Nikon TC 2x e - help, please

Can someone please tell me if this TC will work on my 200-400 VR, and the 500 F4 ?
All the time/some of the time/ not often? ie, is it worth getting! I hav a chance to get a like-new one for a good price.
Already have a TC 14.
thanks!!
sandy R

Sandy, the Nikkor TC-20E is designed to work with the big glass long AF-S lenses. Most of the time, the TC-20E will autofocus on the 500 f/4 with the high end bodies such as the D1 and D2 series along with the F5 and F6. Autofocust seems to be really dependent on the contrast as we use two different 600 mm F/4 of which one consistantly autofocuses while the other is tempermental.

As far as the 200-400mm VR, we have had no experience with that lens. But, the TC-20E is an extremely good teleconverter. Otherwise, you might also consider the TC-17E.

Thanks, David - is there any reason you know that it would not work with the D200? I used a D1X before, and actually like the D200 that i now have MUCH better. I'm sure I'll get a D2X at some point - or whatever comes out next - but for now, the D200 meets all my needs.
I'm heading to Yellowstone's wolves with Dale Franz at the end of the month (can't wait!!) , and want to have as much power as I can get.
Do you think there is a good reason to have both the 14e and 20 e TC's ?
thanks again -
Sandy

Hi Sandy,
I have the D200 and use the TC 20E with a 300/2.8 with no problem at all. I believe this converter works fine (i.e., autofocuses) with AF-S lenses less than 5.6. And yes, the reason to have a 1.4 or 1.7 TC is that sometimes a 2.0 gets you too close unless you want that photo of one wolf nostril. At 400mm w/a 2.0 TC plus the 1.5 magnification factor of the sensor, that's 1200mm, right? That's a lot of mm's! Good enough to keep you at a safe distance and stillt great shots. But if you happen to be closerƒ best have a lesser TC on another body handy. Hope that helps.
Have a fantastic time in Yellowstone, and let's see some shots when you get back. Lucky!

The 2x only guarantees autofocus with f/2.8 lenses. It MIGHT AF on an f/4 with really good light but you can't depend on it. It will work fine but you may have to manually focus.

Good luck on shooting the wolves. You will have a good chance of seeing them, but you will be very fortunate if you get the chance to shoot them.

These are from last winter.

http://www.joshuaandersonphotography.com/WolvesGallery.html

If I remember correctly we saw them on 3 or 4 different occasions, but had only about 30 min. of actually shooting time with them. If was well worth it though. I can't wait to get back out there.

As I recall from reading, most cameras are designed to reliably AF up to f5.6. With a 300 f2.8 lens, it's getting f2.8 minus two stops to work with: f5.6. With an 600mm f4 lens, it's getting f8, which is half as much light as f5.6. So, problem isn't the TC, it's the AF system which isn't sensitive enough to work at lower light levels. At f8 it's marginal, meaning it depends on how much contrast there is in the subject and how good the light is you are working in. If your lens/TC combo is f5.6 or faster, you shouldn't have an AF problem (at least in daytime.) If it's f8 it becomes "iffy," and slower than f8 it probably won't work at all.


Kent in SD


Kent in SD

Hey, Kent, thanks for the clarification. I guess that would be the other good reason to use a 1.4 where you only lose 1 stop of light....
Sorry about that, Sandy.... Good luck on your shoot.

Hi Sandy. I'm late in commenting to your question, but here goes. I have the TC20E11, but haven't used it on either of the lenses you own (I wish!). I think that the Nikon 2X is generally considered acceptable as a last resort to get a shot, even with good glass (with the possible exception of the 300 2.8 which is very sharp and can tolerate the loss of iq inherent in the teleconverter - see some of R. Ditch avian photos). I'm just parroting what others have said about the 2x with your lenses, but that's the consensus as I understand. I do have a friend who has used the 2x with a Nikkor 500 f4 and he experiences difficulty in getting top notch photos (he's a pro with 30 yrs experience). Lack of VR in the 500 may be the issue??? I think the 1.7 x tele might be a better choice for you when extra reach is needed. The 1.7 didn't exist when I purchased my 2X. I guess it comes down to how picky you are about image quality vs "will it work". Just my 2c, hate to see you purchase something you might not be happy with.