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Archive 2019 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I am planning on getting a Nikon 300 f/4 PF which I will shoot on my Nikon Z7, and I am trying to decide what TCs to get with it. I can see the justification for each of the 3, but not sure it is worth getting all three. The 1.4X looks like it has the lowest penalty in terms of IQ and would give a nice 420 f/5.6. The 1.7X extends that to a nice 500 f/6.8, but I worry about the IQ with this extender as it looks like it might need an update. The 2X give nice reach at 600mm, but at f/8 there is little room to stop down which often is useful for a 2X TC and I worry about effects on both IQ and AF. What are people's experience and advice? What combinations do you use and how well do you find that/those combination(s) to work? What would be your advice?

Sep 05, 2019 at 12:13 PM

MichGoBlue
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

My experience has been the 1.4 is great and the 1.7 and 2x are marginal and I didn't care for the IQ.

Sep 05, 2019 at 12:36 PM

hatch1921
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I've had a positive experience using the 300PF with the 1.7xTC. I did however, have to AF tune the camera to the lens for the combo. I'll dig through some files with the combo and share then when I get home.

Hatch

Sep 05, 2019 at 12:38 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

Used all 3 extensively, but only the 1.4 III measures up for me.
Have native ways to get to 500>600 without the 1.5/2 stop penalties
and add'l AF speed hit.

Sep 05, 2019 at 02:13 PM

Mort2k
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I have used the 1.4 and 2x on D500/850. I find it hard to notice if the 1.4 is on, both IQ or AF wise. I cannot say the same for the 2x, noticeable both IQ and AF wise.

The 300/PF is an amazing lens.

Sep 05, 2019 at 02:22 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

Steve Spencer wrote:
I am planning on getting a Nikon 300 f/4 PF which I will shoot on my Nikon Z7, and I am trying to decide what TCs to get with it. I can see the justification for each of the 3, but not sure it is worth getting all three. The 1.4X looks like it has the lowest penalty in terms of IQ and would give a nice 420 f/5.6. The 1.7X extends that to a nice 500 f/6.8, but I worry about the IQ with this extender as it looks like it might need an update. The 2X give...Show more →

I don't have any experience on a Z body but if anything it will only be easier to get higher IQ as I found AFMA to be critical once I used the 1.7 and 2x on my 300PF on D500/D850.

I own all three TCs and even had the MkII 2x at first. All of them worked really well on the 300PF (after the AFMA) and really the 300PF is the only Nikon lens I've owned that I was happy with the 2xTC (both versions). Even my 500E FL didn't work as well with the 2x as the 300PF did.

I probably would have just settled using the 1.7x for that middle ground except I was liking the Auto AF mode and it gets disabled above f/5.6. Therefore, I used it a lot with the 1.4TC for BIF and AutoAF and used it with the other two for non flight shots or easy big bird flight shots where Group AF was fine.

I don't know if the 1.7 will ever get an update. There was never a Mk 1 1.7...the Mk II was the first and only version and Nikon gave it the II nomenclature just to match the 1.4 and 2.0 Mk IIs at the time. My guess is Nikon has just settled for the standard 1.4 and 2.0 going forward.

Sep 05, 2019 at 02:39 PM

arbitrage
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

A few examples at the longer end...

Sep 05, 2019 at 02:47 PM

dan.h
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I've also had positive results with the 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2.0x. I typically only use the 1.7x and 2.0x as a last resort, when I absolutely cannot get closer, and only if I can fill the frame nicely. I did stray from that this last weekend and just kept the 1.7x on it for the entire day. I'm quite happy with the results, but now with hindsight, I would have been fine with the 1.4x and I wish I used it instead. For larger mammals, like deer, the 300PF bare is an absolute treat.

Even though I love this little lens, I have a difficult time recommending it to others unless they will find 300mm or 420mm useful. I also recommend buying used or second hand. Buying new (at least here), the 300PF and all three TCs start approaching the price of the newer 500PF (about $100 difference). I think with a full frame l would much prefer the longer focal length as well (I currently shoot with a crop sensor body, the D500).

Here's one from this last weekend. I kind of lost the light, but the 300PF + 1.7x still performed admirably.

Sep 06, 2019 at 10:16 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience and for your advice. Most of my shooting will be bigger water birds -- think herons, egrets, grebes, swans, geese, maybe some sandhill cranes. I have very little interest in birds in flight, and even if I did I think my Z7 is probably not the right body for that anyway. I also will be using the combination(s) for landscapes at times. I basically want the 300 PF for the light weight. Even the 500 PF is typically more than I want to carry. I don't mind adding a few TCs to the bad, however. Wonderful shots Geoff and Dan. It is nice to see what the lens and extenders are capable of in good hands. In my hands, probably not so much, but I know what to aspire to.

Sep 06, 2019 at 10:44 AM

EyeSpyEagle
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I've been wondering about the 1.7x TC for a while as well.

I found one here on FM for a great price & bought it. Ironically, my first shots were with a Z6 & 300PF. I figured I'd have the best chance a seeing what it might be capable of on the Z since I didn't have time focus tune it on my DSLR's yet.

I think it will be A-Ok.

Z6, 300PF + 1.7x TC, 500mm, 1/1600, F6.7, ISO 800

Sep 07, 2019 at 02:44 PM

uscmatt99
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 300 f/4 PF and TCs

I hardly ever shoot above 100mm, but purchased a 300/4PF to use with a friend's 1.4 III for a trip to Yellowstone. Keep in mind my experience is limited. That said, the 300/4 bare was excellent, and with TC was very good. I was mostly using it to shoot large mammals we couldn't get close to, per the rules of engagement

With the TC I lost a bit of acuity compared to bare, but the extra reach more than made up for this, shooting on a Z6 where I don't have as much room to crop. AF was also more challenged with the TC in terms of speed and accuracy, though I bet that's mostly related to the user and inexperience. When I had the opportunity to get closer to subjects, the combo with the TC gives up a lot less compared to the bare lens, with an almost indiscernible loss of IQ.

I have to say that it was really nice to handhold a 420/5.6 equivalent lens combo for a national park trip with the family. No way could I have deployed a big tele and tripod with gimbal. Being able to hike with it at the ready and pull off spontaneous handheld shots was really cool as well.

Sep 08, 2019 at 10:48 AM


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