Need advise on longer FOCUS lens.

[fmeeran]

You might also want to see if you're fine with the IQ if using 1.4x and 1.7x TC with your 70-300mm.
The aperture would be quite horrible, but not much worse than the sigma 150-500mm.
Nikon TCs won't work, so you might want to check Kenko or other third party.

 

[fmeeran]

i borrowed my fren's tamron 18-270mm and i compare to my 55-200.. 270mm and 200mm seems to be same also...

How far where you focussing?
Most of these zooms breathe when focussed close.

 

[kriegsketten]

if you need range longer than 420 (which usually do), 300 f2.8 with a 2x TC is probably the lightest you can go and get away with sharp images with a resonable fast focusing (which is useful). Try getting AFS ver II, it is only 2.6kg and with a 2x TC just under 3kg.

TS states that he can only go 2kg... but whether that includes the bags to carry all the lenses, he never specified... Or he would just go without the bags and all... I doubt he can carry 300+TC III without putting a heavy strain on his back.. not to mention adding the body will hit somewhere close to 4kg! And if I'm not wrong... more birders would carry a tripod/monopod to assist weighty lenses, which of course will add to even more kgs!

 

[kriegsketten]

If that is the case (about close focusing), then it might be a smiliar situation to the 70-200 VR1/2s...

 

[niccon2]

TS states that he can only go 2kg... but whether that includes the bags to carry all the lenses, he never specified... Or he would just go without the bags and all... I doubt he can carry 300+TC III without putting a heavy strain on his back.. not to mention adding the body will hit somewhere close to 4kg! And if I'm not wrong... more birders would carry a tripod/monopod to assist weighty lenses, which of course will add to even more kgs!

ya, i am aware but doubt his has sufficient reach with 420 thus offering option should he want more range later. I am using 500mm with 1.4x TC but there are times I still wish my reach can be greater. I am having back & leg issue as well, my solution is to use trolley to carry the bag & camp at few selected site instead of moving about too often.

 

[TonyOng]

How far where you focussing?
Most of these zooms breathe when focussed close.

how far i focus.. i forget already..

 

[stanycjw]

Strongly recommend Nikon 300mm f4 plus 1.4 tc ( kenko will do) . Previously I was having sigma 150-500 OS . After testing out the Nikon 300mm f4 with 1.4 tc . It was very diff in contrast and IQ! Very surprising is sigma at 500 mm and Nikon with 1.4 tc at 420mm got no diff in picture size! Comparing bokeh, Nikon 300 f4 is amazing! Check out my photo to see the iq as got both len picture . http://www.flickr.com/photos/50237629@N08/

@ Ckianh2000
So nice that you have the same cam body as me, it's a straight forward.
Thanks alot, have seen your photo....IQ really beat my Sigma 120-400mm "hands down".
BTW did you use a tripot or shoot handheld ? cos it's not light either.

I have got quote for both but SLR do not carry NIKON.
Price yesterday : Nikon 300/F4 = $2087, TC-14 eII =$ 610
Where it you bought yours, understand TC14 has ran out of stock here.
Thanks
Peter

 

[stanycjw]

You might also want to see if you're fine with the IQ if using 1.4x and 1.7x TC with your 70-300mm.
The aperture would be quite horrible, but not much worse than the sigma 150-500mm.
Nikon TCs won't work, so you might want to check Kenko or other third party.

Thanks fmeeran, but me understood TC will not work with 70-300 VR lens, hv you come across other band that will work?
Since most of the time I use F8....so it ok if it work and I can save 2K+ with same IQ .

 

[stanycjw]

TS states that he can only go 2kg... but whether that includes the bags to carry all the lenses, he never specified... Or he would just go without the bags and all... I doubt he can carry 300+TC III without putting a heavy strain on his back.. not to mention adding the body will hit somewhere close to 4kg! And if I'm not wrong... more birders would carry a tripod/monopod to assist weighty lenses, which of course will add to even more kgs!

Sorry....sorry.....I clarify
2kg for my cam body + lens alone ( I can managed)
My streetwalker pro = 1kg
My SIRUI T2205X = 1kg
+ a bottle of water+ flash
all in all = 5kg maximum ( for short walkin distance) as most of the time I don't carry tripot and flash.
Thanks lol.

 

[ovaltinemilo]

The equivalent from Nikon would be Nikon AFS 300f4 and 1.4 x TC.

 

[chrisxtremes]

I'd say get a monopod and it can be a walking stick for u. wanna shoot, turn the stick to stabilize your cam.

I'm a no pro here, but isn't shooting birds should use a bigger aperture to capture max dof. Let's say with the tree and stuff, maybe an f/5.6 or sth? This way will have faster shutter and decrease blur = sharper picture. Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've never shot birds before and I wanna learn from the pros here

 

[fmeeran]

Thanks fmeeran, but me understood TC will not work with 70-300 VR lens, hv you come across other band that will work?
Since most of the time I use F8....so it ok if it work and I can save 2K+ with same IQ .

I believe Kenko should work. Have been using it with my 150-500mm.
Unfortunately I sold my 70-300mm before I bought my TC so I can't check.
You can check it out at the reputed camera shops, or if you live near clementi I can lend you my Kenko 1.4x for you to test.

 

[fmeeran]

Just saw the Jurong west.
I live near clementi MRT. PM if you want to.
My D7k unfortunately is stuck in my office and I can't get it till Monday, but if you get your camera +70-300mm, you can try out the TC and if you want the 150-500mm.

 

[ckianh2000]

@ Ckianh2000
So nice that you have the same cam body as me, it's a straight forward.
Thanks alot, have seen your photo....IQ really beat my Sigma 120-400mm "hands down".
BTW did you use a tripot or shoot handheld ? cos it's not light either.

I have got quote for both but SLR do not carry NIKON.
Price yesterday : Nikon 300/F4 = $2087, TC-14 eII =$ 610
Where it you bought yours, understand TC14 has ran out of stock here.
Thanks
Peter

Yes I use tripod as this lens have no VR! I find that tripod is the best VR as in the past when i carry my sigma 150-500mm I always mount on tripod and turn off the VR if you want really good IQ.
Look for second hand len and kenko teleconverter will do for 1.4 TC. I just sold away my kenko teleconverter which is with me even i have the nikon as it work on any lens but not nikon! I got my len and TC in HK.

 

[lankyal]

I am using the D7k with AFS 300mm F4 plus 1.7TC to get 500mm F6.7. There are many reviews that this combo has IQ degradation but I am satisfied with it so far. I choose this setup after finding some reviews of users successfully getting good results. The only downside for this combo is slow AF and hunting in low light. The following link shows an example of some pictures taken with this combo.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/934922-Orange-Cheeked-Waxbill

I also have the kenko 1.4TC which I used when the need for faster AF arises, e.g. BIF. There is little/no difference in IQ between the 300mm F4 or the 300mm F4 with 1.4TC.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cowseye]

I'd say get a monopod and it can be a walking stick for u. wanna shoot, turn the stick to stabilize your cam.

I'm a no pro here, but isn't shooting birds should use a bigger aperture to capture max dof. Let's say with the tree and stuff, maybe an f/5.6 or sth? This way will have faster shutter and decrease blur = sharper picture. Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've never shot birds before and I wanna learn from the pros here

Other than the max aperture to capture max DOF, the rest are still on the right track. Max aperture (depends how you want to interpret it) generally means smaller F number but larger ring to allow more light to enter and producing image of a thinner DOF. Usually for birds close up, I would prefer thinner DOF to blow out the background to make my birds stand out. Deeper DOF (F/8) will be apply if I want to show the environment ard the birds.

 

[kriegsketten]

Sorry....sorry.....I clarify
2kg for my cam body + lens alone ( I can managed)
My streetwalker pro = 1kg
My SIRUI T2205X = 1kg
+ a bottle of water+ flash
all in all = 5kg maximum ( for short walkin distance) as most of the time I don't carry tripot and flash.
Thanks lol.

That's pretty hefty already - 5kg! ARE you sure you have back problems?

You can always do away with tripod replacing with a monopod I suppose. As for Streetwalker pro, I too have that bag... i think it's more than 1kg. But I wouldn't use it for long haul of walks. Go belt system to cut down weight.

 

[yyD70S]

The Kenko 1.4x TC "does" work with the Nikon 70-300mm VR but IQ is not OK and AF is next to terrible. I would not recommend this combo.

Thanks fmeeran, but me understood TC will not work with 70-300 VR lens, hv you come across other band that will work?

 

[stanycjw]

I am using the D7k with AFS 300mm F4 plus 1.7TC to get 500mm F6.7. There are many reviews that this combo has IQ degradation but I am satisfied with it so far. I choose this setup after finding some reviews of users successfully getting good results. The only downside for this combo is slow AF and hunting in low light. The following link shows an example of some pictures taken with this combo.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/934922-Orange-Cheeked-Waxbill


I also have the kenko 1.4TC which I used when the need for faster AF arises, e.g. BIF. There is little/no difference in IQ between the 300mm F4 or the 300mm F4 with 1.4TC.

Hope this helps.

Hi lankya,
Sorry late to this replied cos I was having flu and fever for the past 10 days and hv just recovered, seen your waxbill taken with 300 F4 + TC 1.4X, excellent. the IQ is rather sharp and big after cropped.
Just another question on the Kenko TC. I have read somewhere that the "Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DGX 1.4 Nikon AF" do sometime report wrong EXIF data right ?
showing 300mm instead of 420mm ...will this affect the IQ or how frequent does it gave wrong data?

Thanks for your last input if your don't mine sharing.

 

[stanycjw]

The Kenko 1.4x TC "does" work with the Nikon 70-300mm VR but IQ is not OK and AF is next to terrible. I would not recommend this combo.

Thanks yyD70S
I noted your comment, I am going to sell away my Nikor 70-300mm VR ED lens soon (almost 1 year old) and get a new Nikon 300 F4 with Kenko TC.