1.4 or 2 X teleconverter

[Geoffc]

Well folks, I have put a 2x Kenko TC on an 18-300 Nikon lens on a D7100 and posted the results for you all to see. Why not critique those rather than opine in the abstract? Happy to take snaps on request so we can all assess in real time as this seems to be quite a hot topic at the moment.

Jonathan

My comments are based on using kenko and Nikon TCs on non pro zooms, so they are not opinions based on heresay. I tried it and immediately decided I was better off cropping. Maybe my standards are different but I wouldn't have retained a single image you showed. People have different views on acceptable and perhaps mine differs from yours.

If nikon could make an acceptable 500mm zoom by chucking a cheap TC on the back of a mid level lens they would be selling it by the bucketload today.

I thought the moon shot came out quite well though.


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[Jonathan]

Geez Jonathan,

With all due respect all I can critique is your technique and point out the 18-300 mm is a DX lens, the 70-300 mm is FX.

I applaud your willingness to help out but showing out of focus shots with bad metering and poor posing isn't helping your case.

Birders in general are looking for reach while maintaining a certain level of detail in the bird.

None of your images meet this criteria and having to use manual focus to boot, well....

<Snip>

Cheers, Don

Like I said, I am trying to learn the scientific side of all this and am a LONG way off. But remember that, for those not blessed with such an immediate understanding of these things, it is a complicated, long and confusing journey. I just hope I can demonstrate an iota of understanding for those following behind when/if I have my epiphenal moment. But thank you for the applause.

Jonathan

My comments are based on using kenko and Nikon TCs on non pro zooms, so they are not opinions based on heresay. I tried it and immediately decided I was better off cropping. Maybe my standards are different but I wouldn't have retained a single image you showed. People have different views on acceptable and perhaps mine differs from yours.

If nikon could make an acceptable 500mm zoom by chucking a cheap TC on the back of a mid level lens they would be selling it by the bucketload today.

I thought the moon shot came out quite well though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thanks Geoffc, I suspect your views don't differ from mine but I still have a long way to go. I suspect like most of us, I have keepers from two years ago that I would today shred without a second thought. But that's the point of the journey.

 

[Scott Murray]

I have tried a 2 x TC on my 80-400VR f/5.6 (old version) and sold the 2 x TC. I have also tried the 1.4TC on the same 80-400 and am in the process of buying the Tamron 150-600 (that should tell you something). I am not happy with the quality loss, I will be testing the 1.4 on my 70-200 f/2.8 but I think from what I have seen the long Tamron will be my best bet.

 

[480sparky]

I have tried a 2 x TC on my 80-400VR f/5.6 (old version) and sold the 2 x TC. I have also tried the 1.4TC on the same 80-400 and am in the process of buying the Tamron 150-600 (that should tell you something). I am not happy with the quality loss, I will be testing the 1.4 on my 70-200 f/2.8 but I think from what I have seen the long Tamron will be my best bet.

I'm getting the Tammy as well, and I'm looking forward to testing it with my two 1.4TCs, one of which is a shaved Nikon.

 

[STM]

A 2X TC will cut the light to 1/4 of the original or two stops, a 1.4X to 1/2 or 1 stop. One of the advantages of digital over film is you can just up the ISO to compensate for the loss in light. All TC's will degrade image quality to some degree. The more highly corrected they are, the less degradation there will be but also the more expensive they will be. My TC-300, even used on Ebay was still over $200. I use Nikon TC14 and TC300's with my AIS lenses and up to 11x14 I really do not see much degradation at all.

The two images below were taken with my 600mm f/4 ED AIS and TC-300 and D700. You can still produce images of very high quality with a TC

 

[TattooedMac]

I have the Kenko PRO 300 AF DGX 2.0X Telephoto Converter on my D7100 and couldn't be happier. I was going to post some images of the Sigma 70-300mm @300mm then at 600mm with the 2x on.
I can't find them but as to,or row will be here in 13hrs, ill take some tomorrow and post up so you can see the difference on the DX sensor of the D7100.

I forked out for it, and have a few sharp images that I'm happy with.

EDIT : I wouldn't be wanting to use the AF with it, as i have found its close to useless. At that length, your better off manually focusing anyway.