1.4x or 1.5x teleconverter for nikon with autofocus?

hey everyone,

I've never used a teleconverter.

I'm looking for an inexpensive teleconverter that will work with my Nikon prime F2.8 lenses, a 1.4x or 1.5x, that will allow auto-focus to work... and of course maintain good image quality..

by inexpensive, I mean $200 or less... $100 would be even better :)

does anyone know one that will fit that description?

thanks!
scott

The Kenko Pro 300 1.4x is in that ballpark. I have one for my Minolta/Sony glass and it works very well. >=))>

The problem you may encounter is the age old balance between "good" and "inexpensive". I don't know what Kenko converters are going for right now but they are probably the least expensive "good" ones. Anything less will probably not give much in the way of image quality.

mike, bill - thanks a lot for your replies...

the kenko is $190 with shipping in the US, and $130 (with shipping) if I get one new from hong kong, which I guess is like buying a gray market one here.. hmmmmm

I have the Nikon 1.4. There is a dependency on the lens as to whether AF will work, or maybe even whether it will fit at all. My 1.4 works only on AFS lenses. For me, those are 70-200 and 105 macro. It's been a while, so I'll let you do further research. Point being, don't assume any particular converter will necessarily fit, or give you full functionality, on every lens, regardless of the make, focal length and aperture.

You have great lens. i personally would no compromise it with an inexpensive TC. keep your eye on Ebay, and on www.KEH.com for good used TC's, if you don't want pay for a new one.The re-sale will also be much better in the future, should you decide to sell it.
My 2 cents only, having found out the hard way!

Sandy r

The Kenko and Tamron SP are the same thing, made in the same factory. Sometimes you can find one on eBay for less than the other. Do not even bother with a $100 one. Money down the toilet.


Kent in SD

I have the Tamron Sp and have tried to use it on various Nikon lenses. It performs very bad on the 70-200, but acceptably on the 105/2.8 or the 50/1.4.
Btw, can any one tell me how the TC14E and TC17E perform on the 70-200? (I obviously need to change my current TC)
Simon in NY

I use a TC17E on my 300/4 AFS, and it almost never comes off. Well worth the price.

A major thing to consider is whether the lens is an AF-S or just an AF lens. The former uses a built in silent wave motor to auto-focus while the latter uses a mechanical auto-focus.

For the AF-S lenses, the Nikkor TC-14E is almost impossible to beat. Unfortunately, its price is $$$.

For the AF lenses, the problem with the Nikkor TC-14B is that it will not auto-focus as there is no mechanical link. But, the Kenko Pro does have the linkage. However, if you could find a TC-14C, that would be superb even if it does not auto-focus. The problem with it is that its used price will make the TC-14E look cheap!

Give the choice, I would get the Kenko Pro for the AF lenses and the Nikkor for the AF-S lenses. But, above it sounds like the Kenko Pro does not work well with some of the lenses, most notably the AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR.

thanks for the replies everyone, they all have been very helpful. once I finalize my decision and purchase something I'll try to post some images :)

Scott