Posted by Alan Woolnough on February 12, 2007 at 9:27 AM
Well, my tc-16a arrived today, and all seems well!
I eagerly mounted it on my D70/400mm f2.8 and took a shot of the sky and 'bloody hell', NO sign of any vignetting!!
As this tc is aimed for 300mm or shorter, i was pleasently surprised.
I shall now wait for some decent light and compare the optical quality against my 1.4 and x2 with a few test shots, but the viewfinder image looks promising.
If all is well, it will be decision time for me. This all boils down to whether i value the high sync capability of my D70, more than gaining a usable 'form' of AF with my main {most used} lens {400mm}.
If i do go ahead and get a D2h body {and gain AF capability with this tc and my MF lens}, my non-dedicated flashguns will be restricted to the 1/250 sec sync speed, unless i shell out for a dedicated flashgun that allows FP use.
Although i have a 'rough' idea about this high-sync method, i am unsure how much power loss may be involved with this method.
Would i be correct in thinking that i would lose 2 stops of power, if shooting at 1/000sec {for example} with the D2h, or does the internal wizardry only reduce the power slightly in this scenario.
I realise that my better beamer may help compensate with this method of flash photography, but it is an extra hassle that ive not often required with my D70 {although i may have to put up with it for the sake of gaining the AF option with my lens}.
This flash question is the 'one' thing that 'may' convince me to remain fully manual with my D70/400mm, and not get the D2h, although if the power loss is only slight, i shall certainly be taking the plunge.
Any help appreciated!
Alan
Posted by Ben Micklem on February 12, 2007 at 9:41 AM
Have you considered the D1x? It is a CCD camera that uses electronic shutter speeds above 1/500, just like your D70. It will AF with a TC-16a. It is also probably a bit cheaper used than a D2h. The battery life is nothing like as good though.
I think the light loss with FP is great- it is done by strobing the flash, and I would only think it would work for you at very short distances. Not really sure of how many stops you'd loose- never used it myself.
If I were you, I would consider the options carefully, as buying another camera just to use the AF teleconverter may be a false economy in the long run when the money could be put towards a fully AF lens. I think for some subjects where you need AF, the TC-16a won't have enough focusing range (e.g. birds in flight), so you'd have to be refocusing manually too.
Posted by Alan Woolnough on February 12, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Thanks for that Ben,
The D1x was going to be my first choice, due to its sync ability and same size sensor as my D70, but i have NOT found any confirmation that the tc-16a WILL definately af with this body {apparently the handbook say's no}. If i could be absolutely certain the D1x would AF with this combination, i would definately go for it.
I had thought about getting a s/h af lens instead, but i feel my 400mm 2.8 + tc's is the best alround combination of FL's and max apertures suited to stalking 'my' local habitats and hide photography, that i have so far owned, and to replicate this manual set-up with an AF lens and suitable tc's would be way beyond my budget {even s/h}.
The focusing range shouldn't be a major concern with this tc, as it is extremely rare for me to shoot at infinity {in fact i am usually only tweaking my focus ring when manually focusing}, and it may even be an advantage to only have a narrow af range, as it may help in regards to af speed with the rod driven method {a focus limiter of sorts}.
I fully intend to remain with MF, but the tc16a will give an af option relatively cheaply, and as my lens is designed for MF, it possibly is easier to MF than a true AF lens.
Are you certain about the D1x though {maybe i shall do some more searching}
thanks for your reply
Alan
Posted by Ben Micklem on February 12, 2007 at 12:01 PM
After a little search, I think I was wrong about the D1x working with it. Strange that they increased support for older parts with newer models (D2)- very unusual today!
I too cannot afford an AF lens- I use the 500mm f/4 P lens with my D200. I like it a lot, but would love an AF lens.
Posted by Alan Woolnough on February 12, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Cheers Ben,
I think it is only the D2x and D2h that actually AF with that TC {probably the lastest versions of those bodies also}. I think other bodies allow mounting of the tc, and some even allow metering, but AF seems to be restricted to those two 'digital' bodies.
I don't find it a major problem using MF, although it is obviously more suited to perched birds and fairly static waders etc. Its also not too challenging with waders 'on the move' PROVIDING they are wandering across the frame.
I do have difficulty manually focusing on waders that are on the move 'towards' me though, and in those situations an ability to AF would be a worthwhile option for me, as focusing with a digital camera manually does not allow for lag times, and predictive focusing is not active.
Seems to me that this tc {and a suitable body} would be useful for me in this type of scenario, as i have very few action/movement shots in my files, although i am happy enough with MF for 90% of the time.
It will still be a pretty expensive option for me, but cheaper than completely replacing my gear. Even so, i shall be putting a lot more thought into it {bearing in mind the flash question}, and if i decide to stay as i am, the tc will probably still be used {slightly more reach than my 1.4}.
Discussion
4 repliesI eagerly mounted it on my D70/400mm f2.8 and took a shot of the sky and 'bloody hell', NO sign of any vignetting!!
As this tc is aimed for 300mm or shorter, i was pleasently surprised.
I shall now wait for some decent light and compare the optical quality against my 1.4 and x2 with a few test shots, but the viewfinder image looks promising.
If all is well, it will be decision time for me. This all boils down to whether i value the high sync capability of my D70, more than gaining a usable 'form' of AF with my main {most used} lens {400mm}.
If i do go ahead and get a D2h body {and gain AF capability with this tc and my MF lens}, my non-dedicated flashguns will be restricted to the 1/250 sec sync speed, unless i shell out for a dedicated flashgun that allows FP use.
Although i have a 'rough' idea about this high-sync method, i am unsure how much power loss may be involved with this method.
Would i be correct in thinking that i would lose 2 stops of power, if shooting at 1/000sec {for example} with the D2h, or does the internal wizardry only reduce the power slightly in this scenario.
I realise that my better beamer may help compensate with this method of flash photography, but it is an extra hassle that ive not often required with my D70 {although i may have to put up with it for the sake of gaining the AF option with my lens}.
This flash question is the 'one' thing that 'may' convince me to remain fully manual with my D70/400mm, and not get the D2h, although if the power loss is only slight, i shall certainly be taking the plunge.
Any help appreciated!
Alan
I think the light loss with FP is great- it is done by strobing the flash, and I would only think it would work for you at very short distances. Not really sure of how many stops you'd loose- never used it myself.
If I were you, I would consider the options carefully, as buying another camera just to use the AF teleconverter may be a false economy in the long run when the money could be put towards a fully AF lens. I think for some subjects where you need AF, the TC-16a won't have enough focusing range (e.g. birds in flight), so you'd have to be refocusing manually too.
The D1x was going to be my first choice, due to its sync ability and same size sensor as my D70, but i have NOT found any confirmation that the tc-16a WILL definately af with this body {apparently the handbook say's no}. If i could be absolutely certain the D1x would AF with this combination, i would definately go for it.
I had thought about getting a s/h af lens instead, but i feel my 400mm 2.8 + tc's is the best alround combination of FL's and max apertures suited to stalking 'my' local habitats and hide photography, that i have so far owned, and to replicate this manual set-up with an AF lens and suitable tc's would be way beyond my budget {even s/h}.
The focusing range shouldn't be a major concern with this tc, as it is extremely rare for me to shoot at infinity {in fact i am usually only tweaking my focus ring when manually focusing}, and it may even be an advantage to only have a narrow af range, as it may help in regards to af speed with the rod driven method {a focus limiter of sorts}.
I fully intend to remain with MF, but the tc16a will give an af option relatively cheaply, and as my lens is designed for MF, it possibly is easier to MF than a true AF lens.
Are you certain about the D1x though {maybe i shall do some more searching}
thanks for your reply
Alan
I too cannot afford an AF lens- I use the 500mm f/4 P lens with my D200. I like it a lot, but would love an AF lens.
I think it is only the D2x and D2h that actually AF with that TC {probably the lastest versions of those bodies also}. I think other bodies allow mounting of the tc, and some even allow metering, but AF seems to be restricted to those two 'digital' bodies.
I don't find it a major problem using MF, although it is obviously more suited to perched birds and fairly static waders etc. Its also not too challenging with waders 'on the move' PROVIDING they are wandering across the frame.
I do have difficulty manually focusing on waders that are on the move 'towards' me though, and in those situations an ability to AF would be a worthwhile option for me, as focusing with a digital camera manually does not allow for lag times, and predictive focusing is not active.
Seems to me that this tc {and a suitable body} would be useful for me in this type of scenario, as i have very few action/movement shots in my files, although i am happy enough with MF for 90% of the time.
It will still be a pretty expensive option for me, but cheaper than completely replacing my gear. Even so, i shall be putting a lot more thought into it {bearing in mind the flash question}, and if i decide to stay as i am, the tc will probably still be used {slightly more reach than my 1.4}.
thanks
Alan