Search function didn't provide me with much, so I turn to you guys.
Just moved to Nikon from Canon. Picked up a 200-400, a lens I've been wanting to try for a long time.
I've read various opinions on the the use of TCs with the 200-400. A general summary is that, well, only the 1.4x does any good. 1.7 and 2.0 both have less than desireable results. Now the caveat to this is all these reviews tend to be older and using older bodies.
Curious if anyone has used any of these recently with the D800 (I have) and the D7000 (I'm getting the D7100)?
I recently used my TC 2.0 III on a rented 200-400 in Yosemite and it worked great. The lens is sharp wide open and I stepped down 1-2 steps with the TC2 and had no issues with softness. Camera used was 800E, I used a sturdy tripod to mount the lens, 5sec self timer and mirror lock-up with 2sec delay.
I was checking out Joe McNally's site and his new gear link, his "what's in the bag" thing. He loves the 200-400 for many things but interestingly lists the TC17 as the only tele converter he bothers with. I think he said he thought it gave the best all around performance. Again for his needs. That's what's key I think. You have to use this equipment and evaluate based on your needs and what you deem acceptable. Borrow or rent the TC's and see what works for you.
The AF on the 200-400 is not the swiftest out there to begin with. Adding a TC (any TC) exacerbates that.
For things that move, I've gotten great results using the lens naked. The crop-ability if you will, of the D800(e)
makes me think you'll prefer the files too. I lived at f4 for my rodeo work and thru f5.6 for BIF, if you're comfortable
stopping down to f8-11 you may see merit in TC's and this zoom. I sure didn't, that's what fast primes are for. GL
This is an unretouched, 100% crop of the above... my D300, f/8, ISO 1250. It's not as razor sharp as the bare lens but for a shot above ISO 800 out of the D300, I think it's got pretty good detail. You be the judge:
Yes, there are two versions -- I have the older one. I don't use TC's with mine. I did some shooting on the weekend with my D800 and the 200-400 and used the 1.2 crop mode. I'll post some results when I get a moment.
I have found that the 200-400mm works better with TC's when you use a D800 (I assume the same may apply to the D4) since the AF system has been enhanced vis-a-vis previous models. I did use the 200-400mm with a D3s and the only TC that worked without any problem was the 1.4x. Under good sunlight I could also use the TC1.7x (with a D3s) but sometimes I could not keep the AF. On the other hand, with the D800 I have been able to use all three Nikon TC's (1.4.1.7 and 2.x III) with relatively good results. These are two samples of pictures taken with the 200-400mm and the D800 with the TC1.4x and the 1.7x.
You need the latest AF systems to actually do any AF at f/8 (the 200-400 f/4 lens with a 2x TC) and apparently the latest 2x TC (the III model) does a decent job. This might be great for photographing whales or slow-ish animals but perhaps not so great for fast action with animals or vehicles approaching rapidly.
It seems that with a 2x TC on this lens you will not be able to use all AF sensors. I'm not sure how many you actually lose but it may be significant. This sort of thing would not show up on old reviews because prior to last year none of the Nikon cameras were specified to do AF at f/8.
The 2x TC is a bit pricey and my application for it is rather limited and so I have yet to try it out for myself. The loss of AF sensors put me off as much as anything, but the slower AF speed is a significant factor too. Plus in poor light f/8 is getting pretty dark even for the AF sensors that do work.
The 200-400VR definitely works with TCs. Pictures are a bit softer with the 1.7TC, the 1.4 is the best and the 2.0 even works on a Nikon One (I took moon pics with the 200-400VR+2.0 TC on a J1 with the FT1).
A few examples with the 1.7 TC canada 155 by gugs, on Flickr
