Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I bought a Kenko Pro 300 DGX 1.4 TC from B&H ($127), primarily to use it with my D610 + Nikkor 200-500mm 5.6e long lens.

I was asked by Elliot87 to try it out on my 70-300mm Tamron. I have the SP F/4-5.6 VC USD version that I bought new about a year ago. He mentioned that his wife shoots with a D3200 with the 70-300. I don't have a D3200 but do have a D5100 so tried that one. Could have tried my D90 but didn't.

DSC_7176+70 300 no TC-0002.jpgDSC_7181+70 300 no TC-0001.jpg
These two are done without the TC

Shooting from the same spot - both done hand held I shot these with the TC attached.

DSC_7197+TEST images 70 300 TC-0001.jpgDSC_7199+TEST images 70 300 TC-0002.jpg

The files were converted from RAW to JPG with no post processing.

These were shot at the max zoom (300 & 420 with the TC attached) at F 8 & F 10.

You can draw your own conclusions about shooting a stationary item, in good sun. (sorry WB was left on cloudy - the sun came out for the shot and I missed resetting the WB).

I could live with the IQ if I really needed the extra reach.

BUT when I tried some birds and bees (pardon the pun) I was disappointed. These two are the best - and I shot a couple of dozen shots that I thought the focus point was dead on the bird or bee.

DSC_7220+TEST images 70 300 TC-0003.jpgDSC_7229+TEST images 70 300 TC-0004.jpg

Now I'm used to shooting bees with a dedicated macro (105 2.8 and others, with extension tubes, and a magnifying lens - often on my D610) maybe I'm spoiled but I'm not happy with that bee shot. And I'm really spoiled with my 200-500mm when it comes to birds. But I expect better.

I will not be putting the TC on my D5100 with the 70-300mm I would rate that pairing as a "D" grade. Maybe, good light, and stationary object, but na.


I could try this lens on my D610 but doubt I would use it that way.

I do want to see how this TC works on my 70-200 2.8. Will give that a go on both my D610 and D5100. Anyone want it tried out on the D90???
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I do not have any test sample comparing with and without TC (that will come) but for now here is a couple of shots of the TC on the D610 with the Nikkor 200-500 F 5.6e. Much better combination.

DSC_4959+Jesse Lake TC Birding-0036.jpgDSC_5008+Jesse Lake TC Birding-0043.jpgDSC_4719+Jesse Lake TC Birding-0008+Jesse Lake TC Birding-0165.jpgDSC_4779+Jesse Lake TC Birding-0011.jpg
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
I bought a Kenko Pro 300 DGX 1.4 TC from B&H ($127), primarily to use it with my D610 + Nikkor 200-500mm 5.6e long lens.

I was asked by Elliot87 to try it out on my 70-300mm Tamron. I have the SP F/4-5.6 VC USD version that I bought new about a year ago. He mentioned that his wife shoots with a D3200 with the 70-300. I don't have a D3200 but do have a D5100 so tried that one. Could have tried my D90 but didn't.

View attachment 215058View attachment 215059
These two are done without the TC

Shooting from the same spot - both done hand held I shot these with the TC attached.

View attachment 215060View attachment 215061

The files were converted from RAW to JPG with no post processing.

These were shot at the max zoom (300 & 420 with the TC attached) at F 8 & F 10.

You can draw your own conclusions about shooting a stationary item, in good sun. (sorry WB was left on cloudy - the sun came out for the shot and I missed resetting the WB).

I could live with the IQ if I really needed the extra reach.

BUT when I tried some birds and bees (pardon the pun) I was disappointed. These two are the best - and I shot a couple of dozen shots that I thought the focus point was dead on the bird or bee.

View attachment 215063View attachment 215064

Now I'm used to shooting bees with a dedicated macro (105 2.8 and others, with extension tubes, and a magnifying lens - often on my D610) maybe I'm spoiled but I'm not happy with that bee shot. And I'm really spoiled with my 200-500mm when it comes to birds. But I expect better.

I will not be putting the TC on my D5100 with the 70-300mm I would rate that pairing as a "D" grade. Maybe, good light, and stationary object, but na.


I could try this lens on my D610 but doubt I would use it that way.

I do want to see how this TC works on my 70-200 2.8. Will give that a go on both my D610 and D5100. Anyone want it tried out on the D90???

You shot your birds and bees at 1/80th and 1/50th shutterspeed at 420mm. No wonder you're disappointed.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
You shot your birds and bees at 1/80th and 1/50th shutterspeed at 420mm. No wonder you're disappointed.

You are right - I had it on Aperture Priority and never bothered to check the speed.

I use Aperture Priority almost all the time and expected better speed control. What happened here?
I wonder if the TC messes with the way aperture priority selects shutter speed? I'll try again in shutter priority and maybe even manual. I so seldom go fully manual, I have tried it but don't use it much, have to give it a go.

Thanks for catching that.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
You are right - I had it on Aperture Priority and never bothered to check the speed.

I use Aperture Priority almost all the time and expected better speed control. What happened here?
I wonder if the TC messes with the way aperture priority selects shutter speed? I'll try again in shutter priority and maybe even manual. I so seldom go fully manual, I have tried it but don't use it much, have to give it a go.

Thanks for catching that.

You had a low ISO (400) and a narrow aperture (f/8) and you shot into a tree that was in the shade. It could be sunny out all around you, but if you shoot into shade your shutterspeed will suffer.

May I suggest shutter priority and auto ISO for these type of shots?. At least a minimum of 1/1000th SS.

You can do a little test as well. When you have a nice sunny day, aim your camera anywhere, and then slowly start moving it about while looking through the VF, and see how much your shutter speed increases and lowers as you move from sun to shade and back. It doesn't take a lot of light loss to go from a 1/1000th SS to a 1/100th SS
 
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
You had a low ISO (400) and a narrow aperture (f/8) and you shot into a tree that was in the shade. It could be sunny out all around you, but if you shoot into shade your shutterspeed will suffer.

May I suggest shutter priority and auto ISO for these type of shots?. At least a minimum of 1/1000th SS.

You can do a little test as well. When you have a nice sunny day, aim your camera anywhere, and then slowly start moving it about while looking through the VF, and see how much your shutter speed increases and lowers as you move from sun to shade and back. It doesn't take a lot of light loss to go from a 1/1000th SS to a 1/100th SS


Will give that a go.
I should also test the 70-300 on my D610. (maybe even my D90?) just to see.
The exposure metering may also make a difference. Although it was on spot metering which I would suspect would be best when focused on a small part of the scene like the birds and the bees shots.

I'll put the ISO up to 800 and set to auto ISO. That would help too.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Time for some more test.
Today I shot these birds with the D5100 + Tamron 70-300 SP F/4-5.6 + Kenko 300 1.4 TC, with VR on.

First a shot in Manual Mode (I don't manual much so this is new to me). It was Auto-ISO.
DSC_7531+Jesse Lake TC d5100 M Birding-0001.jpg

Then I switched to Aperture Priority - no other changes made

DSC_7527+Jesse Lake TC d5100 AP Birding-0001.jpg

And finally Shutter Priority

DSC_7524+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP Birding-0001.jpg


No post processing, I just converted the RAW to JPG (at 92%).

I had not extended to full zoom - with 1.4 x it was 320mm

Pushed it to the max zoom and took more at S.P.
DSC_7512+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP 420 Birding-0001.jpg


Sun was a little lower in the sky - shot at about 7:30 p.m. but still bright daylight.

I would say IMHO that S.P. wins this shoot out.

I think that in the right sun light, with the right shooter who knows how to select the best settings that the Kenko Pro 300 DGX 1.4 Teleconverter does work well on this Tamron 70-300 on a D5100.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Here are some more shots of the Birds and the Bees (and one fly in the ointment too).

This time with processing to see just how much I can tease out of this combination
Male RWBB shot in Shutter Priority.

Capture.JPGDSC_7455+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP Redwing processed-0001.jpg
Mega-crop + processing - nice closeup of the Red Wing. Others may have processed better.


Here is his mate - shot in A.P.
Just Cropped, not processed.
DSC_7571+Jesse Lake TC d5100 AP female RWBB-0001.jpg
This shows A.P. can be effective, in the right light and circumstances.



First the Birds and now the Bees
DSC_7369+Jesse Lake TC d5100 M bee-0001.jpgDSC_7373+Jesse Lake TC d5100 bee-0002.jpg

Pretty good for a telephoto lens - not a macro. Shot in "M". (Hmmm what happens when you combine a TC and and extension tube? Have to play with that idea another day?)

And for good measure - just a fly - shot in "M"

DSC_7355+Jesse Lake TC d5100 M fly-0001.jpg




A close up of a poppy - good detail.
DSC_7350+Jesse Lake TC d5100 M poppy-0001.jpg

This one didn't quite make it for IQ - in the shadows, and I must have missed the focus point (on Mama Coot probably) But too cute to leave out. Processed this best I could to bring out the baby American Coots
DSC_7475+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP AM Coot Babies-0001.jpgDSC_7481+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP Baby Coot-0001.jpg


And for my next trick - I want to try this T.C. on my 70-200 F 2.8. Maybe on my D610.
Stay tuned.
 

Elliot87

Senior Member
Time for some more test.
Today I shot these birds with the D5100 + Tamron 70-300 SP F/4-5.6 + Kenko 300 1.4 TC, with VR on.

First a shot in Manual Mode (I don't manual much so this is new to me). It was Auto-ISO.
View attachment 215368

Then I switched to Aperture Priority - no other changes made

View attachment 215369

And finally Shutter Priority

View attachment 215370


No post processing, I just converted the RAW to JPG (at 92%).

I had not extended to full zoom - with 1.4 x it was 320mm

Pushed it to the max zoom and took more at S.P.
View attachment 215376


Sun was a little lower in the sky - shot at about 7:30 p.m. but still bright daylight.

I would say IMHO that S.P. wins this shoot out.

I think that in the right sun light, with the right shooter who knows how to select the best settings that the Kenko Pro 300 DGX 1.4 Teleconverter does work well on this Tamron 70-300 on a D5100.

Not easy to tell on this forum but they look like decent results with the TC. Shutter speed was about the same for all, either 1/320 or 1/400 so fast enough with VR and static subject. Shutter priority probably gave best result because it stopped the aperture down a little to f/11 and if your Tamron is anything like mine it is sharper there. Also more depth of field can help.
I think it good light this could be a reasonable combination for reasonably static subjects where you can't physically get any closer.

Thanks again.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
BIF - both Birds and Bees were not as sharp. Could be my BIF skills are not what is needed with this combo - I get lucky with my D610 + 200-500 lens and hit a few BIF keepers. But the difference in cost between those two set ups is a couple of thousand dollars. I better get better shots.

Here are a few BIF shots to compare


Bee is Aperture Priority (and only 115mm)
DSC_7386+Jesse Lake TC d5100 bee in flight-0001.jpg

Cropped and processed - Shutter Priority
DSC_7425+Jesse Lake TC d5100 SP 4 BIF Ducks-0001.jpg

I also had these on spot metering and single spot focus.

Someone who had this combination may get better - I just pretend to know what I'm doing.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Decided to try the Kenko TC on my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR1. These are all hand held. Late day pictures with the sun in and out of the clouds. Not the brightest day to try a TC - pun intended.

These are all cropped (most cropped-a-lot) and processed in Corel's Aftershot.


DSC_5762+backyarding -0001.jpgDSC_5763+backyarding -0002.jpgDSC_5807+backyarding -0004.jpgDSC_5809+backyarding -0005.jpg

Stationary objects - comes out sharp enough.

I'm not sure that there is a huge advantage of going from 200 to 280 with the 1.4 - perhaps with a 2x TC 400mm at 5.6 would be worth the effort, and 3x to 600mm perhaps. But 280mm vs 200mm ... Hmmmm not enough mm's to warrant it eh?

And now for the birds and the bees . . . :p

DSC_5850+backyarding -0006.jpgDSC_5885+backyarding -0009.jpg
I'm not sure what kind of 'bee' this be,
A wee bit of google-research suggests the 'bald faced hornet'.


DSC_5917+backyarding -0011.jpg
I was losing the light when I found this group of Cedar Waxwings in my apple tree.

And then this sparrow in the shadows in the pines.
DSC_5932+backyarding -0014.jpg

Neither of these ideal lighting - but still managed to get a "keeper" (of sorts).

That was an interesting experiment. Again - it works - but not sure it would be worth the effort. Might as well just put on a 70-300 and get similar results without the bother of a T.C.

FYI - all shot in Manual Mode. I'm working at doing this more often now with auto-ISO to cover over my mistaken settings.
 
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I have the VR on almost always. Try to remember to flip it off when tripod mounted, but still leave it on when on the Monopod.
And this applies when the T.C. is mounted too.

And no humming - that I've noticed. Will have to listen for it.

I tend to use the VR - 'normal' setting not the sport which I understand is for panning. Have not learned to pan yet.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
I must say you got quite a decent shot there. Are you satisfied with the TC?

For sure.

For under $150 CDN I have tele-converted my 200-500 F/5.6e to a 280-700mm F/8. There is a some loss in agility of the the auto-focus - or that could be just me but I do find it harder to lock focus on 'in flight" shots. The clarity is certainly still very good especially on stationary - or at least slow moving objects.

It worked fine on the 70-200 but not sure there is a lot to be gained.
The 70-300 was OK but again why when I have the 200-500 already? For someone who didn't have a longer lens it would be good.
Have not tried it with other lenses yet. Next up should be my 70-300 DX lens on my D90 or D5100. Be interesting to see if it works.

Seems well made and handles well. Comes with a sock but I bought a little case for it to provide better protection in the camera bag.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Another Day another very unscientific test.

Put the Kenko 1.4 TC between my Nikkor 55-300 AFS DX VR and my D5100.

I found that I got my best shots when I went fully manual, the auto modes were just not cooperative.

I also learned that I should go with 1/200 as a bare rock bottom minimum shutter (at least in today's light which was 'partially cloudy') Only went up to 1/250 - I should have gone upwards of 1/500 or faster.

I got some OK shots - not enough to make me regret buying my 200-500 F 5.6e but certainly OK given the entry level equipment I'm using.

I think this is the best of the batch - shot with the TC fully zoomed to 420, hand held.

DSC_7852+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0037+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0067.jpg

And since we have the Birds now we need the Bees
DSC_7844+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0038.jpg
Also with the TC fully extended.

Only one BIF and it was belongs in the "Almost" folder.
DSC_7831+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0042.jpg
Close but no cigar on that one. These tiny Pine Siskin Finches are very quick.

DSC_7681+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0012+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0068.jpg
A Chickadee on top of our lighthouse right after a dip in the bird bath.
This one was shot without the TC in A/P mode - at 1/500th - which is where I should have had my shutter set when in Manual mode eh.

So, my experience with the Kenko Pro-300 DCX on the Nikon 55-300 DX lens - it works, nay say bad, if I didn't have a longer lens I would say the Kenko is worth the $150 to extend the reach to 420mm especially if you invest the time to learn to shoot manual - or have better luck with the TC on your system. Might be very different on a different DX camera. I had it on my D5100. I could try it on a D90 if anyone wants me to - just ask.

But to shoot flowers and such, it works very nicely

But can you tell which of these two had the TC without looking at the focal length - didn't think so.

DSC_7622+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0004.jpg

DSC_7668+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0009+D5100 DX 70 300 TC Testing-0069.jpg

When shooting flowers the TC lets you stay a few steps further away - which depending on the garden may or may not be a good thing - all depends on where the pond is.

Yes - all of these images were processed a little in Corel's Aftershot.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
This a.m. decided to try out the Tammy 70-300 SP VR lens with the Kenko Pro-300 1.4 TC

OK. Still not the 200-500 5.6e - but not bad.

A.F. works and works fast enough.

DSC_6681+D610 Tammy 70 300 TC Test-0008.jpgDSC_6684+D610 Tammy 70 300 TC Test-0005.jpgDSC_6687+D610 Tammy 70 300 TC Test-0004.jpg
 
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