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Kenko on Nikon 200-500mm
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Jul 24, 2016 11:33:19   #
Busch Loc: San Diego
 
Has anyone used the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter on the Nikon 200-500?

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Jul 25, 2016 07:04:04   #
warrenvon Loc: Ellicott City, MD
 
No . . . but I have used the Kenko on the new 80 to 400 and it works like a charm.
I assume that you are referring to their pro level fully coupled model of 1.4X extender.

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Jul 25, 2016 07:08:50   #
wingclui44 Loc: CT USA
 
Busch wrote:
Has anyone used the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter on the Nikon 200-500?


Any tele-converter won't work good on slow big tele-zoom lens, for this case, the lens will become slowly f8. Tele-converter is only good for using with fast prime lens (f2.8 or f4)
You will disappointed with the result. This topic has been posted so many time.

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Jul 25, 2016 07:25:46   #
warrenvon Loc: Ellicott City, MD
 
Yes the lens will then be limited to f8 and will only use the center focus point.
However, When I'm out on the hunt for birds in manual settings are usually at or above f8 and 1000s. so the only possible downside of the Kenko 1.4 or an tele extender is possible slower AF. I've not been aware of that limitation with my setup.
Everything in this field is a compromise . . .so pick and choose them well and with full information.

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Jul 25, 2016 08:08:33   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
The Nikon 200-500mm lens offers all the tele advantages such a lens can have in a crop body. Its f5.6 is fine in good light and I assume pretty good in low light when the ISO speed in camera needs a higher setting.
If I was using the lens I do not believe I would be looking for a tele-converter to use with it. At 500mm it becomes in a crop mode 750mm.

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Jul 25, 2016 08:50:06   #
Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada
 
Busch wrote:
Has anyone used the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter on the Nikon 200-500?


Are you using this lens on a Nikon D7xxx series body? If so, try using the 1.3 crop mode of the body and see if that meets your needs. The benefit of this mode is: lens still operates at f5.6, all AF points are available, increase in FPS from 6 to 7FPS, no loss of AF speed and no out of pocket expense! I use this mode all the time when I want/need a little extra reach and or faster frame rate.

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Jul 25, 2016 09:21:21   #
Busch Loc: San Diego
 
Tigger1 wrote:
Are you using this lens on a Nikon D7xxx series body? If so, try using the 1.3 crop mode of the body and see if that meets your needs. The benefit of this mode is: lens still operates at f5.6, all AF points are available, increase in FPS from 6 to 7FPS, no loss of AF speed and no out of pocket expense! I use this mode all the time when I want/need a little extra reach and or faster frame rate.


I have a D800.

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Jul 25, 2016 09:42:58   #
MtnMan Loc: ID
 
Busch wrote:
I have a D800.


Me too.

But I often use the 200-500 on my D5300 for the 1.5x with no loss of light. It also reduces the weight of the combo. You can get a refurb D5300 for under $500.

All your other lenses will work on the D5300 also giving you a lighter weight alternative when walking around.

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Jul 25, 2016 10:16:10   #
Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada
 
MtnMan wrote:
Me too.

But I often use the 200-500 on my D5300 for the 1.5x with no loss of light. It also reduces the weight of the combo. You can get a refurb D5300 for under $500.

All your other lenses will work on the D5300 also giving you a lighter weight alternative when walking around.


Good suggestion MtnMan. Or consider a refurbished D7100 available at Adorama.com for $796.95 with its native 1.5 crop and the added feature of the additional 1.3 crop mode = total crop of 1.5x1.3 = 1.95 crop or a FOV equivalent of 500mm x 1.95 = 975mm, plus the added features I outlined in my previous reply. Isn't fun spending other people's money!

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Jul 25, 2016 13:13:41   #
pmackd Loc: Alameda CA
 
I tested the Kenko 1.4x on my Nikon 200-500 and found that it works with marginal overall improvement in sharpness compared to just cropping more without the TC. Had to sharpen to see the improvement. I agree that on an APS/C (DX) body there is little need for more reach, you will find auto focusing (at net f8) on moving objects extremely difficult, and that overall it would be better to use crop mode or just crop more.

On my Nikon 300mm F4 VR PF the story is entirely different. There with the Kenko 1.4 x on (net 420mm DX, 630mm FX equivalent) you are shooting at as low as f5.6, and the sharpness with the TC on is impressive. Best of all, the combo is half the weight of the 200-500 and easily hand holdable.

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Jul 25, 2016 16:34:00   #
wingclui44 Loc: CT USA
 
pmackd wrote:
I tested the Kenko 1.4x on my Nikon 200-500 and found that it works with marginal overall improvement in sharpness compared to just cropping more without the TC. Had to sharpen to see the improvement. I agree that on an APS/C (DX) body there is little need for more reach, you will find auto focusing (at net f8) on moving objects extremely difficult, and that overall it would be better to use crop mode or just crop more.

On my Nikon 300mm F4 VR PF the story is entirely different. There with the Kenko 1.4 x on (net 420mm DX, 630mm FX equivalent) you are shooting at as low as f5.6, and the sharpness with the TC on is impressive. Best of all, the combo is half the weight of the 200-500 and easily hand holdable.
I tested the Kenko 1.4x on my Nikon 200-500 and fo... (show quote)


I have the Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 DGX 1.4x AF converter on my Nikon 300mm f4 AFs-D IF ED (the older version), I have never taken it off the lens. I'm using it with my FX & DX Nikon. I always shoot it wide open at f5.6. great combo.

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Jul 25, 2016 17:01:38   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Busch wrote:
Has anyone used the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter on the Nikon 200-500?


You might want to look at this and figure out if the loss of image quality, slow focus and dark viewfinder are better than just cropping a little tighter in the finished image. It's a different story with the 300 and 400 F2.8 and the 500 and 600 F4 - these are quite bit sharper wide open, so the loss is less noticeable. I use a 600 F4 with a 1.4 Kenko without hesitation, but only use the TC with my 100-300 F4 in good light where I can close the lens down at least a stop because it is not crisp at F4, 300mm. I think the 200-500 is similar in this respect.

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Jul 25, 2016 18:34:34   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
As always, my first recommendation is cropping with pixel enlargement on a high density sensor ( 24MP APSc) .......and there ARE a few zooms that work well with TC's - the Sigma 100-300 f4 being one ! ( the Canon 200-400 and the Nikon 200-400 being some others) Mine, with the Tamron SP 1.4X ( same as Kenko Pro ? ) is excellent wide open but becomes astounding 1 stop down.....on my Canons. On my Sony, ( W/O TC ) the Sigma is astounding wide open.

In any case, f8/9 is not a good place to be for AF or ISO's or SS's !

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Jul 25, 2016 18:36:01   #
Busch Loc: San Diego
 
Thank you all very much for the input. I think I'll consider buying a refurbished DX camera instead of the teleconverter.

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Jul 25, 2016 18:45:58   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Busch wrote:
Thank you all very much for the input. I think I'll consider buying a refurbished DX camera instead of the teleconverter.



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