On Tue, 19 Jan 1999 01:48:41 GMT, ##aheely##@##downcity##.net (Arthur P. Heely) wrote:

>As a private investigator I generally use a Nikon F-5 with a Nikkor
>80-200mm/f2.8 or a 330mm/f4 for most of my surveillance photos. These
>are sufficient for most of my needs but sometimes I would like to have
>something longer. I am considering getting a TC-301 to go with the
>300/4 or a 500/8 reflex. There isn't that much difference in price
>and either way I end up with 500-600 at f8. Going to a prime in this
>range is both too expensive for what use I would get from it and since
>I shoot most photos handheld from sitting in my car they are rather
>big.
>
>I have had some experience with an older Cannon 500 reflex but have
>never used teleconverters. My main concerns are speed and ease of
>focusing and sharpness. Any suggestions or comments would be
>appreciated.

You can find a long-lens/combinations comparison article
on my web page, under "I babble" (the 500mm was the older
version Nikkor, but for mid distances as opposed to long,
the newer can be good also...). Mirrors are VERY hard to
focus with confidence, though I find the film results are
often excellent with the Nikkor 500mm f8's. For ease of
use (though the rig is MUCH longer physically...), you
may prefer the 300 f4 + TC300/301 (the TC14/14B/14C gives
better optical performance than the other choices, at a
length of 420mm - and this combination is one stop faster
at f5.6). The TC300/301 works very well with the 300mm
f2.8 MF (just happen to have one for sale...;-), and is
remarkably good on it even wide open (f5.6).