[Excellent advice. Thank you.
quote=martinfisherphoto]If your addicted to sharpness then a TC will not help. No matter what lens you choose, your solution is to get Close. Learn your subject and learn to get close, then you'll get the shots the experts get...[/quote]
Thanks for the verification.
joraangm wrote:
I have a Tamron 150-600 and have used a TC with it and it works fine.
GREAT response! You may not be rich but you are clever. Thanks for the joy.
jrb1213 wrote:
"Tradition" would say stick with Nikon. "If I were a Rich Man" I would do just that because Nikon lenses and Nikon cameras are a "Matchmakers" dream. So if you are looking for a "Miracle of Miracles" perfect lens/price combination you wont't find it easily, though the Sigma and Tamron come close. All the lenses you mention will shoot both "Sunrise-Sunset" and everything in between. I doubt as a photographer you will ever be able to say "Now I Have Everything" I need. Could not resist all the "Fiddler on the Roof" references (I saw it on Broadway).
"Tradition" would say stick with Nikon. ... (
show quote)
Wow... impresive and fun. Thanks.
amfoto1 wrote:
Yes, you can...
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5092/5501080126_e1a8616f6f.jpg
That's a test shot made with Canon EF 500/4L IS with both EF 2X II and EF 1.4X II teleconverters... effective 1400mm focal length!
HOWEVER, although it looks okay at small internet sizes and low resolutions, that image really isn't enlargeable beyond about a 5x7" print.
AND, even with Image Stabilization, a rock solid tripod and very careful technique was necessary.
AND, it was an exceptionally clear day after a recent rain.... Otherwise shooting at such a long distance, through so much atmosphere, there would be a lot of loss of image quality.
Yes, you can... br img https://c2.staticflickr.co... (
show quote)
You are right on both FX and DX cameras.
Don't over-complicate it, choosing a longer telephoto for use on your D7100. If you buy one of the 150-600mm lenses, at it's maximum zoom you'll have 3X more reach on all counts, Thanks
you have with that 70-200 (or roughly 2X the 70-200 + 1.4X TC). If you instead buy a 400mm, it will give you 2X the reach. Or a zoom that goes to 500mm offers 2.5X the reach of your 70-200mm at it's maximum.
Actual magnification any of those lenses can produce is effected by the lens' closest focusing capabilities, which varies from model to model. So be sure to check that. Note: Any lens can be made to focus closer and give higher magnification by adding a macro extension tube, though that will make the lens unable to focus to infinity while the tube is installed... and the longer the focal length of the lens, the more extension that's needed to significantly effect the close focusing distance. In contrast, although a teleconverter changes focus length and magnification, it does so without changing closest focusing distance.
Most important it is image quality. Compare that instead. Look for tests done with each of the zooms you're considering, and compare them with your particular 70-200 with and without a specific 1.4X. Sure, adding that teleconverter increases focal length... but are the images usable? It's the same question with the big tele-zooms. Sure, it might offer 500mm or 600mm, but are images at those focal lengths fully usable?
I'm not all that familiar with the big zooms you mention, but everything I've seen suggests the Nikkor 200-500mm is about the best of the bunch in terms of image quality. Confirm that for yourself with online reviews and tests (not sure if they've tested it at The-Digital-Picture.com yet, but I like their sample images which can be compared side-by-side with other lenses).[/quote]
You and several others seem to think the new 80-400 is the way to go. Might follow you. Thanks.
reader wrote:
I have a D7100 with the kit lenses and was looking to upgrade and for more reach. I was considering all the same lenses and the 300 f4 with a tc. Given my current lenses (the kit lenses, including a 55-300 DX), I chose to go with the refurbished newer 80-400 lens from Nikon. Actually waiting for delivery this week.
My thinking was to go with the added flexibility of the wider zoom range and what I perceive as faster, sharper reports and examples than some of the longer zoom lenses. Reports are that I should be able to hand hold, which is what I expect to want/need, especially for BIF.
I can add a 1.4 tc to gain even more reach.
While I am learning digital photography this will be all I need. If I still have lens envy after two years, I may go with the Sigma 150-600 Sport for dedicated tripod use.
Just my conclusions.
I have a D7100 with the kit lenses and was looking... (
show quote)
Interesting info Orrie! Thank You.
orrie smith wrote:
I prefer the Nikon 200-500. I had the tamron 150-600, but sold it because it took too long to gain focus, it would constantly hunt, and was noisy, the Nikon focuses quickly and I have not yet noticed it hunting for focus, plus it is quiet. you may also use a teleconverter with the Nikon, not the tamron. the 14 III will auto focus, the 1.7 you need to manually focus. I know nothing about the sigma, but many posts on this site recommend the sport over the contempory.
Thanks for your thoughts Bruce
brucewells wrote:
I was in your shoes a year ago. I opted for the Nikkor 200-500 and haven't looked back. Love it. Now, is it a professional lens? No! There are much better units . . . at 4-6 times the money. But, for what I need a long lens for, the 200-500 has filled the bill.
Nice lenses Dave and good advice. Thanks
DaveO wrote:
I have not tried a 150-600,as tempting as it may be. I have the new 80-400 and 200-500 with the 1.4 III and am quite pleased. The 80-400 allows for more flexibility for those times when subjects may be close or far. Salt marsh birds are a good example. I keep both mounted and switch off,or use the 70-200 instead of the 80-400 and 200-500 with TC.
The Kenko and Tami would work and I might follow your suggestion Thanks
Old Timer wrote:
I have the Kenco tc 1.4 and the Tamaron 150 600 lens. The lens is the way to go in my experience. I tried pairing the tc with Canon 300L and it did work okay but lost picture quality and also one stop. The Canon tc would have cost almost as much as I gave for the Tamaron lens. I bought it less than a year old for $650.00. I will agree that the Canon tc is the best as far as TC but the cost at around 500.00 you can probably buy a used lens for about the same price. As far as picture quality I have found the Tamaron to be better than I expected.
I have the Kenco tc 1.4 and the Tamaron 150 600 le... (
show quote)
You are 100% right regardind thw TCs Jim. Thanks
jim quist wrote:
You could stack a couple of teleconverters on one lens but you are going to lose some clarity.
I agree with you about the Kenko TCs thanks.
19104 wrote:
if you buy from B&H they have a 30 day (I think) return time. TC are the lease expensive way to go. I have used them for years on everything from Hasselblad to leica R lenses. I have never any IQ issues. I have kenko TC for my nikkors and its great.
I need more reach. I have read all there is about the Nikon 80-400, Nikon 200-500, Sigma 150-600 (both models) Tamron 150-600 and I need help. I have debated using TCs on various lenses (70-200 f/2.8 on my main body Nikon D7100 becomes a 350mm + a 1.4 TC gives me almost 500 but
..
I have considered renting; however, the cost of renting each in turn for 2-3 days of testing will cost almost as much as one of the lenses.
I dont know what I expect from this plea for help. Perhaps one of you will come up with a scathingly brilliant idea to resolve my dilemma. Perhaps someone who has used one or more of these lenses will add something new or come up with a good reason to narrow the field. I hadnt thought of narrowing the choice until I typed this. What criteria would I use? Admittedly, the 80-400 is older technology but
.
I feel like the protagonist in Fiddler on the Roof in that great scene where he is debating various choices.
Please share your thoughts.
Thanks, Raleigh
Thank you again for sharing your gift.
Indrajeet Singh wrote:
A mix - these don't fly!! Butterflys the exception!!