jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Good morning! I’m a big fan of the UHH site and have learned a ton of useful information here. I’m also quite pleased to see so many other people with chronic GAS – glad to know I’m not the only one!

This is my first post, and I have a question regarding image quality when comparing a cropped-sensor D7000 vs. a full frame sensor D750 using a teleconverter.

I currently shoot with a Nikon D7000 and am getting ready to upgrade to the D750, including purchasing better quality glass. I use the 18-300mm lens on the D7000 as my walk around lens, and I will be purchasing the 28-300mm lens for the D750 as a replacement.

I’m planning a trip to Africa in the next year or so, and want as much “zoom” as possible as I expect to take several photo safaris and want some good close-up images of the animals. I don’t expect to blow anything up more than 16 x 24 at the largest.

So here’s the question: What do you think will provide better image quality: The D7000 with the 18-300mm lens (equivalent to roughly 500mm), or the D750 with the 28-300mm lens plus a 1.5 or 2x teleconverter to get more reach?

I should also say that I’m planning to take two cameras – one with a wide angle lens attached and a second with the 300mm lens attached. I’ll definitely use the D750 for the wide angle setup. For the 300mm setup, I’ll either keep the D7000 and use it with the 18-300mm lens or purchase another full frame camera (maybe the D610 or another D750) and attach a teleconverter to get the added zoom.

Or is there a better way to accomplish this? Or am I overthinking the whole setup? Thanks in advance for any ideas / thoughts /suggestions!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I'm not very impressed with superzooms (never bought one, ever). Worse yet would be an FX body with a superzoom and a TC, even a 1.5X TC.

Frankly I'd look very carefully at the new Tamron 150-600mm, and when Sigma comes out with their version of one, compare the two carefully and pick one or the other.

TC's work well only on extremely good lenses. Zooms are difficult because of the compromises, and only the best zooms do well. Hence a 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII does very well, and otherwise TC's are pretty much restricted to use with fixed focal length lenses. (They also work extremely well with macro lenses when used at close focus or macro range.)

The 10:1 zooms, such a you are talking about, have just too many compromises. The 24-120mm, at 5:1, just passes muster for my use. The Tamron 150-600mm at 4:1 is turning out to be pretty nice.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

First, a Teleconverter will NOT work with the Nikon 28-300mm lens. There are a couple aftermarket units that will mount but the risk of physical damage is way too high as the rear optical element of that lens protrudes past the lens mount and will contact the optical element of the TC.
Second, if you need more optical zoom, just buy it. The Sigma 150-500mm costs less than the Nikon 28-300 and will give you 67% more reach! TC's are NEVER the right answer with a variable aperture lens.
There is always a "better way", and that better way is always better lenses.

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Thanks for the info! I guess I didn't do enough research before asking the question! I've seen a lot of good press on the Tamron 150-600 - I'll go take a look at it. I'm concerned about how heavy it might be, but if it's better image quality, maybe I can just rent it for that trip.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

^^^JC, MT is the expert; take his advice and run with it. :thumbup:

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

And welcome aboard!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You may feel you did not do enough research, don't worry about it. You clearly stated your issue with sufficient detail to get an excellent answer from MT.
This is one of the better worded posts I have seen here, let alone a first post.
Keep posting.

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Thanks for all the nice welcome messages! I'm already a big fan of MT Shooter and have taken his advice many times over already. Appreciate the info from everyone!

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Welcome to the Hog, jcwall. You'll find lots of friends & plenty of good advice here. Hoping to see some of your photos soon.

TWAhouston Loc: Katy Texas

Struggled with same issue prior to heading to Jacksonhole WY last month. Ended up going with cropped and 100-400 canon. Felt the tele conv would not perform as well in low light. Results were great since we had dark over cast days

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

I'm

Personally, I don't think that particular lens would play all that well with a teleconverter for the purpose you intend. It is not a very fast lens to begin with and with a teleconverter, would be even slower. Zooming out would almost certainly require a good tripod since your shutter speeds would tend to be fairly low.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I assume on the trip to Africa you will not ever be leaving the vehicle (some safaris dont allow it) If so I suggest some kind of support while in the truck. Mt Shooter (the Camera Cottage ) sells one at very reasonable cost. Check it out.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

My wife and I were on a photo safari for 3 weeks and a long lens is needed. I don't know what type of vehicle you'll be in we had Land Rovers with an open roof and found a sand bag was a great help in long shots. Lions & elephants were within 15 feet from the vehicle, leopards and kudu were over 100 yards.

agilmore Loc: Baltimore

By posting here you ARE doing your research.

Welcome to the forum.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Research is not complete without gathering real world experiences. And there are plenty available here.