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Stacking Teleconvertors

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:31 pm
by kipper
Is it possible to stack the Nikon TC1.4IIE, TC1.7IIE and TC2.0IIE range of teleconvertors or only possible with other brands?

Re: Stacking Teleconvertors

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:33 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:Is it possible to stack the Nikon TC1.4IIE, TC1.7IIE and TC2.0IIE range of teleconvertors or only possible with other brands?


No way! what are you going to get with this task? and what f stop are you talking about?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:33 pm
by Glen
Yes if you modify them. It obviously provides degredation on degredation.

Re: Stacking Teleconvertors

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:34 pm
by stubbsy
kipper wrote:Is it possible to stack the Nikon TC1.4IIE, TC1.7IIE and TC2.0IIE range of teleconvertors or only possible with other brands?

Darryl

While it might be possible (but I'm not sure) I don't think this would be a good idea - you'd lose a LOT of stops

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:35 pm
by Glen
Birddy, if you stick 4 Tc on a 50mm 1.8 you will end up with 500mm at F48 :lol: :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:36 pm
by MCWB
Even if it's possible, surely the money would be better spend on a 500 mm f/8 reflex lens. Stacking two 1.4s just gives you 2.0X and costs 2 stops. Stacking two 1.7s gives you 2.9X but costs 3 stops, taking your f/2.8 lens to f/8 anyway, not to mention quality...

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:39 pm
by Glen
Here is the link to the mod, as everyone else has said, waste of time doing this, just save harder. The real use of this mod is to mount non AFS lenses :wink:


http://nikonpages.heymanphotography.com/tcmod/

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:40 pm
by kipper
I suggest you guys register and login and check this thread.
This guy used a Canon EOS-ID Mark II, 600IS and a 1.4x and 2.0x stacked.
He had to use ISO800 and a shutter speed of 1/100th at F/16, in early morning light. Brilliant closeup of an Osprey.


http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43883

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:42 pm
by kipper
Btw, this is not a means to achieve a 600MM by stacking convertors.

This is about taking a 500MM or 600MM and making effective lense length of about 1700-1800MM.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:45 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:I suggest you guys register and login and check this thread.
This guy used a Canon EOS-ID Mark II, 600IS and a 1.4x and 2.0x stacked.
He had to use ISO800 and a shutter speed of 1/100th at F/16, in early morning light. Brilliant closeup of an Osprey.


http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43883


Worth a try kipper!. 3 x Nikon TCs cost you cheapie at under 2K!
VR may not work, AF-S may not run and I'm sure you'll be happy to resell the extra TCs to our members.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:47 pm
by Glen
Kipper, F16 is almost wide open on that combo, in fact one stop down. The native f stop of the lens would be f5.6 in that. Luckily that is one of Canon's top lenses which is good wide open. These games are only to be played with top quality primes. I have seen pics with two Tc from Nikon top primes. I think the big problem here is stumping up the first $10k for the top prime :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:48 pm
by kipper
Birddog I think you missed my message which said it wasn't an attempt to use a short lense to make a 600MM lens. I was more wondering if it was possible with those teleconvertors to use with a 500 or 600MM lens. I know it's possible with Canon, as the user on another forum has done it. Whether it requires modding I don't know.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:49 pm
by kipper
Glen agreed, I didn't necessarily say I was going to do it. Just wanted to know if it was possible. Yet I get comments like I'm some sort of madman for even considering it. Yeah, I sort of thought it might of been close to wide open it can be quite useful if the lighting is right and the length is required to take you there instead of getting closer and possibly causing the bird to abandon it's nest.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:50 pm
by birddog114
Glen,
Well said, if people has 10K to spend for the top prime, then the cost of 2 TCs are nothing but I still don't see the point of stacking them, using one TC is more than enough, of course people can but how many?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:51 pm
by kipper
Birddog, see my above post. Certain birds will abandon nests if you're too close. Maybe that's why he did it?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:52 pm
by Glen
Birddy, I am with you, doubt the rest would work.

Maybe Birddy you should offer Kipper special price on 180 mm 2.8 and 3 TC2.0. He could get 1440mm at f22 for about $2.5k and when funds permit trade the 180 for a 500mm for 4000mm!! :lol: :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:54 pm
by MCWB
Ahh I see what you were getting at now kipper. I was looking at the (impressive) inventory in your sig at the same time, I think a few others must have been too. After playing with 'Helga', Glen's big old Russian, I'm still quite surprised that pic came out sharp at 1/100 s even supported... amazing stuff!

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:54 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:Birddog, see my above post. Certain birds will abandon nests if you're too close. Maybe that's why he did it?


Yes, I understand!
I wonder how other Pros as Ron Reznick or Moose can take lot of nice bird photos with their 500/ 600 with a single or without TCs.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:55 pm
by Glen
Kipper, I think the reason people act like this is a madmans idea is we all know no one here has the $10-15k prime. That is the first step.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:55 pm
by kipper
Well this was a portrait of an Osprey. Like head, beak and eyes nothing else.

MCWB, I wouldn't bother with my 70-200VR for stacking convertors. I'd only do it as a last resort. I will be purchasing the 1.4x at some stage and probably a 2x also later on down the track.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:57 pm
by Glen
Matt K's idea of capsicum spray is probably cheapest :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:58 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:Well this was a portrait of an Osprey. Like head, beak and eyes nothing else.


kipper
Want a try? :lol: I have 2 xTCs in stock and perhaps a Nikkor 180/2.8 or 300 AF-S/ f4. Have you got your refunds from the Tax man yet? :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:58 pm
by kipper
Glen I might have the $10k some day......

Rob had the $7-8k for the 200-400VR :)

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:00 pm
by kipper
Bird not yet :)

I'm trying to keep on track with my savings for a big prime.
I could probably go and get the 500MM F/4 AF-S I (not II) soon, when a cheque comes in.

Out of interest how much difference is the AF-S I compared to AF-S II. Is it worth saving double the amount for the extra I :)

Btw, the guy who stacked the tcs is this guy:

http://www.shootthelight.com/

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:02 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:Glen I might have the $10k some day......

:)


Have you buy a lottery ticket yet? your time is on! :lol:

Rob had the $7-8k for the 200-400VR


He has a fiance and soon to be his wife to support him and you? a bachelor? Is it cold tonight?

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:06 pm
by birddog114
kipper,
It seems to me this thread is similar to your first thread on this forum and it's about: you were hunting the D70 on the Melbourne streets.

http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=980

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:07 pm
by Glen
Kipper, don't doubt that one day you will get the lens of your dreams and can afford it. More meant that not too many here have a lens I would put two TC's behind. A little like when people ask can they put a TC behind the 70-300, yes it is possible, no it wont work. If one of us said "imagine I have a $15k prime....." our advice would be different. I guess I would have seen the shots by now if you had a $15k prime :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:08 pm
by Glen
Is it cold tonight?

:lol: :lol: :lol:



Not trying to take the piss, but just got emailed by Ebay about a 500mm mirror F8 with starting bid US9.99. Obviously a stop gap but bloody cheap. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :B:SS:AU:1

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:16 pm
by kipper
lah.....sorry removed the post.[

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:19 pm
by Glen
Looks a bit fuzzy around the writing "no hotlinks", Kipper, maybe he should have used less TC's :lol: :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:23 pm
by kipper
Bugger I checked for this after I logged out of the other site. Guess the cookies were still saying I was logged in.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:29 pm
by kipper
GUESS WHAT.

Another person using stacked convertors...again the 1.4x and 2.0x on Canon.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:46 pm
by Glen
Kipper, I can see you will be the trend setter on this forum. Look forward to seeing your "stacked" photos :D

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:49 pm
by birddog114
Me too! I wish you well! Kipper!
Perhaps only special for the Canon guys! but coming back and show us your works with stackable TCs :wink:

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:53 pm
by kipper
That's if this forum is still going in a years time :)

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:59 pm
by birddog114
kipper wrote:That's if this forum is still going in a years time :)


Of course this forum will be here!

Honestly, if you're in Sydney, I might let you try to stack all my TCs (1.4/1.7/2.0) on the 200-400VR 8)

Re: Stacking Teleconvertors

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:47 pm
by yeocsa
kipper wrote:Is it possible to stack the Nikon TC1.4IIE, TC1.7IIE and TC2.0IIE range of teleconvertors or only possible with other brands?


Hi

stacking TCs is nothing new. it has been done many times. long ago when the long prime is 300mm, photographers stacks TCs mainly for bird photography and macro photography. You can also mix TC with extension tubes. 2 - 3 TCs and 2 - 3 extension tubes in various combinations. You can different results from different combinations. But most of the time you get so so images. You'd be wasting alot of time.

the image at NatureScapes has gone thru a lot of processing. Plus, it was been downsized. The eyes are sharp but the other parts of the bird are not. They look sharp because they have been shrunk.

regards,

Arthur

Why stacking TC's may make sense

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:15 pm
by cybersonic
I came across this thread because it referenced the webpage on my site re. modification of the TCxxE to make stacking possible.

I believe the possibility for stacking these TCs (primarily TC14E + TC20E) is too quickly discounted - if it means the difference between getting the shot or not getting it, I would think that's an easy choice. Of course, do not try this with a mediocre zoom lens (e.g. 70-300 and the like), and even a high-quality zoom lens (e.g. 70-200 2.8 VR AF-S ) will yield a result that primarily lacks contrast & is likely to be on the soft side. However, has anyone here ever tried this on e.g. a 300mm 2.8 AF-I or AF-S? I have - it is certainly a workable option. On a digital SLR that becomes a 300x1.5x1.4x2.0= 1260mm f8, with reasonable quality. Also remember, if you get soft images with such a combination, first make sure your tripod + long lens technique is good - it really takes a while to master that.
Just my $0.02 - YMMV.
Christophe.

Re: Why stacking TC's may make sense

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:30 pm
by birddog114
cybersonic wrote:I came across this thread because it referenced the webpage on my site re. modification of the TCxxE to make stacking possible.

I believe the possibility for stacking these TCs (primarily TC14E + TC20E) is too quickly discounted - if it means the difference between getting the shot or not getting it, I would think that's an easy choice. Of course, do not try this with a mediocre zoom lens (e.g. 70-300 and the like), and even a high-quality zoom lens (e.g. 70-200 2.8 VR AF-S ) will yield a result that primarily lacks contrast & is likely to be on the soft side. However, has anyone here ever tried this on e.g. a 300mm 2.8 AF-I or AF-S? I have - it is certainly a workable option. On a digital SLR that becomes a 300x1.5x1.4x2.0= 1260mm f8, with reasonable quality. Also remember, if you get soft images with such a combination, first make sure your tripod + long lens technique is good - it really takes a while to master that.
Just my $0.02 - YMMV.
Christophe.


cybersonic,
Hi & Welcome!
Yes, I knew and have seen few guys stacked the TCs on the top end prime zoom, but did not see the worthy results of them on the DSLR.
As you mentioned, will be soft, lack of contrast etc...
What can you achieve with TC1.4 + 1.7 + 2.0 ( three TCs stacked) on the 500AF-S/ f.4?
Or TC1.4 + 2.0 (Two TCs stacked) on the 500 AF-S/ f4.
and use them on the D70 with the set of tripod as G1325/ RRS BH55Pro or gimball head.
Do you think the final results are good enough?

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:39 pm
by Glen
Christophe, welcome :D Nice to hear your opinion on stacking TC's, I must say I am not a big fan of stacking. Also I think you are spot on with regard to long lens technique, an effective 1260mm is a long lens!

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:46 pm
by Mj
Hey, Glen... thought you were on Parent duty today???
Haven't you got too many security arraqngements to have in place tonight to be loitering around here???

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:51 pm
by birddog114
Mj wrote:Hey, Glen... thought you were on Parent duty today???
Haven't you got too many security arraqngements to have in place tonight to be loitering around here???


He should invite some "young fellas" members from Sydney base so they can help him to run the show :lol:

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:52 pm
by Glen
Mj, spot on, acting my age today :wink: Have been chasing up ballons, cakes, etc all day. Just putting a selection of jpgs together to play on the screens at the daughters birthday. No security for me, having it at her work so I don't have to get armed guards, seems every 21st you read about in the paper ends in a riot

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:53 pm
by birddog114
And show them the plug of the new installed water tank so they can do the crowded control :lol:
I understood now why did you install the water tank last coupa weeks :lol: :lol:

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:04 pm
by Mj
Glen wrote:...seems every 21st you read about in the paper ends in a riot


Naah... it's the 18th ones you gotta really watch out for... by 21 most find burning down the house in a drunken stupor not the fun once thought.
Though I'd always recommend hiding ones good single malt etc regardless.

I've been through two... one more to go... found the best offense was to invite the spinster aunts... NO one mucks them around... EVER... :lol:

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:38 pm
by Glen
Birddy, good idea. I didn't do the invites, if I did I would have only invited the nicely behaved girls. Thanks MJ, hope you are right about 21st

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:59 pm
by kipper
Charles Glatzner (sp?) did mention the reason he went to F/16 to get the shot is to ensure the image was sharp as could be and to reduce the lack of contrast.

Arthur, while I agree the American Kestrel shot is fairly soft, was the shot you were refering to this one or the Osprey Portrait. I thought the Osprey Portrait was fairly tack sharp all round.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 2:54 am
by Glen
FOR KIPPER

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :B:SS:AU:1


500mm f4 ais at US$510 on ebay at the moment, sent to me this evening so fresh

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:41 am
by fozzie
Kipper - how are you going to get this in/out of the house without someone knowing :?:
The 500mm lens trunk, I could just about put all my possession inside :wink:

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:49 am
by robw25
that seems an unbelievable price for something like that !!

chers rob