300mmPF + 2.0 T/C

[BCcanuck]

To those of you that have first hand experience of this combo, how would you define/quantify the loss of sharpness if any?

 

[Marcus Slade]

I only have experience with the 300PF and 1.4 TCiii on my D850 and D500. If i needed the reach I wouldn't hesitate to use the combo and my results have certainly been decent. However, I don't have a 2.0 TC. I expect that if what you're focussing on is near the centre, the effective f8 would still render good results but the diminished focus ability may become challenging. I'll defer to others.

 

[Icarus]

I've used the 300PF with 1.7X and gotten some nice results with the D850. Haven't tried it with D500, but think it would work well as I tried the 500PF with 1.4X on the D500
and focus was okay. Not like the 500PF alone, but doable. Have not used the 2X at all.

 

[Charlie Lasswell]

I don't have 300mm PF, however, Photography Life has a review of the lens with imatest MTFs for each teleconverter. I've never done direct comparisons but the MTFs are in line with my experience with the TCs in general.

Nikon 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Review - Page 3 of 7

photographylife.com

 

[fcotterill]

This dinky prime works really well with TC14 III and several owners confirm decent quality with TC17E II.

I did try TC2E III on my 300 PF but images were not up to a decent standard. In contrast, I have many keepers from the 300mm f2.8G VRII I often shot as a 600 f5.6 (on D500 and D850), however. And IME TC2E III works best of all with the 400 f2.8E FL . But I still use 300 PF with TC14 or tc17 often; this combination is unique

I also second Nasim Mansurov's testing with the Nikkor teleconverters, also search Brad Hill's blog. Both influenced my final investment in my 400 f2.8E (trading in 300 f2.8).

These TCs are fickle beasts. Not only is the IQ inconsistent across certified lenses but there is also copy variation.

 

[Steve]

Also keep in mind that the 2X will drop you to F/8. On Nikon DSLRs, this will effectively limit you to (mostly) the AF points in the center of the viewfinder. Additionally, AF speed will take a significant hit as well.

 

[BillW]

This combination (300 mm PF + 2x TCIII) might work better on a Z body. All the focus points would work at f8. And less need to focus tune. I have enjoyed using the 500 mm PF with the 1.4x TCIII on a Z7, where it is also f8.

 

[arbitrage]

I found that the 300PF was the only lens I owned that I found the 2xTC worked pretty good on. I didn't sue that combo a lot but had good results when I did. If on DSLR, careful AFMA will likely be needed. It should be easier to shoot on a Z.

Here are a couple shots with 300PF/2xTC
May 29, 2018.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 29, 2018-3.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
April 14, 2018-2.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr

 

[BCcanuck]

I found that the 300PF was the only lens I owned that I found the 2xTC worked pretty good on. I didn't sue that combo a lot but had good results when I did. If on DSLR, careful AFMA will likely be needed. It should be easier to shoot on a Z.

Here are a couple shots with 300PF/2xTC
May 29, 2018.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 29, 2018-3.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
April 14, 2018-2.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr

Thank you for those excellent shots, they vindicate my decison to buy the 2.0 T/C. Of course, the fact that it was a very good price also helped.