Another teleconverter question.

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ffarquhar

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Hi all, I would like to buy a teleconverter to use with my D80 & 70-300VR lens, (I don't really want to go to the expense of a longer zoom lens) but I don't know if only Nikon models will fit or are there any other makes suitable & how much functionality would be lost, i.e. auto focus or stabilisation.
Thanks in advance.
 
Nikon TCs will NOT fit the 70-300VR! You are likely to lose AF. I suspect the resulting 300mm + TC will be awfully soft but if you have to, take a look at Kenko but check first to see if they fit.
 
For a general rule of thumb about what happns to 'auto focus' once it has a teleconverter added.

Most non-professional cameras will read the maximum aperture as f8 and then won’t even try to autofocus. Most professional grade cameras can focus at f8, but usually only at the center point.

With that f8 in mind - the handy maths for working out if you are still going to be able to autofocus.......

A 2x teleconverter can be used on lenses with aperture at least f2.8 (becoming f.5.6)
A 1.4X teleconverter (and usually a 1.7X) can be used on a lens with an aperture of at least f4, (becoming f5.6 or f6.8)
lenses with maximum aperture of f5.6 might not autofocus with teleconverters much more than 1.4X

That said - a lot depends on the light.
 
dinners said:
For a general rule of thumb about what happns to 'auto focus' once it has a teleconverter added.

Most non-professional cameras will read the maximum aperture as f8 and then won’t even try to autofocus. Most professional grade cameras can focus at f8, but usually only at the center point.
Click to expand...

I think that is a general Canon Rule. I think Nikon AF just gets slower above f/5.6 whereas non Pro Canons stop at f/5.6 & Pro Canons stop at f/8.
Canon/Nikon officionados may correct me here.
 
DonnaM said:
I think that is a general Canon Rule. I think Nikon AF just gets slower above f/5.6 whereas non Pro Canons stop at f/5.6 & Pro Canons stop at f/8.
Canon/Nikon officionados may correct me here.
Click to expand...

You are correct about Nikon. Canon XXXD, XXD and XD models auto focus upto f5.6 lens + TC combo. Canon 1D series camera auto focus upto f8 (centre point only above f5.6).

TC are predominantly designed to be used with the main primes, although they also work with some zooms. Canon's TC only work with the L series lenses.

Nikon 1.4x TC
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2129/AF-S-Teleconverter-TC-14E-II.html

Nikon 1.7x TC
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2151/AF-S-Teleconverter-TC-17E-II.html

Nikon 2x TC
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2130/AF-S-Teleconverter-TC-20E-II.html

Sigma and Kenko also make a range of TC's. Personally would avoid using a 2x TC unless you are using one of the very fast primes, loss of image quality and significant hit on autofocus speeds.

Peter
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
It's back to the drawing board then !
Anyone got any opinions on the Sigma 150mm-500mm OS lens?
 
yes all reports i,ve read say the 120-400 is a better lens hth mike
 
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