Disappointed in the new TC-20e III (1 Viewer)

[featherbrain1223]

I just got my new TC 2 days ago and have had two very bright sunny days to test it out with my 300mm 2.8 VR. To put it bluntly, it is not at all what I was expecting based on the reviews I read. Except for the full frame shots that I have gotten (which full frame shots are very rare unless I'm in a blind), the photos are rather soft (shooting at both f8 and f9) and I think I would do better cropping in from my 300mm.
I'm thinking I might be happier selling the TC-20e III (I should be able to break even or possibly end up in the positive) and getting a TC-14e II. What are the opinions out there on the 1.4x TC? Currently I'm' shooting with a D200.
Also quick question about a new body. I'm considering either a D7000 or D300s, but can't decide which. I like the 1080p video on the D7000. With the setup I have what are your guys' thoughts?

 

[Phil Bishop]

Maybe you just got a bad example. Seem to be a lot of reports of poor quality control from camera manufacturers recently.

 

[Duke Leto]

post a few for the masses to have a look at, if you think the 3 is bad then don't touch the 2. If you've only had it out for one shoot and your not happy I would try it a few more times just to ensure technique is okay, don't forget your making a massive leap in focal length, you don't say what support your using, mono or tripod, bean bag etc?
Attached is an image cropped around 50% taken on a 400/2.8 & a MkIII mounted on a tripod

 

[I4ani]

dissapointed in the new TC 20e- 111

Not sure why you should be dissapointed, two images attached taken from long distance as part of testing, be you own judge as to how good they are.
Buzzard at 123 paces and up a 60 ft tree into the light, dull day.
Gull judged to be about same distance.
D300 + 600/4vr + 2xtc mk 111.
iso 800, f9, 1/320 sec (gull), and 1/400sec (for buzzard).

 

[Pasquier]

Have you tried the combination with a different camera?
You may need to use your micro-adjust settings.
I'm very happy with the TC20EIII and the 70-200VRII on a D700.
Still saving up for the 300mm f2.8.
Hope you get your problem sorted out.

 

[CactusD]

I'm finding it pretty difficult to judge these results since I don't know whether they were full-frame or cropped, sharpened, etc. - though I'd be reasonably sure that a tighter crop with the 1.7 on the Turnstone would have produced a sharper result. By all recent accounts I've heard, the 1.7TC with cropping does as good a job as, if not better than, the new 2x.

 

[swainsons]

I cant really comment as I dont own the new version, but I am mostly disappointed when I screw on the 1.7TC, with the 1.4TC I cannot see any loss.

I have however seen some cracking pics with the new 2XTC.

Good luck.

Regards

 

[KennyW]

TC-20eIII is already the best 2x extender around. Perhaps a monopod or tripod might help. Anyway, adding a 2x extender will inevitably degrade the IQ of shots. A 1.4x can better reserve the IQ and a 500mm or 600mm f4 is what you need if you demand extremely high IQ images.

 

[Jaff]

As someone who routinely shoots with a 2x converter on their lens, albeit I'm Canon, I'm quite surprised by some of what's been said about this new TC as I'd have thought it would be great with that special element inside it. I'm happy as Larry with the performance of my 300mmf2.8 with a 2X and I was under the impression that these top end Nikon lenses have IQ around the same as that of the Canons. I wonder if there are poor copies of this TC floating around or something.

Here's a 100% crop as an example of what I'm used to, I don't know how the IQ of the same Nikon setup compares. Done absolutely zilch to it BTW.

 

[trurobirder]

Keep perservering with it and don't give up just yet. I use a 300 2.8 and new tc 3 2x TC and am delighted with it. I would never change it. I think you do need good light and winter light is never the best. Take a look at the shots in this blog: they were all taken in Cyprus with the 300mm and new TC. http://www.swopticsphoto.com/2010/05/north-cyprus-daily-blog-21st-april.html

 

[Pasquier]

Those are a very impressive set of images, Steve.
I'm very impressed that the 300 f2.8 / TC 20 EIII combination works so well with the D3X - which has a reputation of being finicky with regard to anything less than stellar optics.
Thanks P

 

[featherbrain1223]

I have been doing some more experimenting with the TC some more and have found that I can get some half decent shots with it. It just isn't super reliable and I guess I was expecting too much out of it. I am still planning on getting the 1.4x so I can hand hold it more easily.
I also think upgrading my body will help a bit with speeding up the focus. What are the major advantages of the D300s over the D7000? It seems to me that for the price the D7000 is a far better deal.

 

[Pasquier]

Silly question - were you using a tripod or handholding?
With a 1.5 x crop factor body the 300mm + 20 TC III yields a 35mm focal length equivalent of 900mm which requires quite a degree of technique to get sharp photos.....
As far as a new body is concerned, I'd wait for the new D400 rather than get a D300s. Alternatively move up to FX and get a D700, which are really cheap at the moment.

 

[TobyH]

Just another point although I've no experience of this actual converter -

Are you using autofocus? Are you sure it's actually focusing correctly?

I ask because I was using a Sigma 300 2.8 with their 2x TC and wasn't happy as images were too soft for my liking. The 1.4 was super sharp though. When I actually sat down and properly tested it inside, no wind, mirror up etc I found that it was not hitting the focus spot on. I swapped to manual focus and you could immediately see a difference.

Maybe worth a thought.

TobyH

 

[asiostygius]

Perhaps you have a bad copy or the TC+lens combo suffers of back-front focus. Try to focus manually without eletronic focus confirmation of the camera, use your eye only. D200 have AF-tune?

I use particularly D300+300mm F/2.8 VRI +TC20EIII, no need for af-tune, and are happy with the results. I use this combo mostly hand held (in fact with bushawk gunstock mount) for maximal flexibility when "hunting" birds in the field.

some samples here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/galleries/9402450264/photos/617400/_t3z5401
http://forums.dpreview.com/galleries/9402450264/photos/617399/_t3z8168

If these links do not work try my small gallery here, looking at shots
T3Z5401 and T3Z8168
http://forums.dpreview.com/galleries/9402450264/photos#page=1

 

[Pasquier]

Impressive set of images - looks like this combination is working well for you.
Says to self.... keep saving.

 

[KennyW]

I have been doing some more experimenting with the TC some more and have found that I can get some half decent shots with it. It just isn't super reliable and I guess I was expecting too much out of it. I am still planning on getting the 1.4x so I can hand hold it more easily.
I also think upgrading my body will help a bit with speeding up the focus. What are the major advantages of the D300s over the D7000? It seems to me that for the price the D7000 is a far better deal.

Make sure that your shutter speed is faster than 1/500s, with an increase in ISO if necessary. Below that over soft photos are not uncommon.

The only problem with D7000 is that when shooting in high frame-rate, it gets buffer-full quite easily. So if high frame-rate is not that important to you, D7000 is a better choice.

 

[featherbrain1223]

Make sure that your shutter speed is faster than 1/500s, with an increase in ISO if necessary. Below that over soft photos are not uncommon.

The only problem with D7000 is that when shooting in high frame-rate, it gets buffer-full quite easily. So if high frame-rate is not that important to you, D7000 is a better choice.

This is part of the reason I'm looking into a new body now, as I can't go too high with ISO on the D200 without getting noise.
I would be surprised if I could max out the buffer, as I usually don't open fire for longer than a second or two. I've never even come close to maxing out my D200.