Teleconverters...Good or Bad?

Msmoto

We had this discussion on the old forum, but I thought it might be helpful to those who would like a super telephoto without spending fortune.

If anyone who wants to add to the thread, first post to a photo posting site such as Flickr, a full size image or at a minimum a 2000 pixel image. Then post a 500 px or less on this thread with all the Exif data, camera, exposure settings, and other settings for the lens/TC combo along with a description of how you captured the image. Include a direct link to the full size image on the photo posting site.

The purpose of this is to see how a TC with a good lens can actually be very useful. Please do not post a series of photos here, but simply one which shows the end product of the combo.

Let's see how this goes….

Golf007sd

Here is a link to see if your lens supports using a Teleconverter: Nikon's Teleconverter Compatibility Chart.

I own the 1.7 version and give it two thumbs up. :-bd

obajoba

I'll take a crack at this...



Gear:
D7000, Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VRI, Nikkor TC-14e II

Conditions:
Night time under stadium lights, snowing/raining, temp was ~25 degrees

The "How":
Handheld (but leaning against a fence), VR off, C-AF Single Point, Spot metering (smallest, 3cm IIRC)

Photo Info:
Cropped ~25% (not sure how to tell the percentage of the crop)
Processed in LR4.2 and 4.3:
-Exposure bumped +.70
-Sharpening 87 @1.4 Radius, 0 Mask, 0 Detail
-NR was Luminance 43, Detail 70
- Profile is Camera Standard

EXIF (can be seen on full size image, link below):
- ISO800
- Focal Length 270mm, 405mm @ 35mm
- Exposure 1/500 @f/4.0 (wide open with the TC on it)

Link to the photo at 2048x1356:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhbarnes/8382540590/sizes/k/in/photostream/

JJ_SO

You know that spot metering is limiting the sensitivity of the exposure meter? And if you shoot a pack of guys in tights with black, red and white clothes on, it's just a lucky shot not to mess with the exposure by using spotmeter? Is there a reason why you don't simplify your life with a monopod?

obajoba

I have a monopod and ballhead that I typically use, but in this situation, the "championship", the league hired a "pro" to photograph and I was left to shoot from the front row or the top row. That in mind, the snow and rain made it more desirable to drop the monopod so i could cover the D7000 with my jacket when not actively shooting.

I found with the D7K that shooting teams in red jerseys required spot metering, otherwise the red channel would get blown out, which made post processing more of a chore. My son plays for the blue team, so my focus is typically there (but not always)

I would say that the photo is acceptably sharp given the addition of the TC on a VRI, the focal distance, handheld with no VR, and a D7000 at ISO800. And, FWIW, the "pro" photos were mostly junk and he spent more time chimping than I spent moving up and down the bleachers in the middle of a bad storm.

Msmoto

@ obajoba

I would say that the photo is great. I might have played with the tonal range in LR some more...but this is more personal preference and the difference in monitor settings.

Thanks for the example of a good TC/lens combo... I might have used a center weighted metering instead of spot.... Most would admit matrix metering will not work in these situations as the dark background is too much influence.

bland

D800 / NIKKOR 70-200 2.8 / TC-20E III ~ FL/400mm f/5.6 1/1600 ISO/280

Large Size:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blandbridenstine/8354617642/sizes/k/in/photostream/

shawnino

Here is a link to see if your lens supports using a Teleconverter: Nikon's Teleconverter Compatibility Chart.

I own the 1.7 version and give it two thumbs up. :-bd

Does anyone know if that chart is exactly right or if it's only roughly right (esp. AF on longer wide open lenses)? Thanks.

obajoba

@ obajoba

I would say that the photo is great. I might have played with the tonal range in LR some more...but this is more personal preference and the difference in monitor settings.

@MsMoto - regarding the tonal range, I absolutely agree. I have been doing digital processing for just over 6 months and this was back in November. I'm still learning to PP digitally so I'm sure that photo will have at least another 6 or 7 virtual copies created. I did, however, pick up an i1Display Pro to calibrate my LCD (finally)

proudgeek

MsMoto, I know you've done it before, but it would be nice to see a side by side comparison of a 400 f/2.8, a 80-400 @ 400mm, and a 70-200 with a 2xTC.

DJBee49

Shawnino.
There is a thread on this but the bottom line is that Nikon's chart info is not quite correct. Even on D700s the f4 300mm (for instance) will focus in good light with the TC1.7 pretty well, and (I believe) TC2.0 using the central focus area. When you get up to the D800, all the TCs will work with the f4 teles. very well but again only using the central clusters. The new sensor on the f800 is designed to AF at f8 but the last time I looked at Nikon's chart, it did not acknowledge this.

Msmoto

@ bland

Nice. I think you are demonstrating well the point I was suggesting....the new TC/lens combos are sharp!

adamz

I went to the river bank today especially to test this combo and post the snap over here (also in the PAD):

that's an extreme use of TC with Nikon V1

shortly - I will say yes, TC's when used correctly can do a lot of good stuff to Your pictures

shawnino

Wow AdamZ. Nice. I think you hit the nail on the head ... "when used correctly" ... (with good technique).

obajoba

@bland - is that 70-200/2.8 a VR or VRII? There is no denying how sharp that photo is, and what a great combo the lens, TC, and the D800 are.

bland

@ bland

Nice. I think you are demonstrating well the point I was suggesting....the new TC/lens combos are sharp!

Absolutely, best $500 I've ever spent!

Msmoto

D4, 400mm f/2.8, TC20EIII, f/11, 1/400 sec, ISO 5600

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/8374793598/sizes/o/in/photostream/

proudgeek

One of our members PM'd me this link today. The differences between the 400 f/2.8 and the 70-200 with 2xTC were less than I expected, particularly when one considers the price difference.
http://www.naturalart.ca/artist/fieldtests/4waysto400.html

PB_PM

Took these one with the 300mm F2.8G VRII & TC14E II on the D700.

ISO1600, 1/6400s, F5.6. Would have been better, but I forgot the lower the ISO!


ISO 640, 1/640s, F4

Msmoto

@ PB_PM

If you can post a direct link to the full size image it would be helpful.

PB_PM

Edited, direct links doesn't seem to work with my site (I don't use flickr). To see full size right click the images.

Golf007sd

@msmoto: I believe this is the link for Robert's website.

Msmoto

I think the idea of a link is to see a 2000px size or larger so one can really see the level of sharpness in the image.

sideways

OK so settings for this were
D800 70-200 VR1 + 1.7 TC (340mm)
1/400th sec, f/11, ISO320, Full resolution RAW, cropped and downsized during expert
Taken from the back of the stands on a benro CF monopod with manfrotto tilt head.

This was the first real use of the new D800 and my first attempt at catching a race.

If you're checking out the larger version, look at the Brembo logos on the front and back brake calipers ...



2000px version on my 500px account - if interested just go there and search on my name :-) until I figure out how to turn this into a link

PB_PM

I think the idea of a link is to see a 2000px size or larger so one can really see the level of sharpness in the image.

Sorry, I don't post images that big online, expect for clients.

TaoTeJared

My two cents worth - 1.7 TC love it.

I also have a Kenko 2x PRO for my Tokina (AFD type) 300mm 2.8 and it works really well considering I picked it up for $70 used ($200 new- i think). It certainly isn't a Nikkor but for the right circumstances it works quite well. Just like most TCs it softens the image a bit but gets better if you can stop down to f5.6 - then it is not noticeable at all. Good option for anyone looking for an old screw drive (AFD) lens.