Quick question re the use of teleconverters and macro lenses

[Slaphead]

More specifically the use of a 2x TC with a Nikkor micro 105VR.

Will it simply increase my working distance, or will it allow me to get reproduction ratios of 2:1 at the standard 1:1 working distance. I've been through the manual and, as with all Nikon lens manuals, it's somewhat vague on the matter, stating that a TC can be used, but autofocus will not be available (not a problem for me).

If all it will do is increase my working distance then it's a no-go, but if I can use it for 2:1, or even 1.5:1 then it could be on my purchase list.

Thanks in advance

 

[jomike]

It will give you 2:1 at the naked lens' 1:1 working distance.

It will also affect IQ to an extent and cut down light reaching the sensor, making flash a must.

 

[Slaphead]

It will give you 2:1 at the naked lens' 1:1 working distance.

It will also affect IQ to an extent and cut down light reaching the sensor, making flash a must.

Thanks for the quick answer. I'd already worked out that logically it should give me a 2:1 ratio, but I didn't want to be caught out with some weird optical property that meant I'd still end up with a 1:1 ratio.

I'm already using a couple of SB-R200s on the end of the lens, and I have an SB-600 that I can use off camera in case I need more flash power, so flash isn't a problem, although it's tempting to get hold of 2 more SB-R200s to make life easier (however, the downside of that is it would end up making my rig look like the gun out of Portal )

You say that there'll be a drop in image quality. Well that's a given I suppose, but from the work I've seen from people using TCs the quality drop doesn't seem to be that noticeable at all. However you can never be sure how cropped the image is. If the quality drop is such that I'd be just as well off if I were to simply crop a standard image to give an effective 2:1 image then of course the TC wouldn't be worth it. Which leads to another question - Just how much quality is lost as a result of using a 2x TC?

 

[CT]

Teleconverters have no effect on minimum focusing distance - they're basically just a magnifying glass behind the lens so you'll work at the same distances but with a larger image on the sensor. As already stated you'll see a slight drop in IQ which may not be a real issue. Definitely worth a try.

You'll see a slightly greater loss of IQ with a 2X TC than a 1.4X one but it's difficult to quantify these things, so much depends on which lens, which converter and good old fashioned luck from one shot to the next. I've got indifferent shots using a 2XTC on my 500mm lens and other times sharper shots than I've any right to expect from such a combo. I think you'd probably get results - it might be consistency which suffers.

 

[jomike]

I use a Kenko 1.4TC and tubes on my Tamron 90mm to get to 2:1, and the IQ is a lot better than cropping to get the same magnification. How much a 2.0 TC will affect IQ I don't know but the new Nikon 2.0TC III is supposed to be very good (but pricey).

Two SB-R200s should be plenty of light. In macro you usually have to diffuse flash to prevent hot spots, quantity is usually not a problem. I use a diffused SB600.