p.44 #1 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
robert_in_ca wrote:
I've used my external 1.4TC with my 400TC a handful of times and I did not have any vignetting. Not sure if it matters, but I also didn't use the OEM hood--I used a shorter Zemlin hood.
I'm with Robert on this one. Short Zemlin hoods and no noticeable vignetting to my eyes. But I'm not super trained in it.
Lots of my pics in this thread, almost all with TC's or stacked TCs.
but I guess I also usually crop the crap out of my images, which would remove vignetting in the corners, no?
p.44 #2 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
pietipe wrote:
Some weeks ago I bought this great lens and have been happy to use it. Only one thing a little bit disturbing and it is vignetting with external 1.4x TC. If I use external 1.4X TC, image corners coming very dark but if I using internal TC, not. Also internal TC + external TC, vignetting is okey. And also with external 2x TC vignetting is not bad. Of course, I understand that in post-processing it can be easily removed, but it strange that the vignetting is so strong with 1.4x TC.
So I have been wondering if this is normal for this combination? Do You have same experience if using external 1.4x TC?
Vignetting is not something I recall getting having an issue with but I'm sure it has happened. I've used both internal and external TC's as you can see if you look at my older posts in this forum. Using both is not something I routinely do however since I use the 800pf when I know I'll need that focal length. I will pay more attention in the future. Anyway congratulations on owning this lens, it really is awesome!
p.44 #3 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
I use the combination of internal and external 1.4x TC's whenever I'm anticipating a shoot with small birds. I don't use this combination for distant subjects, as I think cropping is better when atmospheric conditions might influence the final image.
I sold my 800PF to buy the 400 f2.8TC and have stacked converters on and off for about a year now and am confident that the quality of the final output is essentially the same.
The key to optimize your image and minimize vignetting is two-fold... be sure to expose accurately. Underexposure will emphasize the vignetting that is inevitable with stacked converters. The second is to run your image through DxO pure raw before doing any adjustments. DxO Pure Raw can be used as a LR plugin and has been designed to optimize lens/camera/sensor combinations. When done, the file is dumped into a lightroom collection as a DNG file, so you still have the dynamic range of a raw file to finish your image.
I have no connection with DXO, but suggest you try their 30 day trial and see if this improves things for you.
I have used this external 1.4x TC with 800PF, Z400 f/4.5, Z100-400 and Z180-600, but with these glasses I haven't had such a strong vignetting. Yes, I have used DxO Photolab many years and also Photoshop and some other tools and as I said earlier, there is no problem in removing that vignetting, but since I haven't noticed the same with other glasses, I'm starting to worry if there is a problem with my Z400 glass. Also with or without hood, no change.
And it is strange, if I use both, external and internal TC, vignetting level is low. Maybe changing the lens aperture help, 4 => 5.6.
p.44 #4 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
pietipe wrote:
I have used this external 1.4x TC with 800PF, Z400 f/4.5, Z100-400 and Z180-600, but with these glasses I haven't had such a strong vignetting. Yes, I have used DxO Photolab many years and also Photoshop and some other tools and as I said earlier, there is no problem in removing that vignetting, but since I haven't noticed the same with other glasses, I'm starting to worry if there is a problem with my Z400 glass. Also with or without hood, no change.
And it is strange, if I use both, external and internal TC, vignetting level is low. Maybe changing the lens aperture help, 4 => 5.6. ...Show more →
I don't notice vignetting unless I shoot against a blue or overcast sky. I have seen some vignetting when the sky is homogenous and I underexpose. If my histogram is pushed towards the right, but not blown, the vignetting is not visible. Regardless, after I apply DxO, I don't see any hit of vignetting.
p.44 #5 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
I don't notice vignetting unless I shoot against a blue or overcast sky. I have seen some vignetting when the sky is homogenous and I underexpose. If my histogram is pushed towards the right, but not blown, the vignetting is not visible. Regardless, after I apply DxO, I don't see any hit of vignetting.
bruce
I've looked through today's photos and the strong vignetting with the external 1.4x TC occurs on the blue sky and if the focus goes to infinity. I also read one article that mentioned Z400, vignetting with TC and focus infinity. So it can be concluded that this is normal and there is nothing wrong with my lens.
p.44 #6 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Red-crowned crane family with a White-naped crane. I'm posting a black and white version and colored version of the same image. I am curious about your (collective) thoughts.
Picture #3 is a portrait of the white-naped crane. All three images required a lot of pushing and pulling of the blacks and whites. Snow had not fallen for a week, so the substrate was pretty crusty. I wanted to soften the rough edges to give the pictures a softer look.
cheers,
bruce
p.44 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
One more owl from a few days back...
Not sure I know which I like best... this one or the first one in the last post. Unfortunately, the owl is pretty low in the frame here. On the other hand, the dark forested background and bokeh balls seem to work for this one.
Just love the 400TC for the ability to focus so quickly in low light.
regards,
bruce
p.44 #16 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I just returned from a three day outing and managed to photograph barn owls, river otters, bugling elk, bobcats, and a variety of bird species. I will post some of the latter as I process the shots. For today's 400 f2.8TC post, I want to share images from a 15 minute encounter with a blue-eyed coyote. Like most wild predators, coyotes normally have amber irises. This coyote is unique and is one of a few in a pack with blue eyes. I've been told that seeing a blue-eyed coyote is rare, being close enough to photograph uncropped images of them is even rarer... needless to say, I am pretty excited to be able to share these with you all.
p.44 #17 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Getting used to the weight and handling. I use this setup 100% without tripod and I keep asking myself if I'd be able to handle 600TC the same way (I find myself at 560mm a lot here, but when I'm not - I'm blown away by the quality of 400 2.8)
p.44 #18 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
lukemeup wrote:
Getting used to the weight and handling. I use this setup 100% without tripod and I keep asking myself if I'd be able to handle 600TC the same way (I find myself at 560mm a lot here, but when I'm not - I'm blown away by the quality of 400 2.8)
I found the 600TC much heavier on paper than expected (~1lb difference), but I don't notice it at all in actual practice.
Like you - I found myself almost always at 560/784/800.
I haven't used my 600TC a ton since I got it, but I think it ended up being the right choice for me. We'll know more during my 2 weeks in the Tetons/Yellowstone in October.
p.44 #19 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
nmerc_photos wrote:
I found the 600TC much heavier on paper than expected (~1lb difference), but I don't notice it at all in actual practice.
Like you - I found myself almost always at 560/784/800.
I haven't used my 600TC a ton since I got it, but I think it ended up being the right choice for me. We'll know more during my 2 weeks in the Tetons/Yellowstone in October.
I'll shoot at least one full season before making any decisions. Luckily Robert's 600TC has sold and the temptation to fly to LA to pick it up is gone .
p.44 #20 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
lukemeup wrote:
Getting used to the weight and handling. I use this setup 100% without tripod and I keep asking myself if I'd be able to handle 600TC the same way (I find myself at 560mm a lot here, but when I'm not - I'm blown away by the quality of 400 2.8)
Selection from recent days. 
.