Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

I am taking a trip to Africa in September. My (camera) body is a D810. Books I have been reading suggest taking a lens of 500mm or even 600mm. My long lens is 300mm so I am considering getting a TC. Thoughts, or recommendations appreciated. I know I can shoot in DX or crop in PP, but I would rather use the entire sensor for image capture. Many thanks.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, your best cast scenario is to use a 1.4X and crop when needed using well applied pixel enlargement techniques/software. There is very little "harm" or shame in this !

I would, however, also recommend a higher pixel density crop frame body for this over a FF D810. The 810 will work - just not as well.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Depends where you are going and if the rainy season has started.

If you are on the plains then yes, a long lens even for the larger animals. If you are in close bush country like the veld in the Kruger then a long lens is not so useful. With weight restrictions and also the fact that most animal activity is around dawn and dusk a good wide zoom like the 200/400 would be a good place to start. Add to that perhaps the Nikon 1.4 TC3 and you are in a good place.

Beware changing lenses while out in the bush; there can be a lot of dust around which can play havoc with the camera body if you are constantly swapping lenses. Take a plastic bag if you have to swap in the field and use this to reduce the body exposure to the dust when lens changing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have a Kenko 1.4 TC for my Nikon, and I have no complaints. It's a lot more practical - and less expensive - than carrying both a 300mm and a 600mm.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I have a 1.4x TC for use with my 200-500mm. Just be sure the TC is compatible with both the camera and the lens.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

I recently bought a Nikon D500 and a Nikkor 300mm PF ED VR + Nikon 1.4TC 111. I have the TC fitted permanently to the lens and the AF is still incredibly fast and, as far as I am concerned, IQ is fabulous. I use it for BIF and the occasional insect/butterfly. I only ever view my images electronically via a Samsung 55" HDTV, but I feel you will obtain top quality images with a D810. Just look at how many professionals use 600mm glass with 2 x TC fitted.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Some of the most dramatic images I have seen from safaris are those taken in early or late day light. A D810 will do an amazing job at recording the challenging dynamic range contained in those subjects, and just about everything else. Using the entire sensor makes total sense, and a 300mm with a TC knowing to work well with it is a good option. If you have a 2.8 lens you have an amazingly sharp lens to begin with, and adding a 1.4x TC will barely have an impact, and you will still have a 420mm F4 lens. If you have a 300 F4, then there will be a slight impact, and you will have a 420 F5.6, which will likely focus a little slower in challenging light. Either way you will be happy with the results without having to spend $1500 to $2000 for a new body. Opinion based on experience, not fact. I have used DX cameras and FX cameras and even at the same pixel density, there is no comparision between the two if you are printing your work. If you are just showing stuff on line, there is less of a difference. I have had D200, D300, D700, D3S and now use D800, and as you probably already have realized the D810 is pretty special in all respects. Can't wait to see your stuff when you get back.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Your D810 will withstand the rigors of an African trip. That's a tough constructed camera. Yes, you should consider a teleconverter, they work just fine. The Nikon Brands go for over $400. As suggested earlier, you can get a Kenko. I also have one. The last I checked they were less than $150 at B&H. I suggest the 1.4X. Nikon, Kenko, or your choice.

Bill_de Loc: US

A 1.4x of good quality should make you a happy camper. While shooting with a TC might not be quite a sharp as shooting with a prime, in real life the difference may not even be noticeable to most viewers.

There is a stigma attached to shooting with a TC, but it is mostly a carry over from long ago. Losing an F stop when shooting with Kodachrome 25 was a really big deal for many reasons. Today, not so much.

Enjoy your trip and post lots of pictures when you get back ... or sooner.

--

whitewolfowner

The D810 in DX mode, will wipe out any DX camera, with the possible exception of maybe the D500.

RRS Loc: Not sure

How do you plan on getting all your gear over there? If it's a Nikon prime 600mm you will have to check the bag as it's too big for carry on. As "Imagemeister" said a 1.4 should work very well. It will all depend on how close you can get to your subjects. I have been pleasantly surprised at the IQ with a 2X on a Canon 600mm prime on owls. Please don't get me wrong, I most surely would rather get close enough so that I wouldn't even need the 1.4. Have a safe trip and post some shots on your return.

steveg48

A 1.4 TC would result in 300 and 420, not 300 and 600.

steveg48

Except it's only about 15 mp.

whitewolfowner

Doesn't matter; megapixels isn't everything. Run some tests if you don't believe.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I would take a 70-200, 300, 600, 1.4x, and a wide angle for landscapes, probably my 16-35. I'd also take 2 bodies. I'd put the crop body on the 500mm lens and the ff body on the 300 lens. Keep the smaller lenses in plastic bags and only change lenses when it's calm out and you don't see any dirt/dust in the air.