Just picked up my new 300 f2.8 from the courier and the TC 17EII is on the way. Can’t wait to get it out! Will post in sport and/or nature after a test drive this weekend!
I have been using this lens for my wildlife and bird photography with the 3 TC's, 1.4 TCII, 1.7 TCII and 2x TCIII, for the last 2.5 years and all I can say is that it is a gem and I am sure you'll love it. It is probably my most utilised lens.
Even with the TC's it does a superb job and makes a great reasonably compact set up for travel if you need reach. Even though I have a 500 f4 VR, I sometimes just take the 300 and use TC's for a compact lighter weight kit.
A few samples showing the excellent IQ and detail from this incredible lens including some samples with TC's.
D700 + 300mm f2.8 VRII + 2x TCIII, f6.3, 1/640sec, ISO3200. This is not even 1 full stop down from wide open, but 1/3rd of a stop @ f6.3!! Plenty of detail still.
First off I have to say this lens is heavy and although it can be hand held my back was hurting when I was done. After a couple of hours I put it on a mono pod so I could rest up in between shots.
So I've had the 300 f2.8 VRII for a few days now, but the weather has been fowl. Today I decided to venture out despite the rain, cloud and fog to see how it performs. Still waiting for the 17EII TC so was just shooting naked at 300mm. Considering the conditions I'm pretty impressed. I wouldn't think of venturing out with my old gear in these conditions. Can't wait to see how this lens performs in better conditions. In the mean time I've attached a few from today.
Wednesday I'm going to try it at a local Jr B hockey game
By the way Lance nice examples. Some of your samples here and at NC influenced my decision to go with the 300 rather than the 200-400 or 500 for now.
@Lance B I have to say I am impressed with the 300mm F2.8 with TC 2.0 III shots you posted. It's unbelievable the sharpness it retains. Have these been sharpened much in post production ?
Also from your experience in using the lens with TC 2.0 III is there much obvious degradation in the performance continuous AF tracking of flying birds or running animals?
veeral wrote:
@Lance B I have to say I am impressed with the 300mm F2.8 with TC 2.0 III shots you posted. It's unbelievable the sharpness it retains. Have these been sharpened much in post production ?
Also from your experience in using the lens with TC 2.0 III is there much obvious degradation in the performance continuous AF tracking of flying birds or running animals?
Thank you for your kind comments.
I did not use much sharpening at all. I use Power Retouche sharpening plug in for Photoshop and use a very modest setting.
AF speed is affected using the 2x TC. In good light it is very good, but suffers a tad in low light, as to be expected. Still much better than a normal consumer f5.6 zoom though.
tgbs wrote:
Lovely pictures, I am impressed with the sharpness even with 2X TCIII.
If you could afford only two of the TCs for that lens, which would choose and in what order?
Thanks
tgbs
Thank you for your nice comments, tghs.
For the 300 f2.8 VRII I would choose the 1.4x TCII and the 2x TCIII, in that order. I wouldn't bother with the 1.7x TCII as the 2x TCIII is just as good, IMO. The 1.4x TCII is almost imperceptible on the 300 making it a very handy 420mm f4. The 2x TCIII is also no slouch but does degrade it a little more. IQ is best when used at under 30mts for both TC's.
Another big benefit, and one often forgotten about, is that it focuses down to the 300's minimum focus of 2.2mts. So, you have a 420mm f4 that focuses to 2.2mts and a 600 f5.6 that focuses to 2.2mts! Great for small birds, if you can get that close, which I sometimes can do.
capo99 wrote:
First off I have to say this lens is heavy and although it can be hand held my back was hurting when I was done. After a couple of hours I put it on a mono pod so I could rest up in between shots.
So I've had the 300 f2.8 VRII for a few days now, but the weather has been fowl.
Is this why you were shooting water FOWL ?
I Today I decided to venture out despite the rain, cloud and fog to see how it performs. Still waiting for the 17EII TC so was just shooting naked at 300mm. Considering the conditions I'm pretty impressed. I wouldn't think of venturing out with my old gear in these conditions. Can't wait to see how this lens performs in better conditions. In the mean time I've attached a few from today.
Great first shots, mate! Looks like you've got the hang of it very well.
Wednesday I'm going to try it at a local Jr B hockey game
By the way Lance nice examples. Some of your samples here and at NC influenced my decision to go with the 300 rather than the 200-400 or 500 for now.
