teleconverter for nikon 55-300?

[miz z]

I have a Nikon d60 and a new AF-S 55-300 lens. I'm going to Yellowstone and would like to either extend the reach of my lens with a teleconverter or rent a lens compatible with my camera. I'd like a 1.4 teleconverter -- but everything I've seen is very specific about which lens and my lens is not on the list. Is there an extender I can use that will let me manual focus. If the answer to that one is not, then what would I rent that goes w/ the cameral

[jdepould]

The lens should mount fine with the TC, the problem is the amount of light you're losing. The viewfinder is going to be very dark, especially at 300mm. If you don't mind renting, something like the 200mm f/2 with the TC14 would give you 200 at f/2 (obviously) and 280 at f/2.8, or go with the TC17 and you'll get 340 and (I think) f/3.5.

The 200 is also pretty manageable in size/weight, though you'll probably want a monopod.

Other options: the 70-200/2.8 works with all of the teleconverters. Since you're using a crop sensor, you can probably save a bit by going with the original (not VR II), which is also lighter.

The 300/2.8 is big and heavy, but optically brilliant. Works with all the TCs.

You could use the 300/4, but only with the TC14, otherwise you lose AF and have the same problem you get with the 55-300.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jdepould

The lens should mount fine with the TC,

Nope: DX lenses, for the most part, have a tab that precludes the use of TCs (they dont actually mount). Even if you could mount it, the rear element could strike those in the TC, causing damage.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Nope: DX lenses, for the most part, have a tab that precludes the use of TCs (they dont actually mount). Even if you could mount it, the rear element could strike those in the TC, causing damage.

Well there you go.

The other lenses are still valid choices though.

[kirbinster]

The Nikon TC's will not work with that lens. You probably could get a Kenko unit to physically work, but the quality won't be great. I tried the Kenko 1.4 and 2.0 with my 70-300VR and found that the image quality degraded to the point that if I just cropped the shot with the bare lens in LR3 that the image was better than the optical image of the same size with the TC.

The only pairing I have been satisfied with is with my Nikon 70-200 VRI and a Nikon TC2.0