| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
1.4 TC with 200-400?
Gary Jones, Photographer
 |
Rocklin | CA | United States | Posted: 1:24 AM on 07.11.09 |
->> Looking for SportsShooter opinions on the Nikon 1.4 TC combined with 200-400 f/4. I tried a friend's 1.7 TC with my 200-400 today (on a D3 body) at a local baseball game. A bit soft and autofocus lock not as consistent as 200-400 alone. I sold my 1.4 TC many years ago when I used it with my 80-200 f/2.8. I remember the 1.4 as virtually no image degredation and no effect on autofocus performance. Would that still be the case with the 200-400? Here's a wildlife photog's samples which are very impressive:
http://www.pbase.com/raymondjbarlow/200400vr
Thanks,
Gary |
|
Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
 |
Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 1:57 AM on 07.11.09 |
| ->> I use this combo a lot. It was my "standard" lens (1.4TC and 200-400) shooting gymnastics at the Beijing Summer Olympics and this spring at the World Figure Skating Championships. |
|
Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 4:03 AM on 07.11.09 |
->> That lens works great with either the 1.4 or the 1.7x TC in my opinion. I actually like it better with the 1.7x for things like soccer to really get the reach yet still have the ability to zoom out on near action. Using the 1.7x on my 400 I've been burned so many times with having too much lens and clipping off a foot or head as they bring the ball up the field. The 340-680mm range just really lets you get some unique coverage and still remain versatile.
There is a little AF slowdown though you may notice, especially as light levels fade as it is effective f5.6 Its not bad by any means though.
Id suggest you buy them both and keep the one you like better, that way you can truely test them back to back under the same shooting conditions you typically encounter and see what works best for you in terms of AF, image sharpness, range etc.
Shame Nikon's TC's are creeping towards $500 each though, otherwise I'd say it would be great to just keep both.
Robert, that must be unreal getting to shoot gymnastics with an effective f5.6 lens! Around here even for NCAA its F2 and ISO6400 and still not getting enough shutter speed to really freeze the limbs. Can't even begin to think what it would be like being able to shoot with good light. |
|
Dio Dipasupil, Photographer
|
Woodcliff Lake | NJ | USA | Posted: 11:23 AM on 07.11.09 |
| ->> I've used the 200-400 f/4 with the 1.4x and 1.7x TC. I have to agree with you re the 1.7 -- a bit soft and AF not as consistent. However, different with the 1.4x -- much better in both instances. I use that combo quite a bit and love the results. My 1.7x hasn't been on the 200-400 in a long time. |
|
Matt Brown, Photographer
|
Fullerton | CA | USA | Posted: 12:12 PM on 07.11.09 |
| ->> Gary, did you do the autofocus fine-tuning? Do it and it will be tack sharp. I use both the TC's with the 200-400. Works and looks great |
|
Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
|
Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:22 AM on 07.12.09 |
->> I would not call it "good light" but enough to give me 1/640 on the edges of the F.O.P. and 1/800 in the middle @ f/5.6 at ISO5000-6400.
Quality was excellent with the D3 and frames were very sharp, even with a TC.
I have not done the micro adjustment routine with my lenses-TC-camera combinations. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|