teleconverters for Nikon

A

ace parsnip

Suspended / Banned
Messages
146
Name
Callum
Edit My Images
Yes
Sorry i imagine this has been asked before i did search but there was alot of threads but i couldn't find one mentioning the lens i want to use.

Basically im looking into getting a teleconverter for my Nikon d90 the lens i would use it with primarily is the 'Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED'.
im planning on using it to take photos of wildlife, motorsport and maybe an airshow.

should i be looking at a x1.4, x1.7 or the big x2 converters? and how badly will each one effect the quality? and will it affect the shutter speed? as obviously i dont want blurry bird wings.

Thanks again,
Callum
 
I would not go above the 1.4 with that lens, otherwise you may lose your autofocus.
 
I don't think any of the Nikon teleconverters will fit that lens without modification. I've done it to mine, and it's not difficult - details here (not my website, but these are the instructions I followed).
 
You may well find that A Kenko 1.4 300PRO TC will work, as I have found this TC to work on Lens that should not work with a TC fitted.
 
ahh that sucks! what would be the best lens to go about using a teleconverter with from experience?

i guess id want about 500mm with a lens and teleconverter?
 
i wouldnt use a teleconerter on that lens i did use a kenko and it was horrible.

its very simple with nikon TC and nikon lens

TC1.4 F4 lens and faster

TC1.7 f2.8 lens or faster

TCx2 F2.8 lens or faster

i rate the 1.7 over the new 2x

people will say they have done this or that but this is the simple guide that works
 
I have used the Kenko 1.4x tc on the 70-300 AF-S VR and can confirm that it does work OK including AF and VR however you need good to decent light to be able to use it without it hunting for AF. This shot was taken on that combination in decent light in late April.



Deer on the Water by Don't like to be Bored, on Flickr

For most of my bird stuff on my flickr I just use the lens on its own and good field craft to get closer.

Nick
 
ace parsnip said:
ahh that sucks! what would be the best lens to go about using a teleconverter with from experience?

i guess id want about 500mm with a lens and teleconverter?
Click to expand...

The answer to your question is one of the long primes - the cheapest being the Nikon 300 AFS f4. Second hand on here they are about 650 quid at the moment. Its a good bit of kit!

I'm not sure how low an aperture the D90 will autofocus to... on my D300 its f8, so you can add a 1.4x, 1.7x or even 2x TC to a f4 lens.

I'd check about the D90 before you spend money though!

1.7x on a 300 gives you the length you are looking for. The quality is ok, not sure its particularly good for fine stuff like feathers on birds, but its good enough for motorsport!

2x is probably pushing it a bit too far on a f4 lens, maybe on a 300 2.8 or a 400 2.8 the new 2x TC III will be good.
 
Desantnik - I've just noticed you have exactly the same kit that I'm looking to move to and wondered about the TC1.7x. I have a D300 with 70-200mm VR already and am trying to decide what to do in order to get the extra reach I used to have with my Sigma 100-300mm.
I shoot primarily motorsport - bikes in particular - and have seen so many differing views on whether the 70-200 and 300mm f4 work well with the 1.7x. As you have all of those, and shoot (rather brilliantly) motorsport - I guess you should know. Any thoughts on the performance of that converter on both lenses?

Budget is limited - so if you had to choose between the converter on the 70-200mm or potentially getting the the 300mm f4 instead - which would you recommend?

Cheers,
 
ace parsnip said:
ahh that sucks! what would be the best lens to go about using a teleconverter with from experience?

i guess id want about 500mm with a lens and teleconverter?
Click to expand...


Calum,

300 f4 + 1.4x will get you to 420/f5.6. I have the AF version plus a kenco pro 1.4 on my D90. It is a big lens compared to your 70-300, but much smaller than the next biggest lens. You should be able to pick up that set for about £400 and have full autofocus on the D90. You could also go to the AFs version with another compatible TC for a bit more money. I haven't tried the 1.7 on this lens, but I see pictures on here with the afs version and 1.7 which look good.

The Tamron 200-400 f5.6 would get you close for cheap money, but again, no TC's to get you out past.

500 is starting to get you into bigger money. Short of a prime, you're talking about the xxx-500 sigmas.

Thanks
Rick

Thanks,
Rick
 
Being a great fan of the 70-300 VR I have used it with a 1.4 teleconverter and it will give acceptable results in the right conditions but also poor results if not. If you zoom out to 300 mm and use the lens wide open you will be disappointed. Best results I have had are f11 (lens reading so not the actual) and 250 mm (which defeats the object somewhat ) . I used to use this on a D50 and autofocus was okay on high contrast subjects in good light. The D90 is obviously better at autofocus but I eventually decided it was better to forget the converter and just crop the image.

What I use now if I need over 300mm is the 300 f4 AF-S with Nikon 1.7 teleconverter ( the older version won't work with the Nikon 1.7 )- the combination works well even with the lens wide open. Using the focus limiter switch on the lens speeds up the autofocus. This combination works well on a D90 but not as quick as on the D300s or D700. Using a 1.4 on the 300 f4 gives slightly better results on the autofocus but I can't really see any difference in image quality.

I would say then forget the 1.4 with the 70-300, there was a time when it was worth using it but with a D90 I would crop the image to give me the equivalent of the 1.4. If I wanted a longer reach but good quality/ price then a 300 f4 with 1.4 or 1.7 is your best bet ( and the 300 f4 is great on it's own in poor light - your D90 will appreciate the f4 for focusing).
 
Last edited:
Juan, the answer is that the TC's (I have a 1.4x too) I use pretty much exclusively with the 300 f4.

I've tried using 1.4's and 1.7's on the 70-200 and never been happy with the results - I think I've only ever taken one shot with the 1.7 on it that I've liked.

Its probably because the 300 f4 at 300, 420 or 500mm is pretty good. Ok, so it does loose a bit with the 1.7x on, but I still use it a fair bit for bikes.

I can show you some examples if you like?
 
Thanks - that's good to know. As I said, I've seen so many conflicting reports, but as you have the same kit, I figure your experience should be pretty reliable.

I think the first purchase may have to be the 300mm then. That'd give me the same range I've been used to but hopefully with that extra bit that the Nikon glass should have over the Sigma.

After that I'll probably go for the 1.4x and see how I get on.

Examples would be great if you have a chance!

Cheers
 
It seems to be a common problem. You splash out on the 70-200 as a first step into pro lenses, usually making your 70-300 redundant, except that now you've lost length. In trying to make up for the shortfall the answer seems to be teleconverters. However the subsequent loss of IQ lands us straight back at square one. I think the answer for those of us in this situation is the 1.7 TC. Of course it is a compromise and is more a logical decision than one based on performance alone. Not ideal I grant you. Nikon! Are you listening?:shrug:
 
Last edited:
Here you go Juan... a few from the BLZ archives:

300mm (Carl Harris, BSB, Cadwell Park, 2009):

CP_BSB_AK_090831-1107.jpg


420mm (Ben Wilson, British Supersport, Snetterton, 2011):

sn_bsb_ak_110703-181.jpg


500mm (Nikki Hayden, MotoGP, Assen, 2010):

ass_tt_ak_20100626_2141.jpg
 
Nikon Fan said:
You may well find that A Kenko 1.4 300PRO TC will work, as I have found this TC to work on Lens that should not work with a TC fitted.
Click to expand...

Yep, I use the Kenko TC's with my 70-300 very regularly. I have 1.4, 1.7 and 2x 300Pro TCs and the lens with AF with all three but you do need good light for the 2x to work :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top