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Post by Mike Logan on Feb 10, 2009 0:29:54 GMT
I tried stacking a Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC and a Kenko 2.0X TC with the Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S lens. This is one full frame image taken today. The ducks were at least 50 yards away. Nikon D200, F16, 1/125s, ISO 400, total focal length 840mm(?).  |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Feb 10, 2009 1:05:38 GMT
Looks good Mike. I thought you have a D300, my bad.  How did you stacked the TCs? I mean, in what order? The EXIF says 600mm. I'm assuming the lens, then TC 2, then the TC 1.4 to the body. Looking forward to get myself a TC 2 myself soon, as you all know ... and I admit that I'm size challenged. ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Mike Logan on Feb 10, 2009 1:17:34 GMT
I placed the 1.4X TC on the body first, then the 2X TC, not sure if the placement order makes a difference. I sure would like to own a D300, maybe by the time the I have the money, Nikon will introduce an improved model.
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Feb 20, 2009 18:03:57 GMT
Hey Mike, any images from your new shining D300 yet?
Some people swear that it's a big improvement from the D200.
Would like to see the IQ of images of these combo: D300 + 300F4 + TC 1.4x + TC2x
Thanks.
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Post by Mike Logan on Feb 20, 2009 23:10:50 GMT
Ted, the D300 is still en rout, but should be here by Tuesday. I elected to go with Amazon's free shipping, thinking it might ship from somewhere here on the East coast. Well, it is going via UPS ground from Arizona. It will be in PA today or tomorrow, but UPS does not deliver to private residences on weekends or Monday. Amazon had the D300 at a lower price than all the other shops at the time of order. And they are an authorized USA dealer. Now that I took the plunge, prices are sure to fall.
I am most anxious to try the stacking on the D300, and will post the results, good or bad. We are in a cold spell here now, and next week promises warmer temps.
Also wanted you to know that NX2 is turning into a very worthwhile program. I am using it almost exclusively.
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Post by Mike Logan on Mar 9, 2009 22:45:08 GMT
Teddy, here are 2 images of a White-Breasted Nuthatch taken from a distance of 30+ yards. The first is a full frame shot taken with my new D300 and the 300mm f/4 with 2 stacked Kenko TC's, 1.4X +2X. The second is a 100% crop, but resized. I was not too pleased with IQ on most of the pics, but the combo is useful for record shots. Also worth mentioning, is that if the 1.4X TC is placed on the body first, then the 2X TC, the exif data will report focal length of 600mm. But if the TC's were put on with the 2X first, exif data will report 420mm. I am assuming that this stacked set should actually be 840mm in either case. D300, 300mm f/4, 1/160s,f/8.0, ISO 800   |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Mar 10, 2009 1:50:27 GMT
First, congrats on the new body. ;D
At 1/160s, handheld, or with support?
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Post by Mike Logan on Mar 10, 2009 8:04:08 GMT
Used Bogen 3021 Tripod and Benro KS-2 Ballhead for support. Full frame Bluebird image below captured with same equipment, and identical settings, but closer. Image is soft, probably due mostly to poor manual focusing. Same bluebird taken using only the 1.4X TC was sharp. Nikon D300, 300mm f/4, ISO 800, 1/160s at f/8 with Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC and a Kenko 2.0X TC  |
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Post by Mike Logan on Mar 19, 2009 9:11:30 GMT
Another attempt at image with stacked teleconverters. This is full frame taken from about 10 meters. Although this setup with stacked TC's will never match the image quality of a Sigmonster or equivalent, it can produce acceptable images at a fraction of the cost. A person with patience and a sturdy camera support can do much better than I have to date. I am certain that a person with good eyesight can achieve much better manual focus results. D300, 300mm f/8, 1/320s, f/8.0, ISO 200, total focal length 840mm, Bogen 3021 tripod and Benro KS-2 ballhead  |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Mar 19, 2009 17:50:43 GMT
First, comments regarding the birds.
So, that's what an eastern male Bluebird looks like, the belly is whiter. Here it's more like greyish.
And the mockingbird looks the same.
IQ has really taken a hit though.
Have you tried stopping down more? Like increasing the shutter speed and probably an f/11.0 aperture?
With those TCs on the 300F4, rule of thumb is to stop down f/13.0 (3.5 stops) , but I think it'll be good enough at f/11.0.
I know, that'll be crazy low and it'll be underexposed with faster shutter speed ... just crank up the ISO, 800 or 1600 should be sufficient enough. Disregard the noise, and make sure High ISO NR is turned off in the camera (it's in the shooting menu).
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Mar 20, 2009 5:32:36 GMT
First, comments regarding the birds. So, that's what an eastern male Bluebird looks like, the belly is whiter. Here it's more like greyish. And the mockingbird looks the same. IQ has really taken a hit though. Have you tried stopping down more? Like increasing the shutter speed and probably an f/11.0 aperture? With those TCs on the 300F4, rule of thumb is to stop down f/13.0 (3.5 stops) , but I think it'll be good enough at f/11.0. I know, that'll be crazy low and it'll be underexposed with faster shutter speed ... just crank up the ISO, 800 or 1600 should be sufficient enough. Disregard the noise, and make sure High ISO NR is turned off in the camera (it's in the shooting menu). My bad ... not thinking right this afternoon when I wrote that. "With those TCs on the 300F4, rule of thumb is to stop down f/13.0 (3.5 stops) ," That should only be 3 stops (not 3.5), at f/11.0. But the recommendation of f/11.0 remains. But from the mockingbird shot, looks like F/8.0 will do. Bottomline is, that every setup is different. We should be testing all the possible combination to see what the optimal settings are. I haven't done that myself to my gears ... just plain lazy I guess.  |
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, AFS 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G , TC 1.4EII, TC 1.7EII, SB-800, Manfrotto 190CXPro3/393(3421), RRS BH-55, Kirk NC300 lens collar