Teleconverters for 200/f4

[mark_peters]

I have a Nikon FM and a 200/f4 AI lens.

 

There are times when I would like a little more reach than this

lens offers and have considered the TC-14 A/B 1.4x or the TC200/201 2x

teleconverters. (Actually, not sure which of each is most

appropriate.)

 

I know that I'll lose one f stop with the 1.4x and two with the 2.0x

and I can live with that since I would be using them outdoors in

daylight.

 

What concerns me is the big disparity in pricing between the 1.4x and

2x suggesting that many people aren't very pleased with the

performance of the 2x and so you can buy them inexpensively.

 

What experience do people on the this forum have with these

teleconverters on a 200/f4 AI? Is the performance of the 2x converter

so poor that I should remove it from further consideration?

[david_h._hartman]

I�ve got a 200/4.0 AI scheduled for delivery today so I can claim no experience with the lens and TC(s). Nikon�s book "Eyes of Nikon" list the TC-14A and *TC-201 with "*occasional vignetting." As far as I know the 200/4.0 AI and AIS have the same optical formula with 5 air spaced elements.

 

Looking at schematics and of the TC-14A I see no reason why they won�t join. The TC-14A is designed for lenses of 200mm and shorter. The 200/4.0 and TC-14A will give you a 280mm f/5.6 lens that may give pleasing results when set to f/8.0 (f/5.6 marked).

[Michael R Freeman]

David,

 

You really do have a severe affliction of NAS don't you!

May I suggest a cure via an injection of EWV (empty wallet virus) before the syndrome becomes resistant to treatment. Otherwise I am afraid there is no hope for you!!

 

To keep this on topic, the specified 1.4X converter for the 200 f/4 is indeed the TC-14A (the TC-14B will interfere with the rear elements at infinity focus). The TC-200 or TC-201 will also match. They are essentially the same converter except that the TC-201 is AIS and the TC-200 is AI.

 

I have not used converters with my AIS 200 f/4 (I only have a TC-14B/TC-301), so I can't offer any advise on the resulting combination.

 

Michael (in recovery from NAS)

:-)

[albert_smith]

For years I had the 200mm f/4.0 AI lens, and alone it is very good. You can use it at full aperture without any problem.

 

I also occasionally used the TC-200 (same formula as TC-201 but with cosmetic changes) when I wanted to go longer than 200mm. I had good reults, but not without great effort. If I took the time to mount my camera to a tripod, and use a cable release, the images were pretty good. Hand-holding was not so good. The TC-200 costs two stops, so f/4.0 became f/8.0. Add to that that for the best optical quality for the lens and extender combo, you should stop down at least a stop, and you are now in the f/11 range. With ISO 100 film on the best sunny day, you would be at 1/250th... a little slow for hand-holding.

 

If you NEED 400mm, then the 200mm lens and TC are a way to get there with a minimal amount of expense. I quit this combo after getting a true 300mm f/4.5 Nikkor.

[todd_phillips1]

I used to use a TC14A on my 180 F:2.8 Nikkor and had great results. I now use a TC14E on my 80-200 AFS and the chromes are razor sharp. I once looked at a TC200, but decided the loss of two stops and, especially, the dimmer focus wasn't worth it.

 

But the TC14's are great.

[david_h._hartman]

<em>"David, You really do have a severe affliction of NAS

don't you! May I suggest a cure via an injection of EWV (empty

wallet virus) before the syndrome becomes resistant to treatment."

--Michael Freeman<br>

</em><br>

Michael, Ive been an NAS sufferer since 1978 and I also

suffered a bout of it from 1970 to 1975 so Im afraid my

case its hopeless, moreover EWV has proven only to be a

temporary restraint. At least in my case its chronic rather

than acute.<br>

<br>

Thank you for your concern. <br>

<br>

---<br>

<br>

Mark,<br>

<br>

For cheap thrills you might consider a TC-16A. Its

reputation is that its sharp in the center and soft at the

edges. It can be set to its infinity position with a TV tuning

tool or small screwdriver and use on manual focus bodies. <br>

<br>

I think the TC-14A is your best bet. I do not think the TC-14B

will fit now that Ive seen my new 200/4.0 AI. The TC-14B is

designed for lenses 300mm and longer. I doubt that you would find

the TC-200 or 201 useful. <br>

<br>

---<br>

<br>

Damn! Ive got to stop answering these type questions. My CC(s)

are warming up again, Im out of here! I am serious: I was just considering a TC-14A.