Why can't Nikon lenses use teleconverters? Is this a design issue or a matter of optics?
DrJoeS
Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)
I would love the freedom to"extend" my lens using an add-on teleconverter. I have a Nikon D5600 with 70-300 lens.
Nikon makes teleconverters, what makes you think their lenses cant use them?
Most teleconverters only work on some lenses. It is due to elements that can be damaged. This is esp a problem with many zoom lenses as they have internal parts that move forward and back while zooming. Esp the bargain price zooms have that problem. They are easier and cheaper to make when they work that way. Check the compatibility list for Nikon extenders and save up for one of those lenses.
One solution, but it has the drawback of IQ loss in some cases, is to use a third party extender that has no protruding elements such as the Kenko line. The IQ loss is because the extender is a "jack of all trades" that is not designed for any one lens or lens line. So on some lenses it works great, on others not so great.
I shoot Canon and have the Canon 1.4x III for use with one lens, my 100-400L, that lens being one of those designed to work with the Canon extenders. There are several other Canon lenses it works with - all upper end L series lenses-read that as more expensive lenses.
I also have 2 Kenko Pro 300s (1.4x & 2.0x) with Canon mount. No protruding elements. Before using the Kenkos with any lens I check the lens while zooming - off camera to see if any elements project out the back at either extreme. I had one lens that extended out the back at one extreme - no extender for that lens.
A matched lens and extender combo can produce images without almost no IQ loss - but you do need more light as a 1.4x changes the f-stop by one full stop and a 2x by two full stops. My 100-400L becomes an f/8 lens with my 1.4x III but the IQ is great, when there is enough light. A particular lens and extender combo can also make your body manual focus due to f-stop change.
MadMikeOne
Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City
DrJoeS what 70-300 lens? AF; AF-S or AF-P? Yes it makes a difference...
the following will work with Kenko's 1.4 Teleconverter...
AF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G Nikkor
the following will not work on your D5600...
AF Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED Nikkor
AF 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DX VR AF-P
btw, your D5600 already is a 1.5x multiplier...
Trying to extend it further will likely not end well owing to a myriad of issues...
Experience is a brutal teacher...
Your lens is a consumer grade optic and Nikon is only focused on Pro Grade Glass for use of their AF-S tele-converter offerings... thus the third party choice...
All the best on your journey DrJoeS
Thomas902 wrote:
DrJoeS what 70-300 lens? AF; AF-S or AF-P? Yes it makes a difference...
the following will work with Kenko's 1.4 Teleconverter...
AF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G Nikkor
the following will not work on your D5600...
AF Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED Nikkor
AF 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DX VR AF-P
btw, your D5600 already is a 1.5x multiplier...
Trying to extend it further will likely not end well owing to a myriad of issues...
Experience is a brutal teacher...
Your lens is a consumer grade optic and Nikon is only focused on Pro Grade Glass for use of their AF-S tele-converter offerings... thus the third party choice...
All the best on your journey DrJoeS
DrJoeS what 70-300 lens? AF; AF-S or AF-P? Yes it... (
show quote)
What do you mean by this: 'btw, your D5600 already is a 1.5x multiplier...'? It's a 1.5 crop factor, not a multiplication factor.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
DrJoeS wrote:
I would love the freedom to"extend" my lens using an add-on teleconverter. I have a Nikon D5600 with 70-300 lens.
It's not a good idea to exend an already slow, not critically sharp lens. They work fine with great, fast optics. Some try to use a wide angle super zoom, which could cause physical damage. Even Sigma's 50-500mm lens had a limiter to avoid zooming to 50mm if a teleconverter was in use.
rmorrison1116 wrote:
What do you mean by this: 'btw, your D5600 already is a 1.5x multiplier...'?
It's a 1.5 crop factor, not a multiplication factor.
You answered your own question. Most everybody knew what was meant.
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Don't blame Nikon, no matter who the camera maker is not every lens is designed for use with a converter, there are many reason why this is so. Camera bodies auto focus work at different max apertures some can focus at F-8 many can't. Most photographers will use a converter with a lens that is fixed at F-2.8 or F-4 due to the fact that the converter changes the given F-rating. A converter could degrade the image on a cheaper lens so it's best to use a quality converter with a quality lens to get good results.
DrJoeS
Loc: Tampa Bay area (FL)
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I have learned a few things.
With all due respect, did you know that your 70-300 is a variable aperture zoom? It will be f5.6 at the 300mm range and a tele-converter will make it DARKER. Under those conditions auto focus will not be very efficient.
Who in the world told you that Nikon lenses do not accept tele-converters? Apart from the tele converters they make for their own lenses, better used with fixed focal length lenses, Nikon manufacturers a very expensive 180-400 VR lens that has a tele-converter incorporated into the lens.
Some lenses perform better with tele-converters than others but for sure the best results will come from lenses with apertures in the f2.8 range.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
DrJoeS wrote:
I would love the freedom to"extend" my lens using an add-on teleconverter. I have a Nikon D5600 with 70-300 lens.
It's simply lens construction.
stanikon
Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas
rwilson1942 wrote:
Nikon makes teleconverters, what makes you think their lenses cant use them?
I have four Nikon lenses. Neither Nikon's nor anyone else's teleconverters will work with any of them.
DrJoeS wrote:
I would love the freedom to"extend" my lens using an add-on teleconverter. I have a Nikon D5600 with 70-300 lens.
Of course, Nikon lenses can use teleconverters, I don't know where you heard this absurd statement? Of course it is the same, as with all other brand lenses, TC's do only work with certain lenses and one has to know which ones before purchase!
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