Tamron 2X convertor example

[Matt. K]

This convertor. (Tamron SP 2X) costs just under $300 and is probably very close to the optical quality of the NIKON convertor worth around $800. You retain all of the D70's auto focussing and metering and I have no hesitation using it when I need a bit of extra reach. The image below was shot on a F2.8 80-200mmm NIKKOR lens, (not the VR) and hand held on a sunny day. The focal length equivelent is 600mm and the target was around 1400 meters. I really should have used a tripod for a better result but this shot was hand held. When you view the image in Pbase click on "original" to get an idea of its performance.

http://www.pbase.com/matt_k/image/34849226

[Killakoala]

I likewise have a Tamron teleconvertor but a 2x AF (Model 4MC)

Mine works on all lenses i have except the 18-70DX kit lens where the Auto Focus tends to hunt from one extreme to the other. Not that i would use a 2x teleconvertor on the 18-70 anyway.

It works great on my 500mm mirror lens.

[gstark]

It works great on my 500mm mirror lens.

Ouch!

[Matt. K]

Let's see...500mm = 750mm on the D70 = 1500mm with a 2X at f/11. Bet you can't photograph the ping pong with hand held in poor light?

[Killakoala]

Let's see...500mm = 750mm on the D70 = 1500mm with a 2X at f/11. Bet you can't photograph the ping pong with hand held in poor light?

Hehe, it's a tricky beast to master, however on a bright sunny day i can max it out to about 1/2000 sec shutter speeds which is 'ok' for hand held shots. But add a bit of cloud and i have an altogether different proposition.

It is good for sitting on top of my autotracking telescope though. But using the telescope as a prime focal lens gives me about 2000mm anyway and a crisper image. (It should anyway. I will be testing this theory soon. I've just got a new equatorial wedge to mount it on.)

And the real beauty of this setup is that i can control both camera and telescope from my laptop while i'm sitting in a comfy chair.