Nikon Extenders, Specific, Pros & Cons & Preference--Nikon users, your input

[Raymond Bleesz]

I'm giving thought to either a 1.7 or 2x Nikon extender for my 70-200 F2.8 AF-S lens on a D600.  More than likely I will not go after a 300mm or larger at any time soon, (not my style of photo work) but perhaps go in the other direction, say an 85mm. But back to the specific 70-200! I'm hearing that the 1.7 may offer better results, where as with a few more dollars the 2x is the way to go since I would be putting out the money anyway & get a little more in "reach".

Your thoughts please---Raymond

[langier]

I've got all three and my TC of choice in the field is to go with the 1.7 on the 70-200 VR. I seldom seem to need the little extra reach of the TC20 in real life and the little extra sharpness of the TC17, especially on a tripod, makes it a little better. It seems to be the sweet spot in the middle of them both, not quite as long and a little faster and smaller package.

Even the TC14 with the 70-200 is a useable set-up. Since I've modified my TC14 I'll even use it with my PC lenses for good result.

Now I haven't tried the TC20 III, so it could be a winner, but with all the TCs, it's best to use them on a tripod to maximize IQ.

Maybe the best thing I can suggest is to rent the TC17 and the TC20 for a couple of weeks and see what works best for you and your applications.

[DickKenny]

I heard good things about the version of X2 unit introduced a couple of years ago, but you might be disappointed by even that if you rely on autofocus - with which the x1.7 even has problems. I'm not familiar with he D600; but know very well that the D3 needed a lot of ambient light to autofocus reliably through these extenders. A glance at the promotion material for the new D4 - in which one of the bullets is its ability via its 'improved autofocus' to cope with extenders, is a pretty good indicator that Nikon knows of their limitations. Best, as the gentleman says: to hire samples and try before buying.

[Philip Weber]

I have the 1.4 and the new 2.0, and have used them both on my D300 (now gone) D700 (now a back-up body) and my current body, the D800. The 1.4x and 70-200 is a great combo! I used to have the older VRI and with my switch to primarily shooting FX, upgraded to the VRII.

From all reports, the older 2.0 wasn't very good, hence a lot of people going with the 1.7 but when the newer TC 20e III came out, I skipped the 1.7 and haven't been disappointed. I don't usually shoot that long anymore but I've found either of these to work well with the newer Nikkor 70-200.

Phil

[Brian Hirschfeld]

I have the 1.4 and the new 2.0, and have used them both on my D300 (now gone) D700 (now a back-up body) and my current body, the D800. The 1.4x and 70-200 is a great combo! I used to have the older VRI and with my switch to primarily shooting FX, upgraded to the VRII.

From all reports, the older 2.0 wasn't very good, hence a lot of people going with the 1.7 but when the newer TC 20e III came out, I skipped the 1.7 and haven't been disappointed. I don't usually shoot that long anymore but I've found either of these to work well with the newer Nikkor 70-200.

Phil

I can second this as well, I have the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII as well as the latest 2x TC and have used them together numerous times when I have needed that extra reach. More so then with the other smaller TC's you can truly see a jump in your reach to a level that, at least I find, to be significant enough to make it worth it. I haven't experienced any issues with Autofocus and it seems to preform just as well but then again stopping an f/2.8 down a couple of stops shouldn't be too much of an issue. Quality wise I have found there to be no noticeable degradation of image quality with the use of this TC. I'm sure somewhere on my Flickr there are some samples, but I apologize that I cannot find a good one right now.

Of course renting is always good before you buy. I can't honestly say that I noticed any significant jump in performance of this lens when I switched from using it on my D3s (now backup) to my D4, it worked just as good on both and absolutely categorically met my requirements. Considering the small size of all of these TC's (the 2x being the largest) and relatively inexpensive price there is really no reason to not have one for when you need that extra reach. a f/5.6 400mm will certainly do in a pinch, especially if you can bump the ISO up without having to worry about noise.

[Derry]

I use my TC1.7 on my 70-200 VR1 regularly and really like it,, camera was a D300 and now an 800E,, when around the water getting closer to the subject at times is only possible with more MM,, had thought a few times about picking up a 1.4 but never have as happy with 1.7,,

Derry