200-400 with 1,4x TC

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Hi Friends,

What is your experience using Nikkor 200-400mm f4 lens with 1.4x teleconverter?
Is sharpness still fine?
How AF speed slowing with TC?
Can a smooth bg provided by this combo + D300s?
Are all sensor working with TC?

Do you have sample bird images taken with this combo?

Thanks, Szimi

[rwhitaker]

Szimi,
I have been shooting with D200/D700 and the 200-400mm/TC-1.4II for about a year now. Although I have not done extensive testing on my own, I bought the combination based on testing results of several pros. I really cannot see a difference in IQ, or focus response with or without the TC. There is a drop off of light, as would be expected, but that is only meaningful with the D200. The D700/(D300) low light ability is the go to body if light is an issue.

I will eventually buy the TC-1.7II, the reports are good. The TC-2.0II has some IQ/focus problems, but many still use the combination.

I assume you have the 2-4, so I won't write a book about how much I love that lens. I shoot birds and sports, and will swap combinations of the above plus the 70-200 depending on distance and light. It works very well for me.

Robert

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

I assume you have the 2-4, so I won't write a book about how much I love that lens. I shoot birds and sports, and will swap combinations of the above plus the 70-200 depending on distance and light. It works very well for me.

Robert

Thanks Robert! No, I still don't have the 200-400 but budget is limited now for photo gear and my only chance is at the moment to go for the 200-400 with 1.4x or 1.7x TC. I am to use it with D300s or D400(?) :D resulting 840mm focal length which is fine for my photography for a while :)

Szimi

[rwhitaker]

If you really need 800+mm the 600 with TC would give best results but $$$. The flexible range for sports and shooting large wading birds (South Florida), the 2-4 is hard to beat.

I will replace the D200 next year after the dust settles around Nikons new bodies this year. I will probably stay with a DX body, I like the versatility both DX & FX.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

I will get 600mm anyway but will be delayed a bit. Till then I can shoot with the big zoom. That was my basic idea. 600mm is a mandatory for a bird photographer but looks I will be happy with the questioned combo for a while.

Would love to read other Nikon shooter's comment on it.

Szimi

[Tony Whitehead]

Szimi, I have used the 200-400 extensively for birds and sport on D70, D200, D300 and D700. The performance with the 1.4x is excellent and I am tending to use this combo on the D700 in preference to the lens without TC on the D300. If I need extra reach I go to the D300 with the TC1.4. There is a slight loss in focus speed with the 1.4 but still fine for BIF. The 1.7x is fine for perched birds but a bit hit and miss for BIF as the focus slows significantly in the D300 ( I haven't used it enough on the D700 to know if there is any significant difference).
This image is with the D300/200-400/1.7x http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/album.php?albumid=16&pictureid=261 as is this http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/album.php?albumid=16&pictureid=242
This with the D300/200-400/1.4x http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/album.php?albumid=16&pictureid=245

[Fabs Forns]

I was very happy with the 1.4X and the 2-4, as well as with the 500/4 I have now. I agree with Tony about using the 1.7X for perched birds only. If you look into Nikon's recommendation, they tell you the 1.7X is for 2.8 lenses.

I also prefer the D3 with 1.4X rather than D300 straight, for speed of acquisition and frame rate.

[Sid Garige]

Sizmi,

Here is a sample D300, 200-400mm VR + 1.7x. Straight out of RAW only jpg conversion in pp.
F6.7 1/400

F8 and F11 produce my better results.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Sizmi,

Here is a sample D300, 200-400mm VR + 1.7x. Straight out of RAW only jpg conversion in pp.
F6.7 1/400

F8 and F11 produce my better results.

Gorgeous result. Thanks for sharing.

Szimi

[James Shadle]

Szimi,
Be careful, that combo is so sharp you could cut yourself with it!
James

[Fabs Forns]

Perched birds :)

[tecomella]

Just got the lens about 15 days back. some images with the 1.4X TC

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4273869303_e4d4240235_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4274614056_832f569374_o.jpg