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Welcome All,

I'm thinking about buying a teleconverter to be used on my 70-300 f/4-5.6D ED lens but I don't really know much about the converters.

The two in question is TC-14 E II 1.4 and TC-17 E II 1.7

Has anyone got one of these and could recommend which one would be best to use. I'll be using it for surfing, cricket and football photos if that is a help to you.

In order to still produce good sharp shots they tell me not to go higher then 1.4 so, maybe someone might want to post a photo they have taken with either teleconverters so I could compare.

Thanks
Bill

Hi,

I dont think any of the above mentioned teleconverters will work on your 70-300.

Even if you did fit one on, your viewfinder will be very dark


Check these pages out tc-14e

tc-17e

tc-20e

mrbillf wrote:Welcome All,

I'm thinking about buying a teleconverter to be used on my 70-300 f/4-5.6D ED lens but I don't really know much about the converters.

The two in question is TC-14 E II 1.4 and TC-17 E II 1.7

Has anyone got one of these and could recommend which one would be best to use. I'll be using it for surfing, cricket and football photos if that is a help to you.

In order to still produce good sharp shots they tell me not to go higher then 1.4 so, maybe someone might want to post a photo they have taken with either teleconverters so I could compare.

Thanks
Bill

Bill,
All TCs are more expensive than the lens 70-300G even the cheapo Tamron or Kenko. BTW, I don't think they are working with the 70-300G

Bill, as Andrew said, none of the new ones work and they cost more than the lens! That lens is not really the quality to stick a TC behind, most zooms aren't (maybe excluding the 70-200) but that lens in particular definitely isn't. If you want reach on the cheap try a 500mm f8 mirror lens or a 400mm 5.6 lens, both Nikon, probably about $500 s/h for either.

The TC-1x-E-II teleconverters are all designed for longer AFS lenses with a large distance between the end of the lens and the rear element.

They will not autofocus with non AFS lenses and if you look at pictures of the TC's, you'll notice that they have quite a 'hump' in them. These TCs will likely clash with your rear element in something like the 70-300ED and damage the rear element.

If you want to try a TC with you 70-300ED, then Id suggest the Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4x, which are ~$200-300 depending on where you buy them.

However, I think you will be disappointed. AF is likely not to work (given a now f/8.0 aperture) and the viewfinder will be very dim, making manual focus hard as well. These are the issues BEFORE you get to the likely image degredation. You will probably get a better result cropping and up-rezzing pics in photoshop.

Have a look here for some tests and examples:
Teleconverters (Multipliers) - how well do they work?

For the money you would spend on a Nikon TC (even if it worked), you would almost pick up something like the Sigma 170-500 or similar. These wont be great either, but Id imagine they will be better than the ED + TC. Also, as some of the other guys suggested, a 2ndhand longer fixed lens would be a go as well.

Then above that, you are looking at the various xx-200 f/2.8 lenses, which you can use a TC on with some success, or else the 80-400VR.

HTH.
Rob

Birdie,

It's not to go on the 70-300G (the cheap one) it's to go on the other 70-300 ED glass lens.

Will that be different? Sorry it's confused you.

Regards,
Bill

mrbillf wrote:Birdie,

It's not to go on the 70-300G (the cheap one) it's to go on the other 70-300 ED glass lens.

Will that be different? Sorry it's confused you.

Regards,
Bill

Bill,
My mistake, I thought it was the G version but re-read and it's the ED, as other said, not worth it to get the TCs and as I said the Nikon TCs are more expensive than your lens,

Bill, as Birddy said it is still the same, neither are up to what you need to put a TC behind. In the context of pro lenses, both 70-300 are cheap lenses eg the 70-200 is $2,500

How would the teleconverters go with the 80-200 f2.8 lens?

I was thinking of getting one for that particular lens.

Ray

baboo wrote:How would the teleconverters go with the 80-200 f2.8 lens?

I was thinking of getting one for that particular lens.

Ray

Kenko or Tamron TC may do the job with it.

baboo wrote:How would the teleconverters go with the 80-200 f2.8 lens?

I was thinking of getting one for that particular lens.

Ray

I got that lens, got the TC too - 1.4x. TC2.0x was noticeably too soft.
I went with a Kenko Pro 300 - relays correct aperture to camera body, even relays focus distance info for iTTL flash and the latest matrix meters that takes distance into account. Works with AF and AF-S lenses (even works on 18-70 kit lens).

How much $$$ for the Kenko Pro 300? Is it readily available in any camera store such as Camera Exchange in Melbourne?

Ray

Don't know about Australian retail, but HKSupplies has them and your nearest forum patron should be able to help you out in obtaining them. Should be around $200 - which is a huge saving from B&H and Adorama's prices.

Is it posible Onyx to post some pics taken with your 80-200 and Kenko Pro 300 as i also have the nikon 80-300 push pull 2.8 and could be tempted to get the converter at Birddog's price
Thanks Hamish

Thanks again to all for replying. I have a much better idea on TC's and for which len etc they suit best.

Now I think I need is to save up for a decent lens. I'm leaning towards the the 80-400 VR.

Cheers guys

On the topic of Tele Converters,
I going to buy the 70-200vr + TC this friday

I'm looking at either the TC-17E II or TC-14E II as through numerous reviews and comments the quality/af speed are very similar between the 2 except for the extra 0.5 stop loss on the 1.7

But on the nikon usa site it says:
"Supports the use of Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) function" under the TC-17E II but NOT on the TC-14E II. Does that mean the TC-14 does not support VR?

I've seen alot of good reviews on TC-14 and 70-200 VR combo, can't find many on the TC-17 combo. So not too sure which one should i get...

I have TC-20/ TC-17E II & TC-14E II and all work with VR on the 70-200 and 200-400VR.
The 1.7 & 1.4 are great combo with the 70-200VR.
Good luck of finding the new 70-200VR at this time.

gMaster - the lack of mention of VR on the TC14 doesn't mean it's not supported - it's just an error of omission.

hame - see this review:
http://www.nikonlinks.com/articles_tele ... review.htm

Thanks for the clarification ... TC-17 it is then ..
looking forward to my new setup for the weekend.

Gmaster

Can thoroughly recommend the TC17E, it's a top combo with my 70-200VR

Cheers
Marc