Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II 1.4X (USED)

Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II 1.4X  (USED)

The Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II (Nikon USA part # 2129) is a high-end 1.4x magnification tele-extender optimized for and designed to exclusively fit select professional Nikkor lenses*.  The pro grade TC-14E II is ideal for sports, wildlife, surveillance, perspective compression, and other photography applications where some extra magnification or range is desired from a lens with minimal loss of image quality and brightness.

The TC-14E II increases the focal length of compatible lenses by 40% and reduces brightness by only one f/stop; for example when attached to a 300mm f/2.8 lens, the TC-14E II transforms it into a 420mm f/4 equivalent.  It's a convenient way to turn one lens into a second lens as needed.  Teleconverters inherently add compromises to an optical system but Nikon's no-nonsense approach to design and compatibility makes for the best outcomes possible.  The TC-14E II uses 5 relatively large fully multicoated elements and doesn't constrain them in the way generic converters do.  To maximize optical performance the front optics of the TC-14E II protrude past the lens mount and actually sit just inside the mount of compatible lenses.  Consequently only select large aperture telephotos with room in the lens mount area are physically compatible.  Even though the TC-14E II uses a modified mount that prevents non compatible lenses form being connected, care should be taken not to damage lens elements when attempting to mount lenses.

The TC-14E II was first introduced in 2001, it's a mostly cosmetic update to the tried and true design of the TC-14E.  In 2014 Nikon released the third generation TC-14E III.  While the TC-14E III enjoys fluorine coatings, and a new optical design (including a larger front element) it has less backwards compatibility (AF-I lenses and some earlier AF-S lenses are not useable with TC-14E III but work well with the TC-14E II or TC-14E).