2001

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Review 4 of 6

Price Paid: $195.00 from B & H Photo

Summary:

Not as sharp as Nikon TC-201. I took more than 10 comapring shots with TC-201, at no point I felt this is better than TC-201. If you are big fan of autofocus, then this is good. Works perfect with 80-200 f/2.8 D ED lens(new model). Used Velvia slide for testing.

Strengths:

Auotofocus, Built, Compatible with AF Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 D ED

Weaknesses:

Lack of sharpness

Similar Products Used:

TC-201

Customer Service:

Never needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: BJ Nicholls
(Expert)

Review Date
March 19, 2001

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Review 5 of 6

Price Paid: $170.00 from cameraworld.com

Summary:

Anyone posting a review of a teleconverter should mention which lens or lenses they have used it with. Although the Tamron Pro converter (which is identical to the Kenko Pro model) rates highly, it may not work well with all lenses. With my 70-300 ED Nikkor, my Nikon TC-201 significantly outperforms the Tamron unit. Unfortunately, the Nikon converter doen't have electical contacts or an AF linkage.

Strengths:

Provides AF and aperture capability that Nikon converters lack.

Weaknesses:

With the Nikon 70-300 ED zoom, the converter creates significant chromatic abberation that is not seen with the Nikon TC-201. Not as sharp as the Nikon converter in my tests with this lens.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon TC-201, Sigma 2X APO

Customer Service:

n/a

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