Trying to get D60 kit Lens to > 400mm

[Safari2010]

The lens in question is a:
Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED

OK, I know I can buy a 2X converter (extender) from various vendors (Nikon, Bower, Kenko). The draw back is lose of at least 2 f-stops, and AF/VR may be rendered useless.
Was about to purchase the Kenko 2x tele-converter ( <$200) when,

I came across a lens that screws onto the front of any lens called:
TELEPHOTO TELE 3.5X Lens for NIKON D60.
(Less than $100, not suppose to interfere with AF/VR since it is on lens front, minimal f-stop impact if any)

Has anyone used this solution? Pros/Cons?

Reason for >400mm: going of Africa for the annual 1,000,000+ animal migration. Just do not know how close driver of jeep will be to the subjects.

Thanks for your thoughts in advance ....

[dcclark]

If you're going to be taking real wildlife photos in Africa -- which is an awesome opportunity, btw -- then you want something MUCH better than a teleconverter or filter can give you. It's almost certainly worth buying a longer, faster lens. Those lost f/stops from a teleconverter will seriously slow down your shutter speed, and you'll probably find yourself having trouble getting blur-free photos.

That said, there are others with much more experience than me in this area. They'll probably reply soon.

[OsmosisStudios]

A) if you get a TC to fit onto the 55-200, it wont autofocus, and you may damage the rear element of the lens. I'd advise against it rather strongly.

B) the screw-on telephoto adaptor is likely going to be rubbish. Most are.

If you're going on vacation, see if yo cant rent a lens for the trip. A 200-400 f/4 VR or a long prime might be better. Alternatively, an AF-S 70-300 VR would be great

[Safari2010]

Thanks for the advise. I see there are a couple of AF-S 70-300 VR up for auction ....

We all seem to be on the same page when it comes to teleconverters.

Thank You

[OsmosisStudios]

Teleconverters really are only good for fast lenses (f/2.8 or better) and generally only work "well" on the high-end fast telephoto primes.

200 f/2 VR
300 f/4 (can take the 1.4)
300 f/2.8 VR
400 f/2.8 VR
500 f/4 VR
600 f/4 VR

You often lose sharpness, but as noted you also lose light transmission (1 stop for 1.4, 1.5 stops for 1.7 and 2 stops for 2.0). Most cameras need an aperture of f/5.6 or larger to Autofocus (you *can* get it to work with f/8).

As as an example, if you were to put a 2.0 teleconverter on the 55-200 you'd end up with a 110-400 f/9-11 lens with terrible image quality.

The other thing to worry about with the DX lenses (and some FX lenses) is how the rear element is positioned when the lens is at it's shortest: it often pops out the back of the lens a tiny bit. If you have a TC mounted, you can often run into issues where the rear element hits the element of the TC, which damages both.

Not to mention, the 55-200 costs about 330: the 2.0 TC costs $600. That's well and above the 70-300 VR and past halfway to the 80-400. (All prices $CAD)

[WooD]

I use a Nikon 300 f/4, and their 1.4 TC with good results. Gets me 420mm f/5.6

Plus it will auto focus on the D60.