Nikon SLR Cameras

Can I use a 2x converter on my Nikon D5000 camera?

Christy
Christy

I was wondering if I could use a 2X converter on my Nikon D5000 camera?

If so, is there a certain one that would still keep Auto Focus, or would there be no AF no matter which I would use?

I would be using this with a Nikor 55-200mm lens. Any converter type to suggest?

Jeroen Wijnands
Jeroen Wijnands

A converter on that lens you will use autofocus. As soon as a lens gets beyond f5.6 autofocus is becoming a problem

OMG I PONIES!!1
OMG I PONIES!!1

You can't use a TC with that lens. It won't fit - you'd end up grinding the glass of the rear element of the lens into the glass of the TC. Teleconverters are designed to be used with high quality optics - the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 is the most humble current lens that'll work. I use one of those in combination with a Kenko 1.4x TC. And then there's the AF issue…

The reason being, that TCs chew up light (one stop for a 1.4x TC, 2 stops for a 2x TC) and degrade image quality (a 2x TC more so than a 1.4x TX… The 1.7x TC sits in the middle on both counts.) In other words, you need a pretty amazing lens to begin with, for a TC to still produce reasonable results. The 55-200 simply isn't good enough.

For more reach for around $500, get the Nikon 70-300mm VR. If you can spare a grand (less for a used copy) a lot of people are very happy with the Sigma 50-500mm. Long lenses are expensive… These are actually the budget options.

If you're looking for cheap reach and you don't mind lousy results, you can find a 2x add-on lens that you stick on the front of your 55-200mm. (All of the 'proper' TCs slide between the body and the lens.) Check Amazon for "52mm 2x" 52mm being the thread size you need for the 55-200mm lens.