How to get a Nikon TC-20e III to work with Nikon mm 300mm F4 ? Recently bought used Nikon F4 300mm, but found that this lens won't accept Nikon's extender TC20EIII Can the extender be...

steady27 Loc: Boston, MA

Recently bought used Nikon F4 300mm, but found that this lens won't accept Nikon's extender TC20EIII
Can the extender be modified to fit lens ?

My D800 allows AF thru f8, yet
Postings have indicated both sides: yes & no for above lens

Will appreciate any suggestions/solutions for these two issues. Thanks

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

steady27 wrote:

Postings have indicated both sides: yes & no for above lens.

And now you know for sure. :|

EDIT: According to Ken Rockwell - "Nikon makes no AF teleconverters for this lens." he has a lengthy article about the lens, so you might find some useful info. The TC-200 should work.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/3004af.htm

One on ebay from Roberts. I've bought from them, and they're reliable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-TC-200-Teleconverter-2X-TC200-268-WARRANTY-FREE-USA-SHIPPING-ROBERTS-/141027353627

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Jerry's right. The TC20-E will only auto focus on the spendy $1000+ AF-S lenses. Intended that way by Nikon. I thought the TC would be a good cheap way to go super tele, but none of my 6 Nikon lens will even mount. There's a problem with the rear lens element colliding with the extending TC front element (crunch!). In short, you won't get a super-tele effect for cheap. If you gotta have AF, then bite bullet and spend $1000 for a loooong lens. Sorry.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Careful now. That one on eBay is cheap at $49, but "Condition: FAIR. Condition Comments: Lens contains moderate wear and fungus.

steady27 Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks guys for the info. I printed the Rockwell evaluation for the 300mm f4 lens. I'm guessing the TC-200 is manual.
I did get a Kenko Pro 1.4X to work with AF.....perhaps Kenko makes either a 1.7X or 2X, but for AF it would appear that no Nikon product is AF capable.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

A 2x on an f4 lens will give you an effective f8. Your AF will suffer. Although I think the D4 and D800 just might make it work - at least on a bright day.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

CaptainC wrote:

A 2x on an f4 lens will give you an effective f8. Your AF will suffer. Although I think the D4 and D800 just might make it work - at least on a bright day.

The D4, D800 and D7100 will all AF at F8, ONLY if using single point focus and the very center AF point. Any other focus point or mode will be limited to F6.3 or POSSIBLY F7.1 in REALLY good light.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

steady27 wrote:

Recently bought used Nikon F4 300mm, but found that this lens won't accept Nikon's extender TC20EIII
Can the extender be modified to fit lens ?

My D800 allows AF thru f8, yet
Postings have indicated both sides: yes & no for above lens

Will appreciate any suggestions/solutions for these two issues. Thanks

Compatibility chart at:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/EN_Comp_chart.html

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

Both the D4 and D800 autofocus fine with an effective f/8 (ex 600mm f/4 + 2x extender, 200-400mm f/4 +2x extender, etc). The D4 requires a firmware upgrade to work but this only takes a minute. I routinely use my Nikon 200-400 f/4 and 600 f/4 with a Nikon 2x extender and my D4 and D800E without autofocusing issues even under only moderate lighting.

Walt

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

Maybe it's just me but I only use the TC20-E with my 70-200mm f/2.8 because there were no limitations according to Nikon.

Yes, it does AF but the quality (sharpness) of the image with my D800e is not satisfactory.

400mm is a dream as is 500mm or 600mm in my budget.

Infact, my 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 is better on my D7000 for exposure and sharpness.

NewEnglandPhotoguy Loc: Chelmsford, MA

I've got that lens (Nikkor AF=-S 300mm F4D) and it works well with a Nikon TC-17EII 1.7x converter. It may hunt in shadows from time to time but normal sunlight will allow it to work just fine.

Here is Nikon's TC compatibility chart: http://www.nikonsupport.eu/europe/Manuals/DrdIaQvRZv/TC_converter_compatibility-EN_01.pdf

It shows that the 2.0 TC should fit but may have difficulty autofocusing.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Try a Tamron SP 2X - should work great ....

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

steady27 wrote:

Recently bought used Nikon F4 300mm, but found that this lens won't accept Nikon's extender TC20EIII
Can the extender be modified to fit lens ?

My D800 allows AF thru f8, yet
Postings have indicated both sides: yes & no for above lens

Will appreciate any suggestions/solutions for these two issues. Thanks

Not made for it. Get the tc14 instead.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/EN_Comp_chart.html

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

This subject is also being addressed at:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-138183-1.html