Teleconverters: I am new to posting to the forum but I follow the discussions almost every day. I have the Nikon D5100 with the Nikkor kit lens AF-S 55-300. My question is there any...

Bikerider

I am new to posting to the forum but I follow the discussions almost every day. I have the Nikon D5100 with the Nikkor kit lens AF-S 55-300. My question is there any manufacturer who makes a teleconverter to fit that particular lens. It doesn't appear that Nikon makes one. I like nature photography especially shooting birds and was hoping a teleconverter would help with out a real large investment.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Bikerider wrote:

I am new to posting to the forum but I follow the discussions almost every day. I have the Nikon D5100 with the Nikkor kit lens AF-S 55-300. My question is there any manufacturer who makes a teleconverter to fit that particular lens. It doesn't appear that Nikon makes one. I like nature photography especially shooting birds and was hoping a teleconverter would help with out a real large investment.

There are third-party makers that produce compatible products. Like this one
http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-VIV-2X4-N-Autofocus-Converter-Nikon/dp/B002H3WVHI/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1360625934&sr=1-4&keywords=nikon+teleconverter

You will need a tripod and of course you will lose at least one stop in diminished light. Your camera will automatically compensate for this but at 300 x2 x1.6 (crop factor) you are most likely not going to get a clear image below 1/125th shutter speed. I suggest you get something from Amazon and try it out. If you like the results you're set. If you don't like the results you will be out the cost of return shipping. (Amazon has a 30-day return window)

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I don't think your gonna find one that works very well with that lens. Maybe a somewhat large investment in a better lens...say a 300mm F4 and then go after one...or a sigma 150-500mm.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

You lose light when you add a Teleconverter so it is not an ideal way to go on a lens that isnt pretty fast already. And I wouldn't add to the problem by purchasing one from any mfgr. other than Nikon and they don't make one for that lens for the reasons given. My opinion is listen to Bret and look at the Sigma.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Bret wrote:

I don't think your gonna find one that works very well with that lens.

I concur.
Further, a 1.4x TC loses 1-stop, and a 2x TC loses 2-stops exposure, dramatically affecting your shutter duration or your ISO selection.

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

I can guarantee that an APO Sigma TC won't work on your 55-300. I know because I bought one to use on my Sigma 100-400, which it does well. However I tried it on my Nikon 55-300 kit lens & no way-it won't even fit as the connections are completely different.

Don't write off using your 55-300 as is for nature/wildlife. 300mm reaches out pretty well & the 55-300 is surprisingly sharp, & auto focuses well.

Bikerider

Thank you everyone for your input.

Wrongway1947 Loc: York, PA.

The Sigma 150 - 500mm is a great lens. You'll be very happy with the results for considerably less money than the 'big boys'.

I do have a questions however, does anyone know if the Sigma converters work O.K. with their lens?

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have a Kenko which works OK with Nikon lenses that Nikon says won't work with a TC. Only problem I have experienced is that auto focus doesn't work in dim light

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have use and recommend Tamron converters - they work with everything that I am aware of. But, you will loose AF and manual focusing will be slow and unreliable with that lens. A 300 f4 with 1.4x is one good solution and the Sigma 100-300 F4 W/1.4X is another. In both cases good support ( mono/tri/pod ) is for all practical purposes imperative !

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

my experience is with sony and pentax teleconverters.the sony converters look good but won't stack.so i use pro optic converters that i can stack together if i want to.for my pentax their brand of converters work fine and i can stack 2 or more together. yes you loose light and shutter speed, but that is why you have adjustments on cameras.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Unless the converter has the electrical contacts that allow the camera body to "talk" to the lens, the aperture is going to drop to the smallest opening. That might be f16 or f22 on your lens. You can use the M setting and manually adjust the shutter speed, but you're going to have to use a really high ISO to capture enough light. That assuming the converter has the mechanical linkage to connect the body's aperture control to the same on the lens. I can't use my cheap extension tubes with the auto lens because with no aperture linkage in them, the kit lens drops to the smallest aperture at all times, making it extremely difficult to see well enough to focus. This is true with my D40 and D5100.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

Bikerider wrote:

Thank you everyone for your input.

As I understand it the rear element on the 55-300 "protrudes" a bit. I would be very careful about mashing a third party TC onto it. None of the Nikon TCs will work on that lens for that very reason.