I am currently in the process of testing the Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL lens in my Imatest lab and I am simultaneously also measuring the performance of the new Nikon TC-14E III teleconverter and comparing it to the older TC-14E II. Although I am planning to review the teleconverter separately, I decided to give our readers a glimpse of the teleconverter performance when compared to its predecessor in terms of sharpness. To make it easy to compare differences, I converted all numbers to percentages (detailed numbers will be posted in the reviews).
I am posting information based on what lenses I have tested the teleconverter with. Since teleconverter performance varies a bit depending on the lens, I suggest you look into the benefits of using the TC-14E III over the TC-14E II depending on what lenses you are planning to use. Please note that all tests for the below lenses were tested at the longest available focal lengths. Although I have previously reported that using a 1.4x teleconverter results in approximately 5-7% drop in sharpness, that particular test was performed at medium distance using a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. In subsequent tests, I found out that TC performance can actually vary quite a bit depending on lens, focal length and camera to subject distance. In the below example, the sharpness penalty of the 1.4x teleconverter is probably at its “worst case scenario”. Don’t pay much attention to the differences between the blue line and other lines – look at the green and red lines, which outline performance differences between the two teleconverters:
That’s pretty interesting data – let’s do a quick analysis.
Table of Contents
Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL
It seems like the new TC-14E III does really well on new lenses. Based on my data, performance differences varied between 3-4%, which might be worth looking into for those that want ultimate sharpness with their “E” series lenses. Based on how well it worked on the 400mm f/2.8E FL, I would assume we would see similar performance improvements on the 800mm f/5.6E FL and any future Nikkor super telephoto lenses.
Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II
The performance in sharpness between the new TC-14E III and TC-14E II is practically non-existent. Looking at Imatest numbers, the difference stays very close at 1% mark, which is within the margin of error. Not worth moving up to in my opinion.
Nikkor 300mm f/4D AF-S
Now this one is interesting, because technically the TC-14E III does not work on the 300mm f/4D AF-S. When you mount the TC, the camera shows two “EE”s, indicating an error. If you look at this teleconverter compatibility chart, it clearly states that the 300mm f/4D is “not compatible”. To get the TC to work, I set aperture on the lens to f/4 and changed camera options to set aperture on the lens. The camera was locked at f/5.6 for aperture, so I had to move to manual mode to properly set exposure (aperture priority also works). As you can see from the result, it is less than 2% performance difference, so not much of an improvement here either, even if Nikon made the TC-14E III work with the 300mm f/4D.
Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G VR
Same result here – it seems like the TC-14E III does not do better compared to its predecessor on this lens. With less than 1.5% difference in sharpness, it practically brings no benefit.
Conclusion
Unlike the Nikkor TC-20E III, which was significantly better than its predecessor, it seems like the new TC-14E III teleconverter is only beneficial to use on the newest Nikon lenses for the most part. Based on my tests so far, it did very well on the new 400mm f/2.8E FL lens, but its performance was rather disappointing on older “G” type lenses like 70-200mm f/2.8 and 200-400mm f/4. As I get my hands on other super telephoto lenses, I will continue testing the TC-14E III and will update this article with additional information. If you have additional data or information on how the TC-14E III performs on your lenses, I would love to hear your feedback in the comments section below!
P.S. I don’t want to give too many spoilers for the upcoming 400mm f/2.8E FL review, but the lens sharpness is absolutely stunning. And boy, that lens is so light compared to its predecessor and other Nikkor super teles…
I’m using a D750 and I can’t get the 1.4e ii to work with the Nikon 300mm f4 D ED. It works when I put it on my D3s with the 300mm.
i have nikon d5 with 500mm f4 e fl whan i am using tc 1.4 iii the camera focus very fast and fine
and when i am using the old tc 1.7 ii the camera some times not focusing or focusing very slow
i dont know the problem i tried to clean lens and tc contacts but face the same problem
i am thinking to by tc 2.0 iii
I updated my TC-14E II recently to the TC-14E III for use on my Nikon 400mm f2.8G VR lens. I wouldn’t say there is much of an improvement in sharpness, both are great in my opinion. However where I find there is a big difference is weather sealing and autofocus performance. The newer TC-14E III is weather sealed, constructed better and has fluorine coating which really helps keep the front and rear element clean. This is huge in my opinion as I’m a photojournalist and therefor forced to shoot in whatever weather is happening at my assignments. Also I find that the autofocus is better with the new TC-14E III, maybe not much faster, but definitely more accurate…it’s hard to… Read more »
Upate 2021: I now have the 500mm f/4E VR FL and 70-200mm FL and have two TC-14E III teleconverter’s. One for the 70-200mm and one for 500FL, in case I need or want both lenses to have one. Most of time I don’t use both, but boy is it nice when I do need it. The 500mm F/4E VR FL and TC-14E III are a match made in heaven and perform better than I had expected, especially on the D5. The 500FL is the only F/4 lens that is not negatively effected by loss of cross-type sensors on the D5. So you get all 99-cross type sensors with the bare lens and drops to 45 cross-type sensors with the TC-14E… Read more »
Hi Nasim, I have Nikon D500 & D7200 bodies and Nikkor 70-200 E FL VR, 200-500 F5.6E and 300mm F2.8 G ED VRII lenses, plus others. I also have Nikon TC-14E MkII, MkIII & TC-20E MkIII. When I use my 300mm F2.8G ED VRII lens on my D7200, I need an AFFT figure of +20 to align/mate this combination together. Please note that this combination was set by Nikon Australia because I was having trouble with terrible images and I couldn’t find a solution. When the equipment was tested by Nikon Australia, they found that the D7200 was rear focusing and they fixed that, they 300mm F2.8 was within specs, but the 1.4X MkIII was “Not even close” to being… Read more »
Насим, добрый день! Можете ли Вы мне помочь с таким вопросом. Я пользуюсь для съемки птиц следующей связкой: Nikon D7200 + Nikkor 300 mm f/4 PF + TC-14E-III. Без использования конвертера никаких нареканий (кроме своих кривых рук) у меня не возникает… А вот с конвертером начинаются проблемы. Я понимаю, что так или иначе резкость должна быть хуже, но еще и гораздо хуже становится работа автофокуса. Но вопрос даже не в этом, а в том, что при использовании конвертера иной раз при похожих условиях съемки вся серия получается не резкой в той или иной степени. Снимаю я при следующих настройках: приоритет диафрагмы, авто-ИСО, минимальная выдержка 1/640, центровзвешенный замер, следящий фокус чаще всего по одной, реже по 9 точкам. При этом конвертер… Read more »
Hi, i have a Nikon D5300, i am looking at getting a Nikon 300mm f4 pf prime lens, will this work with a TC 1.4x converter mk11 or mk111, regards Mark.
Hi,
Thank you for the tip on how setup the TC14E-III with older AF-s telephoto lenses.
It now works very well with my AF-s 500mm f/4 IF-ED first version (I had “EE” message before I use the aperture ring and changed the aperture settings in the camera’s menu).
The results TC-14E III + AF-s 500mm f/4 are outstanding, believe it or not, the image is sharper (and have more contrast) when my 500mm f/4 is use with the TC-14E III (at f/4) compared to the lens itself!
This is the first time I notice a teleconverter improving the lens original sharpness and contrast!
Thanks again!
Alex
Hi, I have the same question Nikon 500/4VR + 1.4EIII. Any experience? I have had a big problem with Nikons teleconcerters. I travel a lot with my small motorboat and the teleconverters dont withstand the shake. The bajonet gets slappy and after some time the screws dont get it thigtend anymore. I have the 3d TE1.4 now and have had earlier copies repaired but after some while you have to buy a new one. The 500/4VR+ D4 has been a heavy combo ( muck of the reason) so I now changed to D500, mostly due to weight.
I have Nikon 500mm f/4 G lens. I am currently using 1.4x TCii . I want to know is it good to upgrade to 1.4iii version?
Let me know you thoughts and comments
I have done extensive “field test” with the TC 1.4ii and iii on my Nikon 300 G f2.8 vr2. It is clear that the iii is a better match with my lens, it is not only sharper but the color and crispness of the images are better, plus the focus is also faster. I tested the 2 TC trying to photograph Swallows in an open field with my D500. My success rate with TC 1.4ii as very low just because it is that fraction to slow. The results with the new TC was almost as good as the naked lens. What I also noticed is that image quality on the D810, D500 and D4s was sharper and color depth better… Read more »