Very nice !
How you find this lens combo at lower shutter speeds on the D850 ? Say around 1/250 with VR on ? I love this combo on my D500 and usually use 1/250 VR on for static birds with sharp results . I was struggling with this combo on the D850 at similar low shutter speed , I even tried DX mode . The 200-500 works really well with the D850 but I still prefer the IQ of the 300 PF + TC-14e iii at higher shutter speeds no VR
Hardcore wrote:
Eagles have returned to our area in the north!
Well done! They have been re-introduced into our area in East Tennessee over the last few years also.
I just ordered one of these 300mm f/4 lenses....can't wait to use it.
Hi 300PF owners! I'm enjoying my FP and would wanted to push it's capability, so on the weekend I re-purchased a TC17EII to try with the lens. After carefully fine tuning it to my D850, at closer distances and in good light the IQ with the TC17EII is quite good even wide open at f6.7, and improves somewhat f8. What I'm not particularly impressed with is the AF performance, which even on single point is quite sluggish even in decent light. I'm curious how many others are using the TC17EII and what your thoughts are...I only have a couple of days to return it.
Gary Irwin wrote:
Hi 300PF owners! I'm enjoying my FP and would wanted to push it's capability, so on the weekend I re-purchased a TC17EII to try with the lens. After carefully fine tuning it to my D850, at closer distances and in good light the IQ with the TC17EII is quite good even wide open at f6.7, and improves somewhat f8. What I'm not particularly impressed with is the AF performance, which even on single point is quite sluggish even in decent light. I'm curious how many others are using the TC17EII and what your thoughts are...I only have a couple of days to return it.
I've owned my 300PF since Jan this year. I started with the 1.4TC that I already owned and that ended up glued to the lens most of the time. I then borrowed a 1.7x for a few weeks and after some MFA I got it producing nice sharp shots. I also borrowed the previous version of the 2x TC and got it producing sharp shots but the AF with the 2x only works well near the centre and needs some good light. With the 1.7x I have been happy with the AF, seems to work well off centre in even cloudy light. I haven't paid attention to how much it slows but you have to keep in mind I exclusively shot the 200-500 for 1.5years and that lens is notoriously slow AF drive (yet still accurate with D500 or D850).
That all said, I probably change my mind about the usefulness of TCs every few months or so. I'm still not convinced that they produce a better image than the bare lens cropped more to match FOV. I would think if printing they should have some benefit but maybe not with good upscaling algorithms.
The 1.7xTC noticeably drops micro-contrast compared to the 1.4TC and the bare lens. The 2xTC even more so.
I bought a used 1.7TC a few weeks ago so will continue to see how I like it. Somehow I think using the 1.4TC on the 300PF is the sweet spot though.
PS. Did you get to play with the 180-400 at CameraCanada on Saturday? If so thoughts?
I've owned my 300PF since Jan this year. I started with the 1.4TC that I already owned and that ended up glued to the lens most of the time. I then borrowed a 1.7x for a few weeks and after some MFA I got it producing nice sharp shots. I also borrowed the previous version of the 2x TC and got it producing sharp shots but the AF with the 2x only works well near the centre and needs some good light. With the 1.7x I have been happy with the AF, seems to work well off centre in even cloudy light. I haven't paid attention to how much it slows but you have to keep in mind I exclusively shot the 200-500 for 1.5years and that lens is notoriously slow AF drive (yet still accurate with D500 or D850).
That all said, I probably change my mind about the usefulness of TCs every few months or so. I'm still not convinced that they produce a better image than the bare lens cropped more to match FOV. I would think if printing they should have some benefit but maybe not with good upscaling algorithms.
The 1.7xTC noticeably drops micro-contrast compared to the 1.4TC and the bare lens. The 2xTC even more so.
I bought a used 1.7TC a few weeks ago so will continue to see how I like it. Somehow I think using the 1.4TC on the 300PF is the sweet spot though.
PS. Did you get to play with the 180-400 at CameraCanada on Saturday? If so thoughts?...Show more →
Thanks for the excellent comments Geoff...much appreciated, especially coming from your considerable experience. Makes total sense to me. I tend to view TC's with disdain myself, but once and a while I get the urge to play around with them. TC's are a conundrum...on one hand they work better on the latest high-quality "E" lenses, but any improvement is usually lost because of higher resolution sensors. That, and the fact I always seem to be fighting the light renders them a less-than-ideal solution for me.
Yeah, had a brief look at the 180-400...won't go into details on this thread but here's a link to my post over an DPR in which I provided some general impressions...
Gary Irwin wrote:
Thanks for the excellent comments Geoff...much appreciated, especially coming from your considerable experience. Makes total sense to me. I tend to view TC's with disdain myself, but once and a while I get the urge to play around with them. TC's are a conundrum...on one hand they work better on the latest high-quality "E" lenses, but any improvement is usually lost because of higher resolution sensors. That, and the fact I always seem to be fighting the light renders them a less-than-ideal solution for me.
Yeah, had a brief look at the 180-400...won't go into details on this thread but here's a link to my post over an DPR in which I provided some general impressions...
Thanks Gary. I think members on here would like to read your thoughts on the 180-400 if you copy and paste the info into one of the ongoing 180-400 threads.
arbitrage wrote:
Thanks Gary. I think members on here would like to read your thoughts on the 180-400 if you copy and paste the info into one of the ongoing 180-400 threads.
Yeah, though kind of moot now with Steve Perry weighing in later this week...I expect many of us will be looking forward to that.
Gary Irwin wrote:
BTW, I've decided to return the TC17EII...I'll try to live with the TC14EIII for now.
Is this because of the optical quality or mostly the AF? I have the 300 PF and TC-14E III and I read from photographylife that the 1.7X optically is quite good on the 300 PF but the AF is sluggish. I don't recall the exact words used.
I find that even with the 1.4X the AF of the 300 PF tends to become a bit more erratic than when used without TC. But the detail is decent.
