Kenko converters for AF-D AND AF-S? VR?

[urs_osterwalder]

<p>Dear all<br>

I refer to Douglas Greenberg's post on http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00M6l7 - and I had answered to that one, but due to its age (despite of my recent reply there) it does not appear on any reasonable place in the list, so i have to do a new post about my question.<br>

I am looking for a second hand converter that will fit and AF on both, AF-D and AF-S lenses, and the VR should work, too, on my 70-200 2,8 VR (version I) lens, that I was able to shop because some people are desperate to upgrading to the newer version right now.<br /> And this converter thing is really confusing...<br /> However, Frank Skomial and Michael R. Freeman pointed out, that the newer Kenko Versions are JUST upgraded with a couple of additional electrical pins, if I understood right. Would that mean, AF-D still focusses...?<br /> What confuses me is, that on the picture on the B-H-page, the converter does not seem to feature the screwdriver...<br /> B-H has two different Kenko 1.4x for Nikon:<br /> A) "For Use with Nikon AF Digital Cameras" (whatever that means...):<br /> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674566-REG/Kenko_PRO3001_4XDGXN_Teleplus_PRO_300_DG.html<br /> B) "for Nikon AF-D"<br /> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371026-REG/Kenko_K14PRO300DGN_1_4x_Teleplus_Pro_300.html<br /> Now what makes the confusion total: Ironically, the picture on the AF-D version - Page is the one that does not feature the screwdriver but has 11 contacts. The picture on the "digital nikon" version does have the screwdriver but no (visible) contacts....<br /> ANY CLUE, IF THERE IS OR IS NOT A KENKO CONVERTER THAT DOES SUPPORT BOTH, AF-D AND AF-S?<br /> What I found on the internet are these pages:<br>

http://www.timelesswanderings.net/equipment/Kenko.html<br>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_compatible_lenses_with_integrated_autofocus-motor#Kenko.5B10.5D.5B3.5D:_14_lenses_.2B_3_lens_extension_tubes<br>

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=printer_friendly&forum=146&topic_id=114435<br>

http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/Nikonians%20Teleconverter%20Table.pdf<br>

However, none of them seems to doubt that all Kenko converters do support autofocus with AF-D lenses... so is the non-screwdriver-picture on the BH-Site perhaps a canon or whatever converter and they just put the same picture for nikon....???<br /> THANK YOU....... for any help.<br /> Cheers! Urs<br /> P. S. some views out of my window ... with no converter, though ;-). Nikon 50mm/1.4 und Fuji S5 in HDR mode.<br>

<img src="http://www.uth.ch/temp/view/2s.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://www.uth.ch/temp/view/1s.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p> </p>

[dpbours]

<p>The Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DG 1.4x AF Teleconverter surely has the connections. You don't see them because the connections are at the almost opposite site of the little AF-driver. They are at the inside of the red dot you're looking at frontally of that picture. <br /><br>

Whether it are 8 or 11 contacts, I don't know... To make the confusion complete, the 1.5x is said to basically handle all lenses, but it has 8 contacts: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/389042-REG/Kenko_K1_5AF_DGN_1_5x_DG_AF_Tele_Converter.html#features</p>

<p>Anyone knows the effect of 8 or 10-11 contacts? My Nikon and Sigma lenses have 10 contacts.</p>

[User_1172872]

<ol>

<li>If you look at a Nikon body from the front the lens release pin is on the right and the contacts are at the top.</li>

<li>If you look at a Canon body from the front the lens release pin is on the right and the contacts are at the bottom.</li>

<li>Therefore, one of the coverters pictured is actually for Canon. Q.E.D.</li>

</ol>

 

[CvhKaar]

<p>Carefull, although some converters will work mechanically and electronically, they still will not always produce sactifacttory results with all lenses.<br>

Some matches are optically good, some are optically "not interresting".<br>

I cannot tell you all the good combo's from the bad ones because i tend to steer away from converters unless I know they match technically and optically with the lenses I want to use them for.<br>

The only combo which I currently like to use is the TC-14e with my Nikkor 300 f4.0, all other combo's I tried I don't like the results ( especially with zoom lenses..), the lenses either start hunting a lot on AF because they are not fast enough, or the bokeh becomes nervous and distracting.<br>

When going for a Kenko ; the newer DGX versions seem to have an upgraded cirquitry , resulting in better passing of EXIF data so that the camera receives the Focal length <em>including </em>the effect of the converter.<br>

I cannot confirm that the screwdriver type ( AF-D) autofocus will work, maybe someone else could anwer this for you..</p>

 

[urs_osterwalder]

<p>Thank you for your replies.<br>

Yes, <strong><em>Professor</em> </strong> , the picture must be a canon converter, <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371026-REG/Kenko_K14PRO300DGN_1_4x_Teleplus_Pro_300.html">here</a> . Its exactly the same picture as on the page for the same converter for canon...<br>

So, trying a bit of logics... Given, that the "Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DG 1.4x AF" converter <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674566-REG/Kenko_PRO3001_4XDGXN_Teleplus_PRO_300_DG.html ">here </a> does have the connections, according to <em><strong>Dennis </strong> </em> (thanks for your comment!), and it is not marked exclusively "AF-D", and it DOES have the screwdriver, the only solution of this rule of three is, the "Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DG 1.4x AF" works with all AF lenses, with or without built in AF drive...<br>

Just... how save is it to assume that? Because what still bothers me:<br>

(if one works for all, then) <strong>WHY </strong> (the hell...) <strong>DO THEY SELL TWO DIFFERENT CONVERTERS FOR NIKON?</strong><br>

They do only sell one "Teleplus Pro 300" version for canon, on the other hand...<br>

Thanks to <em><strong>C.P.M. </strong> </em> for your comments about converters in general. The safest way to find out would of course be to try out... however, I do have to take a decision based on online information - as there is no dealer out there that lets me try out a bunch of different converters in a field test. But given all the tests I have read, it is pretty evident, that my 70-200/2.8 AF-S lens will work satisfactory with a 1.4x converter, and the results from the Kenko seem to be at pair with the results of the Nikon counterparts. The 2x (or more) versions are on the other hand not worth the it. Of course, buying a nice longer Tele would be nicer... but I have to go for a compromise, and I am looking to make my compromise as good as it can get. Part of it is, that I want a converter, that can be connected to all of that non-AF-S / AF-I lenses still out there in nice conditions, in case I will get one of those in the future.<br>

<strong>So to get back to the question: What IS the fundamental difference between those two versions of "Kenko Pro 300 DG" for Nikon???</strong><br>

Thanks!</p>

[dpbours]

<p>It is quite confusing, so I went over it again;<br /> <br /> <strong>Kenko N-AFd 1.5x DG AF Teleplus SQH Teleconverter for Nikon (Mfr # * K1.5AF DGN)</strong> <br /> Works with some kind of circuitry, which they call the gate-array IC. That is the DG-part. Is said to be fully compatible with Nikon AF-D and AF-S lenses. 5 lenses in 4 groups. No mentioning of not focussing on some lenses.<br /> <br /> <strong>Kenko TelePlus MC4 AF 1.4X DGX Teleconverter (Mfr#*MC4AF1.4DGXN)</strong> . The old version. You don't want this one. 4 lenses in 4 groups and no circuitry and works with specific lenses. <br /> <br /> <strong>Kenko 1.4x Teleplus Pro 300 DG Teleconverter for Nikon AF-D (Mfr # # K14PRO300DGN)</strong> <br /> This is actually a teleconverter for both AF-D and AF-S as far as I am concerned, new circuitry and 5 lenses in 4 groups. There is a second teleconverter with more or less the same picture, but a different code: (Mfr#*PRO3001.4XDGXN).<br /> <br /> The code <strong>Mfr#*PRO3001.4XDGXN</strong> is actually the newest version. This version is called the PRO300 1.4x DGX (an extra X). To confuse us, the old MC4 with only 4 elements also had an X in the manufacturer's code.... This new teleconverter has 7 elements in 4 groups!!!! Funny thing is, the manufacturer did not yet give it a code as far as I could find.<br>

<br /> At B&H I would first call them to make sure it is actually the new type with 7 elements. There you have your difference. I attached an actual picture of the newest teleconverter.<br /> <br /> The Pro 300 and Pro300 DG already got good reviews. And I'm sure the DGX will be great. <br>

If you find anything below 190 USD, you can be sure it is a 4-element version. I'm mostly interested in the 5-element 1.5x version if I'd go for cheap... Seems to be some kind of in-between experiment of Kenko... 99,- USD for a 5-element DG teleconverter...</p>

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[urs_osterwalder]

<p>Thanks, Dennis Peter, for that very useful reply! I have a second hand "1.4x PRO 300 DG for Nikon" in view... And no possibility to check it before buying, so I will probably just give it a try. However, the owner says, VR did not work with his 80-400, and AF-S did not work on his 18-70. However, it might be because those lenses are not fast enough, in my opinion.</p>

[dpbours]

<p>There are people saying the old PRO 300 (non-DG) - not mentioned in the above list - worked with the 80-400 VR with the VR working: http://www.digiscoped.com/teleconverters.html</p>

<p>Some people claim the newer PRO 300 DG works with the 70-300 VR (also a 4.5 - 5.6 lens).<br>

Other sources on the internet (though I'm not sure how reliable), also claim the PRO 300 DG to work with the 80-400 VR and VR functioning.</p>

<p>This could mean that either the 80-400 lens of the seller has an issue, or the teleconverter has. The reason it does not work properly on an 18-70 is that teleconverters in general are used for lenses of 50mm and above, and preferably 90mm and above.<br>

I would not go for this second hand teleconverter.... The story just isn't right.</p>

 

[urs_osterwalder]

<p>Thanks, Dennis, I did not buy it. For me the converter is just an compromise anyway, and I want it to be cheap... so I will probably even go for the 1.5x DG - Type, according to your suggestion. It seems to deliver a very good optical performance, just a bit of vignetting on FX when used with open aperture - but I shoot with a DX camera anyway. By the way, here is a good review of the Kenkos, and the 1.4x Pro 300 DG and the 1.5x Kenkos outperform the Canons (most surprisingly, as they are tested by a Canon user... - and many Canon users I know, would prefer not to write anything than to admit that there is better gear out there than what is Canon made ;-) . As a Fujifilm/Nikon-user I still admit that Rolleiflex, Plaubel, (original germany made) Zeiss und Schneider are better... ).<br>

http://www.traumflieger.de/desktop/telekonverter/konvertertest2.php</p>

[dpbours]

<p>I think you'll be quite happy with the 1.5x DG. If I see one in a store I'd like to try it as well with my 70-200 2.8 of Sigma.<br>

My German is not that good, but funny to see the results of the test and the price difference between the Kenko and Canon teleconverters. And yes, as a Nikon D700 user I am still happily surprised with the sharpness of my Mamiya twin lens that is over 40 years old... See the shots at the medium format tab: http://dpbours.dphoto.com/<br>

here a good example: http://dpbours.dphoto.com/#/album/8e679u/photo/2316892/</p>

[urs_osterwalder]

<p>Oh yes... and after all... it is just much more fun to put in a 10 or 12-pictures medium format roll into a photographic apparatus that merits its name, than just clicking 1000s of digital fast food pics, isn't it... if just digital was not sooooooo convenient, I would never have started with it. Here is an example of my rolleyflex (two lenses model, from araound 1950 I guess...):<br>

http://www.uth.ch/budapest08/Budapest_08_UTh_06.jpg<br>

and here one of my pretty modern plaubel makina 67:<br>

http://www.uth.ch/plaubeltest/<br>

I unfortunately do not have pics online of my modern 1-eye-rolleyflex 6008 AF with a couple of NICE Zeiss lenses...<br>

Just that it takes so much time that I have plenty of non developed rolls in my fridge...<br>

Cheers!</p>