Teleconverters

[freeformula]

During the Philmug Photo Meet, Anton and Albert strongly recommended getting a Nikon 80-200 2.8D lens instead of a Nikon/Sigma/Tamron equivalent of a 70-300 4-5.6. I want to use it as a complement to my 18-70 lens on my D70.
I'm thinking of using a Teleconverter with it eventually. Are these a good way of extending the range of the lens? Is optical quality preserved?
On the B&H psec page for the Nikon 80-200 2.8D, it said this:
Usable Teleconverter*
TC-14b (manual focus only)
TC-201 or TC-14a (manual focus only & occasional vignetting may occur)*
Does this mean the Teleconverters only work in manual focus mode?

[totolabradog]

yup, it sure seems like it. They may be old teleconverters, and the coupling to the nikon mount might not have the other leads for the AF / IS controls.

Yes, the image quality will deteriorate and you will loose a stop to a stop and half depending on the length of the converter.

Just a thought, I know you're on a budget but really, if you're spending the money, save nalang for a better / newer lens. Though the 80 - 200 is a really good lens, it may be good to get a long lens with a stabilizer (VR) due to the long focal lengths you need.

[freeformula]

Originally posted by totolabradog
Just a thought, I know you're on a budget but really, if you're spending the money, save nalang for a better / newer lens. Though the 80 - 200 is a really good lens, it may be good to get a long lens with a stabilizer (VR) due to the long focal lengths you need.

You mean like the Zoom Telephoto AF VR Zoom Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF Autofocus Lens

Thom Hogan thinks it's a winner.

Actually the "saving for a better lens" mentality is what me consider the 80-200 2.8 instead of the 70-300 4-5.6s. But I'd love a VR. The beauty above will cost more than my D70! Well, if I save 'til December, my sister comes home from NY, and I can have her get me one in B&H. This will be a Christmas/Birthday gift to myself many times over! I didn't see any 70-200 VRs on KEH. I'm going to really, really think about your suggestion Toto!

Is it possible at all to get good quality lenses like these locally at good prices, or is going online or stateside the best option?

[freeformula]

Toto, what do you think of the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF Zoom-Nikkor?



What would you consider first, range of the focal length or the sharpenss of the image because of the aperture?

[totolabradog]

i'd still go with the constant aperture and better glass. never really liked lenses with a long range of focal lengths. : )

take a look at this! if yer spending the money, get the light gray version! :evil:


though baka magalit ang mga canon users.

[togi]

nice lens...

go with nikon vs. sigma, the colors are rich and crisp
am not saying the sigma gives you bad images but
the images are not as pleasing as the
ones you get from nikon. esp from the 80-200.

I didnt get a nikon teleconverter... think it was a kenko ..
but it works fine on auto but not as fast as you would want it.
will bring it together with the 80-200 so you can try it..

anton

[Edited on 7-9-2004 by togi]

[vicicasas]

A word of warning: Sigma build quality is not the greatest. More than a few photographers I know with Sigma lenses have had them eventually break down or go bad. My 15-30mm, for instance, no longer shoots at any aperture but wide open. Save up and buy the absolute best lenses you can afford ... the camera bodies may come and go, but you can use good glass on all of them.

[Edited on 7-9-2004 by vicicasas]

[freeformula]

Ok, thanks for all the responses. You always have to pay for quality, but I guess it's always worth it in the long run!