Best teleconverter for macro use?

[kawasakiguy37]

I want to use my 300mm for macro use with extension tubes and a teleconverter. Teleconverter must be nikon mount - dont care if its AF or MF. Looking for sturdy, and best optical quality, along with price.

Nikon TC16A any good?

 

[Rick A]

Are you going to use it with or without the lenses inside? I toss the glass out of my teleconverters and use them for automatic extension tubes, they are perfect fot it.

 

[epatsellis]

Find a Vivitar Macro 2x converter, variable extension tube and 2x, they seem to go for ~$50 or so typically.

 

[jeffreyg]

An extension bellows and a shorter lens would be more practical. An adapter that will permit you to reverse the lens with that will get closer.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Dan Fromm]

Read this: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/teleconverter/tc16a/index.htm

When I bought my first (replaced with another when the first one was stolen) 200/4 MicroNikkor AIS I had a TC-201. Nikon recommends the TC-301 for lenses 200 mm and longer, including the 200/4 MicroNikkor AIS. I used what I had, found it helpful for situations where I needed more magnification (the lens goes to 1:2 on its own mount, to 1:1 on the TC-201) or greater working distance. The lens is a bit soft at all apertures and gives lower contrast images than the other AIS MicroNikkors. With the TC-201 it was a little worse than on its own, still usable when I needed what it could do and the others couldn't.

Re the TC-301, read this: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/teleconverter/index6.htm

Unless you need a lot of working distance you'd be better off with a 105 MicroNikkor than using a 300 with tubes and a TC. FWIW, if you need the working distance a Questar 700 (goes to 1:4 on its own mount) will be much better than a 300 on tubes and TC. For that matter, a decent 300/9 process lens on bellows (a mount adapter will be needed) will blow away y'r 300 from f/9 down. Decent process lenses include 305/9 Apo-Nikkor, 300/10 Apo Saphir, 12"/9 Apo Artar, ...

 

[dynachrome]

Some teleconverters are recommended for certain lenses. In other cases experimentation may be in order. I have used the 90-180/4.5 Vivitar Series 1 lens with a Konica Hexanon 2X with good results. At the 180 setting with the 2x you have 1:1 magnification. Some of the the teleconverters I have experimented with for close-up use include the Vivitar 2X Macro Focusing Teleconverter, the Panagor Auto Macro Converter, the Minolta 2X 300-S, The Canon FD 2X-A and 2X-B. I think my longest enlarging lens in the not-too-enormous size range is a 150/5.6 Rodagon. It appears to be a symmetrical lens but I find that with the rings and adapters I have on hand it's easier to use reversed. Two other telephoto lenses which are handy for close-up work are the 135/2.8 Vivitar Close Focusing, which goes to 1:2 and the 200/3 Vivitar Series 1, which focuses to four feet. I have had good luck using the Canon 200/4 FD SSC with extension.

 

[kawasakiguy37]

Im also going to try using the lens with a 16mm cinelens reverse on the front for more extreme macro