D800e with Nikon 200-500 f/5.6

tevans9129 · Mar 14, 2016

In an attempt to try to determine which, if any, of these options that I can live with, I did a very uncontrolled, rudimentary, in my world, test of a D800e with the Nikon 200-500 mm lens at approximately 20’. The images were cropped to approximately the same size and converted to JPEG, no other PP. As I said, nothing scientific whatsoever about the test.

500 mm bare FX

500 mm with TC-14e II

500 mm bare DX

500 mm with TC-17e II

If anyone has an interest, please feel free to offer any comments. I would prefer constructive ones but I believe in freedom of speech so all are welcome.

mansod · Mar 15, 2016

tevans9129 said:
In an attempt to try to determine which, if any, of these options that I can live with, I did a very uncontrolled, rudimentary, in my world, test of a D800e with the Nikon 200-500 mm lens at approximately 20’. The images were cropped to approximately the same size and converted to JPEG, no other PP. As I said, nothing scientific whatsoever about the test.

500 mm bare FX

500 mm with TC-14e II

500 mm bare DX

500 mm with TC-17e II

If anyone has an interest, please feel free to offer any comments. I would prefer constructive ones but I believe in freedom of speech so all are welcome.

To me it looks like the 700mm image is the most detailed. Also the DX shot seems a bit redundant since your cropping in post anyway.

--

http://www.fluidr.com/photos/mansod

earthbound_ca · Mar 15, 2016

mansod said:
To me it looks like the 700mm image is the most detailed. Also the DX shot seems a bit redundant since your cropping in post anyway.

I have to agree. If one is looking for resolution benefits using DX, a higher MP dx sensor will elicit more detail than a D8**'s 15MP dx crop. Regardless, as shown by the OP, in-camera cropping has its place, with and without TC. If one can get close enough to the subject, nothing beats the number of pixels on target where, as far as resolution is concerned, more is definitely better.

tevans9129 · Mar 15, 2016

Thanks for the comments earthbound and mansod. No doubt it is obvious that I am inexperienced in the digital world and trying to educate myself on what I can do, or should do, as opposed to what I should do. I prefer using the D800 when practical or it is the only choice but if I know that I will need the reach, I use the D7100. The TC’s were purchased to be used with the Nikon 300 f/4 and 400 f/2.8 and for my eyes, the TC-14e II does a very good job on those two lens and acceptable under some conditions on the 200-500. The TC-17e II, I have not tried on the 300, it works very good on the 400 and not so good on the 200-500. These are only my observations and limited experience.

Perhaps a question that I should ask is, is it better to shoot the 800 in FX mode and crop in post, or, shoot in DX mode with less or no cropping? Or, does it depend?

Thanks again for the comments.

earthbound_ca · Mar 15, 2016

tevans9129 said:
Perhaps a question that I should ask is, is it better to shoot the 800 in FX mode and crop in post, or, shoot in DX mode with less or no cropping? Or, does it depend?

We appreciate your contibution. Thanks for the pics and info!

About in-camera crop or not, I would just say that if the subject is so small that the extra pixels are of no value, crop in camera. If in doubt, you can crop in post. Per your last suggestion then, it depends.

Regarding your comment about what you 'should' do... well, I think we all benefit from trying a range of things; by sharing our experiences and the outcomes, we can help people (i) get better pictures and (ii) save money and time trying things that may or may not work.

With the TC14 II, my understanding is it does lead to a noticeable reduction in contrast vs the 1.4 III and vs the naked lens; FWIW, I think a lot of that can be regained in post but it takes a bit more effort and good pp technique (to avoid haloing, aliasing as well as clipping of black & white points) vs the TC14III or naked lens (which, like all files regardless, still require good pp skills). Going back to the previous point, some may say you 'shouldn't' but, with some effort, it may just turn out that, with care, you can. Cheers.

tevans9129 · Mar 15, 2016

earthbound_ca said:
tevans9129 said:

Perhaps a question that I should ask is, is it better to shoot the 800 in FX mode and crop in post, or, shoot in DX mode with less or no cropping? Or, does it depend?

Click to expand...

We appreciate your contibution. Thanks for the pics and info!

About in-camera crop or not, I would just say that if the subject is so small that the extra pixels are of no value, crop in camera. If in doubt, you can crop in post. Per your last suggestion then, it depends.

Makes sense.

earthbound_ca said:
Regarding your comment about what you 'should' do... well, I think we all benefit from trying a range of things; by sharing our experiences and the outcomes, we can help people (i) get better pictures and (ii) save money and time trying things that may or may not work.

With the TC14 II, my understanding is it does lead to a noticeable reduction in contrast vs the 1.4 III and vs the naked lens; FWIW, I think a lot of that can be regained in post but it takes a bit more effort and good pp technique (to avoid haloing, aliasing as well as clipping of black & white points) vs the TC14III or naked lens (which, like all files regardless, still require good pp skills). Going back to the previous point, some may say you 'shouldn't' but, with some effort, it may just turn out that, with care, you can. Cheers.

The reason for me getting the TC-14e II is the older 300 f/4 that I have. I read somewhere that the III version would not work with the 300 f/4. Below is an image taken with that combination and I am satisfied with it. Perhaps if I get better glasses, I may have a different opinion but for now I am OK with it.

I have not had the opportunity to perform a good check of the 400 and 200-500 with the II version as of yet. What I have seen so far is that the 400 will produce as well as the 300 and if that proves to be true, I will be happy. I have not checked to see if the TC-14e III will work with the 400 or not. At this time, I think I would lean toward the TC-20e III and be satisfied with the 14e II, but they may change.

Thanks for all of your comments, this is a great group of folks that contribute on DPR.

Mach Schnell · Mar 15, 2016

Handheld or tripod?

tevans9129 · Mar 15, 2016

Mach Schnell said:
Handheld or tripod?

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D800e with Nikon 200-500 f/5.6

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