Teleconverter recommendations

Hello-

Can someone recommend a teleconverter for Nikor 105 micro with a D70?

Thanks.

Can someone recommend a teleconverter for Nikor 105 micro with a D70?

For UW usage I always preferred the Nikon Close Up Dipoters or the Hoya Close Up Diopters over any teleconvertor (i.e. the small diopter lenses that screw on the front of the actual lens).

Typically I use the +2 Nikon Close Up lens with the 105mm lens for shooting Pygmy Seahorse images. I am not sure that you would want to get much smaller than that.

M

Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 or Tamron 1.4x SP Pro. These are the same teleconverters. You could also use the 2x versions but I don't recommend it with the D70. I also recommend trying the Nikon 3T or 4T diopter first.

You'll need 20mm of extra port length for the 1.4x teleconverter.

Are there any special considerations when using diopters ? Or do you just screw them on and go for it !

Hi Rob,

Try doing a search here on "diopters" You will find a LOT of information about them, and yes, there are special considerations.

Cheers

James

Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 or Tamron  1.4x SP Pro.  These are the same teleconverters.  You could also use the 2x versions but I don't recommend it with the D70.

Is there a specific problem with the D70 and a 2 x TC? I use a 2 x TC on my D100 with the 105mm all the time. Did it today even. Sometimes I even combine the 2 x TC with a closeup lens.

Cor

Do you have some samples with that setup handy?

For most people, the loss of sharpness with the 2x is a problem, as well as the miniscule field of view.

No doubt the setup can yield some amazing stuff, it just has a few added challenges a more mild TC doesn't possess.

I agree with Ryan. I didn't recommend it only because it's so hard to use with the cropped sensor.

With a cropped sensor and a flat port you're already getting a 2x multiplier. Add to that a 2x converter and a 105mm lens and you're effectively using a 400+mm lens at a focusing distance of about a foot! Very hard to use but if you need it and like it you should go for it. I find the 1.4x strong enough, easier to use, brighter, and higher quality.

It's definately a challenge to use a 2 x TC with the 105. On the other hand, some critters just dont pose very well when you're inches away from them. So I prefer a TC to closeup lenses myself. Dont feel like getting a 200mm just yet I like the magnification I get with the 2 x TC, and since im not going for on-the-wall images every time, the 2 x TC works fine for me. I dont use the 1.4 often anymore.

Unfortunately I dont have any pictures from my archive, only what I actually shot today (just arrived on the USVI, and didnt bring my photos). Today was the second dive since a few weeks, and conditions were quite rough. Lots of surge. So this image isnt the greatest But it'll do for me. I believe it was pretty much closest focus, manual focus (since I cant switch between auto and manual under water with the TC attached, I leave it in manual). Image is unaltered except from RAW to jpg. Didnt sharpen it in photoshop either. I realise you cant really judge anything from this, but it looks pretty decent if I blow it up fully. I'd put the original RAW up, except im on a typical USVI dialup link, which at this moment means 19 kbit

Anyways, I dont dispute the argument that 1.4 should be a bit sharper and easier. Just wanted to know if there was some specific issue with the D70, the way you put it.

Cor

Hi Cor -

That doesn't look like maximum magnification for the rig you describe. Are you sure you are getting full extension of the lens? When I use the 60mm and 2X tele I can nearly focus down to that blenny's eye! The 105mm should do the same, although I rarely use it because of the long extensions required.

KC

I agree, unless that is an unusually small secretary blenny, that shot is about 1:1 (film equivalent).

Cheers

James

When I posted that message I actually thought the same. It didnt quite look like it was fully extended, even though im pretty sure it was.

We just did a nightdive, and I made sure I was fully extended. This is what im getting fully extended, D100, 105mm + Tamron 2 x TC.

Kasey, Julie did the same images, F100+2xTC, when she develops her images I can compare them somewhat, but id like to see yours. Either mail one, or bring one next time we see eachother. Cause id like to find out whats going on if you think this is still not even close to what it should be. (no, im not hitting the glass).

Cor

You should be able to achieve a frame width of only 12mm or 1/2" with that rig on a D70. Even less with diopters.

Just to make absolutely sure nothing weird is going on, I grabbed a slidemount. Put it over some text, put my camera back into my housing, and took 2 images. One of the whole slidemount, one fully extended. Looks fine to me. Im seeing about 3:1. I suppose it's still possible I wasn't fully extended under water, but im sure I was. I'll try again tommorow, but my guess is those blennies are just plain small

This is a D100 btw, not a D70, although that shouldnt matter that much.

Cor

Silly question, but sometime it can be only this, can you confirm that your focusing limit switch on the lens is not engaged on the wrong side, meaning from close to infinity ? in any case, you might just be right, seing your shot of the slide mount, it look pretty close to me.

Cheers

Cor, youre right, scrounged up a slide mount, hard to find these days, (felt like being an archeologist) and replicated with my 105 Nikkor and Tamron SP 2x, same result. theyre just bloody small fish, good for you mate, I can hardly see things that small anymore.

Regards

Silly question, but sometime it can be only this, can you confirm that your focusing limit switch on the lens is not engaged on the wrong side, meaning from close to infinity ? in any case, you might just be right, seing your shot of the slide mount, it look pretty close to me.

 

Cheers

It's not engaged. I would notice that immediately. I use manual focus almost exclusively so after a while you get used to how far it turns. Good suggestion though

Anyways, this is pretty much all irrelevant to the OP. Just wanted to know if there was something specific with 2xTC and the D70. Since there isnt (besides the fact it's less sharp and a little harder use) my question was answered.

I fully agree with the suggestions to use a 1.4x. In most cases that's a perfect TC choice. So to the OP, I can definately, like others have done also, recommend a 1.4x TC. I like the Tamrons myself. I would also check out using a diopter. And see what you prefer for your choices of photography.

Cor