Crop or DX mode or Converter

[singlerosa_RIP]

I sold my D7K and bought a D7200. Not one of the choices, but my choice on extending the reach with the new 200-500. Since the weather has gone shitty here in St. Louis, the jury is still out on whether it was the right move. It was a $900 (refurb @10% off) 1.5x convertor (sort of). Plus, it'll extend the reach of all my other lenses, especially macro and tele zoom.

 

[Ad B]

Hi,

I use both regularly, both 1.4 extender and crop mode (mostly 1.2 mode).
Sometimes both in the same time.
It is an easy way to lengthen your reach and you can immediately see the result. Instead of cropping on your Pc.
And it's a way of traveling as light as possible with a reach as long as possible...

Ad B

 

[salukfan111]

Best way to increase reach: Get the best lens with the reach you need. Prime lens is better but more expensive. Whenever you try to reach by cropping through a sub-standard lens, you loose IQ.

DX with a good lens is probably the second best and a bit less expensive than FX with a 500 or 600 prime lens. Probably equivalent to cropping with a 800E or 810.

Converter is the less quality (you add up a piece of glass between your lens and sensor) plus you loose light 1.5 to 2 stops depending on converter used.

This is my opinion.

You're adding 5 or more pieces of glass.

 

[Marcel]

You're adding 5 or more pieces of glass.

Yes indeed. But... it's probably the best for IQ and the worst for your bank account.

Needs always depend on how the tools are used. A professional sports photographer will have different needs than a weekend advanced amateur. This is what was the base of my answer.