Ken Rosenbaum wrote in message <34E2425A.4B0C@SYLVANIA.SEV.ORG>...

>Folks, here's where I need some of your valued opinions.
> I have the opportunity to buy a new Nikon TC-201 doubler for $200 for
>use with my Nikkor AIS lenses. They include a 50mm f1.4, an 85mm f2, a
>100 f2.5, a 135 f2.8, a 70-210 f4 zoom, and an 80-200 f4 zoom. I also
>have a Nikkor 500 f8 mirror lens.
> Where I need some guidance is whether to buy the thing or not. I know
>that the TC14a will give me a 50% boost in focal length and cost only me
>one stop, but is the quality that much better than the TC201?
>I also know that the TC-201 may not work well on the 500mm lens.
> But I have been told the TC-201 is a waste of my money, quality-wise.
> I would like to know whether this is the case.
> Is it that much better than a cheap Tokina or Tamron doubler when used
>with a qualiy lens?
> Does it work OK on Nikkor zooms?
> Bottom line: Is is any good and worth having at all?
> Thanks for any input.
> Ken

Hmmm, I would have said that the TC200 is worth owning, until
I saw the list of lenses you want to use it with... The 85mm f2
is a good match for it (stopped down at least to f5.6...), and the
135mm f2.8 is a decent match (well stopped down), but it will not
meter correctly with the 50mm f1.4 and it is less than wonderful
on the other lenses mentioned. The main value for me of the TC200/1
is in macro work at f11-16, where image quality can be excellent,
and the compactly achieved 2X magnification is very useful. BTW,
the Vivitar Macro 2X is about as good, and offers the advantages
of lower price and an additional variable extension tube. While
the TC14A would seem to offer little advantage in FL increase, it
does perform well with most lenses, even the zooms you have, and
does not require as much stopping down as the 2X - and it is
very small. I find this converter more generally useful.
--
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
ruether@fcinet.com