200-400VR and 1.7 Nikon teleconverter

I use the 1.4 Nikon Teleconverter with the Nikkor 200-400VR for bird photography. I wonder if I should consider the intermediate 1.7 Nikon teleconverter for a little more reach when needed. I have the 2X converter but see unacceptable loss of image quality usually. Any opinions on this combination? Presently using the D200, but may upgrade to the D300 if I find some disposable cash in my lap. I realize that the bare lens gives the best results but compromises are made. Looking for some sage advise.

Gary, I've been researching which teleconverter to get for my 200-400mm lens, and I saw that autofocus doesn't work with the 1.7. Is that a consideration for you?

I'm also very interested in any responses you get to this question. Otherwise, it's the 1.4 for me.

Nancy

Hi Gary,
I usually use the Nikon 1.4x, but I also sometimes use the Nikon 1.7x. The autofocus works well even in low light. I'm using the D300 and the 200-400mm VR lens. I'm not sure why Nancy's research shows the autofocus won't work. In my experience it works very well, about as well as the 1.4x.

Autofocus will work with the 1.7 in good light. It's just not guaranteed by Nikon because it may hunt a lot in poor light. I've only used the 1.4 but from everything I've read, image quality suffers a little with the 1.7 but it is still very usable, and I plan to pick one up soon.

I was kind of wondering about what I read about the 1.7 not autofocusing on the 200-400mm VR lens, but here's the link where I found that (Nikon's website):

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=2151

Wait, I also see that it says on the same page that it DOES AF. So, I guess they've got their own info mixed up. Didn't mean to cause confusion.

Nancy

Just got my D300, and the 1.7 does just fine with the 200-400 VR, in reasonable light.
This combination was slow on the D200, though.
Sandy r

Sandy, How does the 1.7 compare to the 1.4 when it comes to sharp images?

Nancy

Although I can't say I have had a lot of experience with the 1.7X on the 200-300Vr, but I am sooting with both the D2X and the D3 with that combination and the result has been more than just acceptable. I guess that the only thing I don't care for is the loss of a F/ stop, but there is absolutly nothing you can do abou that. All in all I am very satisfied. I have used it alot on the 70-200Vr and have been extreemly pleased with the results. I really have no trouble with none AF except in very low light whith the 200-400VR.

Thank you for all your comments. I'm thinking the purchase of the 1.7 will be tied to an upgrade to the D300 in my case. Again thanks for the help.

Nancy, i see no difference in sharpness, but have only shot about 30 images with the D300/1.7 so far. (Both are new for me)

I should take images of the same thing with both the d300/1.4 and D300/1.7 and post them. - will try to do this in the next week or so.

Sandy