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Hi All!

I suspect this question has been asked in one form or another many times. I apologize if that's the case.

I have D850 that I use with a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens. Aside from the hit to stops, how will a 2x teleconverter affect image quality? I won't have the money to purchase a longer lens suitable for a FX body any time soon.

Thoughts?

Thank you,

~ Doug

The impact is very significant. Don't even attempt to use it without a careful AF fine tune and even then be prepared for relatively low acuity compared to something like the 80-400 at similar total focal lengths.

On a D850 and a TC 2x, you likely don't like what you see.

E.J. Peiker wrote:The impact is very significant.  Don't even attempt to use it without a careful AF fine tune and even then be prepared for relatively low acuity compared to something like the 80-400 at similar total focal lengths.

Are you referring to the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens?

DMcPeek wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:The impact is very significant.  Don't even attempt to use it without a careful AF fine tune and even then be prepared for relatively low acuity compared to something like the 80-400 at similar total focal lengths.

Are you referring to the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens?

Yes, and it isn't one of Nikon's best lenses although some copies are very good, especially those that have been worked on at a Nikon service center.  The 70-200 with the latest 2x is very much worse.  The problem isn't the lens, it's the TC.  The 70-200E is one of the very best zooms on the market (you didn't specify which 70-200 you have).

E.J. Peiker wrote:

DMcPeek wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:The impact is very significant.  Don't even attempt to use it without a careful AF fine tune and even then be prepared for relatively low acuity compared to something like the 80-400 at similar total focal lengths.

Are you referring to the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens?

Yes, and it isn't one of Nikon's best lenses although some copies are very good, especially those that have been worked on at a Nikon service center.  The 70-200 with the latest 2x is very much worse.  The problem isn't the lens, it's the TC.  The 70-200E is one of the very best zooms on the market (you didn't specify which 70-200 you have)

I have the. Nikon ED AF-S VR 70-200mm 1:2.8G, first generation vr

I

Unfortunately it is very poor image quality with that. Of course if all you are doing is downrezzing for internet use then it is likely just fine but it will never be critically sharp or capable of sharp large prints

Nikon has never really figured out the 2x (or 1.7x) teleconverter game. Canon's and Sony's are lightyears ahead.

E.J. Peiker wrote:Unfortunately it is very poor image quality with that.  Of course if all you are doing is downrezzing for internet use then it is likely just fine but it will never be critically sharp or capable of sharp large prints

Nikon has never really figured out the 2x (or 1.7x) teleconverter game.  Canon's and Sony's are lightyears ahead.

Why do you think that is the case? Nikon makes many fine lenses so they obviously have the ability to make great optics, but their teleconverters have always been a bit sketchy. Could it be due to the small lens mount??

Scott Fairbairn wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:Unfortunately it is very poor image quality with that.  Of course if all you are doing is downrezzing for internet use then it is likely just fine but it will never be critically sharp or capable of sharp large prints

Nikon has never really figured out the 2x (or 1.7x) teleconverter game.  Canon's and Sony's are lightyears ahead.

Why do you think that is the case? Nikon makes many fine lenses so they obviously have the ability to make great optics, but their teleconverters have always been a bit sketchy. Could it be due to the small lens mount??

It’s been a mystery forever.  The 1.7x and 2x TC’s work reasonably well with f/2 and f/2.8 prime teles, although not spectacularly so, but really fall on their face with f/4 and slower lenses and especially zooms of any aperture.  Even Canon’s excellent 2x falters a bit with zooms.  At the moment Sony’s 2x is the best with zooms but even it is much better with primes.

Speaking of Nikon TC's - anybody seen or heard anything on new TC's for Z-mount -