How TC2.0 III breathes new life to an under utilised lens and saved me some dough

On impulse I decided to quickly go over Stavanger Foto after work today to put to rest the thirst for new gear. Last week while browsing the shop window I saw an M6 Black, a Canon TC 2.0 II. Both I concluded were items I needed : the M6 Black has been on my want list since 2001 while the TC is something I needed when I finally purchase the 200/2.0.

Saturdays are normally the days Stavanger Foto is always choke full of people AND the only day I can browse about town. I left the shop last week with just the prices of the two items  : M6=NOK7000, TC=NOK2500.

After some internet surfing in between last Saturday and this fateful day I also learnt these prices:

• EF200/2.0=NOK52000, 
• EF300/2.8=NOK59,000 and 
• EF500/4.0=NOK83,000. 

There is a used TC2.0 II in Oslo going for NOK2000 I bet from someone upgrading to a III version, as well as a one year old EF300/2.8 going for NOK30,000 from a pro studio photographer on the used market on www.foto.no

I needed the M6 because it's a classic, I fancy myself shooting street candids. I have several RFs and TLRs specifically for this purpose however M6 has always been that "maybe one day" camera.

The rest are for bird photography :

200mm for the close shots from the hide for when shooting Stellar Eider and King Eider from a boat hide in Vadsoy and Kirkenes. Both are high on the birding agenda.

300mm as a standby if 200 is too short or not available, in anycase the cost difference of  the two is negligible.

500mm is a long shot if there's extra money (inheritance for example or more likely that un-utilised company commercial loan at 2.5%). It's also a longer than 400/5.6 which I already own and shoot regularly with. It is also reputedly much lighter than the 600/4 which I also own and reluctant to lug around everywhere lens.

It was complete serendipity that when I arrived at Stavanger Foto at 5:30pm today, the doors were closed shut! Their business day ends at 4:00pm Monday-Friday, 7:00pm Thursday and 11:00am-2:00pm Saturday. The M6 was sitting seductively by the glass display case, looking pristine and badly needing a new owner. The TC2.0 II was also still there.

I left in a huff and puff to another photo shop on the other side of the harbour. And since this shop does not have a used section, sitting on the shellves were all brand new items and a TC2.0 III.

So I bought one: pack it up lady, it's mine ... a less than 3 minute deal for NOK4500!

I remembered reading in a few sites that TC2.0 III was a gem of a converter, a much improved version of TC2.0 II. Initially I thought I can make do with a used TC2.0 II on a 200/2.0 or 300/2.8 or 500/4.0 or 600/4.0 and still get the shots and ranges I needed. I made several typical shots as I walk the length of Stavanger harbour.

Gamle Stavanger from across the harbour at 70xTC2.0II handheld at 1/160sec 5.6 ISO 400.

A bit more than 70+TC2.0 III at the same exposure.

At 200xTC2.0 III handheld 1/125sec 5.6 ISO 400.

At 70xTC2.0 III.

At 200xTC2.0 III.

A lone wooden owl on Strankaien at 200xTC2.0 III.

The Stavanger fire tower at 70xTC2.0 III 1/30secs, 5.6 ISO800, shot later in the evening.

Back at home, I was pleasantly surprised. Looking at the handheld images I made today using the EOS100D+TC2.0 III (brand spanking new)+EF70-200/2.8 IS II (bought several years back from Keats), I have concluded that 200/2.0 can probably be eliminated from the equation!

The images are sharp even handheld at 1/160sec! This have potentially saved me some cash ... at least opportunity cost wise!

With that little piece of glass, I now have access to the following ranges:

1. 70-200/2.8 ==> 100-300 with the TC1.4 II or 140-400 with the TC2.0 III
2. 400/5.6
3. 600/4.0 ==> 840 with TC1.4 II or 1200 with TC2.0 III

My travelling kit can potentially be reduced to only include 70-200, 600, TC1.4 II, TC2.0 III.

Which leave only the following questions:

1. 300/2.8 ==> 600/5.6 with TC 2.0 III ... now looking redundant.
2. 500/4.0 ==> 1000/8 with TC 2.0 III ... now looking a bit superflous at current prices.

Though the 300  is still bulky, there is one available used at NOK30,000. The 500 is slimer, probably suitable handheld however more expensive and will need another NOK35,000 infusion of funds!

In the course of history, men come to see that iron necessity is neither iron nor necessary. Friedrich Nietzsche

I have also made another discovery on the side  : that I can live a whole week without the dream M-6: I guess thats another item I don't need.

Text and images by Nazeri Abghani/Sep 2013/Stavanger