On 5 Aug 1998 06:59:33 GMT, myspui@aol.com (MySpui) wrote:

>I have a newly purchased AF Nikkor 300mm f4 lens, which is excellent (actually
>a used non-D version from 93 or 94). For the hell of it I tried it with my
>TC-14A Teleconverter which is listed as not being usable as such. There is
>possibly some vignetting (I am currently shooting some test frames), but the
>image seems well enough resolved. Any experience with this sort of thing?

The TC-lens combinations that are OK'd/not-OK'd in the Nikon listings
seemed to be based purely on fit and potential/real optical problems, not
on the actual quality of performance... (many of the recommended
combinations are actually quite poor). Try anything! One of the
best TC-lens combinations I have seen is the TC14A on both the 16mm
f3.5 and f2.8 fisheyes - it is wonderfully sharp from f5.6, and it
makes a nice "people" superwide. Another one is the older-style
500mm f8 mirror with the TC14/14B - it is very sharp for a mirror
of its length (though a TC14A on this mirror, while still fairly sharp, loses
more than the expected one stop...). TC's are ideal for small-stop macro
work (and lenses that will not normally fit on the "long-lens"
TC's will fit with an extension tube added between the TC and the
lens). A TC on a PC lens multiplies not only the FL, but also the
shift. (Ever seen the effect of a 22mm shift on a 70mm lens? The
horizon line is far outside the frame edge, so you can "correct"
parallel subject lines while shooting high up on a building face.)
If it works for you, use it! ;-)