Keen to use Teleconverter, but good possibility in my particular case?

[Jim A]

Feel a bit out of my depth in this instance, even though having researched this over many days.

I have a Nikon D5200 camera (cropped sensor)

I have a Nikkor 18-300mms DX lens AF-S VR lens. Have just read that it is much better at the 300mms end (450mms equiv), which upends my thinking because I had always thought, just from reading about other lenses, that it would be softer at the 300 end. Now, I find that the problem tends to be the 18mms end, which is actually great news.

What I would like to do, is to extend this lens, by adding a Nikkor 1.4 Teleconverter, thus extending the overall range to 420 mms (630mms equiv). Great for birds, zoos and other wildlife. How does this sound?

At present, my main passion is event photography, when I use my Sigma 17-70 2.8- 4.00 lens. This works great, in most, but not all instances!

[Donald]

Sounds fine, Jim. Why do you ask?

I use a Canon 2x converter on Canon gear, but am sure Nikon will be just as good.

I must confess to be a bit doubtful of all that 'better at the 300mm end that at the 18mm end'. That may well be true in terms of a scientific test carried out by these review sites, but in the real world when you've got a print of an image, or a screen image, do you really notice any difference. Anyway, that is a side issue so far your question is concerned.

You will be aware of the loss of some speed on the lens. I don't know what the speed of the Nikkor lens is, but if your satisfied with the maximum aperture you can achieve for the subject that you plan to shoot, then no problem. Of course, the answer to the loss of a fast speed is, of course, to up the ISO.

And remember, the converter is not just for increasing the length of your longest lens. I use my converter on a 24mm tilt and shift and a 80mm tilt & shift, giving me a 48mm and 180mm lenses as well (+ a 1:1 macro on the 90mm)

[billtils]

Jim

That lens does not appear to be one of those that will accept a TC - see here for the list.

[Stagecoach]

Jim, if the lens is the NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR it could be that with the TC (if one of any make is compatible) it may not AF at the lens minimum aperture of f/6.3 at the long end.

I think this is worth investigating further.

[billtils]

Jim, if the lens is the NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR it could be that with the TC (if one of any make is compatible) it may not AF at the lens minimum aperture of f/6.3 at the long end.

I think this is worth investigating further.

Jim and Grahame - the compatibility issue identified in the Nikon article I cited is one of physical fit - the Nikon TCs will only fit lenses in the list.

Grahame is correct in that some of the lenses that are able to accept a TC have an AF issue, but if it doesn't fit that's kind of moot.

[rpcrowe]

Many folks tend to look at the various teleconverters availabla as panaceas which will increase the focal length of any lens. Nothing could be further from the truth!

As mentioned above, there are physical limitations in which a TC may not physically fit with specific lenses.

Even when a lens can physically mesh with a TC, many lenses will often lose auto focus capability or take a major hit in image quality.

Sometimes, especially working in macro photography, there are work arounds to allow the TC to be used with a lens which would normally not allow a TC to be added.

When I was shooting with Canon gear and a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens; the combination would not physically fit but, adding an extension tube would allow the TC to be used with the lens. Of course, the focus distance would be radically changed.

[William W]

. . . the compatibility issue identified in the Nikon article I cited is one of physical fit - the Nikon TCs will only fit lenses in the list.

This is so with Canon, too.

Upon reading the OP that was the primary question I was going to ask/research - will the lens FIT onto a Nikon Tele-converter? I had my doubts from the get go. A zoom which has a compass to the wide angle is typically NOT the lens that either Canon or Nikon tool to fit their Tele-converters.

You might find a third party x1.4 will do the job. A colleague of mine successfully used a Kenko x1.4 on her EF 85/1.8, because the Canon TC will not attach to that lens.

However, typically Prime Lenses perform noticeable better than Zoom Lenses when a TC is attached. For example, in Canon, there are only two notable exceptions in all of the range of Canon’s Zoom lenses, which perform very good to excellent with the Canon x1.4 attached.

The other two matters that you might need to consider are:

1. Will you still maintain AF? – Possibly not, because you drop 1 Stop adding a x1.4 and my guess is the lens is at F/5.6 or thereabouts at 300mm

2. Will the viewfinder be suitable bright in all shooting circumstances? – (same reason as 1).

WW

Post Script - what Richard wrote above mine, too, we appear to have been writing at the same time - I was much slower.

[Manfred M]

When I look at the construction of the the Nikkor 18-200mm lens as well as the Nikkor 28-200mm lens, the rear element of those lenses is not well protected inside the lens body. Having looked at a teleconverter, it's easy to see how the front element of the convertor and the rear element of the lens could touch and cause damage to those elements.

[Jim A]

Thanks everyone for your insightful and helpful responses. I meant to put in that the lens is f3.5 - 6.3, but neglected to do so. Regardless, it is clear that a teleconverter would not work on that lens, and it could end up a disaster if I tried.

One interesting thing that I came across is that, in most cases, third party teleconverters will not work with other brands. So, a Sigma teleconverter is not recommended for Nikon or Canon. Sigma teleconverters only really work with Sigma lenses. I only use that brand as an example.

[rpcrowe]

In general top-line prime lenses (Canon L lenses for example) will work best with teleconverters. I had excellent results using the 1.4X Mk. ii TC on a 300mm f/4L IS lens.

However, I have successfully used Canon 1.4x teleconverters on two zoom lenses: 70-200mm f/4L IS and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS ii. OTOH, even with Canon teleconverters, the Mk. iii version worked better (regarding AF) than the Mk. ii on the 100-400mm lens...

[William W]

. . . One interesting thing that I came across is that, in most cases, third party teleconverters will not work with other brands. So, a Sigma teleconverter is not recommended for Nikon or Canon. Sigma teleconverters only really work with Sigma lenses. I only use that brand as an example.

Firstly, there might be a difference of understanding as to the meaning of the term "third party".

My interpretation of its meaning is something like: another manufacturer who makes a range of parts to individually fit mainstream manufacturer's items. In this case Sigma makes its own lenses and cameras. So does Nikon and so does Fuji, etc.

By my definition, which was the meaning used in Post #6, a "third party" tele-extender is one made companies such as: Kenko; FotodioX; Vello; Vivitar; Bower Tamron; etc.

Additionally, Sigma do indeed make (as part of their third party manufacturing), two tele-extenders to fit Nikon F Mount. They are:

> Sigma TC-1401 1.4x Teleconverter in Nikon F Mount
> Sigma TC-1401 1.4x Teleconverter in Nikon F Mount

Nikon (also Canon) will always 'not recommend' that any third party item be used with Nikon (or Canon gear), but that does not mean that third party items will not work.

Understand: I am NOT stating that the two cited Sigma Teleconverters will mount on with your particular lens. What I am stating is, as a third party operative, Sigma (and I also mentioned Kenko previously) do make teleconverters which do mount and do work, and work well, with a range of Nikon Lenses which do NOT necessarily mount to their native Nikon Tele-extenders.

Those details all stated: my advice regrading the idea of adding ANY tele-extender/teleconverter to a minimum aperture F/6.3, all in one wide range zoom lens is: forget that idea.

WW

[billtils]

... Those details all stated: my advice regrading the idea of adding ANY tele-extender/teleconverter to a minimum aperture F/6.3, all in one wide range zoom lens is: forget that idea.

Wise words from WW.