Nikon 70-200 + Tele Converter (Page 2): Using telephoto-converter not more than 1.4X is good for any fast telephoto lens, the 1.7X or the 2.0X will degrade the image noticeably...

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I usually enjoy shooting landscapes with my Nikon D800 using wider end of my 24-70 f2.8, but I'm looking forward to purchasing the 70-200 VRII a longer reach...
The idea of using this lens with a tele converter is appealing for both landscape and birds. Who uses a similar setup and what is your experience with image quality ?
I'm also thinking of maybe going with a Tamron 70-200...
Any opinions ?

Using telephoto-converter not more than 1.4X is good for any fast telephoto lens, the 1.7X or the 2.0X will degrade the image noticeably, nomatter what brand. You better off get the Nikon 80-400mm F4.5-F5.6 G AFs VR instead!
I have An older Nikon 70-210mm F4 AF, I did think about to add a converter to it, but I changed my mind and got the Nikon 300mm F4 AFs-D lens and a 1.4X converter for the long reach. I like it a lot!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have used the 70-200 f/2.8 with the 1.4, 1.7, and 2 x converters I like the 1.7 best

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

wingclui44 wrote:

the 1.7X or the 2.0X will degrade the image noticeably, nomatter what brand. You better off get the Nikon 80-400mm F4.5-F5.6 G AFs VR instead!

Mmm, disagree. When used appropriately and with a tripod, the Nikkor doubler will produce surprisingly good results. See the following (and handheld mind you)... 8-)

(Download)

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

mrjcall wrote:

Not sure why you would use a TC with the 70-200 when you end up using the combo at 180mm?

Sounds to me like he's saying he's setting the 70-200 at 180mm then X2 = 360mm final length of combo.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

OddJobber wrote:

Sounds to me like he's saying he's setting the 70-200 at 180mm then X2 = 360mm final length of combo.

Ahhh, could be....but thought he would've said that. Just me being anal I suppose.... 8-)

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I usually enjoy shooting landscapes with my Nikon D800 using wider end of my 24-70 f2.8, but I'm looking forward to purchasing the 70-200 VRII a longer reach...
The idea of using this lens with a tele converter is appealing for both landscape and birds. Who uses a similar setup and what is your experience with image quality ?
I'm also thinking of maybe going with a Tamron 70-200...
Any opinions ?

I have, and used, the 70-200 w/2x teleconverter, before I bought the 80-400mm. It was a great combo. Not as sharp as the lens w/o the converter, but excellent and fast to focus with. I do not have the D800 to use with it. I used the D7000, D7100, D600, and the D610, all with great results.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Be careful which teleconverter you buy. They're not all completely compatible. Some need a slight modification to fit the lens.

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I usually enjoy shooting landscapes with my Nikon D800 using wider end of my 24-70 f2.8, but I'm looking forward to purchasing the 70-200 VRII a longer reach...
The idea of using this lens with a tele converter is appealing for both landscape and birds. Who uses a similar setup and what is your experience with image quality ?
I'm also thinking of maybe going with a Tamron 70-200...
Any opinions ?

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

After giving it some thought, I'm wondering if my image quality would be better if I just shot my D800 in cropped mode and/or cropped in post processing therefore not loosing any light because of increased f stop.
The 36 MP sensor should allow for this.

No, the crop feature is just that, a larger image cropped. There is no increase in IQ and you lose the ability to crop yourself. Many promote this as magnification but it is not.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Bozsik wrote:

I have, and used, the 70-200 w/2x teleconverter, before I bought the 80-400mm. It was a great combo. Not as sharp as the lens w/o the converter, but excellent and fast to focus with. I do not have the D800 to use with it. I used the D7000, D7100, D600, and the D610, all with great results.

Yes, better results will be obtained on crop frame bodies - when using ANY TC combo ......

Ponce Loc: Ft. Lauderdale Fl

D4 with the 70-200 VR 11 and the TC 1.7.....Love It !!!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

DaveHam wrote:

I use the Nikon tc 2.0 111 with the 70-200 frequently on both a D800 and a D4.

It gives you a 400mm F5.6 which is useful. AF on the D800 is slower than the D4, and also wanders a bit in low light, but the combination works as well as any teleconverter on a telephoto and adds a lot of flexibility when travelling light.

Image quality with the 'mark 3' generation of Nikon teleconverters is good, sharpness is close to that of the native lens.

You should not be disappointed.

Agree. I have the same bodies, lens, and 2.0 TC..also have used the 1.4 quite a bit and *it* is as good as it gets. It doesn't make sense to not use Nikon/Nikon gear, IMO...

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Mark7829 wrote:

No, the crop feature is just that, a larger image cropped. There is no increase in IQ and you lose the ability to crop yourself. Many promote this as magnification but it is not.

Read it again, Mark. He said "in cropped mode and/or cropped in post processing". I think he understands this, although your point is correct.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I usually enjoy shooting landscapes with my Nikon D800 using wider end of my 24-70 f2.8, but I'm looking forward to purchasing the 70-200 VRII a longer reach...
The idea of using this lens with a tele converter is appealing for both landscape and birds. Who uses a similar setup and what is your experience with image quality ?
I'm also thinking of maybe going with a Tamron 70-200...
Any opinions ?

I use this lense with a 1.4 tele converter often. I think the image quality is quite good.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

mrjcall wrote:

Not sure why you would use a TC with the 70-200 when you end up using the combo at 180mm? :?:

Sorry. I set the lens at 180 mm so with the TC20 the total is 360mm. Poor choice of words.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

When talking about tele-converters I always promote the Kinko PRO 300 1.4 unit. I find it very sharp when coupled with the 70 to 200 Nikor. Also it will work with wide angle zooms which Nikon's own 1.4 will not. The reason being that the rear element of some Nikon zooms extend beyond the rear plane of the lens and will crash into the forward element of the tele-converter. This would not be a problem with the 70-200, but if you would want to use it with other Nikon lenses you could have a problem. Kinko is the parent company of Tokina and their tele-converters are excellent. They make two versions of the 1.4 -- a six element unit that I would consider very good but not excellent. Then they have a seven element unit called the PRO 300 that I feel equals OEM units at just over half the cost of the OEM units.