Nikon 80-400 VR

[bluefin]

I recently bought the Nikon 80-400 VR and am happy with it. Can I get some feed back on the TC-14A tele-converter vs. the TC-201?

Also, can someone tell me why you guys get so jazzed up about Nikon vs Cannon? They are both great companies. I loved my Cannons, I loved my Hasselblad and I love my first Nikon!

My guess is they are like ying and yang and our world would be out of balance without one of them.

[George Riehm]

I think it's because we all like to think we made the best decision. And to be honest we all did. It seems like most of the people on this board have moved beyond that and can support just about any dSLR choice.

The Canon vs. Nikon debate will go on for quite a while, and is a healthy competition that drives down the cost while driving up the features. At this point Canon has some great cameras, but left just enough out to give Nikon a foot in the door. I like my D70 and others like their 350D's, 20D's, *ist DS, 7D's, and etc.

The bottom line is that viewed at 100% crop, and depending on the lens, there are minor differences. Printed at 8 x 10, using a decent lens, you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference in cameras. If you find one you like then that's the one to buy.

That said the TC-14A seems to be the professional choice. Please give us your impression of the 80-400 VR, post a review on Rex914's review site, and a few pictures just to make us all jealous.;)

[bluefin]

George,

Thanks for the insght. I just came back from the camera store and I was told that Tele-converters are really for primary lenses and that I might find some softness in my images with the 80 to 400. Does that sound like I'm getting the right advise?

[ReF]

I just came back from the camera store and I was told that Tele-converters are really for primary lenses and that I might find some softness in my images with the 80 to 400. Does that sound like I'm getting the right advise?

that's kind of a general statement. there are many TC's nowadays that are specifically made for a certain set of lenses, including both zooms and primes. the guy at the store may be speaking of certain TC's like the kenko 300 pro series or tamron SP series that the manufacturers state are meant to be used with single focal length lenses. that really just means that these non-specific TC's will consistently work better with most primes (and over a certain focal length too) while the results may vary drastically when used with different zooms. a TC may work well with one zoom and then produce mush with another (worse than simply interpolating in post processing!!!). i've actually seen a test on this kind of thing, and even when a cheap TC is used a prime that's focal length below the requirement, the results were decent.

nikon's site may have a list of specific lenses that work with that particular TC. Or you can look at a kenko 300 pro 1.4x or tamron sp 1.4x - i have not used one personally but i have heard nothing but good comments about these. they are also the same item, just rebranded.

as for the canon vs nikon issue (or any other brand for that matter), i think the people who are against one brand or another just because they own a competing brand and have no other reasons are lame @sses! who knows what their mental problem is - too many possible to count. i can think of a few possible reasons but i still don't really get it. i mean, i can totally understand being against the competition when you are actually competing with them, like back when i played college sports, but this is totally different. even then i can repect when another player has impressive skills, but comparing camera brands isn't even on the same level and yet people are still disrespectful concerning the competition and even the owners of these cameras. again, i say, LAME @SSES! good thing though, is that most of us here on these board have are smart enough to look past simply the name brand and can see the advantages and/or disadvantages of each system.

[coldrain]

Why not raise it to another level? MY Canon EOS 350D is better than your Canon Digital Rebel XT!

[cdifoto]

Why not raise it to another level? MY Canon EOS 350D is better than your Canon Digital Rebel XT!

My silver XT is better than your black XT!

[jeisner]

My silver XT is better than your black XT!

You should try the red one, it has a faster buffer.... :p

[cdifoto]

You should try the red one, it has a faster buffer.... :p

Wow really? Man...how's the orange one though? I heard it's a dog...

[George Riehm]

Why not raise it to another level? MY Canon EOS 350D is better than your Canon Digital Rebel XT!

Thats because it was made in Kawasaki and not in Nara...;)

[Ali_baba]

Wow really? Man...how's the orange one though? I heard it's a dog...
My dog ate my camera

[cdifoto]

My dog ate my camera

Yeah well my camera ate my dog.

[coldrain]

My camera can bark!

(true story!!!)

[George Riehm]

My dog ate my camera

Should be some interesting "photos" in the morning...

[cdifoto]

My camera can bark!

(true story!!!)


Mine doesn't bark. It just kinda - snaps.

[coldrain]

Should be some interesting "photos" in the morning...
I am guessing the white balance will be kinda shitty.:(

[George Riehm]

I am guessing the white balance will be kinda shitty.:(

One more?... It will probably add a slightly warm cast to the WB as well and maybe result in an overall sepia effect. If it turns out B&W I recommend a trip to the vet.;)