Converter question

Teagan

Teagan

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Gerard
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Should I go with a Nikon teleconverter or third party when using it with a Nikon prime lens.

I'm thinking of getting the Nikon 300 f4 afs and matching it with a 1.4 converter.

I already use a sigma 150-500 lens but I'm trying to reduce the weight I carry around.

Thanks Gerard.
 
Nikon should be your first option, but I heard some are happy with Kenko pro 300.

Just for fun, try to crop and upscale 300mm shot to 500mm level. I bet it will both look longer and much sharper. 150-500 doesn't quite reach 500, more like just over 400mm.
 
I've been doing a little research on telecons recently and have found that the almost universal recommendation is Nikon telecons for Nikon primes and Sigmas for Sigmas. Kenkos are popular due in at least part to their affordability but I don't use mine since I get better image quality by cropping an unconverted shot from a 70-300 VR than I do from shooting through the telecon.
 
Nod said:
I've been doing a little research on telecons recently and have found that the almost universal recommendation is Nikon telecons for Nikon primes and Sigmas for Sigmas. Kenkos are popular due in at least part to their affordability but I don't use mine since I get better image quality by cropping an unconverted shot from a 70-300 VR than I do from shooting through the telecon.
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I use my gear professionally and i have a DS3 with a Nikon 1.4x and 400mm lens, second body is a D3S, Kenko 1.4x and Nikon 70-200mm, my Kenko is so good it stays glued to the 70-200mm unless shooting in rain, i have tried and tried and simply cannot see and loss of IQ ith the Kenko, im also 99% sure its a little sharper than my Nikon 1.4x

Ive owned several Kenkos and Nikons and havent been able to see any IQ/optical quality difference between them ever.

The Nikon is superb and weather sealed but at £300 against £120 it really is a no brainer if youre on a budget or dont need the weather sealing, the Kenko is also compatible with far more Nikon/third party lens than the Nikon is.
 
I used a Kenko witt my 300mm F/4 (both AF-S and AF-D versions) and it was fine. IQ didnt suffer a bit, autofocus was the same.
I now use a Sigma 1.4 on my Sigma 70-200 as the Kekno refused to autofocus with it.
 
So the consensus seems to be between a Nikon converter and a Kenko. As the Kenko is cheaper and more flexible than a Nikon it seems like a no brainer to me.
However the weather sealing of the Nikon could push me towards it as Im a bit OCD when it comes the getting gear wet.

Regards Gerard.
 
Teagan said:
However the weather sealing of the Nikon could push me towards it as Im a bit OCD when it comes the getting gear wet.
.
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then you must surely be using a decent rain cover? so it wouldnt matter iif kenko or not?
 
KIPAX said:
then you must surely be using a decent rain cover? so it wouldnt matter iif kenko or not?
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Hmm, not so in my case, i have one with the D3S/400mm combo but not on the 70-200mm/D3S combo as i just couldn't switch quick enough if they both had rain covers on, the d3s/70-200mm sits on the peli next to be with a cloth over it until i need to put it into action.

Agree that if youre out in the rain with a one camera set up and 70-200mm it would warrant the price of a rain cover regardless of having an extender or not.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Hmm, not so in my case,.
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I know.. but your not the one saying they are OCD about getting gear wet .. if your OCD about it then sure fire you would have a decent rain cover :)

PS all my gear is weather sealed.. ..but i still use proper think tank covers when it rains... still cant get my head around cameras and rain being OK :)
 
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I bought a Kenko Pro300 DGX 1.4x converter as it was compatible with more of my lenses than a Canon one did. I use it regularly with most of my lenses and it gives me great IQ, with hardly any image degradation, and AF speed is still pretty good too. I have got a Canon MkIII 2x converter just for using with my 70-200 f2.8 IS L MkII as well , and that is excellent with the lens, but the Kenko gets much more use.
 
I always carry an Optech rain sleeve in my bag. Not sure why - if it's raining hard enough to warrant using it, I'm heading for the dry and warm!

My Telecon is an oldish 1.5x one. Now sits in the cupboard unused and unloved. :( IQ probably isn't great from my lenses (when I use it) because they're zooms - I'm well aware that TCs are best on primes. TBH, it's very rare that I want or need to go longer than the 300mm I can reach to already - besides, I also use a Fuji HS30 which has a long end (35mm eq) of 720mm. Shame that no local retailers seem to keep the Sigma 2x EX in stock - I really want to try before I buy! Any owners in the Exeter area willing to let me have a play? Nikon fit!
 
Yes I do use a raincover on my current siggy 150-500. However I find it a bit fiddly to zoom in and out when it is on.

I'm still undecided on the Kenko or Nikon converter so more opinions are welcome.:thumbs:

Regards Gerard.
 
Teagan said:
I'm still undecided on the Kenko or Nikon converter so more opinions are welcome.:thumbs:
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Do you really need more opinions????

IQ wise theres nothing in them, retaining AF speed theres nothing in them, asthetic wise the Nikon just looks better inbetween the camera and lens as the Kenko is wider and slimmer, weather sealing theres only one winner, price wise theres only one winner, what it'll boil down to is wether youre a Nikon snob or not :lol:
 
Hi, a friend of mine uses the nikon f4 with a 1.4 converter and the images seem fine. Only prob is the f4 has no vr so this has to be considered. I wood always buy nikon for nikon and the benefit is that if you upgrade to a longer lens in the future you will already have one of the best converters available. I guess im a nikon snob but these are made spacifically for these lenses. Hope this helps. Omllett.
 
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