Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (Good Lighting)

 

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII  Teleconverter – updated 1/3/11

This was just a quick test shot with this lens both with and without teleconverter on the Nikon D300.  These dueling billboards are that of a strip club and church…

(Below) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII WITHOUT teleconverter at 200mm f8

 

(Below) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII WITH TC-20EIII teleconverter at 400mm f8

 

 

Previous  Posts:

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (Good Lighting)

Overall, the results of the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (using Nikon D300) in combination with both teleconverters (TC-20EIII and  TC-17EII) were very good.   The autofocus worked perfectly in this phhoting experiment, as there was ample lighting during the early afternoon. 

Summary:  There seemed to be very little loss of image quality in combination of either teleconverter.  There is a slight, minimal edge softness wide open as one might expect, but definitely still usable image!  Much of this softness was gone after a stop or two.  I am very impressed with the results, but don’t take my word on it, look for yourself below.  Click on the photos to see at 100%.

200mm – Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f2.8 (200mm)

  

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f4 (200mm)

  

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f6.3 (200mm)

  

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f8 (200mm)

  

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f11 (200mm)

  

  

340mm – Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f4.8  (340mm)

  

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f6.3 (340mm)

  

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f8 (340mm)

  

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f11 (340mm)

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f16 (340mm)

  

400mm – Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f5.6 (400mm)

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f6.3

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f8 (400mm)

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f11 (400mm)

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f16  (400mm)

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (GoodLighting)

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (GoodLighting)

I am still very impressed with the results of the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (using Nikon D300) in combination with both teleconverters.  Truly outstanding in my opinion.  The new TC-20EIII seems to yield even better results that the TC-17EII from my early tests, but both create very acceptable images.  I am especially impressed with this new TC-20EIII 2.0x teleconverter, especially since the previous model (TC-20EII) was basically only good as a paper weight.  The color, contrast, and sharpness was great with the TC-20EIII and autofocus worked just fine. 

 I call these my “good lighting” shots since they were conducted outside on a bright sunny day.  I used a tripod and did shots in groups of 3 photos at continuous release and selected the best of each series.  In all of the photos, aperture priority was used and Yoda’s face  (specifically his right eye) was the focal point.   I am very happy with these results, but don’t take my word on it, look for yourself below.  Click on the photos to see at 100%.  Many differences are subtle.

300mm – Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter)

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f2.8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at 4

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f6.3

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f11

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f16

 

510 mm – Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f4.8 

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f6.3

  

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f9

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) Teleconverter  at f11  

 

 

600mm – Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-120EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f5.6

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-120EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f6.3

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-120EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f8

 

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-120EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f11

 

(BELOW)   Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-120EIII (2.0x) Teleconverter  at f16

 

 

 

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (Bad Lighting)

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII & TC-17EII Teleconverters – Sample Photos

WOW!!! I am very impressed with the results of the new Nikon TC-20EIII in combination with the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (using Nikon D300).  Truly outstanding in my opinion..enough to give me goose bumps!  I actually think the overall results with this combination were better than that of the Nikon TC-17EII teleconverter.  The color, contrast, and sharpness was great with the TC-20EIII and autofocus worked just fine.  I call these my “bad lighting” shots since they were taken inside my house.  Though I did use a tripod, my wireless shutter release is out of batteries and thus the smaller apertures might show a bit of blur from lens motion when the shutter was depressed.  I shot in groups of 3 photos at continuous release and usually selected the final photo in each series. 

In addition to working very well with a teleconverter, the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII really impressed me with what it could do wide open at f2.8.  Results were very sharp in the center of focus at 2.8 and above.  But don’t take my word on it, look for yourself below.  Click on the photos to see at 100%.

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens with and without teleconverters

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f2.8

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f4

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f6.3

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f8

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (No teleconverter) at f11

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 510mm with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at f4.8

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 510mm with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at f6.3

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 510mm with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at f8  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 510mm with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at f11

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 600mm with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at f5.6

  

  

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 600mm with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at f6.3

 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 600mm with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at f8

 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 600mm with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at f9

 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII at 600mm with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at f11

 

 

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII & TC-20EIII Teleconverters – Sample Photos (Bad Lighting)

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII & TC-20EIII Teleconverters – Sample Photos

I have yet to make it home from work with decent daylight remaining, but I have been itching to do some sample shots with the Nikon TC-20EIII teleconverter that I finally got.  This photo sample gallery is of the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII lens with and without teleconverters.  There are photos at 70mm, 200mm, 340mm (200mm x 1.7x tele), and 400mm (200mm x 2.0x tele) at various f-stops.  All of these photos were taken inside my house (poor lighting) and with a tripod. 

Overall impressions:

I was very impressed with the results from the new Nikon TC-20EIII teleconverter and the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII lens, especially after seeing such poor results from the previous generation 2x teleconverter.  Overall, color and contrast were well preserved.  I can definitely see some loss of sharpness in the image when shot wide open, but this impact is not that much greater that that seen with the 1.7x teleconverter.  Sharpness and image quality improved as the lens was stopped down (f11 & f16 seem to be the sharpest with the TC-20EIII).  So far so good for this teleconverter, but don’t take my word for it..see for yourself.  Also check back for future sample photos with better lighting, in the field, and with the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens.

 Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII Sample Photos – No teleconverter

 (BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 70mm f2.8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 70mm f4

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 70mm f5.6

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 70mm f8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 70mm f11

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 200mm f2.8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 200mm f4

 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 200mm f5.6

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 200mm f8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII at 200mm f11

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at 340mm f4.8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at 340mm f6.3

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at 340mm f8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter at 340mm f11

 

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at 400mm f5.6

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at 400mm f8

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at 400mm f11

 

(BELOW) Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII with TC-20EIII (2.0x) teleconverter at 400mm f16

Nikon TC-20E III teleconverter has arrived!!

Finally, after several months of waiting, I got my hands on a Nikon TC-20E III teleconverter. 

Feel free to check out the following sample photo gallery with images using this teleconverter:

http://ksqphotography.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/nikon-tc-20eiii/

Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII – Wyoming Photos

I had a great time on my recent trip to Jackson, Wyoming and had a chance to take tons of shots with my Nikon D300 paired with the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens.  I used the lens solo and in combination with the Nikon TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter.  I was very pleased with the results from this lens BOTH with and without the teleconverter.  I am still waiting for the new Nikon TC-20E III to be in stock somewhere so I can buy it.  I will surely post results from that pairing if and when it is available.   If you are interested in some of the locations that I visited, please see the link at the end of this posting to a pdf file entiled “Grand Teton National Park Map and Photography Tour”.

The Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens has an almost instantaneous and quite autofocus system.  Paired with the TC-17E II 1.7x teleconverter, there is only a small amount of adverse effect to autofocus ability with decent lighting…though the lens will hunt more in low light situations with this combination.  There was one instance that I had to go manuel mode because it was late in the day (low light) and the bald eagle and ospreys that I was trying to capture were moving too fast for the autofocus to keep up.  I was able to get a few nice panning shots out of it.

Overall, I find this lens to produce tack sharp photos with proper technique.  I do find myself using a tripod much more often with this lens simply because it is a bit heavy (~6.4 lbs or 2900 grams) compared to lenses like th 70-200mm (3.4 lbs/ 1540 grams).  I am a relatively well built guy and can easily manage shooting the 300mm f2.8  handheld for short periods of time.  After a while though, I notice more movement artifacts in my shots simply from muscle fatigue of holding up the lens.  As a result, I use a tripod or monopod whenever possible. 

Below are some sample shots from my trip using the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens with the Nikon D300 camera body.  I have seperated the photos by those with and without the Nikon TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter.  Note that some photos were taken at ISO’s greater than 400 due to low light conditions, so you will notice some “ISO artifact” on 100% crop.  These findings in no way reflect on a fault in the lens itself.

For a truly detailed review of the Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII lens or many others please see the following website by Nasim Mansurov: http://mansurovs.com/nikon-300mm-f2-8-vr-ii-review/all/1

(BELOW)     Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII  (ONLY)

  

  (BELOW)     Nikon 300mm f2.8 VRII (with TC-17EII (1.7x) teleconverter) ~510mm equivalent

 

Grand Teton National Park Map and Photography Tour pdf file:  Grand Teton National Park Map and Photography Tour

-KSQ

http://ksqphotography.zenfolio.com/

Check back for more photo updates in the future…. Also feel free to check at other sample sets for the Nikon 300mm f2.8VRII at the links below:

 http://ksqphotography.wordpress.com/my-photography-equipment-reviews-image-galleries/

Lexar Professional UDMA 600x Compact Flash with Nikon D300

Main Lession: Make sure your camera can actually write as fast as this card will allow!!!

I purchased the Lexar Professional UDMA 600x (90MB/s) Compact Flash for my Nikon D300 in hopes of having an additional high capacity memory card that would clear the buffer faster than my Lexar Professional UDMA 300x (45MB/s).  Don’t get me wrong, I have been happy with the Lexar Professional 300x overall, though I find that the buffer gets full after 15 consectitive shots on continuous shooting at 8 frames per second. 

I did some online research and even called Nikon before my purchase to find out about the Nikon D300′s write speed.  I found some evidence that the Nikon D300′s write speed was limited to around 30MB/s, which suggests that it doesn’t even capitalize on the full potential of the 300x (45MB/s) card.  Despite this evidence, I decided to try the 600x card out anyway.  Well guess what?  My experience confirmed what I had previously found, that the Nikon D300 does NOT have a write speed fast enough to really take advantage of the Lexar Professional UDMA 600x (90MB/s) technology.  In other words, the buffer filled in the exact same number of continuous shots (15) as with the Lexar Professional UDMA 300x (45MB/s).  In addition, I did NOT notice a difference in the amount of time to clear the buffer before an additional photo could be taken when comparing the two UDMA cards.  Fortunately, I was able to send the card back for a full refund and get a less expensive 300x UDMA card.  Interestingly enough I have also seen reviews for the write speed of the Nikon D3 and D3x which are also between 30MB/s – 35MB/s.  I have not seen any evidence that there are camera bodies available that can take advantage of the latest storage card speeds of 45MB/s or 90MB/s.

I suppose the main place you would actually notice a difference would be during file transfer from your card to your computuer, assuming your memory card reader reads atl least 90MB/s.  I have no problems with the transfer speed of the 300x at 45MB/s for my purposes.

Below are a couple of links to sites that address the Nikon D300′s write speed:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/camera_multi_page.asp?cid=6007-9254

http://www.bythom.com/nikond300review.htm