Nikon tele-converters

 1.4x

Nikon currently makes two manual focus tele-converters, the TC-14A and TC-14B.  The TC-14A is recommended for use with lenses of focal length shorter than 200 mm and the TC-14B for lenses of longer than 200 mm.  Nikon publishes a compatibility list, which makes recommendations for what tele-converter to use with each lens they make.

Unfortunately, Nikon recommends neither converter for use with the 105 mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor, the workhorse lens for underwater macro photographers.  I have not tried the TC-14B with this lens, but I have uses the TC-14A successfully, with 41.5 mm of extension tubes between the lens and the tele-converter.  The only problem with the TC-14A in this setup is that there is a slight vignetting when the lens is focused near as close as it will go.  The vignetting would probably be obscured by the corners of a slide mount.

Nikon used to make another manual focus tele-converter, the TC-14.   The TC-14 won't mount on the 105 mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor directly, since the front element of the TC-14 protrudes about a quarter of an inch beyond the front bayonet flange.   If you put a 14 mm or longer extension tube between the lens and the tele-converter, this combination works mechanically.  I  tested it on my September '98 trip to the Solomons, and it worked great optically as well.  It is now my unequivocal recommendation for 2:1 work, if you can find one.

2x

Nikon currently makes two manual focus tele-converters, the TC-201 and TC-301. Nikon recommends the TC-201 for use with lenses of focal length shorter than 200 mm and the TC-301 for lenses of longer than 200 mm.  Nikon recommends neither converter for use with the 105 mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor.  I have used the TC-201 and the105 mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor together, with fairly good results, but the image is a little soft for my taste.