Tc-14e iii

I have purchased a TC-14E III for use with a Nikon AF-S 300/F4D IF-ED. They turn out to be incompatible producing the error message FEE on both the D800E and the D810.
There is some confusion about compatibility even within Nikon's own documentation:

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/05/15/nikon-tc-14e-iii-vs-tc-14e-ii-specifications-comparison-lens-compatibility.aspx/

Since TC-14E II is compatible with this and other older lenses why is not the mark III ?

Your link is a mailto:

Additional information:
Lenses compatible with the TC-14E II, but incompatible with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III:
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED

Because the maximum aperture coupling ridge and minimum aperture signal post are eliminated with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III, “FEE” is displayed on the camera body when these lenses are used, disabling shooting.

I guess a few will be caught out by this.

It is a bit surprising and inconsistent of Nikon to do this. Most old FE and FE-S lenses can still be used on New Nikon cameras like the D810, even though it involves extra cost and complexity in the camera itself. But then suddenly the Nikon tele-converters break this continuity. Very unfortunate !

HOWEVER, there is a WORKAROUND.
The Nikon TC-14E III CAN BE used with incompatible lenses IN MANUAL MODE if you set your D800 series camera custom function f9 to use the lens aperture dial instead of the aperture control on the camera.
Autofocus works but light metering and exposure automation does not. ISO also has to be set manually. The camera will show f5.6 no matter how you set the lens aperture. BUT THE CAMERA CAN BE USED in manual mode with this "incompatible" combination.
Your EXIF data will be incorrect as far as aperture setting, but it will most likely show all other data correctly.

If I run into anything else of interest using this workaround I will let you know.

MORE TEST RESULTS.
It turns out that a restricted form of both light metering and Auto ISO is available in MANUAL and APERTURE PRIORITY MODES.
Due to the missing feedback from the lens, the camera assumes that the lens is set to f/5.6
Set the camera custom function f9 to use the aperture ring on the lens.
Set the lens aperture ring to 5.6.
Set the camera in Manual or Aperture mode.
Set ISO to Auto ISO.
The camera will now use light metering and Auto ISO to produce a balanced exposure within the range of f/5.6.
If you can not use f/5.6, light metering and exposure will be off accordingly. In this case you have to operate the camera, including ISO, manually.

P.S.

You can select an aperture other than 5.6 and still make an exposure. The change in aperture will have the same effect as an exposure compensation.
Combining a choice of aperture with in camera exposure compensation gives you a wide operating window in Manual mode. If you add Auto ISO the light metering will vary the ISO to balance the exposure. In Aperture mode the camera automation of exposure time, and ISO if you so choose, gives you an essentially automatic exposure.
Auto focus is available in both modes.