Help me to differentiate between Kenko 1.4x TC Models- MC4 DGX and Pro 300 DG

Hello Friends I came across the following two Kenko 1.4x Teleconverters: [b]1. Kenko Teleplus DG Pro 300 1.4X Teleconverter[/b] (http://www.smartshoppers.in/product/kenko-teleplus-mc4-af-14x-dgx-teleconverter-for-nikon/) [b]2. Kenko TelePlus MC4 AF 1.4X DGX Teleconverter[/b] (http://www.smartshoppers.in/product/kenko-teleplus-dg-pro-300-14x-teleconverter-/) I intend to buy a [b]300 f4 AF-S Nikkor[/b] lens for my[b] D90[/b] with which I would like to use a [b]1.4x TC[/b]. After a lengthy discussion here and elsewhere, it seems that this combination will produce the [b]sharpest IQ for least of the investment[/b]. But I am not sure which of these two TCs is [b]better optically[/b]. I found one German page which compared TCs and they declared the [b]MC4 DGX is the best one[/b]. The DGX also costs about[i] 40% less[/i]. So please tell me: [b]1. Which of the above TCs will be better Optically with the lens I mentioned? What are/is the difference/s between these two TC models?[/b] [b]2. Are these Kenko TCs at par with the Nikon TC 14E II/14E?[/b] The Nikon's one will costs simply double of Kenko and also will not be useable with any Third Party Lenses, that much I am sure of. Please help Thank you

Hello Friends

I came across the following two Kenko 1.4x Teleconverters:

1. Kenko Teleplus DG Pro 300 1.4X Teleconverter (http://www.smartshoppers.in/product/kenko-teleplus-mc4-af-14x-dgx-teleconverter-for-nikon/)

2. Kenko TelePlus MC4 AF 1.4X DGX Teleconverter (http://www.smartshoppers.in/product/kenko-teleplus-dg-pro-300-14x-teleconverter-/)

I intend to buy a 300 f4 AF-S Nikkor lens for my D90 with which I would like to use a 1.4x TC. After a lengthy discussion here and elsewhere, it seems that this combination will produce the sharpest IQ for least of the investment.

But I am not sure which of these two TCs is better optically. I found one German page which compared TCs and they declared the MC4 DGX is the best one. The DGX also costs about 40% less.

So please tell me:

1. Which of the above TCs will be better Optically with the lens I mentioned? What are/is the difference/s between these two TC models?

2. Are these Kenko TCs at par with the Nikon TC 14E II/14E? The Nikon's one will costs simply double of Kenko and also will not be useable with any Third Party Lenses, that much I am sure of.

Please help

Thank you

Here's a simple answer... ANY Nikkor lens teamed with ANY Nikkor TC will give SUPERB results (especially the 300 f4, which is superb). A 300 f4 teamed with a Kenko converter will give poorer results but at a substantial saving (40% you say). It's up to you to pay your money and take your chance - but if it was me I'd get the NIkkor TC14 and leave the Kenko for someone else...

Here's a simple answer...

ANY Nikkor lens teamed with ANY Nikkor TC will give SUPERB results (especially the 300 f4, which is superb).

A 300 f4 teamed with a Kenko converter will give poorer results but at a substantial saving (40% you say).

It's up to you to pay your money and take your chance - but if it was me I'd get the NIkkor TC14 and leave the Kenko for someone else...

[link=https://www.ephotozine.com/forums/topic/kenko-pro-300-1-4x-dgx--af-s-300-f-4d---d5000-compatibility--96152#comment_2239097]See here[/link] Just watch what camera body you'll be teaming this Kenko with, looks like others are having problems....

See here

Just watch what camera body you'll be teaming this Kenko with, looks like others are having problems....

When researching 1.4 tc for my Canon set-ups I found reviews that said the Kenko was inferior to Nikon and Canon tcs but not by much so it depends how much you are willing to compromise. Can you take your body to a shop and try the ts?

When researching 1.4 tc for my Canon set-ups I found reviews that said the Kenko was inferior to Nikon and Canon tcs but not by much so it depends how much you are willing to compromise. Can you take your body to a shop and try the ts?

These were taken with a Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f4 L IS, Kenko 1.4x 300 Pro converter and extension tubes. This set up was pretty sharp imo and the Kenko was a good budget choice. [epzimg]-mg-7406.jpg[/epzimg] [epzimg]water-spider.jpg[/epzimg] [epzimg]1--mg-7092.jpg[/epzimg] [epzimg]1--mg-7092crop.jpg[/epzimg]

These were taken with a Canon 40D, Canon 70-200mm f4 L IS, Kenko 1.4x 300 Pro converter and extension tubes. This set up was pretty sharp imo and the Kenko was a good budget choice.

Thank you so much for your replies Paintman...excellent shots. Well, I must confess that I am [b][i]not[/i][/b] willing to compromise on IQ. But I have heard that Kenko 1.4 and Nikon TC 1.4 are both identical IQ wise and secondly, the Kenko TCs are more flexible and can be used for all types of lenses.

Thank you so much for your replies

Paintman...excellent shots.

Well, I must confess that I am not willing to compromise on IQ. But I have heard that Kenko 1.4 and Nikon TC 1.4 are both identical IQ wise and secondly, the Kenko TCs are more flexible and can be used for all types of lenses.

Differentiation between the teleconverters mentioned by the original poster and others in this thread is easy on one hand 'you get what you pay for'. i.e. Better optics are more expensive. However lenses tend to perform differently with different converters. You have posed a difficult question and the contributions of some with specific successful set-ups are hugely useful. Personally I have 3 telconverters, the 1.4x and 2x Sigma apo's and the 1.4x Kenko dg 300. The sigma's are better however physically 'protrude' into the lens selected so space must be present here. The kenko is good and allows for wider usage. I suggest that people considering such purchases 'borrow' candidate teleconverters from friends, family, colleagues and other photographers to try out. It is difficult to damage teleconverters so others may allow this?

Differentiation between the teleconverters mentioned by the original poster and others in this thread is easy on one hand 'you get what you pay for'. i.e. Better optics are more expensive. However lenses tend to perform differently with different converters. You have posed a difficult question and the contributions of some with specific successful set-ups are hugely useful. Personally I have 3 telconverters, the 1.4x and 2x Sigma apo's and the 1.4x Kenko dg 300. The sigma's are better however physically 'protrude' into the lens selected so space must be present here. The kenko is good and allows for wider usage.
I suggest that people considering such purchases 'borrow' candidate teleconverters from friends, family, colleagues and other photographers to try out. It is difficult to damage teleconverters so others may allow this?

Thanks for the replies. I had a long discussion about the choice of lenses for the kind of photography I do or I intend to do, that is, Bird and nature photography. My choices were: [b]1. Sigma 150-500 OS 2. Nikon AF-S 300 f4+1.4x TC 3. Nikkor 80-400 VR [/b] I had to take out Tamron 200-500 out of equation because it is not available here. Now with the 2nd and 3rd I am getting 400mm as maximum reach and with the 1st option I am getting 500mm as the maximum reach. I know that 150-500 is [i][b]softer Wide Open[/b][/i] at 500mm end. But [b]what about 400mm end and at 300mm end?[/b] Will it still give [b]inferior image quality[/b] than [b]300 f4+1.4x TC[/b] and [b]300 f4[/b] with the [b]Lens Wide Open[/b]? Well, these items are very costly in my country so it is going to be an one time investment for me. Sigma will cost about [b]$600 less[/b] than the Nikon 300 f4+1.4x Nikon TC combination. What do you all think? Thanks again

Thanks for the replies.

I had a long discussion about the choice of lenses for the kind of photography I do or I intend to do, that is, Bird and nature photography. My choices were:

1. Sigma 150-500 OS
2. Nikon AF-S 300 f4+1.4x TC
3. Nikkor 80-400 VR

I had to take out Tamron 200-500 out of equation because it is not available here.

Now with the 2nd and 3rd I am getting 400mm as maximum reach and with the 1st option I am getting 500mm as the maximum reach. I know that 150-500 is softer Wide Open at 500mm end. But what about 400mm end and at 300mm end? Will it still give inferior image quality than 300 f4+1.4x TC and 300 f4 with the Lens Wide Open?

Well, these items are very costly in my country so it is going to be an one time investment for me. Sigma will cost about $600 less than the Nikon 300 f4+1.4x Nikon TC combination.

What do you all think?

Thanks again

Ok guys, I have decided for sure this time.. It's Nikon AF-S 300mm f4, but can't afford the TC at this moment....sadly the store has no stock and I am waiting for over a week now to get my hands on this beaut!

Ok guys, I have decided for sure this time..
It's Nikon AF-S 300mm f4, but can't afford the TC at this moment....sadly the store has no stock and I am waiting for over a week now to get my hands on this beaut!

Do post back and let us know how you find it. I am going to be making a similar decision later this year, I have been looking at the Sigma but worry if it is still a cheap but expensive lens for the focal length - I also like the look of the Nikon prime but slightly concerned about the lack of image stabalisation.

Do post back and let us know how you find it.

I am going to be making a similar decision later this year, I have been looking at the Sigma but worry if it is still a cheap but expensive lens for the focal length - I also like the look of the Nikon prime but slightly concerned about the lack of image stabalisation.

Sure! Though I must tell you that I have already tried 300 f4+Nikon 1.4x latest TC, and the result is unbelievable. I also tried Sigma 150-500, it is SOFT beyond 400mm and even stopping down does not improve things to compare it with Nikon 300 prime. I have been pondering over the choices for over a year now as I can not afford to make any mistake. OS won't matter much because if you are using this lens wide open in good light you will always get > 1/500 shutter speed at which VR does not work best. Still, for me IQ is the most important issue and I think this combo offers far netter than Sigma 150-500 OS :) Hope this helps!

Sure!
Though I must tell you that I have already tried 300 f4+Nikon 1.4x latest TC, and the result is unbelievable. I also tried Sigma 150-500, it is SOFT beyond 400mm and even stopping down does not improve things to compare it with Nikon 300 prime. I have been pondering over the choices for over a year now as I can not afford to make any mistake.
OS won't matter much because if you are using this lens wide open in good light you will always get > 1/500 shutter speed at which VR does not work best.
Still, for me IQ is the most important issue and I think this combo offers far netter than Sigma 150-500 OS
Hope this helps!

Thanks that certainly helps, the lens I am planning to replace is a cheap 70-300 and soft images is the problem I am trying to get away from - I already have a 50mm and 150mm prime and am very happy with their image quality so maybe a 300mm prime and like you a 1.4 TC will be the best to potentially give me 6 different focal lengths on fast lenses. Like you I also don't want to make mistakes and any lenses I buy need to last.

Thanks that certainly helps, the lens I am planning to replace is a cheap 70-300 and soft images is the problem I am trying to get away from - I already have a 50mm and 150mm prime and am very happy with their image quality so maybe a 300mm prime and like you a 1.4 TC will be the best to potentially give me 6 different focal lengths on fast lenses.

Like you I also don't want to make mistakes and any lenses I buy need to last.

[quote] ANY Nikkor lens teamed with ANY Nikkor TC will give SUPERB results (especially the 300 f4, which is superb).[/quote] Just a side note about Nikon lenses + Nikon TCs being "SUPERB" [epzimg]292465_1457029199.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 no TC [epzimg]292465_1457029226.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 with x1.4 TC [epzimg]292465_1457029243.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 with x2.0 TC

Quote: ANY Nikkor lens teamed with ANY Nikkor TC will give SUPERB results (especially the 300 f4, which is superb).


Just a side note about Nikon lenses + Nikon TCs being "SUPERB"




Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 no TC




Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 with x1.4 TC




Canon 300mm f/2.8 vs Nikon f/2.8 with x2.0 TC

The Nikon 300mm f/4 is better though than the f/2.8 [epzimg]292465_1457029731.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 300mm f/4 vs Nikon 300mm f/4 with x1.4 TC [epzimg]292465_1457029735.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 300mm f/4 vs Nikon 300mm f/4 with x2.0 TC

The Nikon 300mm f/4 is better though than the f/2.8




Canon 300mm f/4 vs Nikon 300mm f/4 with x1.4 TC




Canon 300mm f/4 vs Nikon 300mm f/4 with x2.0 TC

Sorry about spamming the post with pictures but this is interesting [epzimg]292465_1457030420.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 500mm vs Nikon 500mm with x1.4 TC [epzimg]292465_1457030440.jpg[/epzimg] Canon 500mm vs Nikon 500mm with x2.0 TC

Sorry about spamming the post with pictures but this is interesting




Canon 500mm vs Nikon 500mm with x1.4 TC




Canon 500mm vs Nikon 500mm with x2.0 TC