flash wrote:
I am testing the Viltrox 2x on the Sigma 300-600 f4 mounted to an A1ii body.
So far so good. I have only received the tc today so it's early days. I'm using a gimbal for testing and playing with still subjects. I have been using manual with auto ISO and exposures are basically equivalent with no intervention. With manual ISO you need to add two stops.
Focusing is great. Super snappy and subject detect still works well. It's not quite at the same speed as the native lens but very close.
There is definitely more detail with the 2x than there is cropping from 600mm. See an example below with the lens at 600mm on the left at 400% and with the tc on the right at 200%. EXIF is not recorded correctly (which is why I guess it works) so look at the higher ISO for the TC shot. I am also testing what the difference is between 600mm and no TC and zoomed to 300mm with the TC. Here the native lens does pull ahead at the same magnification detail wise. In the below example focus point is slightly different so please take that into account. The shot with the TC also has a bit more DoF.
At distance and in lower light the additional environmental conditions seem to negate any advantages of the TC. So far it looks like at short/mid distances (say up to 20 meters) and smaller subjects. So useful but not game changing.
Images have been downsized due to website file size limitations. Unfortunately, that's hiding the differences I can see.
Thanks for the samples.
In the last one, the left one is sharper but LR says 300mm for the left one and 600mm for the right one. Is the right one without TC ?
I’m debating getting this Viltrox for the GM 300mm. I should probably start with the Sony TC 1.4, and then compare the Viltrox with the 1.4x + crop.
Fboss wrote:
Thanks for the samples.
In the last one, the left one is sharper but LR says 300mm for the left one and 600mm for the right one. Is the right one without TC ?
I’m debating getting this Viltrox for the GM 300mm. I should probably start with the Sony TC 1.4, and then compare the Viltrox with the 1.4x + crop.
The left one is 300mm plus the 2x. Right is 600mm with no TC. Sorry. I don’t actually see much sharpness difference here. The 600mm shot is *slightly* sharper on my monitor. Likely what you’re seeing is focus grabbed slightly differently and I couldn’t be bothered to redo the test as I got what I needed from it.
I have the Sony 1.4x and 2x as well. I compared the 2x from both brands on my 300 2.8 and 600 f4. I struggled to see ant difference in any way between the Sony and the Viltrox. I’ve since deleted those, sorry. *Maybe* the Viltrox is slightly better. The Sony 1.4x is better than either 2x but I forgot to have a look at 1.4x cropped vs 2x before I deleted those files. Also this is just my copy. I have zero idea about any sample variation that may exist.
flash wrote:
The left one is 300mm plus the 2x. Right is 600mm with no TC. Sorry. I don’t actually see much sharpness difference here. The 600mm shot is *slightly* sharper on my monitor. Likely what you’re seeing is focus grabbed slightly differently and I couldn’t be bothered to redo the test as I got what I needed from it.
I have the Sony 1.4x and 2x as well. I compared the 2x from both brands on my 300 2.8 and 600 f4. I struggled to see ant difference in any way between the Sony and the Viltrox. I’ve since deleted those, sorry. *Maybe* the Viltrox is slightly better. The Sony 1.4x is better than either 2x but I forgot to have a look at 1.4x cropped vs 2x before I deleted those files. Also this is just my copy. I have zero idea about any sample variation that may exist.
Yes the left picture sharper is probably because I'm looking at different focus areas. Ideally this comparison is done with a flat subject, which is not always easy to find.
Are you going to keep both the Sony and Viltrox 2x ?
I'm not sure of getting a 2x if the 1.4x + crop produces a similar sharpness.
Fboss wrote:
Yes the left picture sharper is probably because I'm looking at different focus areas. Ideally this comparison is done with a flat subject, which is not always easy to find.
Are you going to keep both the Sony and Viltrox 2x ?
I'm not sure of getting a 2x if the 1.4x + crop produces a similar sharpness.
I noticed that the focus moved later on my computer and since it had what I needed I decided not to reshoot. If you look at the sharpest part of each image there’s not a huge difference with the native edging out.
Likely I’ll not keep the Sony 2x.
I agree that a 1.4x is likely more useful. Possibly slight IQ improvement as well. But since this is my only current option for this lens I’m actually pretty happy.
I was going to try and do a few more sample but this week is crazy at home.
Seeing that Nikon just sued Viltrox over unlicensed Z mount lenses, I am a little worried about the future status of the Viltrox 2x and future 1.4x... seems they are pushing the boundaries and instead of asking permission are plowing ahead and hoping to get away with it. I hope it doesn't leave people with unsupported product that Nikon kills via FW update. I would be hesitant to do any FW updates on a Nikon in future if I had VIltrox lenses. Not sure if they could kill the E mount 2x TC since it seems like mostly a mechanical device, but the lawyers might still be able to cause other troubles.
Erictator wrote:
Seeing that Nikon just sued Viltrox over unlicensed Z mount lenses, I am a little worried about the future status of the Viltrox 2x and future 1.4x... seems they are pushing the boundaries and instead of asking permission are plowing ahead and hoping to get away with it. I hope it doesn't leave people with unsupported product that Nikon kills via FW update. I would be hesitant to do any FW updates on a Nikon in future if I had VIltrox lenses. Not sure if they could kill the E mount 2x TC since it seems like mostly a mechanical device, but the lawyers might still be able to cause other troubles.
Assuming the Nikon case is true, I am concerned Sony will follow, especially if Nikon wins. When Viltrox announced the Sony TC 2x, I was concerned they may draw the eye of Sony Legal since Sony has not allowed E mount TCs, and Sony has to know some Sigma lenses are begging for TC support. I never expected to see Nikon as the aggressor. While it's anyone's guess if Viltrox could end up having their TC bricked by a FW update eventually, it might be a good idea if you're tempted to get one to use with your current Sony E mount camera and lenses to get it ASAP, who knows if they could end up being forced to stop selling it. Just be mindful you may eventually end up with a $300 paper weight if new Sony cameras brick it, but personally, I am thinking it could be worth picking up anyway. It's not like we have any other options for using a TC with Sigma E mount lenses on E mount cameras. A few years of use could be easially worth the $300 price tag.
