FXing to 800+ on a relative budget with given tradeoffs?

SkvLTD

Senior Member
So getting back into nature just like when I started as a wee sparrow way back got me wanting MORE reach (like it did wide for RE and events, but that was a quick and easy $400 fix) and right now I could only cough up half of the optimal equation of D500 + either 150-600 or 200-500, and naturally continue abusing my 2x Kenko.

Saw an interesting route via modifying a rather cheap TC16A to work with DSLRs which will enable some sort of AF with the Ai-S/P glass, and then perhaps get my grubby hands on the 500/4P. IMO this would be a killer and interesting combo, plus save me trips to the gym.

Else, perhaps go with either 150-600G2 or our 2-500 and then muddle with the TC (if just for still a manual lens, but with that mad reach that will be tricky to learn, but part of the fun). Similarly, perhaps start with the 500P and the 2X and see how that works out.

Since losing my DK-17, I ordered 17M for the Df and I'd imagine that would only help with MF and extreme distances.

Thoughts?
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
I've tried the Nikon TC-14 on the 200-500 and was okay with the results on the D810. The day I tested wasn't a particularly well lit day, so being at f/8 and finding good light for birds wasn't working out for me, but it seemed okay enough. I'd still like to get out and test that setup again with some sunshine to see how it performs.
 

crycocyon

Senior Member
I've used a TC14B modified for AF with a 300mm f2.8 AIS lens before with a Nikon D800. The AF was reasonably good in a short distance range, but nowhere near fast enough for tracking objects and it would hunt a little bit. It was quicker for me just to manually focus than to use it. Keep in mind you lose usually a lot more contrast with a 2x than a 1.4x and I would only go with Nikon teleconverters as you are paying extra for a nice camera and lens and then reducing resolution and contrast a lot with a less superior converter just IMHO.
 
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