Great. Thanks for your feedback. I've boiled down my choice to purchasing used TC-14E and Nikon 300 f/4 AF-S for about $950 combined vs. purchasing a new Tamron 150-600 f/4.5-6.3 lens for about $1100. I give up the extra reach of the Tamron (which might be soft above 500mm anyway) by going with the Nikon combo, in exchange for perhaps better glass, better resale, lighter weight, but no VR. Any comments?

and thanks OddJobber too!

Thanks MT Shooter!

Does anyone have experience shooting with the Nikon 300 F4D AF-S IF-ED lens combined with the old Nikon 1.4 teleconverter (TC-14E not TC-14EII)? I am considering purchasing both used on CL, and everything I have read says the lens combined with the TC-14E II is a very good combination re: AF speed, and accuracy, but nothing re: TC-14E.

I am using the Nikon 7100, and I need the reach for birds of prey in flight shots.

Thanks

Fantastic clarity! Did you focus stack?