80-400VR (Old version) & Kenko 1.4 TC

Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Well in overcast conditions I decided to try my luck with the old model 80-400VR and my Kenko 1.4TC. These results in my opinion can only get better as I was shooting up to 2500 ISO and down to 1/250sec at 400mm (550 including TC). All handheld using only the VR of the lens.

​ISO 2500, 550mm, 1/500sec, f/8.0

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ISO 1600, 550mm, 1/800sec, f/8.0

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ISO 2500, 550mm, 1/250sec, f/8.0

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dramtastic

Senior Member
Obviously you'll be able to get shots you couldn't otherwise but I think the IQ rates between a C- and B depending on the image, especially compared to what I've come to expect from most of your other work. IQ best on # 2, is that a crop or were you just closer to the subject that the others? If a lot closer then I'd expect the IQ to improve. #3 at 550mm is still way to far away to be an interesting bird shot, #1 in kinda in the same boat. In the last shot were you trying for the building or the bird? If it was the bird then it's not much of a photo. Actually not that great as an architecture shot either. Can you also post some close crops of 1 and 3 please Scott?
Looking forward to seeing how future efforts pan out.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
dramtastic said:
Obviously you'll be able to get shots you couldn't otherwise but I think the IQ rates between a C- and B depending on the image, especially compared to what I've come to expect from most of your other work. IQ best on # 2, is that a crop or were you just closer to the subject that the others? If a lot closer then I'd expect the IQ to improve. #3 at 550mm is still way to far away to be an interesting bird shot, #1 in kinda in the same boat. In the last shot were you trying for the building or the bird? If it was the bird then it's not much of a photo. Actually not that great as an architecture shot either. Can you also post some close crops of 1 and 3 please Scott?
Looking forward to seeing how future efforts pan out.
Click to expand...
All these are uncropped and as I said high ISO so the IQ will not be there anyway. As fro #2 I was alot closer. With the little birds far off it was more of a test for CA and softness. The real test would be with great light as the 80-400 needs this anyway. Will see about close crops of #1 & #3.
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Just remember these were only handheld test shots on a very overcast morning, I am sure with better light and lower ISO (these are at 2500) the IQ will be better. I wasn't out to take the best shot I could, I just wanted to see what could be done even in low light. At 1/250th sec I think they are acceptable, sure not great. But for the conditions not too bad.
 
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dramtastic

Senior Member
I wasn't trying to be harsh and I understood your motivation. I just think these photo's showed up the limitations of the TC on this lens hand held in that light. I could not use any of those photo's cropped or not except #2. This is a photo I took of a little Corella in a similar position. Click to enlarge and it's sharper IMO and I only give it a B-B+.
d7k_2731.jpg
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I understand your comments, and I never took it as harsh. But I am reserving my opinion on the TC + 80-400 until I get some good light. If I can get the ISO down and shutter speed up then I may be on a winner. If it doesn't work and the IQ loss is too much then I will relegate the TC to my 90mm Macro.
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Scott Murray said:
I understand your comments, and I never took it as harsh. But I am reserving my opinion on the TC + 80-400 until I get some good light. If I can get the ISO down and shutter speed up then I may be on a winner. If it doesn't work and the IQ loss is too much then I will relegate the TC to my 90mm Macro.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing these images Scott. I think I am with Dramtastic here since the images could barely show any feather details.

I know at the back of your head that you might be asking "what if" you had the newer Nikon 80-400mm VR lens?

There are some lenses that accepts TC very well such as the 300mm f2.8 or similar category lenses where you get superb IQ. I have the 300mm f4 and I am hesitant to use a TC with it because I like the images better without the TC especially when you are pixel peeping.

For smaller birds, it is really difficult since they are much smaller and sometimes, even a 400mm f2.8 with TC is not even close enough.
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Thanks Scott for those,ime pleased you had crap weather for them :D you have now shown what its like at that point now we wait for the Australian sun to shine for the other end.
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
If you remember Scott you had a play with one of my converter shots,this is the best i could get with the 120-400 and sigma 1.4.

Cropped
550mm
1/250
F11
iso 200
Tripod

post61m.jpg
 
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dramtastic

Senior Member
mikew said:
Thanks Scott for those,ime pleased you had crap weather for them :D you have now shown what its like at that point now we wait for the Australian sun to shine for the other end.
Click to expand...

Yeh could be worse. Could live in the UK and NEVER get the chance to try the combo in sunshine. :sorrow:
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Well I just finished driving 3hrs and thought I would try something. Using my bonnet as a steady platform I took 2 burst photos with and with out the TC. @dramtastic you are right ib what you say about softness even though both were at ISO 900 the one without the TC was keepable but the one with TC was bin able. I do not think even with ISO 100 there will be any benefit keeping the TC on my 80-400. I will hopefully test it out over the coming week but am now doubtful. Maybe that sigma 2.8 could be the go. Time to do some research...

Courier pigeon got eaten :-( now sent via Kookaburra.
 
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dramtastic

Senior Member
mikew said:
I think this is an accepted combination that retains IQ nice shot
Click to expand...
I agree with Mike, nice shot but a chalk and cheese comparison with what Scott was looking to achieve with his variable aperture zoom rig and 1.4TC at 550mm.
 
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Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I havent given up all hope yet. Will try different apertures and will see if there is any difference.

Courier pigeon got eaten :-( now sent via Kookaburra.
 
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