First Shoot with Sigma TC-2001 2x paired with Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S

Nikon D4, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/800

Ever since I heard about the new Sigma TC-2001 2x I was interested in getting one for my Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S.

Last night at 6:30 pm UPS delivered the lens to my door and by 6:45 pm I was off to photograph a middle school baseball game that started at 7:30 pm.

Optimized for Nikon F-mount lenses in the Global Vision line, the TC-2001 2x Teleconverter from Sigma will offer an increase in focal length of 2 times for select Global Vision lenses. This model offers full communication between the lens and camera and will allows autofocus to operate at up to f/8. The teleconverter also features two Special Low Dispersion elements for reducing the appearance of chromatic aberrations and maintaining quality. Additionally, for protection, the TC-2001 is both dust and splashproof. When attached, the 2x conversion results in a light loss of approximately two stops.

Nikon D4, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 10000, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000

The second photo above I took while the players were warming up at 7:15 pm and therefore I was able to shoot at a lower ISO and higher shutter speed–Still had sunlight. This makes this test a little skewed. The sharpness of the photos just 20 minutes later cost me almost 2-stops. I went from ISO 10000, ƒ/5.6 @ 1/2000 to ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6 @ 1/800.

You can see the ball in the second photo frozen in air, but the first photo the player's arms are blurred.

Nikon D4, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/800

I can tell you that I did notice more responsiveness with the lens with focusing. That alone would be a great reason to upgrade from the older Sigma 2X.

I also believe there is better contrast and colors with this converter over the older one. Again this would be enough to upgrade.

I also did notice less chromatic aberration as compared to the older Sigma 2X.

Nikon D4, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/500

I remember years ago a young photographer was asking an older photographer "How many millimeters does your lens resolve?" and the response was priceless. "About $5,000 worth." The younger guy looked all puzzled and then the photographer explained. "How the hell do I know how many millimeters is resolves, but I do know I am selling my largest 40" x 60" prints with it for $5,000 regularly."

I posted the photos for the client to download last night after the game. This morning I get this note from the client:

Thank you so much! Photos are great! I already put one on our home page. I'll touch base with you before the soccer game.

I uploaded 198 images and about half way through the game I needed to take the 2X off because the shutter-speed was dropping too low. There were only 79 images of the 198 shot with the Sigma 2X. Of all the photos the client ended up picking one this morning to post on their website. It was shot with the Sigma 2X. While I would have maybe picked a different photo [everything is subjective] here is there pick. I think because you can read the team name it was picked over some of the others.

Nikon D4, Sigma TC-2001 2x, Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM | S, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/800