TC for Nikon D60

<p>I have a nikon D60 with a 70-300mm DG Marcro from Sigma and a 70-300 mm G tele nikkor lens .<br>

I have just started experimenting on shooting birds. Looking out to use a TC with these lenses.<br>

Would like to know if i should be buying a kenko or a nikon , 1.4x or a 2.0x.<br>

Thanks in advance </p>

<p>Probably neither. Both of those lenses are already at f/5.6 when you've got them out to 300mm. When you add a TC, you will slow them down to close to f/11. Not only will this produce a dim viewfinder, but it will almost assuredly prevent your auto-focus from working at all. And of course, unless you're in very strong light, you'd have to use either a very high ISO or a slow shutter speed at those apertures. And of course, then there's the issue of the loss of image quality (which can be noticed using best-of-breed TCs on the very best, fastest, most expensive long teles from companies like Nikon - to say nothing of what happens when they are used on slow, more modestly priced zooms). <br /><br />So, I don't mean to sound negative, here - just trying to make sure you're being realistic. You'd be better off with an 80-400 or some other, longer lens if you really need the reach. Otherwise, the results - if even viable - will likely be very unsatisfactory.</p>

<p>You'd actually be better off shooting either of those lenses and cropping 50% than using a TC even if one would work with them. Unfortunately for all of us, to shoot birds requires a LOT of money in expensive fast long lenses. It's why I don't shoot them. I just can't afford to.</p>

<p>And btw, why do you have both of those? Very redundant. I'd unload one and get something else.</p>

<p>If you want to have the ability to autofocus, go with the Kenko. But I agree full with Peter's comments.</p>

<p>The Nikon TCs won't fit either lenses, they only fit on higher-grade lenses (for a reason!). The Kenko might fit, but the viewfinder will be extremely dim, and AF performance will be very debatable, if at all. D60 does not exactly have the best AF module Nikon makes, and a 1.4 TC makes your lenses 420mm F/8 at the long end. A 2x TC would be far far worse even.<br />Image quality already mentioned. 1.4x TCs are not too bad, but more than that (1.7x, 2.0x) and it becomes very visible. So, you'd need to stop down to improve the image quality, and be around F/11 (at least, probably F/16) all the time - meaning you need a bucketload of light.<br>

So, seriously, a TC on your current lenses is not the way to go. It will only make the fun you have now go away, because of annoyances.</p>

<p>So what to get then?<br>

As they say, the best lens for birding is 100mm longer than your longest lens. But realistically, 400~500 mm on DX (like the D60) is OK. The cheapest way to get there is Sigma 120-400 HSM or 150-500 HSM, or the Nikon 80-400 (no AF on the D60!!), or a AFS 300 f/4 with TC14 or TC17. All considerdably more expensive options, but more worth the effort than a TC on your current lenses.</p>

<p>Thanks to all of you. Will start looking in for a better lens.</p>

<p>It is really a shame, but telephoto extenders were more useful back in the old film days than now. The resolution degrades slightly and you get less light, so in most cases just digital enlarging will do as good (or better) job than a telextender.</p>

<p>The best bet it to buy a longer lens. And a good STURDY tripod.</p>

<p>I think you're on the right track, get a longer lens. In the meantime crop. It will look better and be easier to get the shots than using a TC. A nice lens for the money is the Sigma 120-400. I believe it will auto focus on a D60 as well.<br /> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549248-REG/Sigma_728306_120_400mm_f_4_5_5_6_DG_OS.html</p>