Nikon x2 converter.

[Mike V]

I would like to photograph planes/birds etc from far away. Instead of shelling out a lot of moey for a 600mm lens I was hoping I could buy a x2 converter and stick it on my Nikkor 300mm lens. Max apperture of f4. Would something like this be good/bad/not beneficial etc?:

x2 converter (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-tele-converter-to-fit-nikon-digital-film-slr_W0QQitemZ230288270361QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30288270361&_trkparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Joe T]

I'd have thought that would work ok. I think you may struggle to retain AF, but I'm sure someone else will confirm/deny this.

[Diego Garcia]

I would like to photograph planes/birds etc from far away. Instead of shelling out a lot of moey for a 600mm lens I was hoping I could buy a x2 converter and stick it on my Nikkor 300mm lens. Max apperture of f4. Would something like this be good/bad/not beneficial etc?:

x2 converter (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-tele-converter-to-fit-nikon-digital-film-slr_W0QQitemZ230288270361QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 30288270361&_trkparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

Any help would be much appreciated.

Yes, it works, but you will loose two stops rendering your F4 lens at F8 which still OK for aviation as you have the sky to meter etc and you want corner to corner sharpness.

I used one at the rugby - see the sports threads.

[Mike V]

Thanks for the very fast reply guys. Much appreciated. If anyone else is reading this and has experience with this item I would love to hear from them..

[kalibre]

Yeah use x2s all the time. You will loose AF but with only one TC the IQ shouldn't be particularly soft. Always fun to play with 600mm :)

[taz]

I don't know which lens you are using, but I had the Nikkor 300mm f4 AFS lens for a while and found that it would AF with the Nikon TC20E even though it shouldn't according to Nikon.

Anyone else have experience of this?

[StewartR]

I don't know which lens you are using, but I had the Nikkor 300mm f4 AFS lens for a while and found that it would AF with the Nikon TC20E even though it shouldn't according to Nikon.

Anyone else have experience of this?I have the AF-S 300mm f/4 and the AF-S TC-20E II but I've never even thought of trying them together. Next time they're both here together, I'll try it if I have the time.

[puddleduck]

I don't know which lens you are using, but I had the Nikkor 300mm f4 AFS lens for a while and found that it would AF with the Nikon TC20E even though it shouldn't according to Nikon.

Anyone else have experience of this?

It AF's fine both with a Nikkor TC-E II and a Kenko Pro 300 2x DG.

[PsiFox]

It AF's fine both with a Nikkor TC-E II and a Kenko Pro 300 2x DG.

What about the image quality?

[puddleduck]

Passable - I have a few examples (but not online as the IQ isn't good enough)

I'll pop up a sample later.

I'd never never use a 2x TC on any lenses, with the possible exception of the 300mm f/2.8 VR.

The 1.7x is OK (510mm f/6.7)

[fracster]

The 1.7x is OK (510mm f/6.7)

:thumbs:

[kalibre]

I don't know which lens you are using, but I had the Nikkor 300mm f4 AFS lens for a while and found that it would AF with the Nikon TC20E even though it shouldn't according to Nikon.

Anyone else have experience of this?

Interesting, I mainly use it on my Sigma 150mm but no dice with AF there....

[Ted]

Passable - I have a few examples (but not online as the IQ isn't good enough)

I'll pop up a sample later.

I'd never never use a 2x TC on any lenses, with the possible exception of the 300mm f/2.8 VR.

The 1.7x is OK (510mm f/6.7)

I'm guessing the 2x would be ok for the Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM as well then? This is the combo I'm thinking of hiring when I go to the Serengeti in a few months. I'll be sticking it on the end of a Nikon D40 though which might look a little odd! :D

[puddleduck]

I'm guessing the 2x would be ok for the Sigma APO 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM as well then? This is the combo I'm thinking of hiring when I go to the Serengeti in a few months. I'll be sticking it on the end of a Nikon D40 though which might look a little odd! :D

You'll need to use a Sigma TC, Kenko TC's will not AF correctly,and you can't mount a Nikkor TC (without modification).

AF is fine as its 600mm f/5.6 with the Sigma 2x.

IQ is quite good, I also have samples from this combo (again not online)

The 120-300 is a superb lens, I prefer the performance with the 1.4x though!

[Bolerus]

i have a very old x2 convertor

you do lose AF on it, and also some quality of the pic.

I used it for moon shots(with a 70-300 lens), and in the end i think i decided that I was getting as good end product shooting without it and then resizing in CS2.

Of course that was when I first started out so I may see if i still have it and have another go with it.

i think (and this is from memmory) you need a f2.8 lens to keep autofocus with a X2 convertor

[Ted]

You'll need to use a Sigma TC, Kenko TC's will not AF correctly,and you can't mount a Nikkor TC (without modification).

AF is fine as its 600mm f/5.6 with the Sigma 2x.

IQ is quite good, I also have samples from this combo (again not online)

The 120-300 is a superb lens, I prefer the performance with the 1.4x though!

Thanks Puddleduc, I'll look into the 1.4x but might have to go with the 1.7x or 2x as I've read that 420mm isn't long enough for safaris??

[markyboy.1967]

Im assuming your lens is the Nikon 300 AF-S and not the Nikon 300 AF-D as the Nikon TC wont work with the AF-D, you would need the Kenko Pro 300 range

[puddleduck]

Here is an image from a 300mm f/4 AF-S with a 2x TC (600mm) - all EXIF intact.


http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/LensTests/_DSC2650-web.jpg

100%

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/LensTests/_DSC2650-2.jpg



Personlly I don't find the IQ really acceptable :(

[Mike D]

I think I'm correct in saying that the D40 has no inbuilt motor so the motor is in the lens. Therefor you will lose AF with a TC unless I have misunderstood previous information.
Mike

[puddleduck]

I think I'm correct in saying that the D40 has no inbuilt motor so the motor is in the lens. Therefor you will lose AF with a TC unless I have misunderstood previous information.
Mike

If we are talking about the 300mm f/4 AF-S it'll AF just fine. The older AF-D won't

The TC is irrelevant to the question.

[Mike V]

The 1.7 is definitely something for me to look at. il see if I can try one in the local camera shop. It may just be long enough for me.