Using teleconverters for air shows?

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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Hoping to go to Duxford on Sat. Last year, I found my 70-200 bit short and found I did need to crop a fair bit. I was thinking of hiring a TC for the weekend. Never used one before so wanted to know how the IQ would be affected. I know the 1.7 was supposed to be ok and would give me 340mm and would mean shooting about f5.6 which is fine as should be a bright day and may well need to go to f16 to get prop blur. The 2.0 is not too good from what I hear but 400mm would be nice!

Issue though is it may then be too long on the ground? Thoughts?
 
I've never liked the results from using TC's with the 70-200 VR... I can never work out quite why though.

Even the 1.4x which normally will give virtually no IQ loss on long primes seemed to be a bit blurgh.

If you do use one, remember not to shoot wide open, drop down an extra stop for 1.4x, 1.5 stops for 1.7x and 2 stops for 2x and then you tend to find the better IQ.
 
Hmm, I'm not so sure that the 1.4 is bad on the 70-200, I've been happy with the results it's given me, and on the 300 f4. I haven't used a x2 but there are certainly those on here who have used it to good effect with a f2.8 long lens.
 
The new 2 x converter is a perfect match for the 70-200mm. Excellent quality images. expensive though...


Kev.
 
As you're hiring why don't you hire a longer lens? Or will the cost be too high for you?

Neil
 
Lenses for hire are out of stock on stuff like 300mm, 28-300 etc... Basically the 1.4 tc or 1.7tc is all there is.
 
This was taken with the 70-200 VR1 + TC14E converter (at 290mm)

TalkPhotography-10.jpg
 
Thanks Steve. How do you find it generally?

Much of a difference in IQ or AF speed/accuracy?
 
There was one dull day and 3D tracking which I usually use didn't stay locked on too well, but most of the time it's just fine and no difference from without converter (with D300).

I use the venetian blinds on our local airfield control tower from the other side of the airfield with tripod to check resolution and there seemed very little difference. However, a Sigma 150-500 at 280 did seem a little better?! It's difficult to do a direct comparison because nowadays I rarely use the 70-200 for aircraft shots without the 1:1.4 converter. I suppose that speaks for itself? I'd say it's well worth you trying it out - Especially if you can hire it in the first instance.
 
Simon,

I have the Kenko 1.4x and am just down the road from you in Girton if you wanted to give it a try.

Andrew
 
Thanks for the offer Andrew, only thing to hire is a 1.4 and was hoping for longer... still thinking if its worth it.
 
i use the 1.4 on my 300mm f4

i use the 1.4 or 1.7 on the 70-200

for the airshow i would use a 1.4

when the B52 came over last year i could only just get all the wings in
as always its a compomise
 
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