600 Vr & 2.0x

[Alfred Forns]

Got to use the 2X on the 600 VR All previous reports have been negative with this combination and the previous 600 Also the previous reports have been using the D2x

It was my opinion the softness had to do with the combination of factors Having to use a low ISO with the D2x and not having VR on the 600 lens

Now using a D3 and taking advantage of the high ISO and having VR on the lens it seems a 2.0X is usable The conditions were not favorable for the test and had very few chances but I like the results and think its a usable combination
Will be trying more in the near future

Comments welcome and much appreciated

Nikon D3
600 VR 2.0X
f8.0 1/1250
ISO 1600
Av -1/3

[Bob Blanchard]

Welcome to the world of really big and heavy glass :D I'll have to show you my "boardwalk cart" someday, but first, you have to carry it for at least four or five 2 mile (or longer) hikes (it's a right-of-passage kind of thing ;)).

Seriously, though....This looks like a workable combination to me. The beak seems to have just a hint of softness to it (nothing a bit of sharpening wouldn't take care of), but I'm quite impressed with the noise level at ISO 1600.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This looks very impressive. Could you post a 100% crop of the eye?

[Maxis Gamez]

This is very nice Alfred. Excellent details.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Axel Here iit is 100% unsharpened

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thanks, that looks very good!

[Bob Blanchard]

I agree - That's VERY impressive! Very low noise for that ISO.

[Mike Wilson]

Good info for us AF! Bird needs to look this way and then be sharpened a little. Love that squeaky clean bg.

[Alfred Forns]

Thanks Mike I was lucky to get that one Not many birds and bad light

I'm excited about the combo I was sure it would work !!! In good light I could use the D300 and it becomes an 1800 f 8.0 Some serious magnification !!!!

[Jan Wegener]

HI Alfred,
that doesn't look too bad....Would like to see a shot with less ISo, then you should have more details :)
The low noise of the D3 is impressive !

I attach Canon 600 and 2x with Mark IIn for comparism :) F8 ISO 400
hope that's okay

[Raymond Barlow]

Nice shot Alfred, that combo should work very well in some prime light.

[Juan Aragonés]

Diossssss!!!! (Oh my god!!!!!!!!) Al this first post with the 2XTC is really promising. Would love to see the response under better light cio¡onditions but in my opinion the combo looks pretty god. I have experience with the 300VR+2XTC and considering the bad reputation of the Nikon 2XTC and that only perform well with the 300VR.... well, I have to say that I am surprised to see that the results with the 600VR looks very similar in terms of IQ to the ones produced by the 300VR.
Al, what can you say about AF speede performance with the 2XTC? I see that you used the combo wide open so the results are more promissing. I am sure that stopping down the lens will improve the results. Having an usable 1600ISO and 1/1250s shutter speed you have a lot of room to work with!. Please, keep on posting more results.

[Jeroen Stel]

Hi Alfred,

I am allways afraid to use the 2x converter on my 600mm but must say that these results look impressive!
Now i know weather and sunlight are allways much better on your side of the big pond so that's a major factor in terms of light but i will start to test out my 600 x 2x tc this spring and summer to see what i can get.
Well done and thank you for sharing!

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel

[Art Peslak]

Pretty impressive Alfred.

[Alfred Forns]

Thanks Jan Good comparison I did use the 2X when I shot Canon!!!

Juan I wanted to go wide open for worst case scenario The AF performance is what you would expect out of that combo About the same as the Canon Sluggish but usable !!!

Jeroen for static subjects with a good technique I'm sure it would work My impression from before was the the combo was unable to produce sharp images at all

[Jeff Nadler]

Alfred,

At 1600, the detail and noiseless result looks really good to me. In this web post, there is certainly plenty of plumage detail and it is not soft IMO. My view is that if the 2X can give you images that you would have missed out completely, even if they are not as sharp as without the 2X, it is certainly worth using it and enjoying it.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

I really like the pose and the BG!!!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Great combo Alfred and it is going to be very exciting to see what you are able to capture with good light and lots of birds. Will be watching for you future posts with your new LITTLE toy !!