TC 1.4X Comparison: I took these comparison shots with a D750, Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 on a tripod. The lens was set to f/11, ISO 100, raw. I used the timer to snap the shutter. I cropped...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I took these comparison shots with a D750, Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 on a tripod. The lens was set to f/11, ISO 100, raw. I used the timer to snap the shutter. I cropped each shot to roughly 1:1 with no processing at all - just the cropping. I exported them at full resolution, 1200 px on the long side. The TC was a Kenko 1.4X.

At 50mm bare lens

(Download)

At 50mm with TC

(Download)

At 70mm bare lens

(Download)

At 70mm with TC

(Download)

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

jerryc41 wrote:

I took these comparison shots with a D750, Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 on a tripod. The lens was set to f/11, ISO 100, raw. I used the timer to snap the shutter. I cropped each shot to roughly 1:1 with no processing at all - just the cropping. I exported them at full resolution, 1200 px on the long side. The TC was a Kenko 1.4X.

It doesn't appear that the TC did any damage to IQ although none of the images look sharp on my monitor.

Must be the affects of diffraction since the 35-70 2.8 is a very good lens. I wish I still had mine.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

joer wrote:

It doesn't appear that the TC did any damage to IQ although none of the images look sharp on my monitor.

Must be the affects of diffraction since the 35-70 2.8 is a very good lens. I wish I still had mine.

I have a 24-70 2.8 and the 35-70 2.8. It's been a long time since I used the 24-70, just too big and heavy. I do worry about the focus breathing with the 35-70 but have never noticed a dust problem yet that is excessive. My 35-70 is just as sharp. I need to sell the other lens, but I have a habit of just holding on to things. ;-) I have never tried my extenders on any of my zooms, just use them with my longer primes. Not sure if they will even mount safely.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I took these comparison shots with a D750, Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 on a tripod. The lens was set to f/11, ISO 100, raw. I used the timer to snap the shutter. I cropped each shot to roughly 1:1 with no processing at all - just the cropping. I exported them at full resolution, 1200 px on the long side. The TC was a Kenko 1.4X.

What were other variable settings, i.e. shutter speed, metering mode, focus mode?

And what, exactly, was the objective of the comparison?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

steve_stoneblossom wrote:

What were other variable settings, i.e. shutter speed, metering mode, focus mode?

And what, exactly, was the objective of the comparison?

Shutter speed varied; metering mode center 12 mm; autofocus using the back button and single center spot.

Objective: see the title.

EDIT: Shutter speed varied between 1/80 and 1/125.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

... Objective: see the title.

OK.

Analysis: they're different.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

joer wrote:

It doesn't appear that the TC did any damage to IQ although none of the images look sharp on my monitor.

Must be the affects of diffraction since the 35-70 2.8 is a very good lens. I wish I still had mine.

These were all raw, straight out of the camera, with no processing. Sharpening is always needed with raw. Below is the full shot, before cropping and also a quickly processed version.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

they look ok to me. I never use a tc on my short zooms. not to criticize , try to retest on something closeser and with more detail.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bull drink water wrote:

they look ok to me. I never use a tc on my short zooms. not to criticize , try to retest on something closeser and with more detail.

The testing was more of a nuisance than I had expected. And then keeping track of what shots were was was another nuisance. All I wanted to see was if using the TC was going to mess up the pictures. As far as I'm concerned, they're okay, and I'll use it when and if I need more reach.

jimbrown3 Loc: Naples, FL

TC's are not meant for short lenses. Did you have your IS turned off?
All images are soft on my monitor. Sorry about that.

Haydon

I commonly use a 1.4x on a 70-200 2.8L and a 500 F4L with only a minor hit in image quality that can be cured in post. I suppose every scenario maybe be different with lens combination along with body and manufacturer.

Also IQ seems to be subjective according to the judge. Thanks for your test Jerry. Dedicating your time is one of the most precious items one can give.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jimbrown3 wrote:

TC's are not meant for short lenses. Did you have your IS turned off?
All images are soft on my monitor. Sorry about that.

I should have shot JPEG because raw files need sharpening by default. As for VR being turned off, good question. The last shot I posted was sharpened a bit.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

The images using the TC look better to my eyes.
In the second shot with the TC, the red on the stop sign is deeper and closer to an actual stop sign.
The first one with a TC also looks a tad better to me.
The TC version in your second group looks a lot better than without.
I have the same 1.4 TC. I used it a couple of times but was not really happy with the results. I guess I'll have to take it out again and retry working with it.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

The TC did a fine job indeed! And you can clearly see the differences in these shots - thanks for showing me how the TC worked.

jerryc41 wrote:

The testing was more of a nuisance than I had expected. And then keeping track of what shots were was was another nuisance. All I wanted to see was if using the TC was going to mess up the pictures. As far as I'm concerned, they're okay, and I'll use it when and if I need more reach.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I see 3 major faults with this test.
The shots without the teleconverter are underexposed (faulty meter, faulty metering technique?)
Cropping. I would have moved in closer with the 50mm shot, to cover the same field of view as the 70mm shot.
Not much fine detail in the scene.
I agree that it's a little unusual to see a teleconverter test with a short zoom lens. Which version is this lens?