300 mm f4

Galerita

Also @tcole1983, Nasim has done a thorough review on the TC-20E III . His take home message is that NONE of the f4 lenses produce optimal sharpness with this TC, or - for the 500 & 600 super-teles - have optimal handling. This was done before the release of the 70-200 f4 (which I have ), but I suspect it's no exception.) See also this post summarising the 3 Nikon TCs.

Ironheart

Galerita, the best bet would be to rent the lens and a few TCs and see how you like them. Forget the reviews and specs. My bet is that the newer 300 f/4 combined with any of the Nikon TCs will be a bunch better than your current setup, so much so that after using the 300 and the 2.0 you won't want to return the rental.

tcole1983

I reread Thom's post and it says it is sharp on the 1.4. So I don't know. I do know I love mine and the awesome sharpness and bokeh it produces.

Galerita

@tcole1983,
Wow - I love your pictures TCole! I notice your Flickr profile picture is a rainbow Lorikeet - a common (and noisey) bird around here in Sydney.

I've pretty much decided to upgrade to the current AF-S 300f4 with TC14. The new VR will almost certainly be out of my price bracket and is unlikely to perform better than current Nikon f4 lenses on the TC20. Sharpness may be slightly better. The main problem with the current AF-S 300f4 is dust due to lack of a rear element, a problem on my 23 year old 300f4 IF-ED with AF driven by the camera motor.

The question is: When?

Obviously before they're sold out, but will they sell out soon after the VR release? Will they be discounted just prior to the VR release? Any thoughts anyone 8->

dissent

The question is: When?

Obviously before they're sold out, but will they sell out soon after the VR release? Will they be discounted just prior to the VR release? Any thoughts anyone 8->

When indeed? Subject of much speculation, here at NRF and elsewhere.

Currently not discounted, though out of stock at B&H and Adorama (though Amazon has some). All this could change, of course, tomorrow ... or the day after that ... or the day after that ... or ...

Photobug

With that supply, it almost sounds like Nikon has dropped their inventory to make room for the new replacement lens. At least I hope.

PB_PM

Considering that the lens is almost always in short supply, take it with a grain of salt. When I ordered mine five years ago I had to wait a week for the store to get one in stock. If anyone needs one in a pinch the store I traded it in at is still listing it as being in stock.

dissent

Another two weeks have gone by and still nothing at B&H or Adorama, unless I wanted to go gray market, which I don't want to do.

tick tock tick tock, Nikon!

tcole1983

Another two weeks have gone by and still nothing at B&H or Adorama, unless I wanted to go gray market, which I don't want to do.

tick tock tick tock, Nikon!

It has been hard to find for a while. I got mine in July 2012 after a long wait of trying to find a decent priced used or refurbished one. I paid $1100 for mine back then and had to check pretty regularly to find that one. Think mine was a Used Very good or demo from Adorama,...can't remember and it doesn't show on the order.

manhattanboy

In stock at Amazon (15 of them) here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005LEOM/cpw-20/?me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Considering the rebate is expired for the 80-400, this really is the way to go for performance per dollar.
We all just really miss VR as shooting at crazy shutter speeds is almost a necessity with this lens and the new crop sensors.

srambler36

After seeing so many great pics captured with this lens I searched the web for nearly a month for a good deal on a nice used example. Lucked out and bought a refurb on Nikon.com Saturday evening for $899. First try they claimed to have sold out. Thirty seconds later I was able to place the lens in my cart...very excited.

tcole1983

That seems like a pretty good deal. At one point I saw a good one used for the upper 900's but never saw one for $899. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at that price.

srambler36

I had been checking Nikon's website daily for over a month. Seems like they usually had about 40 refurbished items listed. When I checked Saturday I was immediately excited to see 78 items available so I quickly scrolled down the page....and sure enough, there it was.

dissent

I'm holdin' out for new. Just because. Will be the first time I've spent more than $1K on a lens. And I've got gift cards to burn. C'mon, Nikon - seems like all of their f/4 telephotos are currently on backorder.

tcole1983

I'm holdin' out for new. Just because. Will be the first time I've spent more than $1K on a lens. And I've got gift cards to burn. C'mon, Nikon - seems like all of their f/4 telephotos are currently on backorder.

I don't mind buying new on some of the cheaper stuff, but there are really good deals on used/refurbished items when you get in the more expensive range. Is it worth saving $20 to get a refurbished 35 F1.8...not really. But you can save hundreds with a lens like this. I have gotten many more lenses then I would have been able to buying new. I got my 17-55 for $925...not the best price ever, but it is over $1300 new on Amazon.

Of course do what you want and good luck as said before it is an awesome lens.

dissent

Yeah, for this one I'm hung up on that new lens smell. But if this extends out too much further, I may just be enticed by a very fine used model. I've seen one or two go by already and I won't wait forever.

Galerita

I took the plunge. I've just got the TC-14E ii and it works fine on my 70-200 f4. The new AF-S 300f4 is on order from Hong Kong ($1106). I'd like to buy locally (Australia), but to get an "Australian Manufacturers Warranty" (2 years not 5!) is 50% more expensive - at a discounters!

dissent

I can see Nikon is going to make this even tougher. So is it better to get the newer 1.4 TC-14E III with the 300 f4; or stick with the 14E II? Will the TC-14E III be compatible with all the same lenses as the 14E II was? Will the 300 f4 (or any of the f4 tele's) be back in stock at any time in the near future at B&H or Adorama?

Inquiring minds wanna know!!

Nik0n2011

400 2.8 got released with a +3k hike in price ( i suppose not for a lot upgraded lens but more because one might go for this + 2x TC solution rather than getting a 800 5.6)

i think (only think) the 1.4x TC II is fine as it is right now
i'd (i, myself) wait for a newer - better 1.7 if it gets more IQ to couple with the 300 f4 current version

PB_PM

I wouldn't advise using the 1.7X TC with the 300mm F4, it loses enough AF speed with the 1.4 as it is.

As for whether to get the older TC14EII or the new TC14EIII, totally up to you. If you have $600 burning in your pocket, go for it. If not, get the older one for over $200 less. I mean come on, the TC20EIII (2X) is less than the new 1.4x!

Nik0n2011

TC 14 II vs III

a guy at birdforum.net wrote this some times ago :


According to imatest measurements done on 300 f/4 AF-S, the TC14EII degrades on-axis sharpness/contrast by 7% and off-axis by 14% at standard shooting distance wide open. This is barely noticeable and that's why many people like it so much on the 300 f/4D. The only thing you really sacrifice is one stop of aperture and a bit of AF performance.

There is just not enough improvement space for a new hypothetical TC14EIII with aspherical element. The new converter could shave a few extra percents of drop in corners. Aspherical elements are designed to correct off-axis aberrations (not very useful for us as we birders are mostly interested in center performance). But it could also affect contrast if they use more complicated optical design with many elements. Optical design is all about tradeoffs.

They could improve the design of the external housing and improve weather sealing, but there is not much that can be done in IQ department.

dissent

Yeah, it's what I thought - I'll stick with the 14E II. If I can even find that, since it's also currently on backorder. The NAS - it burns!

PB_PM

Just buy a used one from KEH.

tc88

Well it's a moot point to discuss any new TC14III here. It's not compatible. From Nikon's page http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/teleconverters/af-s_tc-14e_3/spec.htm

"Because the maximum aperture coupling ridge and minimum aperture signal post are eliminated with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III, “FEE” is displayed on the camera body when these lenses are used, disabling shooting."

I would imagine when Nikon comes up with TC17III, it will be the same thing. Again, Nikon at its best trying to disable and squeeze its customers instead of supporting its customers.

PB_PM

Interesting. Once the current TC14EII is out of stock I guess 300mm F4 users will have to hunt down used copies.