gpzzr

Has anyone tried one of these on a Nikon D5200. I know they are inexpensive, but I'm still saving for a AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens. Thank you all.

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

It is not advisable to put an extender on a 55mm lens - they are called tele extenders for a reason. Aside from the fact that you won't be able to autofocus, manual focusing will be a drag since your effective maximum lens opening at 300mm will only be F11. Then there is the possibility of the back of the 55-300 contacting the front of the extender. And lastly, the sharpness loss is about 30%, which is not great for a lens that is not all that sharp t 300mm anyway. So don't waste your money.

gpzzr

Thanks for your reply Gene. I appreciate it. I don't think I gave enough or more specific information though. I meant to specify it's one of the converters that goes on the front of the 55-300mm lens and is 58mm thread. They are inexpensive and I would just be using it as a toy during the pandemic, until I save for a better lens.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

You'd probably be better off cropping what you have with the 55-300 to simulate the 500mm view.
Unlike a teleconvertor, you don't lose any stops with the screw-on attachment, but the IQ is probably going to be compromised....a lot.

With a regular 2x teleconvetor, you will lose 2 stops of brightness, making your AF inoperable.

And welcome to the 'HOG!

gpzzr

Thank you, GoofyNewfie.

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

I tried a 52mm 2.2x converter on a Nikon D3300 with the 55-200mm Nikon zoom telephoto. I was shooting at some tall, well-defined trees about a mile away. There was no wind. The loss of IQ with the converter was dramatic and autofocus was unreliable, even though the converter is mounted on the front of the lens. I had to focus manually. FYI, chromatic aberration was unnoticeable (which was a surprise), but the increase in overall "haziness" was horrible. Exposure only required 1/3 stop increase with the extender. Because of the drawbacks I never use the converter.

gpzzr

Great information fjdarling. Thank You very much.

Appy Loc: Flint Hills (Ks)

Been there, done that. Waste of money.
Extenders ruin AF. You can use it in Manual mode, but any pics you get will be worthless due to significant edge distortion, leaving just a small area center frame that is useable. Trying to crop it leaves you with fuzzy image.

I also tried a Bower 3.5X which was guaranteed to work with AF. Technically it did what was advertised, but still has the distortion along frame edges.

If you can't wait to afford the lens you really want you are FAR better off spending a few extra bucks to buy a cheap 500mm prime manual focus lens. Last I saw they were about $80, but that's been awhile. At least that way you get the zoom you're looking for and can also get decent pics out of it. Probably not pro level, but decent. I think they're all the same manufacturer (Opteka?) so it really doesn't matter which one you pick.

gpzzr

Great Info Appy. Thank You. Bought what you described.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I have a Toyo brand 500 f/8.0, made by Toyo Optical in Japan, similar to those presently marketed under various names. It cannot compete with most camera brand lenses of similar focal length, but with care and patience it can deliver quite decent image quality. If you run into problems after you receive your lens, be sure to ask for help.

gpzzr

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.