Teleconverters...Good or Bad?

MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
edited January 2013 in Nikon Lenses
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….
Msmoto, mod
«13456

Comments

  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited January 2013
    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
    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • obajobaobajoba Posts: 206Member
    I'll take a crack at this...

    20121110-173430.jpg

    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/
    D4 | 70-200 2.8 VR | 24-70 2.8 | TC-17e II
  • JJ_SOJJ_SO Posts: 1,158Member
    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?
  • obajobaobajoba Posts: 206Member
    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.
    D4 | 70-200 2.8 VR | 24-70 2.8 | TC-17e II
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited January 2013
    @ 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.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    300
    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/
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    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.
  • obajobaobajoba Posts: 206Member
    @ 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) :)
    D4 | 70-200 2.8 VR | 24-70 2.8 | TC-17e II
  • proudgeekproudgeek Posts: 1,422Member
    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.
  • DJBee49DJBee49 Posts: 133Member
    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.
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @ bland

    Nice. I think you are demonstrating well the point I was suggesting....the new TC/lens combos are sharp!
    Msmoto, mod
  • adamzadamz Posts: 842Moderator
    I went to the river bank today especially to test this combo and post the snap over here (also in the PAD):
    Swan
    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
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    Wow AdamZ. Nice. I think you hit the nail on the head ... "when used correctly" ... (with good technique).
  • obajobaobajoba Posts: 206Member
    @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.
    D4 | 70-200 2.8 VR | 24-70 2.8 | TC-17e II
  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    @ 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!
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited January 2013
    Birds Sat Test

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

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/8374793598/sizes/o/in/photostream/
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • proudgeekproudgeek Posts: 1,422Member
    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_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    edited January 2013
    Took these one with the 300mm F2.8G VRII & TC14E II on the D700.
    I Got One!
    ISO1600, 1/6400s, F5.6. Would have been better, but I forgot the lower the ISO!

    Little One
    ISO 640, 1/640s, F4
    Post edited by PB_PM on
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @ PB_PM

    If you can post a direct link to the full size image it would be helpful.
    Msmoto, mod
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    edited January 2013
    Edited, direct links doesn't seem to work with my site (I don't use flickr). To see full size right click the images.
    Post edited by PB_PM on
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited January 2013
    @msmoto: I believe this is the link for Robert's website.
    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    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.
    Msmoto, mod
  • sidewayssideways Posts: 54Member
    edited January 2013
    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 ...

    image

    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
    Post edited by sideways on
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    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.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • TaoTeJaredTaoTeJared Posts: 1,306Member
    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.
    D800, D300, D50(ir converted), FujiX100, Canon G11, Olympus TG2. Nikon lenses - 24mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8, (5 in all)50mm, 60mm, 85mm 1.8, 105vr, 105 f2.5, 180mm 2.8, 70-200vr1, 24-120vr f4. Tokina 12-24mm, 16-28mm, 28-70mm (angenieux design), 300mm f2.8. Sigma 15mm fisheye. Voigtlander R2 (olive) & R2a, Voigt 35mm 2.5, Zeiss 50mm f/2, Leica 90mm f/4. I know I missed something...
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