So, my gear evolution continues. I have dichotomized my gear, and will be using a D850 for landscapes and macro, and shooting the Z9 with a 500PF, 180-600, and a z 70-200 S for everything else. I will also have a z 1.4 tc. I'm curious about the Viltrox 2x Z converter, as it's $280...half-ish of the Nikon tc. I had great success with my 70-200 VR II + tc20elll, and I can't imagine the Z version combo wouldn't be at least as good. I have no problem getting the Nikon if it's the clear choice, but...as history shows...3rd party stuff can be surprising.
So...anyone have experience?
This guy (Alex Phan) on FB claims Viltrox 2x tele works seamlessly on Sigma 300-600 and results are excellent, it also works with Sigma 135 F1.4 but images are soft. Laowa 200mm F2 works flawlessly, Sigma 200 F2 doesn't. He tried it on his Z8 with Megadap and no issues. He hasn't tried it on Z 70-200 but whichever Sony tele zoom he tried, it worked fine. So it's all over the place, works flawlessly - works but poor result - doesn't work.
jbear wrote:
So, my gear evolution continues. I have dichotomized my gear, and will be using a D850 for landscapes and macro, and shooting the Z9 with a 500PF, 180-600, and a z 70-200 S for everything else. I will also have a z 1.4 tc. I'm curious about the Viltrox 2x Z converter, as it's $280...half-ish of the Nikon tc. I had great success with my 70-200 VR II + tc20elll, and I can't imagine the Z version combo wouldn't be at least as good. I have no problem getting the Nikon if it's the clear choice, but...as history shows...3rd party stuff can be surprising.
So...anyone have experience?...Show more →
You have all Nikon gear and lenses-
Why on earth would you want to play around and add the cheapest piece of gear to third party lens manufacturer that is currently in litigation with Nikon-
Actually, I found a Nikon 2x yesterday just after posting for a pretty good price, so...it's now moot. It's just that having shot Nikon since 1985 and the FG-20, I've learned through experience that there are some killer third party options out there. I know at this point to neither write something nor adopt it in my bag based upon general chatter. Generally speaking, wouldn't you wanna know if there was an option that was 50% of the cost and performed really well? I would.
jbear wrote:
Actually, I found a Nikon 2x yesterday just after posting for a pretty good price, so...it's now moot. It's just that having shot Nikon since 1985 and the FG-20, I've learned through experience that there are some killer third party options out there. I know at this point to neither write something nor adopt it in my bag based upon general chatter. Generally speaking, wouldn't you wanna know if there was an option that was 50% of the cost and performed really well? I would.
50% of the cost is all relative though- Especially when you are talking about the cheapest part of your entire kit-
Also one that sits in the optical path and plays in the focusing for your lenses.
I guess to me, looking at saving a fews hundred dollars after investing well over 10K on one of the cheapest items in your kit that plays such a pivotal role doesn't make a ton of sense to me.
To each their own though- Glad you found a good deal!
Any time I can spend less for the same...Ima do it. That's why I was asking. Since the 80's, I have shot with or owned just about every camera and lens that Nikon has made along with a lot of F-mount stuff made by by others. Experience tells me not to shrug something off, just because. If something turns out to be as good or better (which happens way more now than it used to), why would you want to pay more? For sure, there's some garbage out there, but just ignoring all of it because...not me.
Case in point...in the 80's and 90's I got heat for collecting Japanese Fender guitars. MIJ's reputation was that they made cheap garbage. Ten years later...I was selling those and getting more than some of my USA Custom Shop guitars. Just sayin'. Just cuz you have the cash...doesn't mean you have to blindly spend it. Anyway, like I said...found a Nikon tc so...
