200-400 with 1,4x TC
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
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
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 :)Originally Posted by rwhitaker
Szimi
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.
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
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/for...&pictureid=261 as is this http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...&pictureid=242
This with the D300/200-400/1.4x http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...&pictureid=245
Tony Whitehead
Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.
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.
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
Szimi,
Be careful, that combo is so sharp you could cut yourself with it!
James
Perched birds :)
Just got the lens about 15 days back. some images with the 1.4X TC
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/...d4240235_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/...2f569374_o.jpg
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