Looking for suggestions on a teleconverter (Page 2): Please read the following before you buy. 1. There has not been a telconverter made that IMPROVES image quality. 2. Teleconverters...

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

Jack47 wrote:

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of a good teleconverter for a Nikon DX AF-S 4.5-5.6 ED 55-300 lens? Looking for a 2 X but might consider a 1.7. Appreciate any and all replies.
I’ll take the good and the bad. Thanks.

Please read the following before you buy.
1. There has not been a telconverter made that IMPROVES image quality.
2. Teleconverters work best on fast Prime lenses like a 300 2.8 or a 600 f4. They work worse on slower prime lenses and work worst on zoom lenses and work even worser or slow zoom lenses.
3. A 1.4 is best, a 1.7 is worse, a 2.0 is the worst.
4. A 1.4 on your lens brings it to an F8, that is the threshold for auto focus on many Nikon camera's. And your auto focus will be slow and not work in low light.
If you put a 1.7 or a 2.0 it will NOT autofocus on your camera, you can only manual focus, and it will be very dark through the viewfinder.
Do us all a favor and forget the idea of a teleconverter on your lens. You will not be happy, and the images will not be sharp. And you will not be happy, and it will be a waste of money, and you'll have buyer remorse forever.

OllieFCR

Jack47 wrote:

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of a good teleconverter for a Nikon DX AF-S 4.5-5.6 ED 55-300 lens? Looking for a 2 X but might consider a 1.7. Appreciate any and all replies.
I’ll take the good and the bad. Thanks.

A TC for this lens is a waste of money, unless you like poor image quality that you can only get in bright light. As said elewhere: make sure you can return it and keep the receipt.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Bultaco wrote:

Save your money and purchase a long lens. JMHO

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

billnikon wrote:

Please read the following before you buy. br 1. Th... (show quote)

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Thanks all for your responses. Ok......I’ve given up on the idea of a teleconverter for this lens.
I will now start looking for a longer lens. Thanks again.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Jack47 wrote:

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of a good teleconverter for a Nikon DX AF-S 4.5-5.6 ED 55-300 lens? Looking for a 2 X but might consider a 1.7. Appreciate any and all replies.
I’ll take the good and the bad. Thanks.

Since you shoot Nikon, many of the DX bodies have the internal 1.3X Crop capability....it is called "Image Area" in the menu - it works better than teleconverters, there is no extra glass in the path, no light loss. It is a crop, but in the field it allows me to fill the frame with the push of a re-assigned button, and if well taken, no loss of detail. I have a number of TC's that I skip over because of this feature. You won't (opinion) be happy with a TC on the 55-300 (had it, tried it), at best you might get away with a quality 1.4, but would still expect less than stellar results , 1.7 very doubtful results, 2X, "fogedaboutit".... and many (like the 55-300) will not AF with the bigger TC's.

My$.02

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Jack47 wrote:

Thanks all for your responses. Ok......I’ve given up on the idea of a teleconverter for this lens.
I will now start looking for a longer lens. Thanks again.

That is such a relief to hear! Good decision.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Jack47 wrote:

Thanks all for your responses. Ok......I’ve given up on the idea of a teleconverter for this lens.
I will now start looking for a longer lens. Thanks again.

You would not have been happy.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Kmgw9v wrote:

Whatever, don't expect much; and as said, keep the receipt.

Yup, teleconverters do a great job multiplying a lens' flaws!

bwa

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Jack47 wrote:

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of a good teleconverter for a Nikon DX AF-S 4.5-5.6 ED 55-300 lens? Looking for a 2 X but might consider a 1.7. Appreciate any and all replies.
I’ll take the good and the bad. Thanks.

There are only a few lenses well suited for producing acceptable results with teleconverters...and yours are not among them. And then there are people that believe no teleconverter is worth while and I am among them.

Overthehill1

At the suggestion of Gene51, I picked up a used Kenko 1.4X for my older AF Nikkor 80-200 F2.8 ED. I'm happy with the results.

Bill_de Loc: US

The right teleconverter, on the right lens, in the right hands can produce excellent results. Regis, a member here, proves it over and over again. Check this out.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-609199-1.html

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cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Bultaco wrote:

Save your money and purchase a long lens. JMHO

ALWAYS!

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

billnikon wrote:

Please read the following before you buy. br 1. Th... (show quote)

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

Jack47 wrote:

Thanks all for your responses. Ok......I’ve given up on the idea of a teleconverter for this lens.
I will now start looking for a longer lens. Thanks again.

If you are looking, I strongly suggest the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens. It will likely go on sale for around $1200.00 during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or over the holidays. It is an excellent lens and has strong reviews from folks who use it.
Wow, looks like it is on sale NOW. And 4% back, so that's like an extra $48.00 you can use later for some goodie you've been wanting.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon%20200-500mm&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps