Reco needed for TC for 135mm f/2.8 MF

Hi

 

I want to buy a TC (a MF one). My equipment is: Camera body is FM-10, the lens is the old (second-hand) MF 180mm f/2.8 AI lens... and am thinking of 2.0 TC<br>

 

Recommendation reqd on whether<br>

a. Significant image quality reductn in 2.0 TC as against 1.4 TC (am not too worried by the loss of 1 stop)<br>

b. Recommendations on which brand and model TC (1.4 or 2.0, Nikon/Kenko is my current consideration set). As you can guess, cost is an issue.... but not at the expense of significant redn in image quality...<br>

 

Thanks!<br>

Shreepad

There is simply no excellent 2X teleconverters because it would mean there are prime lenses allowing a half-frame crop and give an "excellent" image. You can have, at most, a "good" image. I recommend the 1.4 Nikon and Sigma converters. But for the same price it is possible to get a good second-hand 200 4 or 300 4.5...

Small correction in the body text of the qn.. as mentioned in the subject line I have a 135mm f/2.8 AI MF (and not a 180mm f/2.8)

Thanks for all replies!

I'd consider Antonio's advice and look for a longer affordable lens, rather putz around with a TC. Used Nikkors in the 200-300mm range usually aren't outrageously pricey. This is probably the maximal price/quality solution.

Shreepad: I have a Nikon TC201 for sale in the Photo.net classifieds.

Having fully disclosed bias, let me say that my experience has been

that the converter -which does not crop but magnifies both the good

and bad things about the image formed by any lens, will give you

excellent results from excellent lenses and vice versa. Images from

my ultra-sharp 85mm1.8 AF converted to a 170 f4 have been great.

Images from a 135 f2, which is pretty soft at close range, have also

been soft at close focus when converted to 270 f4.

 

The exceptions seem to be zooms: all that I've tried with the 201

have given crummy results. I think you reach a point where there are

just too many elements at play.

 

The best use of a converter is in situations when you are out with

your 200 in the bag and suddenly need more reach. It's like having a

400 that is 2 1/2" long and weighs 9 ounces!....