Nikon Teleconverter Doesn't Fit?

I think I'm missing something very obvious. I have a Nikon D7000 and am using a telephoto lens that is labeled:

Nikon DX
AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED

I want a 2x teleconverter and bought the TC-20E III. I was hoping that this newest teleconverter would allow me to use my lens while maintaining autofocus abilities.

However, the lens seems not to fit on the teleconverter. What am I missing? The end of the teleconverter that would fit with the lens sticks out; it's like trying to fit male-male couplings. Pretty clearly I have the wrong teleconverter.

Looking at the TC-20E ii, it seems that I would have the same problem. Is there a Nikon teleconverter that would work for me?

This teleconvertor is not compatible with your 55-300mm or any other consumer level lens. It was designed for the professional level F/2.8 lenses.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/...0e-iii.htm

As for a teleconvertor that IS compatible, you have one major problem. Teleconvertors won't autofocus with lenses as slow as a f/4.5-5.6. They need at least f/4, which your 55-300 can't provide.

To quote Ken Rockwell, "Nikon makes no teleconverters that allow autofocussing with normal AF lenses."
http://www.kenrockwell.com/.../kenko.htm

Teleconverters are not designed to work with consumer grade lenses.

Since you are already handicapped by f/5.6 at the telephoto end with your lens, adding a 2x converter would result in a 75% light reduction, with a maximum aperture of f/11, and your autofocus would not work, and you would either have to increase your ISO or use a tripod and slow shutter speed. You would find such a combination fairly difficult to work with.

Besides, your D7000 deserves better lenses than the one you have. Teleconverters are just a low quality method of gaining focal length and are no substitute for a longer lens.

Your lens is not listed as compatible to that teleconverter.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...E_III.html

The teleconverter you have has a protruding element on the front end. Your lens, I'm guessing, has a protruding element on the rear end. Those two protruding elements will clash and mash each other if you force the issue. I hope nothing like that has happened yet. Find a teleconverter without a protruding front element.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...4294185277

A little research would have saved you money and aggravation.

There have been 109 questions asked about Nikon teleconverters in the Photography forum and 173 questions asked about Nikon teleconverters in the Cameras forum.

A simple web search for 'nikon teleconverter compatibility' would have told you that the Nikon TC-20E II teleconverter - nor any other Nikon teleconverter - is not compatible with your 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 zoom lens.

Here is a complete list of NIKKOR lenses compatible with NIKKOR teleconverters:
http://www.nikonusa.com/...chart.html

Pay especial atention to the bold face type: "… Rear elements of NIKKOR lenses not listed can contact and damage the Teleconverter element… ". Note that your lens is NOT listed.

I really hope that you can get your money back for the TC-20E II teleconverter because its useless to you unless you buy one of the lenses listed as compatible.