Crop Camera Or Full Frame Camera With A 1.4 Teleconverter?

[@backcountrygallery]

Have nature and wildlife photography questions? Check out the BCG Forums! Ask and answer gear and technique questions questions, post photos and more. Check it out and sign up today! bcgforums.com/index.php Bonus - I also post exclusive tips, tricks, and techniques to the forum you can't get anywhere else! Check it out!

[@thomasmaes6620]

Hi I'm looking to buy my first mirrorless camera and I was wondering what happens if u select crop mode in menu of a full frame? Is that better than a 1.4 teleconverter? (mainly for wildlife)

[@nishit87]

Hi are your books available on kindle

[@jrbfotocom]

I'm not a wildlife photographer at all, just the same, all of your videos help me tremendously. I'm a surf photographer... talk about erratic movement! Those guys/girls are all over the map... in mere seconds. Great ebook, a constant reference, many thanks!

[@VadimOm]

opinion based on pure practice, while other reviewers talk nonsense.. thumbs up

[@BradleyPhillipsYT]

Should do this again with the D850 since it has the same pixel density as the D500. Without the TC they should be equal and with a TC I'm interested to know if the lenses can even resolve more detail than simply cropping.

[@Silverprinsen]

Yes please!

[@dance2jam]

Steve, Steve, Steve. I am a subscriber to your channel. Have watched more KZbin videos than I care to admit. Props Brother. I really appreciate your well thought out, to the point, fairly well controlled videos on topics like this. I didn't need a video like this until now when this issue arose. I appreciate you taking the time to control the experiment and variables in the mix, to make it real world as well, and to anticipate natural comments and suggestions for comparisons. Your type are few and far between and for that, this beginner, has to give you props and a shout out. WELL DONE!So if you have the time, I'm going to ask a quick question (and I believe the answer is now obvious). My first camera was a D850 (I know, I know...but it met the needs I was going to have and I've never regretted making that choice). I love sports and have found myself shooting BIF/etc for the better part of 5 months. I have the 200-500mm f.5.6 zoom and bought the teleconverter 14TC III used for a great price (still can return it and probably will). The issue was exactly what you bring up here with multiple possibilities (one of which did not exist when you made this video). 1. Cheapest route: 14 TC III for needed reach. 2. Slightly more expensive (buy a D500), or 3. Save for years and buy both the 400mm f2.8 and/or 600mm f/4 (assuming a 6t00mm f5.6 isn't available this summer). I realize with the D500 there is a fall off in resolution, but an increase in fps, buffering, a second fall back camera body. If I understand your points correctly, using the 200-500 mm f5.6 (would be f/8 with TC14 II) is not likely to suite the needs of someone shooting BIF/fast autofocus etc. If used, it would be more for static subjects, in bright light, and with faster lenses. And then there is the 4th possibility: Use the D850 with stronger battery (fps up to 9, and crop) (I realize the buffer isn't as good, and pixel density isn't as high on D850) or go with the D500? Stronger batter + charger etc $600, D500 with vertical grip now $1900 new). Aside from buying the really expensive glass, what is your recommendation D850 w/stronger battery, D500, or TC? Thanks for your patience with my question. Appreciate your videos. Keep them coming.

[@johnrussell593]

Good videos Steve Doesn't matter what system the photographer has landed himself in, you give very good information for all. You don't play bias, which is very refreshing.

[@juanpablonaranjo753]

Steve has to be one of the best youtubers out there. Thanks for all the videos you make, they are all super helpful.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

Hi Steve. I’m a hobbyist photographer and enjoy your videos on various photography issues. I’ve been doing nature & wildlife photography for the last thirteen years for my own pleasure. I’m a Canon user. After a lot of thoughts and calculations; I bought the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM tele lens. Always use it with teleconverters both on full frame and APS-C bodies. I frequently make it 600mm with a 2x converter and use it both with full-frame and APS-C bodies. I understand a 600mm f/4 would certainly yield better results however, I can carry my own rig in the field for considerable amount of time and sometimes shoot handheld. With the 600mm mounted on the camera; just forget it. That’s the tradeoff I’ve accepted. Moreover, the IQ loss is so minimal; common viewers are unable to distinguish between the images. Thank you for your great videos. Keep up the good work.

[@souvikroychoudhury1361]

Steve, it can't get any better than this. Man - I have alot of viewing & reading to do in your site & channel

[@jameslarsen9814]

That thumbs up to thumbs down ratio should easily tell you how fantastic this video is. Great work! I absolutely love your videos, the quality is amazing, and you articulate everything well. Looking forward to the next video!

[@Csoery]

I'm guessing the one dislike was just a misclick, too :)

[@patricksmith2553]

There is one factor not really discussed here and that is that a TC is optical and actually increases the focal length of your lens! A crop sensor camera is simply, well a crop and always only a crop. So it does not actually increase the actual focal length of the lens like a TC does. Just saying that you might want to consider this?

[@stefansmuts8882]

This is a very interesting and useful comparison - thank you very much for going to the trouble of doing it for us. Your production quality, testing and flawless logic always impresses me. Thanks for making these videos Steve!

[@Bayshore958]

Great video and a big reason why I added a D7200. Fast forward and I sold that and a D750 to get the D850. Since the D850 has about a 20 mp crop, does that render about as well as the D500, especially since it has no AA filter.

[@jelanmaxwell4762]

Awesome video! As an amateur photographer this was really easier to understand. Always wondered why some pros use crop sensors still, and this answered it. Thanks for the hard work making this, much appreciated.

[@villemononen5303]

Your content is always top-notch, you are one of the best for sure! I'm starting out with mirrorless cameras (mainly for video, but photography is also surprisingly pleasing, it's been a long time since it was this fun!) and shooting with full-frame cameras is perhaps somewhere down in the line, no hurry whatsoever in my usage. Even so, for the longest of time, i've been wondering how teleconverters effect. Now i'm much better informed! And as you mentioned, that's even one of the best you have there, many others will degrade even more. Still, it's a piece of equipment that adds versatility to the kit. One just has invest on good quality and even then, not expect exactly miracles. Thanks a lot!

[@ShashankD137]

Real questions. Real answers. Thank you 🙏

[@amitdutta8768]

Excellent insight into the pros and cons of TC with respect to camera body. Thanks Steve 😀

[@SolamenteVees]

Just bought a D780. Looks like I’ll be keeping my D7500... great video, thank you for tackling this tricky subject.

[@jimt9479]

Great Video Steve ! Thanks again. I had my heart set on the the 300mm prime f/4 PF ED lens to match with my d810 and after spending a couple hours at the store comparing it with the 200-500 f/5.6 ( which was very slow to focus in my opinion ) and the 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR I decided on the 80-400. The speed of focus acquisition was almost as fast as the 300mm prime but also afforded me the added reach of 400mm without fumbling around with a teleconverter. The focusing speed and sharpness added up to it being a great lens.

[@Boobar]

I have both the 300 f4 (older) and the recently purchased 80-400 fror my D810. I also have the 1.4 II Teleconverter. I have used the TC with both 300 and the 80-400, and I have to say, I'm seeing quicker AF and better results with the 80-400. Don't want to give up my 300 f4, but with the great ISO capability of the D810, It may be for sale!!

[@RobertDuttonFineArt]

Hi Jim, just to let you know, I tested the 200-500 f/5.6 with D810 in store and found same result but...when coupled to a D500 it was fast to focus. I bought both.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

Teleconverters are a relic of the film era when nearly all photographers were using 35mm film cameras. However high end crop digital sensors usually have higher image noise and lower dynamic range than high end full frame sensors. Crop sensor cameras use the sharper center area of the image circle. That gives sharper results with a cost on image noise and sometimes dynamic range. At last one way or another the flagship cameras by the prominent camera manufacturers are full frame with many extra features that crop frame cameras often lack.

[@patricksmith2553]

I've had both the TC-14E and TC-17E converters for use with my Nikon 400mm 2.8 and ended selling them both for the reasons in this video. The 1.7x was definitely worse than the 1.4x and was only barely acceptable when stopped down 1.5 stops. I ended up just adding a D500 to my kit, and now I shoot with a D4s and D500. I had a Nikon D850, but found myself almost always using it in DX crop mode so I sold it to buy the D500 and some glass.

[@RobertDuttonFineArt]

Thats my set up PJ Smith. Bought a prime 400mm 2.8 to use with the tcs you mention to give further reach than my 200 - 500 f5.6 Nikon zoom. Better to sell the 400 and the1.7 tc's and save for a 500mm prime to add the 1.4tc do you think or buy a D850 for what Steve was talking about - more pixels so when reduced like for like its sharper. Look forward to what you think. Thank you.Robert

[@psicopaulo82]

Man, this guy put some serious work in these videos. Its like watching Bob Ross on cafeine: its gentle and precious art.

[@007KrausBean]

Great video. I think this is something that everyone wonders about at one point or another during their time shooting photography.

[@semplicissimosemplicissimo6864]

Congratulations, thank you very much, this video clarified my ideas and was a real help to be able to choose what to decide to buy. You avoided me buying photographic material that once bought I would have left unused (sorry for my poor English I write from Italy)

[@Ali-fl5mb]

Very interesting video, and your wildlife shots are bloody excellent! Thanks for sharing :)

[@timelesscreations777]

Thank you so much for making this video. It is very much appreciated

[@张佐]

Great video, finally my confusion goes away. Next time when I explain, I would say: assume the light contains 100% of the information, 20MP could capture 50% of info wile 36MP could do 60%, teleconverter let 90% of info pass through. Then 20 MP crop-sensor gets 100% x 50% = 50% info, wile 20MP full-framefull-frame with teleconverter gets 100% x 90% x 50% = 45% info, and 36MP full-framefull-frame with teleconverter gets 100% x 90% x 60% = 54% info. All in all, a TC needs the help of high megepixels, you get the idea lol.

[@jonmar4683]

oh man I needed a video like this. People always pushed me to go full frame sensor, but my gut feeling was exactly what is shown in this video. I shoot motorsport photography and it amazing how many people rely only on fullframe sensor, then I go by with my miserable crop sensor with the big telephoto on it :D. Still, I feel I have to get a full frame one day just because I feel ridiculous with crops. The Spyder belt seems to be the solution I am looking for.

[@rishisarangi]

that was precisely my doubt .Thanks for the practical advise.

[@trevor9934]

I shoot predominantly Canon - although I do have Nikon gear. I agree with your analysis and would like to add the idea of pixel density. Forgive me if I quote Canon values as they are what I have to hand. My go-to crop body is the EOS 7DMkII, 20MP. Admittedly, there are newer bodies and I do have the later 80D and 90D, which have both got improved sensors and processors, but their tracking is not a good, which is significant. I compare this to the EOS 5DIV: a FF unit of 30MP. If one was to crop the output from the 5DIV to the same Field of View as the 7DII, one has to reduce the pixels available by the square of the crop value (which is 1.6), giving a value of 2.56. Thus if I shot with the 5DIV, the resultant output would actually only be about 11.7MP, compared to the 20MP that does not need to be cropped from the 7DII. Thus, I generally still shoot with the 7DII for long reach stuff, but enjoy the benefits of the FF on closer subjects. I do have the 5DsR (52MP FF with cancelled AA filter) and the R5 (@ 45MP), but am holding out for a R7 - being a MILC version of the 7D series.

[@senglund]

So happy I found your channel, there are so many interesting questions answered here. Which is why I bought the book too. Keep up the good work!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for the kind words and the purchase :)

[@prathanw7091]

Bought 2 of your books and really love them!

[@freddyacosta2358]

Awesome! Subscribed! I have my Nikkor 200-500mm and also have a crop sensor D3400 and FX D800. Gonna do my tests using the 14E III teleconverter.

[@klackon1]

Good video, Steve. As I am only am enthusiast and only view my images electronically on a 55" 4K TV I tend to use a 1.4TC III with my 300mm f4 PF VR on my D500. I also use my Olympus 300mm f4 PRO with a 1.4 TC quite a lot on my EM1. I carried out a series of tests a few days ago using those lenses, with and without 1.4 TC's and my PanaLeica 100 - 400 f4/6.3 and I was really impressed with the IQ of all three lenses. It's the weight of the long telephotos that stops me from using a full frame body - the 300 PF VR is amazingly light but I do need the 1.4 TC a lot of the time as there are no hides (blinds) where I live.

[@backcountrygallery]

I really like the D500 + 300 + 1.4 as well. So portable. While I do like to avoid the TC, I do use it when needed with that combo :)

[@Jimgoodwin846]

Well Steve today was a big day! I joined your forum and purchased the Nikon af-s 200-500 after watching your video, and several others. Then went out to find some birds to shoot...😁.

[@sidvicious3129]

Steve, thank you for this video as it showed me why, I don't need the teleconverter that I was considering, since I have both full frame D750 and the D500. I was considering the tc17eII.

[@csimet]

To me, it is always about acceptable sharpness with a TC and if can you "make up" for the loss in post. TCs provide flexibility on the camera & lens you have with you, not the camera you don't. Another camera naturally mated to a lens (no TC) is always the best option, but not always possible. I have both the TC-14E III and TC-17E II in my bag when I'm out with either my 70-200mm and/or 200-500mm. Having the extra flexibility and reach is convenient for the size & weight they cost. For me, a non-wildlife photographer (I'm a landscaper), loss of AF and/or ISO does not matter. I manual focus and adjust shutter as needed to meet the scene. I can definitely see where wildlife photographers have differing opinions/needs.

[@didiervereecke7642]

Excellent video and explanation/comparison. With the cropped-sensor body, you save some money to buy a bigger zoom lens, so again enlarging the zoom range even further.

[@beat2009]

Thank Steve for your crystal clear information.

[@andyvan5692]

one important point : the issue you raise at 6:34 is NOT valid with the Z 6/Z 7 / Z 5 with the o.e.m. tele-converter as this is designed for NO loss of image quality when paired with native lenses, so this would be as sharp with tele-converter and Z 6 as with the native lens on a Z 50 ( crop body of this series). this is primarily because the lens is at the outset designed for the Z 7's 47 M P image sensor, so as to resolve this sensor correctly and to max. resolution.

[@yixuz42]

I'm a Canon user and I found this video very useful!

[@stevenlui8105]

Great and thorough video! Just reconfirm my decision not to go for a D5 but D500 instead is correct.

[@raadbtoush8114]

Thanks very much for this detailed review that is based on real experiments. I own the Nikon D850 and Nikkor 600 mm F.4E and planning to add Nikon teleconverter 14Elll to my bag. Do you think it's a good combo? please advise

[@backcountrygallery]

Yes, I use it all the time - highly recommended!

[@toxictabasco]

Great illustration. I learn a lot from your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@timelesscreations777]

I have the Canon EOS R and the Canon 90d. Both are 31 megapixels. Now I use the sigma 150-600 on both cameras. I just bought a 1.4 teleconverter and was going to use it with my crop sensor 90d to reach out a little further because the birds on shooting are across the lake.. but I would still love to say comparison because they are both in the 30s and I might go ahead and make one

[@markharris5771]

I'm a Canon user and like yourself I use both full frame (5DIII) and cropped sensor (7DII) and I find I get much better images on the 7DII when using my long lens (Sigma 150-600 Sport) than I do on the full frame with the Sigma 1.4 tc. I'm well aware that my skills, although improving all the time, don't compare to yours, but I find it almost impossible to hand hold the 5DIII with the to and get anything like a sharp image. Where, despite the weight, I can usually get a few on the 7DII, this is to the point that my lens has been fine tuned with the hub for focusing on the 7DII and I've given up using it on the 5DIII. There is very little I've bought for photography that I think have been a total waste of money, but my teleconverters are the closest. If if wasn't for the fact I can use them on my 70-200 giving me a lighter option I would have sold them long ago. A very interesting video but I think the debate will go on for a long time to come.

[@backcountrygallery]

There is a variance out there for sure. I've had really good 1.4TCs that were great with most optics, but with some lens / camera combos I just didn't like them at all.

[@igorrabinovich3386]

One more excellent topic with super professional explanation. Thanks a lot Steve.

[@thesharpercoder]

I switch up and use both a 7D2 without a teleconverter, and a 6D2 with one. I choose which one based upon available light, and what I am shooting.

[@weighingfull1496]

Finally the answer is here! But yet I left with one question and would like to have your opinion in it Steve. D810 with 70-200 F2.8 II and lets add 2.0 tele to it, how does it perform in wildlife photography. Been photographing landscape/nature now quite a while and would love to add some wildlife and would be cheaper to add that 2.0 tele instead of 400mm lens.

[@backcountrygallery]

I had that combo and didn't like it very much. I compared it to the 80-400 at the link below, and you can see that it just can't compete (and the 200-500 is sharper than the 80-400) backcountrygallery.com/nikon-80-400-vs-300mm-vs-70-200mm-tcs/

[@Csoery]

Nothing like a bit of pixel peeping to go with my morning coffee :) Nice vid (as always), thank you! Cool new design on the website, too. Happy Thanksgiving! :)

[@psfphotography]

I shoot the D3 and use the crop function - must faster then using my TC (which is not a Nikon model but works when I absolutely need it. I especially like the crop option when shooting my 70-200 2.8 - really isolates my subject (which is mostly people).

[@MMKARAOK]

Great review Steve... 👍 I am planning to buy Kenko 1.4 DGX pro teleconverter for Nikon 200-500 f /5.6 lens. I will like to know whether this tele converter is compatible with that lens or not ?

[@simmo303]

Make sure you can return it for a refund.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Excellent video! I really enjoy this comparison backed by experiment.

[@rogermaioli]

It may be time for a new video on this topic, now considering Sony models. I'd be particularly interested in whether you think extenders are better than cropping with the 200-600 mm.

[@michaelyorke3186]

what about shooting the full frame in dx crop made with the 1.4 teleconverter , would that not produce the same result, if hypothetically the megapixel count was the same or similar ?

[@frederikvanreusel]

Full frame sensors are made to shoot full frame, a D500, D3500 or D7200 will have much sharper and less noisy images than a D850 or D750 in DX crop mode.

[@Ben_Stewart]

No beating around the bush. Telling it the way it is. I’ve always had this hunch about using my Z50 instead of a teleconverter.

[@simmo303]

Interesting. I have a Sigma 100-400mm and was contemplating getting the TC1401 to use on a D750 but it looks like I'd do better to buy a Nikon APS-C, say D5300.

[@simmo303]

D5300 not good enough, tried it. D7200 might be. D500 is but expensive. Given up and settling for cropping RAW files.

[@gregoryleblanc6756]

The D810 and D3s are available now for around $1000. They are very very good cameras. The D810 is not so good in low light and iso above 500 but the D3s is great in low light. I would not bother with the 5000 or 7000 series, you can find pro cameras that are reasonably priced and much more reliable.

[@ArthurMG00]

Awesome videos, Steve! I recenty discovered your youtube channel and I must say, I am enjoying it a lot! And ohh boy, your photos... They all are absolutely awesome! Also, your photos of birds in flight are just perfect! Talking about that, can you do a video explaining your technique for in flight photos? Cheers from Brazil!

[@omarsaletovicprins9632]

You have a great day too Steve.

[@AllorNone23]

This was ridiculously informative! I stumbled on this video but actually have been contemplating adding the D500 as my back up to my D810. After watching this I'm a little more content with my d810 for sports and wildlife...for the time being. The FPS advantage of the D500 is still luring me though. Great work on this video.

[@cyberchick87]

AllorNone23 totally agree, I think I will stick with my D810 and see what the future D810 upgrade will offer...if it's still high MP and features FPS I will defo be getting one.

[@MDMiller60]

SR, the D500 has the D5 AF System, which is important for action and wildlife. The 810 isn't there, but the 850 is.

[@WhittyPics]

I like that belt clip you have to carry the second body. I have a 1.7x converter. I guess the results would be similar? I have always preferred to carry 2 cameras with different lenses to reduce the need to change lenses outside. I guess I am paranoid of dirt getting on my sensor. I am thinking carrying the D800 with 24-70 and D500 with 70-200. There is a little gap in the range due to the crop sensor but that should pretty well cover it.

[@nicolobeggio7538]

Hi Steve. You are the best reviewer of Nikon products and surely many of us rely on you :) what I don't find on the internet is a comparison between the Nikon 200-500 and the new Tamron 150-600 g2. Are you going to do it? :) thank you!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks :) I'm not sure, right now it's not in the plans. I have to purchase the gear in order to review it, and right now I'm pretty much set in the super-zoom dept :)

[@brotherdom1]

Your a great guy and you cover so much in each vid with no nonsence or dillydallying (i wonder if thats a real word) I just know an nikon shooter from all the years out there we just are a little less refined compared to canon and other shooters .Say im wrong .But iv'e seen it in every shooters club .The nikon ones are subtly rough and ready ,well not the gals ,Maby.

[@clavenmoo]

Can you do this TC 1.4 video with Z7 or Z6?

[@renaes5262]

If you test the D850 please do talk about with tc against the D850 in DX mode. Say using the 500 PF

[@TommeeKnocker]

I have been searching online for days trying to find out if the extra lens size and/or teleconverter needed to reach as close as a crop would cancel out the advantage of the extra ISO on a full frame, thankyou.

[@backcountrygallery]

Glad I could help

[@nevakee716]

totally agree, teleconverter are a matter of space. cause for exemple when travelling, it's hard to take very big lens with us or crop + FF body

[@backcountrygallery]

Agree. I don't like TCs too much, but when I go hiking, it's the D500 + 300PF + tc in the pocket.

[@nevakee716]

yap but sadly all don't have as much lens as you ;) but i really hope that nikon release more PF lens 150-600 200-500 are a little too big for travelling

[@backcountrygallery]

A 400 PF would be incredible if they didn't overprice it :) Canon has a 400 DO, so it's do-able

[@nevakee716]

Yap but i think PF is a new level of compactness, 300pf 755g, 400DO is 2kg it's a lot. PF rocks

[@seantomlinson3320]

Neat, thanks Steve. Good stuff. But of course the right answer - BOTH! D5 + D500 + ALL THE MONEY and you're all set. Right? I also really enjoy your book.

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL - I won't lie - it's nice to have the option of shooting both. :) And thanks for the book purchase!

[@yewfh-oz7in]

Fantastic comparisons, thank you

[@nektarios81]

Amazing and very informative video. You answered all my questions! Thank you so much!

[@jean-philippethierry5456]

makes a lot of sense. One question though: depth of field. It will always be higher with a crop vs. a TC. Not to say TC is the way to go; but sometimes a nice way to reduce depth of field, isn't it?

[@backcountrygallery]

You have to be careful here :) Keep in mind that you're also adding 1 stop of DOF to the FX camera when you add the TC. For instance, let's say you have a subject at a set distance. Now, you have a crop camera with a 300 F4 and next to that is a full frame camera with a 300 F4 + TC = F5.6 So, although a crop camera has more DOF for the same field of view, the teleconverter makes makes the setup an F5.6. I looked at a DOF calculator and the numbers hold up. At 10 meters, for a full frame with a 420mm F5.6 AND a Nikon crop camera at 300mm F4, everything is identical: Near Limit: 9.91 m Far limit 10.1M Total 0.18M In front of subject: 0.09 m Behind subject: 0.09m So, based on that, I don't think there would be any noticeable difference in DOF.

[@jean-philippethierry5456]

I was wrong in my conversion of aperture for the crop sensor; good catch.

[@bhalchandrakapatkar1710]

No.1 photography. 👌👍👍🙏

[@MrRudyc]

great video Master Steve. Only goes to show how Nikon knocked it out of the park with the creation of the D500. Without that body, there would be no reason to make this video.

[@Zahidul.Hassan]

Hi Steve, Thanks for this educational video. I have one question, how about shooting using DX mode of a full frame camera, Like D850?

[@PaulDeMeersman]

There was another comparison you could have made the D500 vs D810 without TC (but crop the image). I did that comparison with a Canon 7D vs 5D Mk IV and a Sigma 150-600 sports @600mm to see if I had to keep the 7D. Then I watched the 7D raw image at 100% and the 5D mk IV at around 125%. The image at 125% magnification was still sharper then the one of the 7D at 100%. Meaning that even without a TC, a cropped full frame (higher resolution) photo was sharper then the cropped one, and I did not lose any stops that way. I agree that I did compare a camera from 2009 with one from 2016 and that to be good I should compare it against a 80D or 7D mark II

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

Take a look at a shot with the high res mode on a olympus omdem5mk2 and compare it to the 810. There are a few videos that do it on KZbin.

[@backcountrygallery]

That's actually pretty sweet!

[@WeNeedRealMusic2]

Thank you Steve for this very informative assessment!

[@LexArias]

Great video as always!!! very informative

[@NildoScoop]

Very clear review. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

[@andyvan5692]

also missed a comparison, with the new Z 7 camera (47 M P) so you could have used this vs the D 810 or D 850 also there is a TC now available for the z cameras, good compare for when they become available. as well you could have compared these cameras with & without the converter attached, then the pictures are FAIR because you are using the same sensor and settings.

[@Silverprinsen]

Just commenting to point out that this video is 4 years old :)

[@ungavaproductions]

Excellent presentation. Accurate, clear and simple. Steve you are doing a great job. Subscrption to your link is a must. Thanks to share with us !

[@petrchloupek1292]

Hi Steve, very helpfull video. I have a qeustion. I´ve never shot wildlife. I had D810 and few months ago I changed it to Z6. Now I have ordered 300mm f4 PF from japan used and waiting for it. The Z6 is 24,5 MPx and in crop mode it has +-10,4 MPx. I´m also thinking about TC-1,4 but I´m not sure the advatage. More I´m thinking that crop will bring me better results I hope. I´m not printing photos as much, only seldom. I was pixelpeeper but I´m finding that 24,5Mpx is enough instead of 36 of D810. But in some cases I´d like have both or Z6 and D500 or Z7 alone only and crop for WL. But it´s about BG most. Like this video, Thanks. And thanks if you have some advise. Petr

[@backcountrygallery]

For that setup, I think a TC is the better option. Cropping might bring similar detail on a Z7, but the normalized output noise will look worse. In addition, you'll have a bit more subject isolation getting there optically over cropping.

[@petrchloupek1292]

@@backcountrygallery and do you think will be diffrent between 14E Mark 2 and 3?

[@backcountrygallery]

@@petrchloupek1292 I never compared them side by side, but I'd lean toward the mk3 since it's in the same generation at as the lens.

[@petrchloupek1292]

@@backcountrygallery I have ordered TC20 mk1 It was cheap so I try it. I know to stops down will ne f8 but Z6 si able to focus with it. This si budget solution. Thanks again for advice.

[@myroadtours6147]

I've wonder about how well an FX would work in wildlife photography. DX is nice but I figured FX would have its uses.

[@backcountrygallery]

I prefer FX whenever I am close enough to use it :)

[@Jimgoodwin846]

Hi Steve you’re amazing, love your clear and concise videos. I am just getting back into photography after many years. I have a Nikon D-3500 and a 70-300mm (AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f4.5-6.3G ED NIKON DX VR) my camera manual states “This camera supports auto focus with AF-P and type E and G AF-S lens only” it appears my lens will have all the functionality in M shooting mode. I am considering the TC you are talking about in this video. I guess my question would be will this TC work on my lens or should I look at a spending my money on a higher magnification telephoto lens. I hope this makes sense. Thanks Jim. I like to shooting birds in flight.

[@backcountrygallery]

Hi Jim - Sadly, the 70-300 doesn't support TCs. Plus, even if it did, the F/6.3 max aperture puts you at F/9 with a 1.4TC so the camera won't focus (even the D6 can't focus at F/9). I'd look at a 200-500 if you need more reach.

[@Jimgoodwin846]

@@backcountrygallery thanks Steve. I appreciate your input and recommendation.

[@knightryderbelow]

Hey Steve, I have an A9 w/200-600 but I need more reach. I like to shoot small birds and they are often really small in the frame and I have to heavily crop and I lose a lot of detail. I was thinking about purchasing the A6600 w/crop sensor to give me 300-900mm or should I purchase the A1 and just crop, the A1 has more pixels and is a way better of a camera so I’m slightly confused on what would be the better route. I figure you have more experience in the matter and wanted to know what your opinion would be better overall? Crop sensor or more pixels?

[@backcountrygallery]

Cropping would be better with the a1 I think. The a1 is a far more capable camera than the 6600 and likely has the resolution you need. The 200-600 can also take a 1.4TC fairly well, although it drops you to a painful F/9.

[@ozrenbalic6051]

Another interesting comparison would be FF with 600mm f/4 against DX with 400mm f/2.8. A year or so ago someone did this type of test for Canon and FF won by a significant margin resolution wise, even when mounted on camera with same number of MPs (with 5ds r it wasn't even competition). Noise was similar as one would expect, but more details on FF means stronger noise reduction could be on FF used while still retaining the same amount of details. On Nikon it might be a closer fight since both 400mm lenses are sharper than Nikon 600mm f/4 but I would still put my money on FF.

[@backcountrygallery]

That would be a D500 Vs D5 comparo for Nikon, and I'm 90% sure the D5 would prevail, even with the sharper 400 2.8 on the D500. We're not putting TCs on here, we're talking about two of the sharpest lenses in Nikon's arsenal, so I agree 100%, FX would very likely come out on top. If I ever get a 400 2.8, I'll make a video and compare :)

[@thomaseriksson6256]

I thinking about getting a used 400mm F2.8 G VR + t1.4xTC instead of a 600/500mmF4.0

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

What would you say about the D500+500PF+1.4x ? Would it be better not to use the 1.4x and just crop?

[@nerdMike]

So D610 +TC14 downsized from 24 to 20Mp will be good as D500? (apart from burst rate) Trying to figure out if get a cheap D7200 as secondary crop body or not. ;) BUT NIKON TC14 III costs almost like a D7200!!

[@Peter-ii4xq]

Great video. I am going to visit your website. I already found out the loss of a teleconverter. I use a full frame (sorry it's a Canon). What will happen if I "crop" with 1,4 in Photoshop? I really like my full frame and use pro lenses only. What is better, a crop camera or a full frame and a crop in Photoshop? So, no teleconverter will be used. I hope you understand my (Dutch)-English. Thanks a lot for your help.

[@backcountrygallery]

Here ya go: backcountrygallery.com/use-teleconverter-crop-image/

[@Peter-ii4xq]

@@backcountrygallery Thank you very much. My lens is a 400mm f/5.6. The last is the problem with a convertor.

[@DCUPtoejuice]

how about a 1.4x teleconverter on an APS-C sensor? That would be 2.24x total. Could that do a better job than a 2x extender?

[@jimbailey1122]

I use a D5 and D500 as my main field cameras. I could not agree with you more about TCs.

[@richita3177]

Great video Steve

[@rebelcharlie]

Well, I must agree with all the points shown here, BUT, that sounds like recommendations for pro photographers with deeeeeeep pockets. And for those who plan to print large prints or project images past a certain size. Using a converter for our normal and mild to extreme teles will give us amateurs and students some choices on focal lengths, carried weight and space, besides, some extra magnification on macro shots. Chances are, that at low magnifications we will not notice the loss of resolution, even with a 2X or 3X converter. We can delay the extra expense for more serious projects and paid pro assignments.

[@backcountrygallery]

I agree 100% - there's a lot of things to consider and every photographer needs to evaluate their own needs. Like I say in the video, I would be happy with the results either way, but I wanted to show the differences because there are those who want to know. And if some folks happen to have both crop and full frame cameras it gives them something to think about next time they're trying to decide which body to use :)

[@nerwin]

I have the D610 + 70-200 f/4 VR and I love the combo, but I missing having the extra reach that my old 70-300 VR gave me so I considered getting the 1.4x TC and from my research, a lot of photographers say the 1.4x works extremely well with the 70-200 f/4 and barely any sharpness/contrast loss. But I was wondering what your thoughts was and if you had used the 1.4x on the 70-200 f/4. Great video Steve!

[@backcountrygallery]

I have a 1.4TC III and it works well on all the lenses I've tried it with. I do have a 70-200 F4, but I have never used the TC with it (since i have an 80-400, 200-500, and 300 F4 - never a need). So, I can't say 100% for sure, but if I had to guess, I'd say you'd be happy.

[@QuicksilverSG]

Two situations you didn't cover: Conditions so bright you need an ND filter and details too fine for your image sensor to resolve clearly. In those cases a teleconvertor can be an advantage, since there's no ISO drawback and the TC's optical magnification has no digital resolution limitations.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

That's usually not the case with longer lenses. Normally, higher shutter speeds are better with situations where you're shooting with a telephoto or super-telephoto lens. I'm sure it comes up occasionally, but it's a fairly obscure situation to be in.

[@octapusxft]

This mean that I made the right choice by picking the D500 since wild birds do not just let you come close for a better shot.

[@blueplanettrips]

Steve, great video. I am an amateur and I wanted to ask a question related to this. I went high-speed sports shooting yesterday with my D500 and the 70-200 F4. The subject was so far away and small and moving so fast my D500 was struggling to keep up. I came home and had to do significant cropping. My question is this: in such cases, will filling up the frame with a teleconverter help the camera keep the focus grip on the subject as opposed to focus struggling to keep up a smaller subject in the distance without a teleconverter.

[@backcountrygallery]

It might, but as a rule TC generally do more harm than good when it comes to keeping focus locked on.

[@SuperSafari6]

Steve I enjoy, and have leaned a lot from your books and videos. I have both full frame and crop bodies. I'm in total agreement with you on the sharpness, but if you were to shoot in very low light and had the choice of a full frame giving up one stop of light, and a crop. Which body would you use ?

[@backcountrygallery]

It depends on how far ahead of my crop body my full frame body was. In most cases, the difference is a stop, so it would be a wash. However, in some cases the FX body may be ahead of the DX body by 1.5 stops - in which case, the FX body can be the better choice if it's really dim - although if the AF systems are the same, the TC will also affect the AF more on than the non-TC'd crop body. No perfect scenario - other than maybe to get close, lose the TC, and use FX!

[@SuperSafari6]

Thanks a lot!

[@RogerZoul]

Sorry for a question on an old video, but what is the device on your belt that you are using to hold the other camera body? I need something like that as I like to carry both a crop and a FF body out with me. Love your videos!