How's AF-S 300/4 + TC20E

Hi Friends

 

I'm looking to replace my 600/5.6 AIS lens. This is an excellent

lens except this is not autofocus.

I'm looking for an autofocus alternative.

 

I thought about sigma 500/4.5 HSM (and still thinking about it). But

It's a hard to find lens.(used)

If you buy the new one the price goes down pretty quick.

 

Does anybody know AF-S 300/4 will autofocus with TC-20E? I will get

only f/8, but autofocus and close

focusing is a greate advantage. I take more birds and white tailed

deers. How's the optical quality?

 

In Nikon web-site TC-20E II is listed as compatible with AF-S 300/4

lens. Does that means it will autofocus?

 

Any comments are appreciated.

 

Thanks

Jemini

It's my understanding that no nikon bodies will AF at f/8. someone correct me if I'm wrong.

All Nikon AF bodies will AF at F/8, although Nikon never officially endorsed autofocusing at that aperture. My understanding is 300f/4 AF-S is specifically designed to present a extra-large exit pupil for its aperture, and as such should fare particularly well autofocusing at f/8.

So what you're saying is that AF works at f8 but Nikon thinks AF sucks at that aperture so Nikon says it doesn't work?

 

I thought AF was disabled below f5.6 unless using 3rd party TC.

I have the 300/F4 AF-S and the TC20 teleconverter and with that combination on my F100, it will autofocus with the center autofocus sensor in good light. But it is highly variable in poor light or even in good light with the other autofocus sensors.

Paul:

Any comment on the optical quality of this combo?

TIA

Good enough for me :-). Actually there are lots of threads and info on these forums on the sharpness of lenses with any 2X teleconverter. Bob Atkins has a lot of knowledge and data, and the general theme of the discussions (if I can be so bold :-) is that with a 1.4x teleconverter, you will not notice much or any difference in sharpness, but with a 2X there will be "some" loss of sharpness. The debates get going around that "some" :)).

 

I have only used that combo occasionally (but I am dying to try it with my D100 now!), and the slides look great through a Schneider 6X loupe, but I have not printed any of these at a large size (much better test).

Paul: Yes, I've read Bob's excellent comments. "some" is indeed vague. We all have our own idea of "sharp enough", it's something you have to see for yourself I suppose.

 

Reason I asked, I have the 300 f4 AF-S and virtually no prospects of ever getting a 600.

One more thought - with the 300/F4 and the TC20E, one needs a very good tripod and head and technique to get acceptably sharp :-) photos. From what I have read and heard, it seems like this is almost or more important than the glass itself.

Paul,

 

You might want to think about sending you're F100 in to Nikon if the left and right sensors won't focus. In this combo I could use, top, bottom, and middle sensors but the left and right wouldn't focus. After an e-mail discussion they said all 5 sensors should work correctyly and to send it in. 8 days later I had the F100 back and all 5 outer sensors worked as well as the middle sensor in all light (haven't tested below 1/15s @ f8 light levels). The only bummer is it was out of warranty and I had to pay for it.

 

Scott