70-200 f/4 + TC-14e III vs 70-300 E AF-P

[mneary]

I have a trip to Australia coming up later in the year and I'm looking for a portable tele zoom to take. I already own the 70-200 f/4 and like it a lot, but the new 70-300 AF-P is getting rave reviews and would save some more weight. I'll also be carrying the Z7, 24-70 S, 14-30 S, and the 300 f/4 PF with TCs on this trip.

I believe in the 70-200mm range the 70-200 f/4 still has the advantage, but how do they compare if I put the TC-14e III on the f/4? Does anyone here have any insight?

Thanks

Mike

 

[ac12]

I am able to crop pretty deep into the image from a 70-200/4.
So I would say it is good enough to use instead of a 70-300, even without a TC.
But some times you just want the magnification of a 300. But, you will have the 300/4 PF for that.

 

[mneary]

I am able to crop pretty deep into the image from a 70-200/4.
So I would say it is good enough to use instead of a 70-300, even without a TC.
But some times you just want the magnification of a 300. But, you will have the 300/4 PF for that.

Thanks. I already know the 70-200 is sharp by itself I've used it with the TC-14 before and it seems to take the TC very well, with little perceived loss of sharpness.

I probably won't be using the 300 PF naked a lot, it will have one of the TCs glued to it to extend its reach for birds and little critters. The same will probably happen to the 70-200 to cover the under 300mm range for the larger wildlife. There's a lot of light in Australia so I'm not too concerned about aperture... I thought about just taking the 80-400 G along but that lens is too bulky on the Z7 (and I wouldn't have the option of leaving one of the long lenses behind on a hike).

Cheers

Mike

 

[Jonathan F/2]

I'm partial to the 70-200mm f4 VR. It has nano coating, excellent contrast and colors. My vote goes to that lens!

 

[mneary]

I'm partial to the 70-200mm f4 VR. It has nano coating, excellent contrast and colors. My vote goes to that lens!

Thanks, Jonathan - I'm leaning that way, too. I originally bought the 70-200 f/4 as a lightweight travel option, so I should probably just stick with that decision. And it would save money to shoot with the gear I already have - what a concept

Unless someone can make a really good case for the 70-300 AF-P at 300mm vs 70-200 + TC?

Cheers

Mike

 

[Pa]

I have all of the subject lenses, and on my last two trips (Costa Rica and southern Italy) I have taken the 70-300 and not been disappointed.

 

[mneary]

I have all of the subject lenses, and on my last two trips (Costa Rica and southern Italy) I have taken the 70-300 and not been disappointed.

Thanks, Jim.

How do you decide which lens to take on a trip? There is some weight advantage to the 70-300, but it’s only about 6 oz...

Cheers

Mike

 

[Pa]

I like the convenience of getting to 300 without the TC. I never carry the 70-200 on trips but use it for more local photography.

 

[mneary]

I still haven't been able to find a direct comparison of the 70-300 AF-P and the 70-200 f/4 with TC-14 at 300/280mm. Any more opinions..?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Pa]

I still haven't been able to find a direct comparison of the 70-300 AF-P and the 70-200 f/4 with TC-14 at 300/280mm. Any more opinions..?

Thanks

Mike

I'll try to do this tomorrow. Remind me in the morning (!)

 

[mneary]

I'll try to do this tomorrow. Remind me in the morning (!)

That would be totally awesome - thanks so much, Jim!

Cheers

Mike

 

[MNglass]

Thanks, Jim.

How do you decide which lens to take on a trip? There is some weight advantage to the 70-300, but it’s only about 6 oz...

Cheers

Mike

6 oz is an an ounce and a half shy of the Z7 body alone . . .

I have both (though I have the TC-14ii not the iii version). I believe the 70-200 provides some measure of weather sealing over the 70-300.

But I also think that Jim makes a good point about not needing the TC - Once you've got the FTZ + TC + lens I think things start to get a bit unwieldy.

For my amateur uses, the IQ from either is fine -

 

[Pa]

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[Pa]

First two above are 70-200 +TC, second two are 70-300 AF-P.

On my D750, the 70-200+TC weighs in at 4 lbs, 5 oz, while the 70-300 is 3 lbs, 8 oz. For me, the 70-300 is a much more pleasant package to carry.

As you can see, the 70-200 bokeh is a bit smoother, but it's a pretty minimal difference.

I suggest reading Thom Hogan's review of the 70-300 where he compares it directly to the 70-200/4.

 

[Pa]

P.S. larger versions of the images above are available; just ask. All four were converted from raw to jpeg with DxO Pl2 with no adjustments...just straight out of the camera.

 

[Palouse]

Impressive and informative. I love my 70-200 f/4, but the weight difference is striking.

 

[mneary]

Thanks so much for the comparison, Jim!

I can't tell much difference in sharpness from these shots. If anything, the 2nd shot with the 70-200 + TC looks slightly sharper. I can't see the EXIF data but I'm thinking the 1st shot is f/5.6, the 2nd shot f/8 for each lens?

The weight difference is significant on camera, approaching 1 pound... And your scales are accurate, the TC-14e III is 7 oz and the difference in the lens weight is 6 oz. In the bag, however, the difference for me is only 6 oz since I'll be carrying the TC anyway. Still something to think about though, since the 70-300 is also over an inch shorter.

Cheers

Mike

 

[rick_reno]

Is this the 70-300 being discussed? Nikon appears to make more than one, this is the only one I saw that has AF-P in the description.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-NIKKOR...Nikon+70-300&qid=1564414548&s=gateway&sr=8-10

 

[MNglass]

Is this the 70-300 being discussed? Nikon appears to make more than one, this is the only one I saw that has AF-P in the description.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-NIKKOR...Nikon+70-300&qid=1564414548&s=gateway&sr=8-10

I believe we are talking about this one:
http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/ni...-lens-reviews/nikon-70-300mm-f45-56-af-p.html

here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349415-REG/nikon_20068_af_p_nikkor_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6e.html

 

[rick_reno]

Thanks! Those photos Jim posted are very nice.