300/2.8vr & TC's

[Duke Leto]

I've got a loaner for a week if my lens isn't back from Sigma by this thursday, a kind friend who's away over Easter is lending me his lens.
I know it will mate extremely well with my 1.4TC but will it be okay with my 1.7? I assume that will give me 510 @ 4.5 with full AF.
Does anyone have experience of this lens and the longer TC's especially on a D300.
Thanks

[Rob Chace]

My 600 f4 works well with the 1.7x, so the 300 f2.8 should also.

[rioja]

I have both the 1.4 and 1.7 TC's but I find that the AF is much slower with the 1.7. so for BIF it doesn't get used.Ok for static subjects. The IQ deteriorates too, so you need more sharpening.
I haven't tried it on a D300, only the D200.
Use your time with it to concentrate on BIF, it has to be the best lens available for moving birds, both for field of view and speed of focus.You can crop your image to 50% without needing further sharpening such is the IQ.
Have fun, it's an absolute cracker.
Dave

PS the exif with the 1.7 reads 500mm at 4.8 wide open to be precise !

[Phil Bishop]

Always have the TC17 when I take the 300vr out. AF is a bit slow for flight shots, but is acceptable.
I prefer to avoid using a TC when hand holding unless the lighting is good and I can get fast enough shutter speeds to allow a reduction in aperture of about two stops. Seems to help the IQ and sharpness.