can someone pls recommend a good teleconverter for Nikon D lens?

swimcraze · 24th March 2003

Hi all!

Can someone pls recommend me a good teleconverter to be used with my AF Nikon D lens? If possible, pls state the range of price as well. Thanks.

extreme2 · 24th March 2003

Kenko Pro 300

Can be use with AFS lenses, price around $300

24th March 2003

Teleplus MC7, good and quite reasonable, if not wrong, around $140 at Cathay

kingpin · 24th March 2003

What camera u using the lens with?

swimcraze · 24th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by kingpin
What camera u using the lens with?

using F70 and F65. why?

Darren · 24th March 2003

Can highly recommend the Sigma 1.4 EX teleconverter. Should be around S$280.

Knighthunter · 24th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by swimcraze
using F70 and F65. why?

Some Nikon bodies have problem with TC, like F80 with TC 14A will not AF. You better go to the whop with your cam and try it on spot rather than have to deal with the hassle later.

24th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by kingpin
What camera u using the lens with?

Nikon F80, ok with FM2 & FE2 but not with FA

Ian · 24th March 2003

Nikon don't produce a teleconverter line for non AFS 'D' series Nikkors. Most all of the AIS TC's can be used on the Newer AF Nikon bodies but they have no electrical contacts so will behave as a Manual Focus lens. Furthermore you may loose metering functions such as Matrix Metering etc with some bodies.

Hoya/Kenko do however produce units that are compatible with most newer Nikon AF bodies. The Hoya/Kenko units are also supplied to Tamron under the guise of the MC7.

I can't comment on the Sigma TC's as I've not used the newer ones, but the old Sigma TC's weren't much use.

For what it's worth the best all round TC I've ever used (non Nikon) was the old 80s designed Kenko MC-7 with Macro focusing. This TC was more than acceptable with a variety of Nikkor primes ranging from 50/1.4 through to 300/2.8 and 400/3.5. Lots were sold but I've seen few on the used market over the years and they fetch top dollar on eBay etc.

One critical factor is the lens itself. Zoom lenses generally don't perform well with TC's as a whole, though there are exceptions.

The Comprehensive Nikon SLR Teleconverter list ...

1.4x TC's:
TC-14 - +300mm lenses AI mount
TC-14A - sub 200mm lenses AIS mount
TC-14B - +300mm lenses AIS mount
TC-14C** - matched for 300/2 supertele

1.6x TC's:
TC-16 - For F3AF body and AF lenses ONLY
TC-16A* sub 200mm MF lenses in give AF.

2x TC's:
TC-1 - sub 200mm lenses Non-AI mount
TC-2 - +300mm lenses Non-AI mount
TC-200 - sub 200mm lenses AI mount
TC-201 - sub 200mm lenses AIS mount
TC-300 - +300m lenses AI mount
TC-301 - +300mm lenses AIS mount

AFI/AFS TC's:***
TC-14E - 1.4x
TC-20E - 2.9x
TC-14E-II - 1.4x new cosmetics
TC-20E-II - 2x new cosmetics.

Notes:
* TC-16A This teleconverter allows manual focus (MF) lenses faster than f5.6 to operate in a slowish AF mode with selected Nikon bodies ie: F5, F4, F100, F90 & F70?

** This TC came supplied with the monsterous Nikkor 300/2 lens. This TC is very rare and works better with the 200/2

*** The AFI/AFS "E" series TC's are fitted with a lug to prevent their use with non AFS lenses. These TC's cannot be used with all AFS lenses, eg: 17-35/2.8 as the rear lens element can strike the TC.

kingpin · 24th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by swimcraze
using F70 and F65. why?

Some TCs don't work with certain models. Not sure about the F70 or F65. I know TC16A doesn't work at all with the F80. But according to Ian's post TC16A can work with F70. I have a TC16A which I don't use any more. If u are keen to buy it can let u try on your camera.

swimcraze · 25th March 2003

whoa...thanks for your time taken to explain guys!

I shall start hunting around for a TC now.

xie xie...

Ian · 25th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by kingpin
But according to Ian's post TC16A can work with F70.

Am not 100% sure myself hence the question mark after the F70.

A quick check online shows that no one seems to be really sure either as according to a couple of sites it works and others it doesn't.

james m · 25th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Ian

*** The AFI/AFS "E" series TC's are fitted with a lug to prevent their use with non AFS lenses. These TC's cannot be used with all AFS lenses, eg: 17-35/2.8 as the rear lens element can strike the TC.[/i]

just need to remove the lug so they can be used with non AF-S lenses or for stacking with another TC

as shown here

nathan · 25th March 2003

I may be getting the 80-400 VR lens, which TC can I use to double the focal lens with the F100...........thanks

swimcraze · 30th March 2003

do they sell teleconverters at Camera workshop???

Ian · 30th March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by nathan
I may be getting the 80-400 VR lens, which TC can I use to double the focal lens with the F100...........thanks

The Kenko should work, but I'd suggest you try the TC with the lens first.

suhaimig · 30th March 2003

Message for Ian:

I usually bring along my only 28-70 AFS with me. As sometimes there are need for a longer focal lenght, what have you say if I purchase the TC201 to increase the focal lenght with this lens. Appreciate your info.

Cheers.

YellowTang · 30th March 2003

Just checking...the Tamron MC7 as mentioned by Ian..is this the same as the teleplus MC7?
Also..not much experiences with TCs, when we say that the Fstop of the main lens is stopped down by using a TC, does it mean that we cannot shoot at that Fstop (although the cam will allow this) if we want to achieve acceptable sharpness etc, or will the cam actually restrict you from shooting at that Fstop.
Cos what've I noticed is that I can still shoot at the largest Fstop..the shot just isn't as sharp...

Any advice appreciated
Thanks

Minimalis · 30th March 2003

Well I just had to add in this comment, that the Kenko Pro300 DOES not work with the D100/AF-S 80-200mm F2.8 combination. Ths autofocus does not work at all. Something tells me this might not work on an F80 body as well. However, it is fine with the 70-200mm VR etc.

Ian · 31st March 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by mysteriousjimmy
just need to remove the lug so they can be used with non AF-S lenses or for stacking with another TC

as shown here

NOTE - This modification invalidates the Nikon Warranty

Quote:

Originally posted by suhaimig
Message for Ian:

I usually bring along my only 28-70 AFS with me. As sometimes there are need for a longer focal lenght, what have you say if I purchase the TC201 to increase the focal lenght with this lens. Appreciate your info.

No idea, as I always carry an 80-200 AFS with me so never need to use TC's on the 28-70 AFS. However it should be noted that the 28-70 AFS is listed by Nikon as being unable to use the TC-E series converters due to the rear elements of the 28-70 touching the TC at shorter focal lengths.

If you're going to try it, then fit the TC-200/201 with the lens at 70mm and slowly and carefully reduce the focal length. At the first sign of resistance in moving focal length you'll have elements touching. Don't forget you'll loose the following abilities:

AF
D coupling
Electronic aperture control via command dial.
On some bodies you'll also loose all metering modes.

Quote:

Originally posted by YellowTang
Just checking...the Tamron MC7 as mentioned by Ian..is this the same as the teleplus MC7?

They are indentical ... Hoya/Kenko was last time I checked OEM'ing the TC's for Tamron.

Quote:

Originally posted by YellowTang
Also..not much experiences with TCs, when we say that the Fstop of the main lens is stopped down by using a TC, does it mean that we cannot shoot at that Fstop (although the cam will allow this) if we want to achieve acceptable sharpness etc, or will the cam actually restrict you from shooting at that Fstop.

Simple answer is as follows.

1.4x TC's have 1 stop of light loss. Thus if you put an f2.8 lens on a 1.4x TC the TC/Lens combination has an effective maximum aperture of f4 .. being f2.8 lens plus the 1 stop light loss from the TC.

eg: 200mm f2.8
1.4x TC + 200mm f2.8 = 320mm f4.0

2x TC's loose 2 stops in most cases, so your f2.8 lens when a TC is added works at f5.6

Quote:

Originally posted by YellowTang
Cos what've I noticed is that I can still shoot at the largest Fstop..the shot just isn't as sharp...

Any advice appreciated
Thanks

Generally using a TC with a lens of less than 80mm or so or with a Zoom lens will result in edge and or chromatic deterioration. The amount of deterioration is determined by the optical characteristcs of both the lens and TC being used. Some combinations work extremely well, others frankly suck.

It should also be noted that TC's and Zoom lenses are often a BAD combination, though not always eg: AFS 80-200 with TC-E series converters, the old Vivitar Series 1 MF lenses and their matched TC's etc.

24th March 2003	#1
swimcraze Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: my heart in san francisco Posts: 2,256	can someone pls recommend a good teleconverter for Nikon D lens? Hi all! Can someone pls recommend me a good teleconverter to be used with my AF Nikon D lens? If possible, pls state the range of price as well. Thanks.

24th March 2003	#6
Darren ClubSNAP Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ClubSNAP HQ Posts: 7,483	Can highly recommend the Sigma 1.4 EX teleconverter. Should be around S$280. __________________ Tweet?

24th March 2003	#9
Ian Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Perth Australia Posts: 2,483	Nikon don't produce a teleconverter line for non AFS 'D' series Nikkors. Most all of the AIS TC's can be used on the Newer AF Nikon bodies but they have no electrical contacts so will behave as a Manual Focus lens. Furthermore you may loose metering functions such as Matrix Metering etc with some bodies. Hoya/Kenko do however produce units that are compatible with most newer Nikon AF bodies. The Hoya/Kenko units are also supplied to Tamron under the guise of the MC7. I can't comment on the Sigma TC's as I've not used the newer ones, but the old Sigma TC's weren't much use. For what it's worth the best all round TC I've ever used (non Nikon) was the old 80s designed Kenko MC-7 with Macro focusing. This TC was more than acceptable with a variety of Nikkor primes ranging from 50/1.4 through to 300/2.8 and 400/3.5. Lots were sold but I've seen few on the used market over the years and they fetch top dollar on eBay etc. One critical factor is the lens itself. Zoom lenses generally don't perform well with TC's as a whole, though there are exceptions. The Comprehensive Nikon SLR Teleconverter list ... 1.4x TC's: TC-14 - +300mm lenses AI mount TC-14A - sub 200mm lenses AIS mount TC-14B - +300mm lenses AIS mount TC-14C** - matched for 300/2 supertele 1.6x TC's: TC-16 - For F3AF body and AF lenses ONLY TC-16A* sub 200mm MF lenses in give AF. 2x TC's: TC-1 - sub 200mm lenses Non-AI mount TC-2 - +300mm lenses Non-AI mount TC-200 - sub 200mm lenses AI mount TC-201 - sub 200mm lenses AIS mount TC-300 - +300m lenses AI mount TC-301 - +300mm lenses AIS mount AFI/AFS TC's:*** TC-14E - 1.4x TC-20E - 2.9x TC-14E-II - 1.4x new cosmetics TC-20E-II - 2x new cosmetics. Notes: * TC-16A This teleconverter allows manual focus (MF) lenses faster than f5.6 to operate in a slowish AF mode with selected Nikon bodies ie: F5, F4, F100, F90 & F70? This TC came supplied with the monsterous Nikkor 300/2 lens. This TC is very rare and works better with the 200/2 * The AFI/AFS "E" series TC's are fitted with a lug to prevent their use with non AFS lenses. These TC's cannot be used with all AFS lenses, eg: 17-35/2.8 as the rear lens element can strike the TC. __________________ The Ang Moh from Hell Professional Photography - many are called, few are chosen! Last edited by Ian; 24th March 2003 at 06:55 PM.

24th March 2003	#2
extreme2 Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lion City Posts: 708	Kenko Pro 300 Can be use with AFS lenses, price around $300

24th March 2003	#3
esther Guests Posts: n/a	Teleplus MC7, good and quite reasonable, if not wrong, around $140 at Cathay

24th March 2003	#4
kingpin Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,425	What camera u using the lens with?

25th March 2003	#11
swimcraze Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: my heart in san francisco Posts: 2,256	whoa...thanks for your time taken to explain guys! I shall start hunting around for a TC now. xie xie...

25th March 2003	#14
nathan Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: singapore CCK Posts: 365	I may be getting the 80-400 VR lens, which TC can I use to double the focal lens with the F100...........thanks

30th March 2003	#15
swimcraze Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: my heart in san francisco Posts: 2,256	do they sell teleconverters at Camera workshop???

30th March 2003	#17
suhaimig Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Central Posts: 355	Message for Ian: I usually bring along my only 28-70 AFS with me. As sometimes there are need for a longer focal lenght, what have you say if I purchase the TC201 to increase the focal lenght with this lens. Appreciate your info. Cheers.

30th March 2003	#18
YellowTang Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 91	Just checking...the Tamron MC7 as mentioned by Ian..is this the same as the teleplus MC7? Also..not much experiences with TCs, when we say that the Fstop of the main lens is stopped down by using a TC, does it mean that we cannot shoot at that Fstop (although the cam will allow this) if we want to achieve acceptable sharpness etc, or will the cam actually restrict you from shooting at that Fstop. Cos what've I noticed is that I can still shoot at the largest Fstop..the shot just isn't as sharp... Any advice appreciated Thanks

30th March 2003	#19
Minimalis Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bukit Panjang Posts: 784	Well I just had to add in this comment, that the Kenko Pro300 DOES not work with the D100/AF-S 80-200mm F2.8 combination. Ths autofocus does not work at all. Something tells me this might not work on an F80 body as well. However, it is fine with the 70-200mm VR etc.