Vincent Peri Posted April 2, 2021 Share Posted April 2, 2021 Has anyone used a Nikon TC-201 and/or Nikon TC-301 teleconverters on a Nikkor 300 f/4.5 ED-IF AIS lens? If so, how do the teleconverter affect the photos? Bjorn Rorslett says don't bother with the TC-301, while Ken Rockwell says using the TC-201 works okay and is a whole lot cheaper than a Nikon 600mm lens. Thanks for any information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rconey Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 I have the 400 f5.6 ED AI and the TC-301. It is very good, but not very hand holdable. Needs a pretty bright day or stable subjects as well. High iso on all the newer cameras makes it easier. Moonshots at 800 mm are fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 I think I have all of the old Nikon converters and have used them on a variety of the old lenses - when there is good light, and you take sufficient care focusing, they can provide extra reach without a lot of bulk. There is some image degradation. If the light were better today, I'd shoot & post a sample. The modern ones on the Digital lenses are quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen_h Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 TCs are most useful when there is no other way to do it, and so "good enough" is often what we get. It does occur to me, though, that there are two ways to look at them. One is the quality of the TC optics itself. Two is that you are only using the center of the image from the attached lens, and enlarging any defects. With the higher resolution sensors of newer digital cameras, you might just crop without using a TC, which avoids part one. Also, there is automatic focus, which often doesn't work so well. I have a Kenko 2x TC, which has a 2:1 gear reduction on the mechanical coupled AF system, as the 2x also enlarges the change in focus. That is, it amplifies the feedback part of the closed-loop AF system, such that it doesn't work so well. But when using the in-lens motor, there is no reduction in focus speed. I haven't tried a test with both types of lenses, though. I have used a few times the 2x on a Vivitar 500/8.0 mirror lens, though the biggest problem is focus. It is manual focus, though AF probably wouldn't work, but it is hard to get focus right. -- glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 The 1.4x and 2x S teleconverters are the sharpest of them all with negligible if any image degradation. Hwvr, they can only be used on the 70-200mm S lens at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 It is manual focus, though AF probably wouldn't work, but it is hard to get focus right. Focus Peaking? I know the usual problem is actually determining what/when it's in focus as the image is pretty dim and there's no pop or significant in/out change. Focus Peaking is determined in camera by pixel to pixel contrast so might work better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen_h Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Focus Peaking? I know the usual problem is actually determining what/when it's in focus as the image is pretty dim and there's no pop or significant in/out change. Focus Peaking is determined in camera by pixel to pixel contrast so might work better? Yes, I am getting better at doing that. It doesn't seem to be as easy as it sounds, but sometimes it works pretty well. -- glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodeo_joe1 Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) With digital you'll probably get better results by simply 'up-rezzing' the picture without the converter. I have 2 Nikon and several off-brand converters, and none of them are of much use. Not at 2x. The 1.4x Nikon TC-14 converter is OK though. Of the off-brands, a Vivitar 2x macro has the best optical quality and the 1:1 macro-focussing ability is very useful. Losing 2 stops off a lens that only gives its best optical quality at f/8 is a bit limiting IME. WRT digital 'zooming': I did some comparisons between a 1000mm f/11 Reflex-Nikkor, a 400mm f/5.6 IF-ED Nikkor, and an adapted 300mm f/5.6 Mamiya-Sekor C lens (best 300mm lens I've ever owned). Here's the whole subject with the1000mm mirror lens. And crops from each of the 3 lenses resized to match - Not easy to pick the longest lens out is it? Especially since the Reflex-Nikkor isn't terribly sharp IMO; giving IQ about the same as, or slightly better than, a good lens + TC combo. The order from the top is: 1000mm, 400mm, 300mm. Edited April 7, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 With digital you'll probably get better results by simply 'up-rezzing' the picture without the converter What sensor/camera did you start with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Peri Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 What sensor/camera did you start with? I'm not sure if you're asking Rodeo Joe or me. I have Nikon AI/AIS capable film cameras. I was thinking about buying a Nikkor 300 f/4.5 ED-IF lens, but decided against it. I have a Nikon TC0301 teleconverter that I can use on my Nikkor 200 f/4 macro lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 The 1.4x and 2x S teleconverters are the sharpest of them all with negligible if any image degradation. Hwvr, they can only be used on the 70-200mm S lens at this time. If you are talking about digital, the TC 14 E II and III work beautifully on the AF S Nikkor 200-500 5.6 E ED. I have the former and have used it a lot with considerable success. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodeo_joe1 Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 What sensor/camera did you start with? Me? I used a D7200 for that little test. Only reason I did it was to see if there was any advantage to using the 1000mil Reflex-Nikkor over something a bit shorter.... and frankly, no, there isn't. I have Nikon AI/AIS capable film cameras. Oh film. All bets are off then. I've got a nice big lemonade bottle you could saw the bottom off.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Me? Well I did ask the question after quoting you! So Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) If you are talking about digital, the TC 14 E II and III work beautifully on the AF S Nikkor 200-500 5.6 E ED. I have the former and have used it a lot with considerable success. Yes, I used them on my 200-400 and 80-400. Not so much the 2x 'coz it's harder to focus. But nothing compares to the new Z teleconverters. :) The downside is they can only be used on the 70-200mm S lens. I hope some upcoming lenses will accommodate these teleconverters, especially the promised 200-600 - or am I dreaming. Edited April 7, 2021 by Mary Doo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Yes, I used them on my 200-400 and 80-400. Not so much the 2x 'coz it's harder to focus. But nothing compares to the new Z teleconverters. :) The downside is they can only be used on the 70-200mm S lens. I hope some upcoming lenses will accommodate these teleconverters, especially the promised 200-600 - or am I dreaming. Interesting, though I will never be going Z, and surprising in a way. I suppose they'd rather sell more lenses. Thanks for the info! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay M Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) D300s tripod held with mirror up for the 300 4.5 ED-IF with both TC-201 and TC-14B at three different apertures (4.5, 8, 16), and don't owe the TC-301. Overall, TC-201 results are really good especially at wide open, while TC-14B does stand out with its well-known excellent optics at all apertures. Compare them for yourself and hope this helps. F4.5 TC-201 TC-14B F8 TC-201 TC-14B F16 TC-201 TC-14B Jay Edited April 7, 2021 by photomemory 2 workonit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Totally irrelevant, but that cable wire on the rooftop can be hazardous, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Interesting, though I will never be going Z, and surprising in a way. I suppose they'd rather sell more lenses. Thanks for the info! Think it makes sense for me only because I am purchasing almost all new equipment after the damages to most of my prior equipment. I am still somewhat on a cross road on whether to replace the Olympus M43 equipment, replace some of them, or go all Nikon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 the TC 14 E II and III work beautifully on the AF S Nikkor 200-500 5.6 E ED I've used both on the 200-500 and they do work OK. AF performance, however, does suffer. The same is true for using the TC-14EIII on the 500PF - sadly to the point where I rather not use it when shooting anything that moves (and/or is farther away than my usual focus distances for the lens without TC). Also, AF fine tuning turned out to be quite cumbersome on either lens. I've also tried either behind the AF-S 80-400 - I'd rather not bother anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 I've used both on the 200-500 and they do work OK. AF performance, however, does suffer. The same is true for using the TC-14EIII on the 500PF - sadly to the point where I rather not use it when shooting anything that moves (and/or is farther away than my usual focus distances for the lens without TC). Also, AF fine tuning turned out to be quite cumbersome on either lens. I've also tried either behind the AF-S 80-400 - I'd rather not bother anymore. Even with the best pro prime, some things are just out of reach. There are shots that are too far. My experience is that the extender does just that, extends my reach to a reasonable extent. This hawk was at least 500 yards out on private property. It is a considerable crop despite having 1050mm (35mm equivalent) with the TC14 E II on 200-500 using the D7200. The shot is not perfect, but I was glad to get it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 at least 500 yards You sure about that? I wouldn't be able to see a hawk at that distance. The EXIF data say 133.35m, which is about 404 ft. Not sure though how accurate Nikon is with the focus distance reporting. This one is with the 500PF/TC-14EIII combo at about 40m/120ft. I have a few that are farther away - but the EXIF doesn't report the distance anymore for those. This hawk is about 60m/180ft distant using just the 500PF - I wouldn't attempt to shoot anything beyond that. Just for comparison - this oil platform is about 2 miles out; D500 with 500PF: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Out here, you see a bird in bare branches against the sky, nothing in my software reports distance. I don't wear glasses, and my distance vision is rather good. Lets just say, too damn far for most affordable prime lenses that can be hand held. When you live in wide open rural areas there are equivalent distances that are can be seen as traveled. A guesstimate certainly. I got that and many other decent photos under circumstances where an ethical person would go no closer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 (edited) Some teleconverters have been made matched to specific telephotos. These often work very well. I found the Nikkor TC-1-to produce very little loss of quality with the Nikkor Reflex 500mm mirror lens, as Keppler himself suggested in one of his columns at the time Modern Photography 1976-11 Edited April 8, 2021 by JDMvW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter Schaefer Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 nothing in my software reports distance You could try exiftool: ExifTool by Phil Harvey Not the most comfortable to use (there's a GUI interface available though) - but sometimes quite handy to have. I don't wear glasses, and my distance vision is rather good. I do wear glasses - but you are right, I too can spot a hawk half a mile away against the sky - I just would not attempt to get a shot at that distance:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen_h Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Some teleconverters have been made matched to specific telephotos. (snip) Vivitar used to sell those, along with the appropriate lens. They know exactly how big the image circle can be, and so don't need to design lenses larger than necessary. -- glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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