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Nikkor 70-200 VR + TC

Jarek From Poland, joined May 2001, 342 posts, RR: 1
Posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 4577 times:

Hi,

I am planning to buy the set

Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF
and
TC-20E II 2x

I am just wondering if anybody here has the expirience with such set.
I woudl apreciate your commnets.

Jarek

24 replies: All unread, jump to last

Billsville From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 80 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 4564 times:

Jarek,

This combo works fine for me.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Stephen Brown

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Stephen Brown

The 70-200 by itself is fantastic. The TC-20EII makes the lens much more flexible.

Steve Brown

Jarek From Poland, joined May 2001, 342 posts, RR: 1
Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 4550 times:

Thanks, this is what I was looking for Smile

Anybody else?

Jarek

Viv From Ireland, joined May 2005, 3106 posts, RR: 31
Reply 3, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4536 times:

How is the sharpness of that lens with the TC attached?

Nikon D700, Nikkor 80-400, Fuji X Pro 1, Fujinon 35 f/1.4, Fujinon 18 f/2

TravelRalf From Germany, joined Jun 2004, 111 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 4504 times:

I decided to go with the TC-17E II after doing some research on dpreview.com and nikonians.org. Main issue was lack of sharpness.

However I think if you have enough light and can stop down to at least f8 you can get sharp results (see Steve's examples). Especially with this lens.

The Nikkor 70-200/2.8 is my favourite lens - tack sharp & fast - simply perfect. It's on my camera nearly all the time.

Ralf

Seachaz From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 213 posts, RR: 9
Reply 5, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4491 times:

Quoting Billsville (Reply 1):
This combo works fine for me.

Steve, what body you using that combo with - how is the AF speed impacted?

Thanks,
Charles

Billsville From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 80 posts, RR: 0
Reply 6, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4466 times:

Charles,

I'm using the D200 at the moment. Very Nice camera and works well with the 70-200+TC-20EII

The AF speed seems the same with the TC on or off (which with that lens is fast). I shoot with focus priority and I haven't really lost a pic yet through the lens not reacting quick enough. Having said that, I don't think i've stretched combo by shooting airliners.

As Ralf said above I try to keep the lens+TC working around F8 (one of the luxuries of having magnificient sunshine in Australia), however I did some shots the other day with the lens in the late afternoon and used it wide open and there was a slight quality fall off, but nothing that couldn't be saved in PS later on. (Shooting in RAW).

Hope this helps

Steve Brown

SEAchaz From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 213 posts, RR: 9
Reply 7, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4452 times:

Thanks for the info Steve - I tried a TC on my D70 + 70-200VR and the AF speed really suffered. I just got a D200 about a month ago and with your results I may have to revisit adding a TC to my 70-200 - maybe the 1.7x as I have the liquid sunshine of Seattle most the time Wink

Chrisair From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1769 posts, RR: 4
Reply 8, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4445 times:

Get the 1.7x instead. The 2x is not sharp at all.

AUS_Spotter From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 286 posts, RR: 4
Reply 9, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4390 times:

I use a 1.4x with my 70-200VR and don't really notice any difference in autofocus speed or sharpness. I've used it on my D70 in the past and now on my D200.

Glennstewart From Australia, joined Jun 2003, 1124 posts, RR: 56
Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 3 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4306 times:

You're simply talking about one of the best zooms on the market. I would purchase one without hesitation.... if I actually shot with Nikon.

Respected users.... If my replies are useful, then by all means...

Jarek From Poland, joined May 2001, 342 posts, RR: 1
Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 4277 times:

Guys,

just to let you know, I just purchased the lens and I will have it in my hands on Saturday.
Thanks to everybody for a help.

Jarek

Seachaz From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 213 posts, RR: 9
Reply 12, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 4253 times:

Jarek, congrats on your purchase, you won't regret it! BTW, Did you get a TC to go with?

Jarek From Poland, joined May 2001, 342 posts, RR: 1
Reply 13, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 4238 times:

I did. TC-20EII. I will have it in my hands this weekend and I hope I will be able to test it next week.

Codeshare From Poland, joined Sep 2002, 1854 posts, RR: 1
Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 4232 times:

...and with that said I'm getting one too, but parting wit the good old 80-200 D ED, which served me well.
I will observe Jarek's "doings" with the TC-20 Big grin

KS/codeshare

How much A is there is Airliners Net ? 0 or nothing ?

AndyHunt From Singapore, joined Jan 2001, 1294 posts, RR: 53
Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 4217 times:

AIRLINERS.NET CREW
PHOTO SCREENER

Oops, a bit late, but I am thoroughly disappointed with mine, not the lens but the TC. I lose nothing in AF but many of my images come out soft at full extension.

Basically only shoot with the lens now, the TC 2.0 sits in a drawer Sad

Sorry for the bad news. Guess I got a dud!

Regards

Andrew

Full frame always beats post processing

Viv From Ireland, joined May 2005, 3106 posts, RR: 31
Reply 16, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 4207 times:

I have heard that the 1.7 is better than the 2.0. Others may know more though.

Nikon D700, Nikkor 80-400, Fuji X Pro 1, Fujinon 35 f/1.4, Fujinon 18 f/2

Billsville From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 80 posts, RR: 0
Reply 17, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 4198 times:

Truth be told, I would have got the 1.7x if I could find one, but all I could find was the 2.0x. I had heard all the problems with it, but I tend to not push it to the edge, shoot at around F8 and the results are ok. (also shoot RAW).

Codeshare From Poland, joined Sep 2002, 1854 posts, RR: 1
Reply 18, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 4188 times:

I'm looking more at the 1.4x or even the 1.7x, but that will come in time.

@Andy: you can crop nicely from the D2000 can't you Smile

How much A is there is Airliners Net ? 0 or nothing ?

AKE0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50
Reply 19, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 4111 times:

I'd stay away from the 2x extender, buy the 1.4 instead....image quality will be much better!

Vasco G.

Kereru From New Zealand, joined Jun 2003, 873 posts, RR: 50
Reply 20, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 4093 times:

Quoting AndyHunt (Reply 15):
Basically only shoot with the lens now

Have to agree the 2x gives me soft results too.
I invested in the 80-400 VR lens and although slow at times, fast enough for airliners and warbird aircraft. One added advantage is it is a 5x lens(80-400) as opposed to a 3x(70-200) lens so less lens changing to cover needed focal lengths. 70-200 is a far superior performing lens for fast action, low light though!

Colin

Good things take Time.

Pavvyben From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 178 posts, RR: 3
Reply 21, posted (6 years 11 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 4082 times:

Ive got my Nikon 70-200mm now with a 1.7TC and its fantastic. Still super sharp but gives you some more focal length. The AF doesn't seem to be affected and still is very fast

Cheers

Ben

Jarek From Poland, joined May 2001, 342 posts, RR: 1
Reply 22, posted (6 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 4007 times:

Hi,

I have the lens, I am happy. I got the question though.
VR normal mode is used when panning - this is clear. They say active mode should be used when taking pictures from "shaking platform" like car in movement.
Which mode shall I use in the situation when both, camera and object are not moving, but there is a low light so the exposition time is extended.
I would say "active mode", but I would like to know your experience.

Regards
Jarek

Pavvyben From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 178 posts, RR: 3
Reply 23, posted (6 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 3993 times:

I would use Normal, Active can over do it a bit. If your on a monopod/tripod don't use vr unless the shutter speed is less than the focal length is what ive found. If the subject and camera aren't moving i would still be inclined to keep vr on and normal. Best thing to do is play around with it. Try the moon, thats what i did and found out the above from that Smile

Hope this helps

Cheers

Ben

Frippe From Sweden, joined Sep 2005, 183 posts, RR: 8
Reply 24, posted (6 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3980 times:

Good Morning,

I am also a lucky owner of the 70-200 lens on a D200. With the TC 1.7 the combo is not at all noticeably slower when shooting airplanes, but results are a bit less sharp, I have found. But I agree that the difference is small if lighting is good and you can use f/8 or smaller aperture.
Frippe

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