Sigma 1.4x DG EX APO Teleconverter for Sony/Minolta Maxxum HSM Lenses

Comments about Sigma 1.4x DG EX APO Teleconverter for Sony/Minolta Maxxum HSM Lenses:

This is my follow-up. I have now used this teleconverter for a few weeks, mostly to photograph outdoor sports events. The teleconverter works great. Even with the loss of a stop on my Sigma 70-200 f2.8, I am still able to achieve a high shutter speed in bright light at f4. The lens focusing does not seem at all adversely affected by the teleconverter. I am also impressed by the build quality which seems pretty solid. So if you want to extend your range (effectively in my case from 300mm to 420mm) and don't mind a loss of a stop, this is a good investment.

Comments about Sigma 1.4x DG EX APO Teleconverter for Sony/Minolta Maxxum HSM Lenses:

I am writing this review mainly to (hopefully) clear up some confusion while the issue is fresh in my mind. A functional review will have to wait. There are two Sigma teleconverters listed by B&H that have a Sony/Minolta mount. One "for Sony" and this one for "Minolta Maxxum." Because the mounts are the same you might be confused by this as was I. Taking the 50-50 choice, I originally purchased the one listed "for Sony," reasoning that it was probably the latest model and therefore the one to buy for my recently purchased APO 70-200mm 2.8 Sigma EX II (the less expensive model without internal optical stabilation) mounted on a Sony A100. After I mounted my lens with the teleconverter I could not achieve focus lock and the lens kept hunting for focus. My camera also showed an f-stop of 2.8 when the teleconverter effectively causes you to lose a stop. It should have read f4. I checked the serial number on my lens (not the teleconverter) against Sigma's compatibility chart and verified that my lens with the teleconverter should be able to autofocus and receive correct exposure data. I started to suspect that the teleconverter was not the right one for my lens, at least in terms of using autofocus. Calls to B&H and an e-mail to Sigma did not resolve my question, so I RMA'd the first one (on the assumption that it might just be defective) and ordered both teleconverters to see if either one would function with my lens. The bottom line is that this one did, and the other one "for Sony" did not (for the second time). I believe that this is the more recent model of the two, although clues are hard to come by. The teleconverters look exactly the same with no distinguishing markings. The boxes are almost exactly the same, though the one that worked has stamped above the bar code "824 SO2" while the one that did not work has "824 SO". The one that worked also says on the box "For Sony D" (D presumably for "digital") while the one that did not work just says "For Sony." The one that worked has "Hyper Sonic Motor compatible" on the box. The one that did not work does not have this marking on the box. Lastly, and why I think this is the later model: the serial number is higher (and with painted numbering, not just stamped on) and the instruction sheet inside specifically lists my relatively late model Sigma lens, while the directions accompanying the one that did not work only lists an earlier version of my lens. Good luck! Hope this helps you avoid a return.

Comments about Sigma 1.4x DG EX APO Teleconverter for Sony/Minolta Maxxum HSM Lenses:

This only works on Sigma lenses, but that is well advertized. It is much cheaper than the Sony version and it has excellent results for a teleconverter. I would never use a 2x converter, too much light loss and loss of image quality. This will get you that extra range you want with only one stop of light loss. Seems to be well built and should last a very long time.