2x Teleconverters
Oct 3, 2011 15:02:11 #
I have read several reviews of these and wonder what experiences/recommendations any of you have. I have a Nikon D-80 with a Tamron 28-300mm lens. I take a lot of wildlife shots and would love to get closer up photos with not much more weight and space. Would be interesred in used also.
Oct 3, 2011 15:54:24 #
Keep in mind that your lens with a 2x extender would result in maximum aperture of f/13 on the long end.
So even in bright light, you won't be able to use fast shutter speeds.
Take you lens, set it to f/13, set the minimum shutter speed you can work with in your typical environment and take a few pics with whatever iso is required for correct metering.
That's what you'll get in terms of light when you add the extender to your lens.
Subtract from that a couple percentage points for optical loss, and you get the preview of what you'll have. Of course, also magnified by 2.
So even in bright light, you won't be able to use fast shutter speeds.
Take you lens, set it to f/13, set the minimum shutter speed you can work with in your typical environment and take a few pics with whatever iso is required for correct metering.
That's what you'll get in terms of light when you add the extender to your lens.
Subtract from that a couple percentage points for optical loss, and you get the preview of what you'll have. Of course, also magnified by 2.
Oct 3, 2011 16:48:33 #
i've used teleconverters, but i almost never do anymore. they cost too much in terms of light, and i have yet to find one that doesn't degrade image quality.
remember that with a 2x TC, you'll lose 2 stops, and your AF may or may not work - on Canons, the AF only works if the max aperture is f/5.6 or greater. don't know if Nikons are the same, but it's worth checking out before you buy a converter. your lens is f/6.3 wide open at 300mm; with the TC, that max aperture would be f/11 or smaller. as KG said, even in bright light, f/11 is going to give you some pretty slow shutter speeds, and it'll be hopeless in the early morning or evening when wildlife is most active. you may find you have to crank the ISO up so high that noise becomes an issue. if the lens is stabilized, that'll help, but even with that, in low light you'll have problems.
remember that with a 2x TC, you'll lose 2 stops, and your AF may or may not work - on Canons, the AF only works if the max aperture is f/5.6 or greater. don't know if Nikons are the same, but it's worth checking out before you buy a converter. your lens is f/6.3 wide open at 300mm; with the TC, that max aperture would be f/11 or smaller. as KG said, even in bright light, f/11 is going to give you some pretty slow shutter speeds, and it'll be hopeless in the early morning or evening when wildlife is most active. you may find you have to crank the ISO up so high that noise becomes an issue. if the lens is stabilized, that'll help, but even with that, in low light you'll have problems.
Oct 3, 2011 22:35:43 #
Oct 3, 2011 23:06:15 #
SQUIRL033 wrote:
i've used teleconverters, but i almost never do an... (show quote)
By stabilized, do you mean the use of a tripod?
Oct 3, 2011 23:06:51 #
Oct 3, 2011 23:09:05 #
Thank you all for your help. I was afraid that's what you would say. Seems to be the consensus.
Oct 4, 2011 02:08:37 #
Susan17 wrote:
quote=SQUIRL033 i've used teleconverters, but i a... (show quote)
I'm sure by stablized he means a VR (vibration reduction) equipped lenz and a tripod wouldn't hurt either.
Be especially quiet if you are sneekin up on a bear.
Oct 4, 2011 04:39:46 #
Susan17 wrote:
quote=SQUIRL033 i've used teleconverters, but i a... (show quote)
no, stabilized means the lens has an internal mechanism to help counteract camera shake. some Tamron 28-300 lenses for Nikons - those made within the last couple of years - have a feature called "VC", for Vibration Control. when it's turned on, it helps keep camera shake from showing up in your photos, and lets you shoot usually a couple of stops slower shutter speed than you could otherwise do. if you have that feature, it's very helpful - i have a similar feature on my 100-400, and it's on all the time.
Oct 4, 2011 06:27:04 #
Oct 4, 2011 06:54:42 #
I have a 2X converter and use it on occasion with fair results. It works good on a tripod if I can prefocus on my subject and use a remote shutter release. I've done this for hummingbirds around a feeder and other birds coming to a feeder. With mine the autofocus only works with my faster lenses so manual focus is required. This makes it hard to hand hold and follow wildlife as they move around. Even with all this I have gotten some really good shots of small birds in trees and wadding birds.
Oct 4, 2011 07:53:47 #
I have Nikon 2X Teleconverter for about 3 years. When ever I use it with my Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens I always came out with soft focus photos. I have used it with my Nikon 500mm f-4 manual focus lens. I use it with a tripod and a shutter release to keep all vibration to a minimum. Also lighting has to be perfect before I can get reasonable photo. I would recommend maybe looking at used telephoto lens off of EBay or KEH photo. That's how I purchased my 500mm lens. Bottom line I wouldn't recommend buying a 2X Teleconverter. Maybe look at only 1.4X Teleconverter.
Oct 4, 2011 08:01:56 #
photocat
Loc: Atlanta, Ga
I have the new Nikon 2x that i have used on my 70-200 2.8 with success. I did test the previous version of the 2x and found it a bit soft.
Oct 4, 2011 08:12:01 #
Yes, I have the old one.
photocat wrote:
I have the new Nikon 2x that i have used on my 70-200 2.8 with success. I did test the previous version of the 2x and found it a bit soft.
Oct 4, 2011 08:41:43 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.