jimpitt

Hi All;
I need feedback regarding TC use on zoom lenses. Some say huge loss of quality and complications on compatibility; I have input from sales clerks, not professional photographers, hence this plea.
I have a Nikon D500 with two zoom lenses, a FX 28-300 VR and a DX 16-85 VR. The FX lens paired on a DX body is already up to 450 focal, so is using a TC 1.4 useless and compromising quality?
Thanks in advance for your comments.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

AF-S Teleconverter Compatibility
The following lenses may be used with the Nikon AF-S Teleconverters, some with noted functional limitations. NIKKOR lenses not listed cannot be used with the AF-S Teleconverters. The rear elements of NIKKOR lenses not listed can contact and damage the Teleconverter element and must not be attached. List includes current lenses along with lenses for which production may have ceased. Lenses no longer produced are shown only for convenience as a compatibility reference!

Lens Name TC-14E II TC-14E III TC-17E II TC-20E II TC-20E III TC80-125E
Prime Lenses Compatibility/Limitations
AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible
AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF-I NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-I NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4D IF-ED II AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4D IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-I NIKKOR 500mm f/4D IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4D IF-ED II AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4D IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-I NIKKOR 600mm f/4D IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible
Zoom Lenses Compatibility/Limitations
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S Zoom-NIKKOR 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Limitations†
AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR AF Limitations† AF Limitations† AF Not Possible AF Not Possible AF Not Possible
† Autofocus is available only with cameras that offer f/8 support. These include the D5, D500, D4/D4S, Df, D800/D800E, D810/D810A, D600/ D610, D750, D7100 and D7200. For cameras that do not support f/8, teleconverters can be used without autofocus.

For additional information about Nikon Teleconverter compatibility and/or Compatibility/Limitations, refer to the documentation packaged with the NIKKOR lens and/or Teleconverter, information provided in Nikon product brochures or the Nikon website.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

If you cannot read clearly what I sent, go to: http://cdn-5.nikon-cdn.com/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/EN_Comp_chart.html

Copy and paste in your browser.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll be better served getting a longer lens.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Right On Answers the QUESTION

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have a Kenko 1.4 TC that I use with my 28-300mm - no problems. I posted a couple of shots with and without, and many thought the "with" was the better image.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yes, you are compromising quality. You own a quality camera in the D500. Instead of throwing your money away on a teleconverter I would buy the Nikon 200-500 lens and get 750mm reach WITHOUT a converter.

Bill_de Loc: US

Teleconverters are almost always a compromise. If you are starting off with a very sharp lens you can get acceptable results. If you start with a less than stellar lens the results may be unsatisfactory.

---

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

On those lenses, absolutely.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You could try a Kenko 1.4X on the 28-300 and see if you can live with the compromising quality.

You can also maximize the quality of the 28-300 and CROP the 28-300 - the D500 is the best camera for cropping - use pixel enlargement if necessary for larger prints.

Either way, there are compromises.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

NO TC IMPROVES IMAGE QUALITY OF ANY LENS, NO TC MAINTAINS IMAGE QUALITY OF A LENS. I would strongly suggest going without a TC and getting a lens with longer reach.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

I have two Canon teleconverters. They both fit nicely on my Canon 400mm f/5.6 L lens. Things look nice and sharp and close through them. They do not autofocus with my Canon 6D. They autofocus on some Canons but not mine. So, I got a really nice Tamron 150-600 G2. Now I just use my teleconverters as paper weights. Unless you need an expensive pair of paper weights, follow the advice of the previous posts and find a longer lens.

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

I all so have the kenco and it works just fine on a 5x7 or 8x10 I don't thing you will see a difference.

jimpitt

Thanks to everyone for their valuable input. The result seems is that TC's reduce quality and in many cases mess up the autofocus. Since the D500 AF is particularly sensitive and difficult to set because of many variables, this is a special problem. Many of you said I would be better off with a longer lens instead; thanks for the good advice. Investing is good body and lenses and compromising quality is not an acceptable result. Matter closed.

19104 Loc: Philadelphia

Well I have used TC for ever with every camera system I have ever owned including Leica R and Hasselblad. Here is my rule of thumb, if the focal length is something that is a main stay in your kit, then get a longer lens. But if its for casual or occasional use then try a TC if you buy from a good dealer you have time to check it out and return it ifs not up to your standards. Just make sure its compatible with your lenses. My motto; Is have fun, take pictures, experiment, and enjoy.

HTH
John