May 2025

[BL]

Love to hear that I did not offend you Frank! Indeed the D500 PF 300 combination is a wonderful macro combination. Personally still prefer the old AFS 300 f/4 with a TC14E II to create “distance” to avoid scaring living subjects. Using my approach you obviously can forget AF though, but with your photographic knowledge I would say: give it a try! Could not reproduce this technique with the early mirrorless like The Z6, purely because of the “lag” of an EVF as compared to the “speed of light” viewfinder feedback of a DSLR like the Df. You should be fine with the D500 in that respect though. The Zf is definitely an improvement in this respect, and will give you IBIS  with “ whatever you Mount!”. Over the moon with the 2.0 firmware upgrade right now!
Again, love having joined this community and hope to become part of the discussions that makes this community special. Best, Jan

[golunvolo]

Thank you Ian

[Frank Fremerey]

. The Zf is definitely an improvement in this respect, and will give you IBIS  with “ whatever you Mount!”. Over the moon with the 2.0 firmware upgrade right now!
Again, love having joined this community and hope to become part of the discussions that makes this community special. Best, Jan

Attached you see my current setup and your suggested Zf setup, I call "STACK THEM GALORE"...


Note: Dr. Lens gutted the TC14v1 for me to get VR and AF on a 23mm extension. Stacked is the TC14v3 for its original pupose.


I will test both as soon as my flowers attract more interesting "air force"




My moniker ist not "engineer" or "artist" but "engineering art"

[Birna Rørslett]

You should experiment with the (working) TC as the rearmost part of your setup. This sequence provides more magnification.

[Frank Fremerey]

You should experiment with the (working) TC as the rearmost part of your setup. This sequence provides more magnification.

What would I do without you?



Yet, too early a praise: the TC-1 does not fit the TC-3 on the latter's female side...



detail:  AF-I Teleconverter TC-14E 1.4x No 21xxxx
detail: AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III No24xxxx
both are "made in Japan"

I might need a dremel I guess?



Yet I could well use the Nikon Z TC 2.0x een on top of the stack , but I will need flash support then

[Birna Rørslett]

I'm using an extension tube based on TC-14E.2 and there is no problem at all setting up like I suggested.  Thus likely the problem is caused by the converted  AF-I TC.

If Nikon had allowed their TC14Z be put to the rear on the FTZ/FTZ.2, we would have an easier setup. However, the Z TC models are clamped to a limited set of host lenses, and trying any other combination will not work at all. In fact, the camera might lock up.

However, there is a work-around as you can put an extension ring, like the ones made by Fotodiox, on say the 400/4.5Z, then add  the TC14Z. This apparently works because the 400/4.5Z is an admissible lens for the TC14Z/TC20Z, and the extension allows for transmission of electronic information lens-camera.

A potentially  better combination  in the "direct-Z" case is adding the extension + TC-14/20Z to the 70-180/2.8 Z. Should work just fine. I have to do some field experiments.

[Birna Rørslett]

...
A potentially  better combination  in the "direct-Z" case is adding the extension + TC-14/20Z to the 70-180/2.8 Z. Should work just fine. I have to do some field experiments.

This works and you can get beyond 1:1.

However, adding extension to a zoom lens makes focusing quite tricky as any change of  focal length will throw the image out of focus and you have to start all over again. Thus I'll stick to the "naked" 70-180 just with the TC14Z added. Then I can get  quite close to 1:1 and have a better working distance than with the 105/2.8Z MC,

[Frank Fremerey]

This works and you can get beyond 1:1.

However, adding extension to a zoom lens makes focusing quite tricky as any change of  focal length will throw the image out of focus and you have to start all over again. Thus I'll stick to the "naked" 70-180 just with the TC14Z added. Then I can get  quite close to 1:1 and have a better working distance than with the 105/2.8Z MC,

My strategy is to go for a long focal legth like 400 optical plus extesion.

I know it is difficult to hold steady if I add a TC20 to the 400mm and make it 800 f/9


Plus I do need a bit of saving:

Z9 3500€ + 4.5/400S 2500€ + TC20 Z 500€ + Viltrox extension 60€ = all together 6.560€

Currently I am investing to make a lot of money in the future with some help of higher beings

so in 2027 I might probably be able to afford this kit as "means of production" for my next gen company

[Birna Rørslett]

Do remember the longer the focal length is, the less impact will  a given extension provide. Adding extension to long lenses basically means you lose infinity focus and gain a tad shorter nearer limit.

The reason the 300PF works well with extension is of course it isn't effective 300mm when you focus closer.

[Frank Fremerey]

Do remember the longer the focal length is, the less impact will  a given extension provide. Adding extension to long lenses basically means you lose infinity focus and gain a tad shorter nearer limit.

The reason the 300PF works well with extension is of course it isn't effective 300mm when you focus closer.

It would be exaggerated if I would claim to understand what you say, Birna, but I am sure you are right as always.


Jan: The combo with Zf above is painstakingly slow in Autofokus. As fas as I recall, the D500 and D850 were fast and snappy

[Adli Wahid]

Battery powered rickshaws in Dhaka, Bangladesh

D700 + Nikkor 28mm 2.8 ais

[BL]

Frank, fully agree. But I never use autofocus in macro photography. A fast responding EVF with zoom capabilities and IBIS availability on non VR lenses are very welcome attributes, however! 

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

Do remember the longer the focal length is, the less impact will  a given extension provide. Adding extension to long lenses basically means you lose infinity focus and gain a tad shorter nearer limit.

The reason the 300PF works well with extension is of course it isn't effective 300mm when you focus closer.

It would be exaggerated if I would claim to understand what you say, Birna, but I am sure you are right as always.


Jan: The combo with Zf above is painstakingly slow in Autofokus. As fas as I recall, the D500 and D850 were fast and snappy

"If You Can't Talk About It, Point to It" (Laurie Anderson)

left combo: from 2.50m to infinity
right combo: from 2.20m to 30m

[BL]

My current favorite macro setup. No AF, no VR, variable, but in practice fixed reproduction ratio, but, With fast EVF, IBIS, and, since firmware upgrade 2.0 instant zoom-in zoom-out capability. Since 2.0 even full lens description , aperture etc. In EXIF. PB-4 even enables Scheimpflug, very handy with the, per defenition, shallow DOF in macro. Used this set up to get the fly - and dragonfly pics that I posted. Hand held.

Love the discussion going on about the different set-ups and their in and outs!

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

My current favorite macro setup. No AF, no VR, variable, but in practice fixed reproduction ratio, but, With fast EVF, IBIS, and, since firmware upgrade 2.0 instant zoom-in zoom-out capability. Since 2.0 even full lens description , aperture etc. In EXIF. PB-4 even enables Scheimpflug, very handy with the, per defenition, shallow DOF in macro. Used this set up to get the fly - and dragonfly pics that I posted. Hand held.

Love the discussion going on about the different set-ups and their in and outs!

Some time ago I bought a PB-4 in very good condition, and before it starts to collect dust, I'll follow your example and take it outside (when the sun shines again). An EL-Nikkor 135mm would probably be a suitable companion on the front.
However, the 400 Z is also a really interesting lens for close-ups. I have already taken some good dragonfly photos with it.