Testing S180 + 1.4TC combo

[Commander]

As I'd earlier mentioned regarding the inconsistent performance of the OS when in really close macro range (1:1), I took out my old Sigma 1.4x teleconvertor and attached it to the S180.

The combo was even more heavier and unbalanced, for one thing. But the longer working distance seems to get a slightly more consistent performance from the optical stabiliser.

Shot this relatively cooperative Dark Blue Jungle Glory under its usual low light environment. The effective focal length of the combo gives me a 250mm macro lens on full-frame format. I had to +0.3EV on the camera body to compensate for the reduction in light with the longer reach.

I opened the lens to almost its full aperture at f/5 and went to almost prone position on the ground with one elbow supporting the combo. The DOF, as can be expected, is paper thin and quite a lot of shots during the experiment went to the junk bin cos the eye was sharp, but the wingtips or hindwings were blur.

Looks promising. Need more field trials with small butts.

D600 : Sigma HSM 180mm with Sigma TC 1.4x : ISO 1600 : f/5 : 1/100s : +0.3EV on camera : fill-flashed