Tele converter question

[Europarad]

Im thinking of buying a teleconverter for my 80-400 nikon lens.
I've seen that there are a couple of manufactors but I'm most interested in the ones from Nikon.
There are three options;
a Nikon TC-14EII Teleconverter 1.3x
a Nikon TC-17EII Teleconverter 1.7x
a Nikon TC-20EII Teleconverter 2.0x
(all the same price)
Will there be some loss of sharpness ?
And does anyone have experience with converters?

[Key]

Hi there,

The search function should bring up several answers to your questions on this forum
Personally, I would not advise the 2x, certainly not on your lens: too much loss of quality, not worth it for the limited use of 800mm (with two stops loss of light!). The TC-14EII is a good one (1.4x obviously) and 1.7 is not too bad either.

Erik

[Europarad]

Totally forgot the search function

But thank you for your advice.
I was in doubt between the 1.7 and 2.0 so now I'll go for the 1.7.
Thank you.

[Key]

Totally forgot the search function

You're in good company, as we say; that's why I mentioned it once more

Enjoy your 1.7!

Erik

[Europarad]

Enjoy your 1.7!

Erik

Thank you.

I've ordered the 1.7 and hope to show you the results soon.

Eric.

[BaasG]

euhm... little late perhaps, but all current Nikon converters will not auto focus with the 80-400. This is because the 80-400 is an AF-D and needs the body focus motor, and the converters don't have a mechanical connection for this.

If you do need auto focus, you should look for third party converters, like Kenko.

[Key]

Hmmm... I never looked into that, just gave my opinion on the converters themselves...

Erik

[BaasG]

To be more detailed: the Nikon TC-17E converter will not even fit on the AF-D 80-400. The converter has an extra metal tab in the lens mount which prevents physically mounting it to non approved lenses (like the 80-400).

[Europarad]

euhm... little late perhaps, but all current Nikon converters will not auto focus with the 80-400. This is because the 80-400 is an AF-D and needs the body focus motor, and the converters don't have a mechanical connection for this.

If you do need auto focus, you should look for third party converters, like Kenko.

Just in time in fact. I called the store where I ordered the converter and they told me that the converter would indeed not support, and fit on, the lens.
I already wired the money but it will be refunded.
Thank you very much for the advice.

I'll see if there are other options.

Thanks again,

Eric.

[ronald]

You should indeed try the converters from Kenko, these are working on the 80-400mm. I sometimes use the 1.5x.

Ronald