Before I got my Canon 400mm f4 DO, I had a 300mm f2.8 L IS which I used virtually exclusively with the Canon 1.4x and 2x converters. With the 1.4x, there was a very minor slow-down of AF and sharpness was virtually the same as the prime alone. When I added the 2x, there was a noticeable, and somewhat bothersome, slowdown in AF acquisition and the quality was a little diminished but certainly very acceptable.
When I fly abroad and big lenses aren't the way to go I always bring that combo. Handheld all the time...
The 300VR is an extraordinary lens and the new TC2x is outstanding.
AF speed suffers a little but I shoot with great success BIF. To couple this combo I use the D300.
IQ is almost perfect, becoming perfect if you close to f8. Just be aware of shooting speed. I try to shoot above 1/500, so no VR engaged.
Highly recommended.
I just sold my Nikon 600mm vr, and recently bought the new 300mm vr2 with TC 2.0 lll. I am happy I did.
There is a small hit on AF speed, and the quality is quite good. I shoot mostly f/7 and above. With the D3s and the ability to handhold 600mm, it gives me flexibility I never had before. Along with the 70-200 vr2 and
TC 1.7 combo, I now have everything I need for telelphoto work, that I can carry. Occassionally, I shoot the 300 without TC's, the results are simply magical. BTW, I tried the 300mm VR1 first, I would estimate at least one stop, and better, a stop and half imporvement in hand hold stability.
IF on the other hand, I was a full time avian shooter, I would have stayed with the 600mm.
Primary reason, f/4...............and AF speed. If I traveled, than the 500mm with DX. The new d7000 with 70-200, TC2 is my new favorite BIF combo, and I can still carry the 300mm/TC1.7.
I have (canon) 500 f/4 and 300 f/2.8. I have always taken my 500 when I go on Safari, but next year I am taking the 300. I find it extremely sharp, even with 1.4, 2x, and stacked 1.4+2x TCs (840 mm f/8).
You have a Nikon D3 which has 8.46 micron pixels. If you had a camera with smaller pixels, you would get a resolution boost. For example, I have a 1D Mark II wtih 8.2 micron pixels. Many images are on my web site (Africa, birds, etc) with the 1DII and 500 mm. Now with a 1DIV with 5.7 micron pixels, that is a resolution boost over the 1DII of 1.44x. So a 500 mm on the 1D2 is like 500/1.44 = 347 mm on the 1DIV. Further, the improvements in sensor technology mean equal light gathering ability of those smaller pixels. So the 1DIV+300mm +1.4x significantly beats the 1dII+500mm in resolution and the 1DIV combo equals the 1dII combo in ISO performance.
I'm doing more with the 300 because it is so much lighter and easier to hand hold.
The 300mm f2.8 and TC-20E III is the best way to go for portable long lenses. We did some testing at a friends place and found wide open its decent sharp in that combo but very good at around f8. We used a bare 300mm f2.8 as the reference point because that is rediculous sharp! Our target was a stuffed Northern Flicker so we could evaluate feather detail. Our conclusions was that if weight and space is an issue the 300 with 2X is the a very good option. Especially with a cropped sensor.
Hi Bill, I use the Canon 300/2.8 with a 2x tc quite often (with a 7D). The AF does slow down but I have found that by using a focus limiter (usually 6.4 mtrs - infinity) AF speed is quite acceptable. Although the combo is fairly good wide open at f5.6 I do try to stop down a bit for the very best IQ. I also find it quite good with stacked 1.4x and 2x (840/8). I Assume Nikon would be equally as good.