Which tc?

trolley

I have a 300mm f/4D ED IF AF-S lens (not the latest edition) on my D800 and I'm looking to get a teleconverter.
My question is which one - 1.4 or 1.7?
The main use would be small birds (we make 'em smaller over here) & BIF.
I have a Sigma 170-500mm f5.6-6.3 - it works OK but the resolution is way behind the Nikkor when you magnify the image. And it struggles to focus in dim light. I guess this is because of the aperture, so I'm wary of using a 1.7x & finding the same thing.
On the other hand the extra reach would be nice.
Anyone used the 1.7x tc with the 300mm f4?

haroldp

I do not have the 300/4, but do have all three nikon tc's.

My 1.7 is clearly not as good as either the 1.4III or 2.0III on several lenses I have tried, particularly the 70-200/2.8 VR1, and 400/2.8VR (prior version)..

..... H

trolley

Thanks. The 1.4III won't work with the 300mm, so I'll be looking at a 1.4II
The 2.0 frightens me - I think AF & image quality will go for a burton, although I see that they seem OK with certain lenses.

proudgeek

I use the TC20 on a 300 f/2.8 (on both a D800 and a D810). Image quality takes a small hit (I see vignetting in the corners and the bokeh just looks "busy") but I think it's a worthwhile tradeoff. You can find some examples here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskhzrZbg

framer

I've used the 300mm F4 AFS for over 10 years and it one of my favorite lenses. It works as close to perfect with the TC14E I or II. It never fails to amaze me. With the new TC20E III used with a new f8 type body it's very usable and can surprise you but at much lower keeper rate. Using the TC14E I or II with the 70-200mm f2.8 vr1 sharpens the corners on FF body's and IMHO make the lens much more useful. Using the TC20E III with the 70-200 f2.8 vr1 is just OK I would not normally consider it but never say never. The 300mm f4 AFS is by far the sharper higher resolving lens.

I currently own and use all the above equipment.

framer

dissent

here's some info for you to consider -

https://photographylife.com/image-degradation-with-nikon-teleconverters

trolley

So I hired a TC14E-II & TC17E-II for a few days to try with the 300mm f4
My conclusion is that the 1.7 shows image degradation when you zoom in or crop. And it's obviously most noticeable at higher ISO - but even at ISO 1600 images look pixelated. And the autofocus is definitely slower except in very bright light.
The 1.4 is fine - again some deg when you zoom in at higher ISO's, but the autofocus is good under all lighting.
So it looks like it's buy a TC14E-II

haroldp

My tc-20eIII has less degradation than my tc-17eIII, and works very well with the 300/4 PF. Focus is still OK on the D810, a very small and light 600 f8

Msmoto

I use the TC-14EII and TC-20EIII on my 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, 400mm f/2.8 VRII and find all four combinations very acceptable, even wide open, on the D800E and D4. If you examine my Flickr stuff you may find many examples. Check PAD for one of my posts and this will get you to Flickr.

I do feel it is important to AF Fine Tune every combination.

haroldp

I do feel it is important to AF Fine Tune every combination.

Absolutely.

On the D810, my 300/4PF and tc-20eIII are at +13 and is very acceptable. Without fine tuning I would have thought the combo to be awful.

... H

trolley

Interesting. The guy I bought the D800 & 300mmf4 from says he tried his TC20 with it but it hunted all over the place. You obviously have much better light than we have )

AmericanLoonie

I use the TC-14EII with my 200-400 f4 VRI and it is fantastic, indispensable even. In hind site I should have bought a bigger lens, but went against the grain and picked up the TC-20EIII (I heard it can actually produce solid results...). Sadly, it is garbage: limiting and soft, a crop in post would be better. I am getting my lens serviced this winter and plan on having them investigate that and my TC to see if they can figure out why the results are so terrible. There may be some mechanical problems with my lens as it currently requires obscene AF fine tune numbers, but I am guessing there will be a barely used TC-20EIII for sale in my area soon...

haroldp

I have the 200-400 f4 VRI, and it does not work well with the same tc-20eIII that works very well with my 400/2.8, and 300/4 PF.

My 200-400 f4 VRI is excellent alone, but not as TC compatible as my primes, or my 80-400 G, or 200-500/5.6 .

The 200-400 f4 VRI also has a nasty vibration node in it's barrel, using the RRS long lens support damps these vibrations ans transformed this lens.

... H

retread

I have the TC-20EIII and it works with the 70-200 2.8 VRII. No complaints.

haroldp

Interesting. The guy I bought the D800 & 300mmf4 from says he tried his TC20 with it but it hunted all over the place. You obviously have much better light than we have )

'By the process of illumination.... '

.... H

trolley

So bit the bullet & bought a used TC14E-II and a used 24-70mm f2.8.
They were offering 10% off used equipment until the end of the month so...

spraynpray

Nice one trolley. I would micro adjust all combinations (converter and no converter) that you can before forming any opinions about IQ if I were you, then let's see some images on PAD.

trolley

Yes, well here's a question (& I did look):
How do you micro-adjust on a D800?
Aaand what distance? Because obviously using the TC means I'm not usually going to be close - like 10-50 feet away!

Msmoto

@trolley

I think Spraynpray is talking about AF Fine Tune...p. 338 of the D800 Manual

trolley

Nice shiny things arrived today :-*
But the weather's crap & so is work. So it'll be a while till I can try them out in anger

spraynpray

Jetranger

I use all 3 Nikon TCs and find them all very useful.

I have upgraded my 1.4 and 2.0 to version III.

WHEN will Nikon be releasing the 1.7 version III ?

The 1.4 and 1.7 both are fabulous quality, but I use the 1.7 more because of the added reach, which is why you use a TC.

Anxiously waiting ...