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Using a 2x converterHaving problems!

Author	Post

Posted by Milkman: Mon May 7th, 2018 20:47

1^st Post

New to the DSLR world, just bought my wife a Nikon D3400 for a trip to Africa. Camera came with an auto focus 70-300mm lens, which is all good. She was given a Bower 2x Converter and a Bower 500mm F8.0 preset telephoto lens. I figured out that we had to set it to manual mode to make it work, but when she takes a picture, even in bright sunlight, nothing shows on the review screen or on the memory card, even though it registers a picture being taken. I'm sure its just a matter of settings, but we have no idea what we are doing!

Posted by Robert: Tue May 8th, 2018 00:24

2^nd Post

You say nothing shows, does the camera record an image file to the memory card?

If it does, do you mean that the image is featureless?

Is the image clear white-ish or black?

Are you adjusting the aperture on the lens as well as the camera? You need to experiment with altering the aperture on the lens, check before fitting the lens that by looking through the lens you can see through the lens and see the aperture changing as you move the aperture lever on the lens. It is entirely possible that the aperture is stuck in the closed down position, maybe f/22? you stand little chance of recording an image at f/22, any image will likely be black.

You will of course have to focus manually, there will be no AF.

One way of testing is by using 'Live View', check the manual for information on how to use live view. In live view the image reaching the sensor is displayed on the rear screen. Pressing the shutter release should record that image to the memory card. By using live view, you may be able to figure what the problem is.

An f/8 lens may cause issues with the D3400, attempting to use an X2 converter (magnifier) will almost certain make this lens unusable on the D3400, because to darkens the image by two f/ stops as well as magnifying it. You might get away with an X1.4 teleconverter on an f/8 lens but I think X2 will be too dark.

I don't know if the D3400 will work with a totally manual lens, high end cameras will because they allow the settings to be input manually but the D3400 lacks that feature. If the lens does not have electrical contacts on the mount then you may not be able to use this lens on the D3400.

A starting point would be ISO 200 or 400, f/8 aperture and 1/60th second shutter speed in reasonable daylight, very bright light increase shutter speed a bit say 1/100 second or faster.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Milkman: Tue May 8th, 2018 09:14

3^rd Post

Thanks for the information. The picture in review and on the card is black. It does record and show that a picture was stored on the memory card. Supposedly the lens is compatible with the camera, but who is to say, I guess. I will try your suggestions and see where we get! Thanks again!

Posted by Robert: Tue May 8th, 2018 10:49

4^th Post

My pleasure.

A black image suggests the diaphragm (aperture) is way too small. Look through the lens to be sure you can open it up fully.

f/8 is a pretty dark lens, so you may have to set the ISO up higher than expected to record an image.

I will refrain from asking if you removed the lens cap!!! LOL

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Eric: Tue May 8th, 2018 10:53

5^th Post

Does the lens work ok without the teleconverter? Or is it black with and without the tc?

I would be surprised if the lens AND tc combination work with the D3400. The lens ok but not both.

Besides, combining 500mm + 2x tc =1000mm. Add the 1.5x DX crop factor of the D3400 and you are looking at 1500mm. Good luck holding that steady!!

Forget the tc, you won't need it anyway and it will screw up your exposure, iso and shutter speed options...even if you can get it to work.

Most African safaris get you close enough to animals to use much shorter focal lengths than you expect.

:thumbs:

____________________
Eric

Posted by Gilbert Sandberg: Tue May 8th, 2018 11:45

6^th Post

M,
Welcome.
Most of the 70-300 lenses for/by Nikon are not designed to operate with a TC. It may work, but there is very little light left (after passing the converter).
Therefore Nikon does not make converters for that breed of lenses.
If the 2x converter is sufficiently compatible, it should work, but practicality is quite a different matter.
If I were to test this combo, I would set it on a sturdy tripod, cover the camera-eyepiece, set the camera to A exposure, and try.
As to any trip: leave the gifts at home, and enjoy the Nikon stuff.
Regards, Gilbert

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