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hey guys i am going to by a 80-400VR very soon and was wondering what TC's you have used with this lens and what produced good results? there was a thread recently about the lens and a kenko 1.4X are the nikon TC's any better image quality wise? also do the 1.7X or 2X work with this lens?

I wouldn't go anymore than a 1.4x TC. Remember it's an F/4.5 to 5.6 from shortest to longest focal length. So at 400MM it's F/5.6, 5.6 x 1.4 you're going to be getting F/8. Way past what the D70 could possibly AF at. I think F/5.6 -> 6.x minimum aperture is sort of the limit for the AF to work effectively (so I've heard is the magic number for most slrs, the more expensive and better the AF system in the slr the better chance it has of AFing at higher (narrower) apertures). At 1.7 and 2.0 you're looking at a min aperture of 9.5 and 11.2 respectively. You'd have to go to MF, and have a shitload of subject on your subject to be able to expose a shot. Plus I doubt the quality would be that crash hot anyway.

Zeb00,

Before you make your decision on the TC, might I suggest that you hold off until after you've attended a minimeet at Birddog's?

Come to one of these and you'll be able to play with the lens and the various TCs available, and then you can sit back and make an informed decision based upon your own findings.

That delay (and attendance) will also probably be enough to qualify you to purchase thropugh our bargains section, there making the hardware infinitely more affordable.

Zeb00,

Previous post from gstark is very sound advice.

Cheers,

gstark wrote:Zeb00,

Before you make your decision on the TC, might I suggest that you hold off until after you've attended a minimeet at Birddog's?

Come to one of these and you'll be able to play with the lens and the various TCs available, and then you can sit back and make an informed decision based upon your own findings.

That delay (and attendance) will also probably be enough to qualify you to purchase thropugh our bargains section, there making the hardware infinitely more affordable.

Hi
Sounds like a great idea. i will be in for the next minimeet. would you still suggest i go for the 80-400vr as i am fairly sure it is what i need (cant afford anything else) and bring that to the minimeet to try with some peoples TC's.
I have been makeing my purchases directly from HKsupplies because i am not a full member yet and will probibly continue to as so not to cause birddog any more work then he allready has with all these orders. unless it supports this site in some way in which case i am happy to.

zeb00 wrote:I have been makeing my purchases directly from HKsupplies

That's about as good as you can get, and no, we don't get any support from them. We're more than happy to recommend and eal with them simply because of the fact that they're straight, honest traders, who provide us with great, reliable service and great prices.

Given what you've said, I'd go ahead then and order the lens; I think it's a great piece of glass and - especially buying through HKSupplies - it's an absolute bargain. Yes, I'm a very happy owner, and mine was bought through the same resources.

Let's see you at the minimeet then, and you can play with some TCs ....