should i get the Nikon TC-E17ED?

[Riddick51]

your opinions plz.

[John_Reed]

I have both lenses, and prefer the TC-E17ED, because it brings back the sharpness of the original lens, something which I think the TCON-17 struggles with a little more. You can get sharp images with the TCON-17, but your "hit rate" will improve with the Nikon. It (the Nikon) also gives a little more mag., like a true 1.7X vs. the TCON's 1.6X, and I'd venture to say it loses less light than the Oly. It's a brighter lens.

[pappekak]

your opinions plz.

How much is the Nikon? I have a TCON-17 for my FZ3 and pictures come out on the soft side.

I selected it over the TCON-14b because it was (a) less expensive - I'm in the learning phase; (b) light - wanted to minimize weight on long day hikes; and (c) has a bit more zoom for wildlife.

Although the TCON-17 has been useful as a learning tool the images are too soft for my taste and I would prefer a crisper lens.

Here are some examples shots after sharpening with Elements.

Marmot - hand held shot: f/5.2; 1/80; ISO 200; full zoom
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5036196

Nuthatch - steadied with a tripod: f/2.8; 1/800; ISO 200; full zoom
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...117924&size=lg

Pine Cones - tripod using 10 sec timer: f/3.7; 1/40; ISO 80; full zoom
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4668353

[pappekak]

Forgot about this shot - nice and crisp. But it was not at full zoom and could have been taken without the TCON.

Nitro - steadied with a tripod: f/4.6; 1/320; ISO 100; 304 mm equivalent (counting TCON magnification)
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...634391&size=lg

[genece]

Dang I wish all my shots were soft like those.....

[Mike63]

I need one of those!!! Those pics look great to me.

[pappekak]

Maybe I'm being too critical, but I think the tree bark in the Nuthatch photo
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...117924&size=lg

is much softer than this action shot taken with a bare FZ3:

Flying Dog - hand held: f/2.8; 1/640; ISO 200; 340mm equivalent
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...668005&size=lg

I mean look at the detail of the left tennis shoe or the dog's fur vs the bark on that tree.

And this out of hand held action shot vs something steadied using a tripod. Both were prefocused. Both were shot in burst mode. Both had the stabilization set to 2.

To me the TCON-17 just leaves something to be desired.

[John_Reed]

They are out of print from Nikon, and VERY hard to find, harder every time someone buys one of the scarce ones remaining in stock. Got a source?

[pappekak]

They are out of print from Nikon, and VERY hard to find, harder every time someone buys one of the scarce ones remaining in stock. Got a source?

From Shene's site the lack of chromatic aberration looks great.
http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...Test-Long.html

If anyone is interested in trading a new TC-E17ED for my used TCON-17 let me know ;-)

Also, the B&H photo site indicates that the Nikon has a proprietary rear mount. Not sure what you use between it and an FZ.

[Razr]

Forgot about this shot - nice and crisp. But it was not at full zoom and could have been taken without the TCON.

Nitro - steadied with a tripod: f/4.6; 1/320; ISO 100; 304 mm equivalent (counting TCON magnification)

Interesting. "Pro" forum writers usually advise against the use of tele lenses when the on-board lens would make the trip, as you noted.

The unaided Leica lens (because Leica says its a Leica), when given the chance, will make that shot every time, all shooting conditions being optimal.