Nikon TC-20E II 2x AF-S, AF-I Teleconverter Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: garthphotog
(Professional)

Review Date
August 12, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.29 of 5,
7 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $359.00 from B & H, NYC

Summary:

This is a great little converter,which i highly recommend. Ive used it with the 80-200AFS and 300 f2.8AFS,(with F100)consistently over the last couple of months, shooting mostly soccer and cycling, and have nothing but praise and paychecks to show for it. No visible distortion,or loss of focusing speed apparant.Sharpness and contrast remains true,frame after frame. Also the weight balance between body and lens remains fluent. Also have the TC-14E, which is fantastic,but if youre after 400mm or 600mm without burning the budget, theres no better alternative.I can even learn to live with the two stop penalty. Buy one!!

Strengths:

Twice the focal length for only $360?? Means the kids can go to college... Slightly smaller than a 400mm lens!

Weaknesses:

None. All 2X converters have a 2fstop penalty, so its not a particular weakness compared to other converters.

Similar Products Used:

TC-14E 80-200 f2.8AFS 300 f2.8AFS

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by: braunan
(Expert)

Review Date
March 27, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $460.00 from Sauter, Munich

Summary:

2x teleconverter for all Nikkor tele lenses with built-in AF motor (AF-S and AF-I) with exceptional built and optical quality. I''m using the TC20E with an AF-I 2.8/300D lens mainly for wildlife photography. The image quality still outperforms any other really long (600mm or so) tele lens I ever used. However, minimal loss in luminance and sharpness compared to the (excellent) AF-I 300/2.8 can be noticed. Note: I''m using slides (Velvia) at ample enlargements.

Strengths:

Very high autofocus speed (tested with F100, F5), amazing image quality (with very good primes). Easily outperforms Kenko and Sigma.

Weaknesses:

Not really any. Like any converter, the TC20E largely depends on the quality of the lens you are using it with. So, go for a good basis lens first. Needs AF-S or AF-I lens.

Similar Products Used:

TC14E, Kenko, Sigma (crap!)

Customer Service:

never needed.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Mr. Me
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 11, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid: $450.00 from camera store

Summary:

This lens works great on my AFS 400 F/2.8. I can't see the distortion in my slides that so many photographers seem to gripe about with teleconverters. Fuji velvia and Provia 100F look just as great with or without this teleconverter. The loss of two stops is disappointing, but an 800 F/5.6 ain't that bad.

Strengths:

The ability to double lens magnification.

Weaknesses:

Loss of two stops.
Doesn't work with non AFS lens.

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

N/A

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jacob Apfelbaum
(Intermediate)

Review Date
May 15, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.60 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $250.00 from photoshop

Summary:

There was a possibility for me , to buy a new TC-20E very cheap.However to mount it on my 3.5/400 a minor mechanical modification had to be done. After removing a part of the (female) mount of the converter , this converter can be combined with non Af lenses if the position of rear lens of the tele lens is not touching the front lens of the converter! With respect to the price this converter is only interesting if you have AF-S lenses or if you do not have to pay the official price and make a modification to adept MF lenses.

Strengths:

Very sharp and good contrast.

Weaknesses:

1-Price .
2-Original only designed for AF-S lenses however .... see review summary !

Similar Products Used:

Kenko 300 Pro
Sigma 2x

Customer Service:

No experience.

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