There are three different teleconverters available which are suitable for use with Nikon’s super telephoto Lenses, the TC-1.4E II, the TC-1.7E II and the TC-2.0E III. The TC-2.0E III is a relatively new teleconverter and appears to perform superbly with some of the Nikon super telephoto lenses.
One thing to beware of when using extremely long lenses, especially lenses extended by teleconverters, is your long lens handling techniques, however that will be subject to a separate article. Also sometimes when using teleconverters there will be a slight loss of contrast, however this can easily be corrected in post processing.
Nikon, Nikkor 200mm 2.0 G ED AF-S VR II Lens
This lens is quite easy to handle with teleconverters and can even be hand held successfully. The lens is a superb sharp lens and performs with all three teleconverters to give results equivalent to prime lenses as follows.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 280mm f/2.8 lens.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 340mm f/3.3 lens.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 400mm f/4 lens.
All of the configurations above will perform with extreme sharpness and should meet any persons expectation. There is no doubt that this lens is a superb performer with all of Nikon’s teleconverters.
Nikon, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 G ED ASF-S VR II Lens
This is the only zoom lens in this range which is suitable for use with Nikon’s teleconverters. This lens being a zoom has many elements (24 elements) and consequently it does suffer some degradation when used with teleconverters. The capability of this lens to be hand held depends to some extent on the capability of the individual, but some people can successfully hand hold this lens.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 280-560mm f/5.6 lens. This configuration will still be quite sharp and should generally retain accurate focussing.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 340-mm f/6.7 lens. Many find this configuration acceptable but there can be some difficulty in focussing.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 400-800mm f/8 lens. This lens is becoming a border line case with this teleconverter and the lens may not focus as fast as some would expect especially at lower light levels. There will also be a significant fall off in sharpness with this teleconverter.
Nikon, Nikkor, 300mm f/4 D IF ED AF-S Lens
The Nikon 300mm telephoto lenses are the most popular and usable lenses of all the lenses in this article, in my opinion. By usable I mean, cost effective to purchase and they are relatively easy to hand hold with good technique. The 300mm f/3 lens is a great lens for the money, however I really wish that it had the Nikon vibration reduction (VR) technology, I hope my wish will come true one day. Without VR, this lens cries out to be used with some support, good technique, bean bag, monopod, or tripod.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 450mm f/5.6lens. This configuration will be reasonably sharp and should generally retain accurate focussing.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 510mm f/6.7 lens. This configuration is generally very acceptable and can be exceptional good if the lens is stopped down by one stop.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 600mm f/8 lens. This configuration can perform very well with good technique and good support.
There have been magnificient images taken with all the combinations of the 300mm f/4 lens listed above.
Nikon, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 G ED VR II AF-S Lens
This lens by itself and in combination with any of the teleconverters is a great combination. Nikon released this lens together with the
TC-2.0E III teleconverter at the same time and it appears that both were made for each other, one great combination.
With this lens we get a 300mm f/2.8 lens and with the teleconverters the following combinations.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 450mm f/4 lens.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 510mm f/4.8 lens.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 600mm f/5.6 lens.
All of the configurations listed above will perform superbly, with extreme sharpness and should meet all expectations. There is no doubt that this lens has superb performance with all of Nikon’s teleconverters, they are made for each other. When using this lens with teleconverters, a tripod is desirable especially with the teleconverters, but this outfit can also be hand held with good technique. For capturing birds in flight this combination will be hard to beat.
Nikon, Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR Lens
The 400mm f/2.8 lens is a magnificent lens but is heavy and very expensive. This lens is one of the best performers with teleconverters, this superb performance is probably due to its large aperture of f/2.8. This lens is large, heavy and expensive.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 560mm f/4 lens.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 680mm f/4.8 lens.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 800mm f/5.6 lens.
All of the configurations above will perform superbly, with extreme sharpness and should meet any persons expectation. There is no doubt that this lens is a superb performer with all of Nikon’s teleconverters. When using this lens, a tripod is almost essential especially with the teleconverters.
Nikon, Nikkor 500mm f/4 G ED VR Lens
This is a great long lens, some can hand hold it and others can not. Best results will be acheived with a tripod, a tripod is essential when used with the teleconverters.
The characteristics of this lens when fitted with teleconverters is as follows.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 700mm f/5.6 lens. This provides excellent performance.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 850mm f/6.7 lens. Again excellent performance.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 1,000mm f/8 lens. The lens focussing may hunt slightly in duller light.
Nikon, Nikkor 600mm f/4 G ED VR Lens
This super lens is the ultimate long lens and with teleconverters it is massive, both in size and cost. This lens is not hand holdable, a very solid tripod is required in all cases.
The lens characteristics with televonverters are as follows.
- With the TC-1.4E II we get a 840mm f/5.6 lens. This provides excellent performance.
- With the TC-1.7E II we get a 1,020mm f/6.7 lens. Again excellent performance.
- With the TC-2.0E III we get a 1,200mm f/8 lens. The lens focussing may hunt slightly in duller light.