Thanks for the help hearty, Gentoo, and adamz :^)

How troublesome do you find the combo Gentoo? Hearty, do you have similar problems with it?

Do you think it would be worth it to get the Kenko TC maybe next year, or wait a few years until I've got that AF-S version and get the real NIkon TC?

alpha - yup, that's the one

as for using TC - TC20 is extreme, but there are also the TC17 and TC14, and as far as TC17 it doesn't affect IQ too much (acceptable level), as for macro work, I've been using TC17 with extension tubes on 70-200/VRI and it works very nicely - the image is bigger :) (that's obvious) and the focus distance is not changing (due to TC17) - would like to try it with the 105VR

alphanikonrex said:
This One? (It works with AF-D lenses, right?)

Thanks a bunch adamz :^)

Yes it does work on the AF-D lenses. I use this exact combination occasionally. However, you will notice a loss of sharpness, sometimes a lot! Also, your metering will get a little screwy, especially if you're one who likes to use matrix or spot metering. Stick with center weighted. Also, exif data is not updated. When I use the kenko 1.4 or 1.5 (don't ask why they made a 1.5 lol) it still says 300mm. Here's a shot I did with my 300mm and 1.4:

http://www.pbase.com/shonn/image/120102020

Like I said there's some trickiness to it but it can work. You will just need to spend a bit more time PP then without it.

TC magnify the macro's flaws in the same amount as the Extension tube at the same reproduction, but with a TC you add the flaws of the TC's optics on top of that, and you lose more light through the TC's glass (but you get extra working distance compared to extension tubes). Extension tubes are preferable in most cases, but there's nothing wrong with using a TC if you need the extra working distance. Nikon even used to recommend using the TC-201 (or was it the TC-301?) with the 200mm f/4 AI-S Micro to get it to 1:1.

alphanikonrex said:
That's true, but a TC will multiply the reproduction ratio of a lens that they do recommend the TC on.

Yup it does.. but its better to use extention tubes with macro lenses as that way you don't introduce image degradation that the TC does. A 2xTC doubles the faults of the base lense in most cases.

adamz said:
alpha - go for kenko, the 1.4x is quite good as I've heard (and it's cheaper than Nikon one)

I have that Kenko TC. Its good. But there are 2 versions.. Get the one with more elements.

ted2001 said:
The new TC does list the 105/2.8 VR lens as compatible, but without autofocus.

At a 2:1 reproduction ratio autofocus would be useless in my opinion anyway.

The new TC does list the 105/2.8 VR lens as compatible, but without autofocus.

ted2001 said:
They don't recommend the TC's on their macros at all.

That's true, but a TC will multiply the reproduction ratio of a lens that they do recommend the TC on.

They don't recommend the TC's on their macros at all.

jonnyapple said:
Here's just a curious question. Unless I'm mistaken, with a 2x teleconverter, you increase the image circle area by a factor of 4 (hence, 2 stops of light lost). My question, then, is whether you can put the TC on a DX lens like the 85 3.5 macro, which does 1:1 macro reproduction, and get bigger than 1:1 on an FX camera. Does anyone know if that's possible? Or does the TC also affect the minimum focus distance? Just wondering.

Somewhere on the Nikon site I read that TC's also multiply the reproduction ratio. They don't affect the closest focusing distance. I think.

Here's just a curious question. Unless I'm mistaken, with a 2x teleconverter, you increase the image circle area by a factor of 4 (hence, 2 stops of light lost). My question, then, is whether you can put the TC on a DX lens like the 85 3.5 macro, which does 1:1 macro reproduction, and get bigger than 1:1 on an FX camera. Does anyone know if that's possible? Or does the TC also affect the minimum focus distance? Just wondering.

They talked about delivering for the Olympics and it certainly seemed like they did. Makes me wish I were a sports photographer with means. I'm still looking for a trust fund btw...

I wouldn't be surprised if the images from this Olympics are unprecedented. The Nikon gear shivaswrath mentioned makes new things possible. It will be exciting to see.

adamz said:
alpha - go for kenko, the 1.4x is quite good as I've heard (and it's cheaper than Nikon one)

This One? (It works with AF-D lenses, right?)

Thanks a bunch adamz :^)

shivaswrath said:
Oh well. . .out of my needs or price range, but I'll have to say, a pro sports photographer should be unbelievably happy right now:

I think Nikon had their eyes on the olympics.

the auto-tripod detection and compensation feature on the new VR2 on the 300mm 2.8 sounds interesting. . .I wonder how it figures it out?

Oh well. . .out of my needs or price range, but I'll have to say, a pro sports photographer should be unbelievably happy right now:

1. New D3s
2. New 70-200 VR2
3. New 300mm VR2
4. Throw in a TC ver 3 into the mix, and your 70-200 might actually become 200mm on the long end!!

Could you ask for anything more?

alpha - go for kenko, the 1.4x is quite good as I've heard (and it's cheaper than Nikon one)

I meant for AF-D lenses. I heard about that special TC from KR, but he said it only worked on film cameras—something about the way the pins are.

adamz said:
hearty - actually only the old TC's can be used with AF-D lenses, if alphas friend want to buy sth new than the only option is kenko

Actually I was wondering if there was something I could get for myself :^)

Sooner or later I'm probably going to want a little more range, so I was wondering whether there are any TC's that allow AF with the 80-200 ƒ/2.8.

hearty - actually only the old TC's can be used with AF-D lenses, if alphas friend want to buy sth new than the only option is kenko

alphanikonrex said:
LOL, my classmate who got a D90 was asking whether he should wait to get it at a better price. I told him I knew where he could get a free one. He got all excited and I told him to wait a century or two and then he'd be able to snag a really good deal :^)

I have a question about teleconverters for y'all:
Are there any out there at all that allow autofocus with non AF-S/AF-I lenses?

?? Do you mean AFD lenses? or Manual Lenses? there used to be a TC that converted a manual focus lens to a limited autofocus lens. Most TC can be used with AFD lenses..? so I am not sure what you are asking..

bernard - I wouldn't expect the same speed with TC20 as with TC14, however it's still going to be managable - at least this combination works for my 70-200/VR and TC20II - and as I've read the new 70-200/VRII is little bit faster, and also this new TC is better.

Adamz: Thanks a million ! I just had a look and it says "No limitation" for the 70-200 VR II. Yeaaaah ! That's my next buy I think :o)
I just hope the AF will still work like it does with the TC-14 I have. I shall try it first.

As for the 300… well… $ 6000.00 is a bit above my current possibilities :o(

bernard - the whole specs are on nikon usa web site - for a first quick view I don't see any differences between lens compatibility on the II vs III

finally there's an update to some long tele lenses, not the one I've expected (AF-S 300/4 VR) but still it's nice that Nikon is thinking about sports/wildlife photographers. the question for me at this point of time is: Is it worth the extra $1k or not?

as for TC... I got the old version just 2 months ago :( - hate when they launch a new product after I buy the old one (in such a short period of time)

lance1962: Any idea about which current lenses will be compatible with this TC-20E iii please ?

*facepalm* :^)