Anyone used the Nikon TC 14E II on a 70-200 VR?

[Flash In The Pan]

Finally managed to get ahold of a 70-200 VR (hopefully - still awaiting delivery ) and now I'm wondering if I should punt for a TC 14E II for it. I had the Kenko Pro 300 1.4x tc on my 80-200 f/2.8 and it was dismal, I'm assuming the Nikon one will be better, but will it do the job for motorsport photography?

I have enough expensive paperweights lying around already without ending up with another one, so any advice would be appreciated

 

[kevshore]

i have the kenko 1.4 and the Nikon 1.7. Both work great! I would try the kenko on the 70-200 before rushing out and buying the Nikon.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I sold the Kenko, it was just far too soft and even at relatively small apertures the ca was awful

 

[Bluelion]

I have the same combination, a D300, 70-200 and recently bought the Nkon 1.4x teleconverter. Its not *too* bad, but there is a noticable loss in sharpness even when stopped down.

Here's some basic testing I did which might help you (look at F8 in particular):
http://www.bluelion.plus.com/photo/camera/1.4x/comparison.html

Note this is the 70-200 at 142mm to make it overall 200mm for comparison. All pictures are 1:1 pixel crops.

Like you, I found 200mm isn't quite long enough for motorsport (or airshows in particular), so I'm stretching myself financially at the moment and purchasing a 200-400. I just wasn't happy enough with the 280mm and relative softness of the combination.

 

[puddleduck]

The Kenko 1.4x TC is just as good as the Nikkor.

I have (had) both. Both work great.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

The Kenko 1.4x TC is just as good as the Nikkor.

I have (had) both. Both work great.

The Nikon is that bad?

Remember if you're putting them on something like a D40 with a 6mp sensor then any deficiences won't be quite so apparent as as the same set up on a 12mp one

 

[puddleduck]

The Nikon is that bad?

Remember if you're putting them on something like a D40 with a 6mp sensor then any deficiences won't be quite so apparent as as the same set up on a 12mp one

Who said anything about a D40?

Take a look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andydrake/sets/72157594499985394/

Anything with 280mm or 420mm EXIF was shot with a Kenko.

Eg:

​

Good technique is need with long lenses, doubly so with a TC - if you are not getting good results, I'd be looking at the technique, not the gear

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I'd have to take your word that you used a tc on that shot as the exif indicates a focal length of 200mm :shrug::

I have shots of stationary wildlife that I shot with the Kenko on the 80-200 which are perfectly acceptable, but the original question was whether the tc was useful for motorsport, so unless you have a piccy of that Puffin riding a Suzuki Hyabusa it's not really a valid comparison

 

[puddleduck]

I'd have to take your word that you used a tc on that shot as the exif indicates a focal length of 200mm :shrug::

I have shots of stationary wildlife that I shot with the Kenko on the 80-200 which are perfectly acceptable, but the original question was whether the tc was useful for motorsport, so unless you have a piccy of that Puffin riding a Suzuki Hyabusa it's not really a valid comparison

OK, so you wasted my time when you said "any advice would be appreciated". You didn't actually mean that did you.

Sorry. Wonder why I bother sometimes.

I do have motorsport shots and airshows with that TC too.

​

Shooting fast moving objects is 99% technique - the TC makes no difference. If you choose to believe otherwise, fine by me.

 

[fracster]

Ding,ding........end of round one.........

 

[puddleduck]

I get really annoyed when people ask questions when they only want to hear one answer!

You might be able to tell

I've used the Kenko on WAY better lenses that the 70-200 VR!

​

It works great

 

[Tulipone]

Andy - Nice Puffin! Did you get that by Farne Islands? Was thinking of taking a run up there but if I need a TC, maybe not. I thought that you could get pretty close?

Chris (Tamron and 70-300VR from 'the other forum')

 

[puddleduck]

Andy - Nice Puffin! Did you get that by Farne Islands? Was thinking of taking a run up there but if I need a TC, maybe not. I thought that you could get pretty close?

Chris (Tamron and 70-300VR from 'the other forum')

Hi

I'd definately like to be able to get to 300mm+, 200mm is do-able but its hard to isolate a single bird with 200mm. 300mm is good.

I did quite a few at 420mm.

280mm:

​

This was with the Kenko again - it'll AF OK on the 70-300 VR, depending on your body.

On a D60 class body the AF hunts much past 200mm as your aperture is over f/5.6. On a D200 or S5 Pro, you can AF all the way out to 420mm.

The Nikkor TC-14E II won't fit to your 70-300 VR anyhow, its the Kenko or nowt. You'll need to stop down to f/11 when you go over 220-ish if you put a TC on the 70-300 VR, as 420mm is pushing things.

 

[Tulipone]

Hi

I'd definately like to be able to get to 300mm+, 200mm is do-able but its hard to isolate a single bird with 200mm. 300mm is good.

I did quite a few at 420mm.

280mm:

​

This was with the Kenko again - it'll AF OK on the 70-300 VR, depending on your body.

On a D60 class body the AF hunts much past 200mm as your aperture is over f/5.6. On a D200 or S5 Pro, you can AF all the way out to 420mm.

The Nikkor TC-14E II won't fit to your 70-300 VR anyhow, its the Kenko or nowt. You'll need to stop down to f/11 when you go over 220-ish if you put a TC on the 70-300 VR, as 420mm is pushing things.

I still have the D80 and now also a D300. Maybe you'd rent me the TC if I go up?

Chris

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I get really annoyed when people ask questions when they only want to hear one answer!

I asked if it was suitable for motorsport and you posted a pic of a puffin

So, yes, I was only interested in one answer - the one to the question I posed :shrug:

 

[Steve 7]

Great lens from f4 onwards, a little soft wide open. I also use the 1.4x TC with it, stop it down to f5.6 to reach top sharpness again.

 

[fracster]

Stop faffing about and get a 600 F4................