Choosing and using Teleconverters

[Roger_Martin]

This weekend we will be the prime photographers at the WidowMaker Motorcycle HillClimb. We will be shooting with a Nikon D1, two D1Hs, and a Kodak DCS760. I am bringing a Nikkor 28-70 AFS for Pit and Portrait shots, Nikkors 80-200 AFS and 70-200 VR for hillside, and Sigma 50-500 to mount on the Kodak for my use.

I ordered a new Nikkor TC20 II last week to use with a 70-200 AF-S VR mounted on a D1H. I hope it arrives today. Our other D1H, a Nikkor 80-400, 77mm sky filter, and extra batteries are also due for delivery but I doubt they will arrive either. We are leaving at 4 AM tomorrow.

Otherwise, Kathy will have to use my old Tamron 2x this weekend with a Sigma 28-300 mounted on the D1. She will be shooting from as far as 600 feet away so this will have to be her best effort. This lens combination is very light weight and easy for her to handle. We are taking it up to the street to practice hand shooting of passing cars today. I also have a Tamron 1.4x and Nikkor 28-200 that could be used.

My first observations of the Tamron teleconverters.
1. They have to be used on a good tripod for still shots only.
2. Light input and camera speed are cut down considerably.
3. They are uncompatable with AFS lens but work fine with Sigma AF lens.

What settings or techniques do you use when using teleconverters?

[Adam Wade]

Well, my caveat would be that I am using a brand-matched TC with my big zoom, so it reports corrected focal length and aperture data to the camera.

I have been using a 1.4x, because I find the hit in image quality to be too great with a 2x. That said, the shot you get is always better than the one you don't, no matter how much banging into shape you may have to do with it.

I have not found any substantial difference in shooting with the 1.4x TC on my 70-200 f/2.8 than without it, aside from having to up the shutter speed to compensate for the extra focal length. If I was shooting at a slower shutter speed, I'd use a tripod, and possibly mirror lockup, depending on the shutter speed and the shot. But these are the same rules I'd apply if I was using any lens of increased focal length, even an f/2.8 or f/4 prime.

With a 2x TC, and its two stop of light lost, I can see where you would have a much greater need for a tripod, with the slower shutter speeds. On my 10D I can just crank up the ISO, and still get pretty darned good results up to ISO 1600, so that is an option; perhaps you can find a higher ISO setting that will allow you better shutter speeds without getting too much shadow noise.