SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m selling all of my F mount gear. I’ll say $325 plus shipping. Let me know and I can ship priority mail tomorrow and you should have it by Thursday.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

???

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

And this is precisely why I NEVER put any value into anything he writes.

This is a better more comprehensive opinion.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-tc-14e-iii-vs-tc-14e-ii-performance-comparison

I do have to walk back my comment, though. There is one page that he wrote that I agree with -

"I am this site's only author. I have no one to proofread, spell check or fact check for me, so there will always be errors and omissions. Apparently the world finds my opinions very useful, but remember, they are the opinions of one man. I have a big sense of humor, and do this site to entertain you (and myself), as well as to inform and to educate. I occasionally weave fiction and satire into my stories to keep them interesting. I love a good hoax. Read The Museum of Hoaxes, or see their site. A hoax, like some of the things I do on this website, is done as a goof simply for the heck of it by overactive minds as a practical joke. Even Ansel Adams kidded around when he was just a pup in the 1920s by selling his photos as "Parmelian Prints." I have the energy and sense of humor of a three-year old, so remember, this is a personal website, and never presented as fact. I enjoy making things up for fun, as does The Onion, and I publish them here.

I've been adding to this site since 1999. This means that many of these pages, including this one, are over twenty years old. I can't possibly go back and update everything magically as the world turns. Read, enjoy, have fun, and take everything in the spirit in which it's shared.

I earn my living through this website, and have always formally and regularly registered copyright with the Library of Congress. I share this all free for the reading, and it's always appreciated when you link back to this site, but it is never permitted to copy anything."

And to keep in line with copyright here is the link to the page

https://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

.....OEM Nikon extenders are optimized for 300mm and longer PRIME lenses. As you move away from long prime lenses, any difference between version II and III becomes smaller to non-existant.
.

Canisdirus

Heh...what the heck are you shooting?
You are already at 750mm fov.
Honestly...you need more?

Set up a blind.

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

This first image was taken with a 600mm F4 AF-S II on a D800 (36 mp) using a Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 1.4 TC. The distance between me and the rookery was over 200 yards.

The second image was taken with a 600mm F4 AF-S II on a D300 (12mp) using a Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 1.4 TC. The distance was about 100 ft.

With both shots I had only slight impacts on AF performance.

I think both of these images put your claim that "ALL Kenko stuff is 100% JUNK!" into question. Obviously you've tried one and had gotten poor results - can you post an example of something you've taken with a Kenko TC that qualifies as "junk"?


I do agree that any TC on a lens that it is not designed for, like a F5.6 or F6.3 maximum aperture zoom, will not be worth the aggravation of slow AF, poor image quality and dark viewfinder - Teleconverters are designed for fast telephoto primes, like 70-200 F2.8 and F4, 200mm F2, 300mmF2.8 and F4, 200-400 F4, 400mmF2.8 and 500/600mm F4. Using TCs on other lenses usually result in poor experiences.

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williejoha

If you really think you need one look at factory refurbished. They are mostly like new and come with a warranty. All my stuff is Canon factory refurbished and it never has let me down.
WJH

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Good to hear from one who has used both.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I have both the camera and several 5.6 lenses. Also 2.8. You will be very disappointed with the f8 focusing abilities of moving objects. If you are using it for stationary pics it's fair to middling. My advice? I bought a 300-800 f5.6 Sigma and use it with my gimbal head and Gitzo series 5 systematic tripod. With the 2.8 of f4 lenses it is good. My advice is get a 600mm f4 if you want more reach.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Following this thread a question comes to mind.
Have you considered mirrorless?
I know that the Canon mirrorless work fast with a zoom lens in the f5.6 and much smaller aperture with a 2X converter combination.
My guess that the Nikon mirrorless would have no problem with fast accurate AF with your lens adapted to the mirrorless and the 2X on it as well.

d3200prime

I liked your link to the comparison which proves mine and Ken Rockwell's point. No significant difference from the TC-1.4EII to the TC1.4EIII.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

As noted consider used. There are plenty out there

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Regardless of what some say, I bought the Sigma version and use it on my D500 and Sigma 150-600mm lens and it works great...Some pics on rare occasions the focus is a bit slower but apart from that, never had any problems. Photos are nice and sharp. I would assume the Nikon one works OK if you can get one...

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amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yeah, but WHICH Kenko teleconverters do you have?

They have made at least 6 different ones for Nikon F-mount with autofocus. There is a great deal of difference between them in image quality.

- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X HD DGX is the current model offered for F-mount. I don't know how it compares to the older models.
- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X HD Pro DGX is a slightly older model avail. in F-mount. I don't know how it compares, other than having 5-elements.
- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X Pro 300 DGX was an older 7-element TC recommended for full frame... more expensive but pretty sharp across the whole frame.
- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X MC-4 DGX was a lower cost 4-element that's one of the sharpest TC in the center, less so in corners, so is recommended for APS-C.
- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X Pro 300 DG is similar to DGX version, but an earlier model. Supposedly the same optically, but different circuitry. May effect AF speed.
- Kenko Teleplus 1.4X MC-4 DG is same as above, an earlier model that same as DGX optically, but different circuitry. Might effect AF performance.

There also have been 2X in all the above series. Image quality takes a much stronger hit with these TCs.

And prior to any of the above there were very similar Kenko 1.5X with "SP" and "SHQ" designations. Don't know anything about them or if they were offered in Nikon F-mount.

Of all the above, for use on a DX (APS-C) camera like a D500, I'd recommend the 1.4X "MC-4" in either the DGX or DG version. The crop sensor utilizes only the central portion of the TC image area and this TC is one of the sharpest anyone has made, in that respect. They may not be as usable on full frame, because the corners are a bit softer than some other TCs (although this may not matter much either, since corners are often soft with telephoto shots anyway). Even when new the "MC-4" were among the most affordable TCs available from any manufacturer.

If you think you might some day want to use the TC on full frame, the "Pro 300" versions might be a better choice.

The older "DG" version of it is said to use the same optical formula, but might compromise in some other ways such as AF performance. I've never had opportunity to compare this for myself.

Please note too that I have not personally compared the current HD or recent HD Pro versions against those earlier models. They were redesigned optically, use fewer elements (5), yet cost more than all the earlier TCs. I also have not compared to Nikon's or Sigma's teleconverters. I have compared to Canon 1.4X II and III image quality, and felt the center of the 1.4X MC-4 versions to be equal to those (which are very, very good, BTW). I didn't think the Pro 300 versions were quite as good in the center as the Canon TCs, but as good in the corners on full frame.

I wouldn't be too concerned about buying a TC used. So long as a used TC looks reasonably good inside and out, there's not much to go wrong with them. They don't have many moving parts, so there's not much to wear out other than the latching mechanism. Plus all the optics are fixed in place, so there's little chance of losing calibration or any way for dust/fungus find their way inside.

Finally, a teleconverter on a 500mm lens and a DX (APS-C) camera makes for an EXTREMELY long telephoto... equivalent to more than 1000mm on full frame (FX). You are almost certain to need a good sturdy tripod to get steady shots. It is very difficult to hand hold steady shots. With so much magnification even the camera's mirror slap and shutter movement can cause image softness. And, shooting more distant subjects with such a powerful telephoto you also will see a lot of images ruined by or suffering from various atmospheric effects. I'm not saying it can't be done... but it is a new set of challenges. Sometimes it's easier and better to just get a little closer (assuming it's safe to do so).