Would tele-converters be for me?

We are planning for a trip to Alaska where we may see bears at a distance. My current equipment (D90 and 18-200 lens) will allow me to zoom to a certain extent, but I am looking for additional equipment, other than a different lens, which allows me to have a closer photo of the bear. Would a tele-converter be useful for this application? Would it work on my hardware?


Many thanks.

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Go take a look at those photos on the net of that guy that took those pictures of that mama bear and her two cubs...he was probably using a 200...

That is some of the best advice you are going to get...

I don't think the Nikon tele-converters work for the 18-200mm. I remember looking a while back at them myself and they did not work with that lens for some reason.

this is from Nikon's website:
The following common lenses cannot be used with an autofocus teleconverter, this is not a complete list. Please check your lens manual for a listing of incompatible accessories.

• 17-55 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
• 18-70 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
• 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
• Any 18-55 mm
• Any 18-105 mm
• Any 18-135 mm
• Any 18-200 mm
• Any 55-200 mm
• Any 70-300 mm
• Any 24-120 mm
• Any 80-400 mm
• 200-400 mm f/4G IF-ED * - will only autofocus with the TC-14E II

Here is the link:
What is a Teleconverter and can I use it with my camera and lens?

Originally Posted by Photowyzard

Ricardo,

I have looked at many different solutions over time for alternative equipment to give me more reach.

The best value lens I ever purchased was the Nikon 300mm F4. The older version, not the current one. You should be able to get one of these for half the price of a new 300 f4D.

It is a bit heavy, but the image quality is simply put, superb!! I would get one of these in good condition over a TC. Better yet, add the Nikon 1.4 to it and you will have a wonderful 420mm lens at an economical cost that will give you superb images!

That's my combo the Nikon 300mmf4 with a 1.4 TC stunning results with both DX & FX

I have the older one as well the Nikon 300mm F4 ED AF...I don't have a tele-converter for it now but did have the Tamron 1.5....Here are a few surfing images taken at 300mm...

Saltwater Surfing - Nikonites Gallery

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Have a great day. Cheers.

Originally Posted by Eye-level

Go take a look at those photos on the net of that guy that took those pictures of that mama bear and her two cubs...he was probably using a 200...

Yeah, but he's missing part of his scalp and an arm.