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Nikon TC20E III

Intro   Specs   Performance   Recommendations

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Nikon TC-20E III

Nikon TC-20E III (AF-I and AF-S AF only, $497). enlarge. I'd get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield.

This junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used converter. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

Adorama pays top dollar for your used gear, especially the older model TC-20E II. As of February 2010, they have been paying $200!

 

December 2009            More Nikon Reviews

 

Introduction         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Recommendations

Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Crutchfield

I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below.

The Nikon TC-20E III is Nikon's first new teleconverter since the 1990s.

The older TC-20E and TC-20E II are the same thing as each other.

This new TC-20E III offers a new optical design, adding an aspherical element, which may offer better performance with some lenses. It is also shorter than the TC-20E and TC-20E II.

 

Compatibility

This is a $500 teleconverter primarily for Nikon's professional f/2.8 super teles.

It will autofocus only with AF-S and AF-I lenses. It only works well if you start off with an f/2 or f/2.8 lens, like the 400mm f/2.8 or 300mm f/2.8.

It will not autofocus with conventional Nikon AF lenses, and it will not work with most zooms. Don't even think about trying to use it with the 70-300mm VR.

This is a converter for pros who already own super tele lenses. It is not for use on consumer lenses.

With newer cameras that can autofocus with slower lenses, it may or may not work well. No worries, the links I provide offer 100% money-back if you don't like it or of it doeesn't work for you.

See Teleconverters for more.

 

As of 2009, Nikon says it works with the:

AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED

AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED Nikon's best 80-200mm

AF-S VR 200mm f/2G IF-ED "Super Chubb"

AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II

AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED II

AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR

AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II

AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED "KIng of Lenses"

Of course it works with newer AF-S ultra-teles released since 2009.

 

It works with these, but without autofocus on most cameras:

AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Micro

AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED

AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR

AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED II

AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED

AF-I 500mm f/4D IF-ED

AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR

AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED II

AF-S 600mm f/4D IF-ED

AF-I 600mm f/4D IF-ED

 

Specifications         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Recommendations

 

Name

Nikon calls this the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III

AF-S means Auto Focus - Silent, meaning that this converter only autofocuses with AF-S and AF-I lenses.

 

Optics

Diagram 300/2.8

7 elements in 5 groups.

One is aspherical.

 

Included

Teleconverter Cap BF-3A.

Rear Lens Cap LF-1.

Flexible Lens Pouch CL-0715:

Pouch

Sack CL-0715.

 

Size

2.6" (66mm) diameter x 1.9" (48mm) extension from flange.

 

Weight

11.6 oz. (330g).

 

Announced

10 December 2009.

 

Available

Since January 2010.

 

Price

$500, USA, December 2009 ~ August 2018

 

Performance         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Recommendations

Teleconverters don't work alone.

They work only with another lens.

Every lens will work differently. You'll have to see for yourself if the marked decrease in autofocus speed and possibly accuracy, and potential loss of sharpness, is bearable for you.

 

Recommendations         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Recommendations

2x teleconverters have always been too much. They've robbed too much sharpness, and make autofocus poor.

We'll see if this new teleconverter is any better.

I'm not a fan of 2x teleconverters.

1.4x, and maybe1.7x converters give much better results, but since they offer negligible extra magnification, why bother?

 

Help me help you         top

I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.

If you find this as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.

If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!

If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.

The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places always have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.

Thanks for reading!

Ken

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25 August 2018, 10 December 2009