The Nikon TC-20 and TC-14 Teleconverters reviewed.

NikonPhotography

Mar 12

After owning and shooting both the TC-20 and TC-14 on the 70-100 f/2.8 VRII and then the 300mm f/2.8 ED I can confidently say that prime is the way to go when it comes to tellies. Although the final image results with the zoom are doable in terms of producing a usable image, the sharpness, clarity, and contrast on the prime is just lightyears ahead. Nikon definitely did design these updated version III’s to be used on it’s lineup of big primes. Although I had fairly good results shooting both the tc-14 and tc-20 on the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII the rumor is that the version III of the tellies were specifically re-designed to be married to the big primes such as the 300, 400, 500 and above and I’m inclined to say I agree. The autofocus on the 300 2.8 with the tc-14 is basically unfazed and I personally cannot tell a difference from using the lens without.

300mm f/2.8 coupled to the TC-14. Locked onto this little Blue Heron instantly and rendered a super sharp image at an effective 420mm focal range. f/5.6 @ 1/500’th ISO 220 — *300mm f/2.8 coupled to the TC-14. Locked onto this little Blue Heron instantly and rendered a super sharp image at an effective 420mm focal range.*
*f/5.6 @ 1/500’th ISO 220*

The 2x is a little bit different of a story; although double the reach is significant and a delight for sure, when you try to start capturing anything other than a perched bird the whole affair becomes problematic. If the goal is perched birds it comes in very handy, but for tracking motion I’m sticking with the 1.4x

*The 3 versions of the TC-14 along with the legendary Nikkor 200 f/2(chubby stubby)*

With no appreciable image degradation (at least in my mind) and no noticeable autofocus delay it is my go to in 85% of wildlife situations and stays married to the lens more often than not. All that said, I have no intention on selling my 2x. Besides being a closet hoarder, the ability to turn my 300 f/2.8 to a 600 f/5.6 is beyond dope, and something that I don’t see myself tiring from anytime soon.