Nikon 300 mm f2.8 AI-S with TC-301 2x converter and Nikon D800

So I got the TC-301 converter today for my 300 mm f2.8 AI-S lens and of course I'd like to show off the setup here, in this instance with the Nikon D800 Also I did some test shots using the resolution Angel and wow I was actually very impressed with the image quality with this converter. I'm not actually seeing very much reduction in resolution, even though yes it is darker and contrast goes down. But wow, I'm looking forward to trying this on some birds at the beach sometime (plan an outing sometime in the first half of April). So, this is another example of how older Nikon equipment can be used to good effect with modern DSLRs. Also, and I guess I wasn't aware of this, the minimum focus distance doesn't change with the doubler so I was able to get these really close images of this angel whose face is only 2.9 cm tall.

Let's start with the setup, taken with the Nikon D4 with 50 mm 1.4G.



















And here are 100% crops of images taken of the resolution Angel....at 600mm and then the far right image is at 300mm.
The sweet spot was at f16 (which is actually f8 on the lens).



Here's the full image at f16 with only slight tonal adjustment (no contrast or sharpness adjustments).

Very impressive setup! I am gonna someday get a LONG setup.... primarily birds and other wildlife... Looking forward to those images when you get a chance to try it in the field..


Pat in NH

Same here. Great set up.

Wow, that things a beast!! Let me ask you, are you happy with this set up on a ball head? I bought a Wimberley gimbal head to go with my beast but I've not yet received the slide plate so in the mean time I've been using it on my ball head (Manfrotto mag head, 22 lb load). I'm not loving my lens set up on a ball head and am seeing why people move to a gimbal style head with these bigger lenses. However, it might be that I've not the right technique for using a lens this big on a ball head. So I'm wondering what your experience is with this set up on your ball head? Have you tried using a gimbal head with it yet?

I would guess a gimbal head is much better for quick movements of pan and tilt and those movement are much more controlled. I noticed with this head that it is always a balancing act, but if I set the resistance just right, I would be able to pan and tilt while holding the lens/camera to make sure it doesn't take off on me. So I think it would be useable. However, you would not have anywhere near the range of motion in the vertical axis of a gimbal system. I'll try to weigh this the next time I put it together, just out of my own curiosity. Clearly this head can handle the weight of any camera/lens combination, but I think you would have more stability in terms of motion with a gimbal head. In terms of stationary shots, this head would work fine with probably 80-85% of the stability of a gimbal head, depending on the tripod. So it is really a question of how quickly you need to move the lens around.

weebee said:

Same here. Great set up.

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Thanks, and with your D3100, you would have effectively a 1.5x increase in effective focal length, so a 900mm f5.6 (!!). So you could spend $18,000 on a Nikon 800mm f5.6, or spend as much as $1500 on this setup (that's actually what the lens and converter cost me....with more beat-up lenses you could spend probably around $1000), and get an extra 100mm reach. Of course you wouldn't have the incredible sheer quality of the Nikon 800mm, but we'll see how this combo performs in the field. And focusing this lens manually is very fast actually. I could focus with it indoors with medium tungsten light levels, not very bright, so on a sunny day this would be a breeze to focus I think.

I would very much like to have a rig like that. I'm going to purchase a TC before I leave for Maine in June.

Here is compatibility of the older TCs:

Nikon Ai-s 2X Teleconverters TC-201 and TC-301

And considerations for using the modern nikon TCs:

Using Teleconverters from Nikon

Specifically:

[h=3]Must I use an f/2.8 lens or faster with a teleconverter?[/h] The answer to that depends upon which Nikon D-SLR body you’re shooting with. Up until the introduction of the D4, if you used a teleconverter with a NIKKOR lens, you’d lose autofocus capabilities at apertures smaller than f/5.6, be required to use a slow shutter speed or increase the ISO since a fast aperture wasn't possible. Due to these limitations, wildlife and sports photographers wouldn't be able to utilize teleconverters in many instances that required fast shutter speeds.
Newer Nikon cameras, including the D4, D800/D800E, D600 and D7100 allow you to use slower lenses with the teleconverters with the ability to utilize autofocus functionality when stopped down to f/8.

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So with a D3100 and the longer zooms you would have to focus manually. Unless of course you get a lens that, when you add the converter, gives you an effective aperture of f5.6 or less.

So with a D3100 and the longer zooms you would have to focus manually. Unless of course you get a lens that, when you add the converter, gives you an effective aperture of f5.6 or less.[/QUOTE]

Which isn't going to happen with my 55-300 Nikon. Is this true with non-Nikon TCs as well?

Yes, because it is based on what the AF system in your camera can (or cannot) do, not on the actual converter itself.

Yup - I have to go manual with my Nikon 18-300 and Kenko 2x TC. AF is all over the shop, but I'm happier at manual for the long and macro shots anyway.

I absolutely get Dave_W's point about the ball head. I would NEVER trust myself with that gear on anything other than a gimbal. My head gives me three planes of movement at "fast" and "slow" speeds and I am very happy with it.

crycocyon said:

Yes, because it is based on what the AF system in your camera can (or cannot) do, not on the actual converter itself.

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Thanks, this is by far the best info I've had yet on TC lenses.

crycocyon said:

Thanks, and with your D3100, you would have effectively a 1.5x increase in effective focal length, so a 900mm f5.6 (!!). So you could spend $18,000 on a Nikon 800mm f5.6, or spend as much as $1500 on this setup (that's actually what the lens and converter cost me....with more beat-up lenses you could spend probably around $1000), and get an extra 100mm reach. Of course you wouldn't have the incredible sheer quality of the Nikon 800mm, but we'll see how this combo performs in the field. And focusing this lens manually is very fast actually. I could focus with it indoors with medium tungsten light levels, not very bright, so on a sunny day this would be a breeze to focus I think.

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Where did you get such a deal if you don't mind me asking?

Ebay....got it from a professional who didn't use it too much (was a portrait/wedding photographer).