Teleconverter for Nikon D5100 camer?

I have a Nikon D5100 camera and a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens. I would like to buy a teleconverter to get a farther zoom, rather than buying a larger lens. I'm taking pictures of mostly wildlife (birds). Are there any good teleconverters out there that will work with my combination? Will they also autofocus lens too? Any additional information is greatly appreciated!

In all but a few cases, teleconverters just don't work. The only options are the camera-brand teleconverters such as those mad by Nikon and Canon. However, they are designed for just a few specific (expensive professional) lenses, and not an across the board solution.

As well, teleconverters work best on lenses having fast apertures (f/2.8 or less). They don't do well on consumer grade lenses like your Tamron.

Your best options are to either buy a Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6~6.3 for around $1,000 (or the Sigma Bigma - 50-500mm f/4.5~5.6 for $1,500) which are the number one birding lenses for amateurs that can't afford to spend multi-thousands on a lens. While these lenses are not cheap, they are a lot cheaper than professional grade lenses ($15~20k).

Or, buy a Nikon 1 with FT-1 adapter which will allow you to use your Tamron lens with the Nikon 1 camera. You can still get Nikon J1s for around $250, and the FT-1 adapter will cost about $200, so for less than $500, it will be your least expensive solution - which is the solution I have gone to (Nikon V1, FT-1, and NIkon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5~5.6), and a lot better than buying a bridge camera with a 50x zoom (which will probably cost as much as the J1 and FT-1).

With the Nikon 1's 2.7x crop factor, and the 1" sensor, you still get pretty decent photos in good lighting. And your 70-300mm lens will be an equivalent 189~810mm lens. And this is without loss of aperture like you would get if you used a teleconverter.

Here is a webpage detailing the Nikon 1 and FT-1 combo (near the end of the article):

http://www.althephoto.com/lenses/v1-lens.php

Here is the Nikon Teleconverter Compatibility list:

http://www.nikonusa.com/...Chart.html

Note the lenses with "AF Limitations" and the disclaimer:
"Autofocus is available only with cameras that offer f/8 support. These include the D4, D88/800E, D600 and D7100.

Based on this chart and your lens and camera I doubt that any of the Nikon Teleconverters are compatible.

Bad move that us like owning Cadillac and buying retread tires for it!