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Tele Converter Advice Please.


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8 replies to this topic

#1
Den61

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I bought a 70-300 AF-S 4.5 VR to go with my D5200. I need to go a bit longer but cant afford a 150-600. Could I get a converter? If so without costing a fortune as not for competitions, what would you recommend.

Thanks Denny

#2
TBonz

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You quite possibly could have some focus issues with a teleconverter on that lens...perhaps a 1.4 might not push it too far, but even it may push it a bit too far...  Here is a somewhat similar topic on lens options.  

 

At 300mm on a DX body, that is the equivalent of a 450 on an FX body.  I would think cropping might be your best option, but you don't indicate what you are trying to shoot or the lighting...



#3
Merco_61

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The trouble is that your 70-300 is f/5.6 at the long end. Autofocus gets erratic, if it doesn't stop working altogether, somewhere between f/6.3 and f/8 on the D5200. A converter steals 1 stop if it is 1.4X and 2 stops if it is 2X, so you will have to focus manually. If you add the loss of contrast and sharpness with the converter, it probably won't work like you want it to.



#4
Steve M

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I tested out or rented a Nikon Tele Converter.   I was not happy with the results at all.   I wanted to boost my 80 - 400mm with it but the focusing just didn't work well.   It would look good on the camera but once moved to a computer or device you could tell it was not totally in focus.   And my eyes and especially with moving objects such as small birds I can't do manual focus.   I also tried it on my 55 -300 MM Nikkor and the results was not the best.

 

Here is a compatibility chart that may help you or not.  Here is another Chart Teleconverter Nikon

 

 

I really don't see your lens on either chart!     Rent one before you buy..



#5
TBonz

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I have a 1.4 TC and I have used it on my 70-200 and my 200-400.  The TC works with them but even with those high end lenses, the images aren't the same quality as without the TC.  It is there if I feel I need it (or if I just want to play and try some things) but it usually just stays in my bag and I have considered selling it since I use it so little...



#6
Den61

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Thank you, looks like I will save my money then get a 600mm.
I live very close to a castle with lots of deer, birds and the likes.
Also on an estuary with lots of bird life.
Thanks for your advice.

#7
Ron

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The other problem with using teleconverters on lenses that aren't specifically designed to accept them is the focusing screen. It can become almost unusable even in bright light. 

 

--Ron



#8
morticiaskeeper

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I've just been wondering about a 2x teleconverter. I have an old Russian 600mm manual lens, but it's a bit soft, compared to my Sigma 70-300 f5.6.

For the RIAT airshow next year, I was thinking about hiring a 150-600 AF lens. Now I'm wondering about buying a teleconverter for about the same price as a weeks hire of the big lens.

Will the focus work? Will the auto aperture work?, so I can manual focus with a bright screen if I need to, will it end up softer than my original 600?


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#9
mikew

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Most of the time 2x converters are not worth it,a converter magnifies the image so as you can imagine it magnifies the faults as well,lenses that work well with a converter are lenses that have top quality IQ in the first place.

 

Some 70-300 give reasonable results with a 1.4 but most of the time you are better off cropping a 300mm image,i have just added a 1.4 to use with my Sigma 100-400 it looks not too bad but it will mainly get used for close up work.

 

You don't say what body you have but a 2x converter on that lens will make it an f11 so you can forget quick accurate AF and possibly forget AF all together,sorry but my advice is don't do it.