Teleconverter Lens

[Snappers]

I have been thinking about getting a teleconverter lens for my Nikon and saw this, does anyone have any comments on it please?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330204024828&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:uk

Thanks

[dkippen]

Andy -

I don't have any experience with teleconverters, but for those of us with limited funds, I have read that this is the way to go providing you get quality. Kenko I believe is one of the better ones. I don't know what the price conversion is - so I wouldn't be able to tell you if this is a good price or not.

[gjtoth]

I have been thinking about getting a teleconverter lens for my Nikon and saw this, does anyone have any comments on it please?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330204024828&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:uk

Thanks

Andy, check out page 89 in "The Digital Photography Book". Pricewise... I really don't know. I just picked one up for my Oly. I got it on the cheap because... well, that's what it is. Got it directly from good ol' Hong Kong for 8 Pounds and another 11 Pounds to ship. Roughly $45 (at the time of purchase -- exchange rates fluctuate so fast!). It seems like it's taking forEVER to get here but should be here tomorrow or Monday. I'll, of course, let you all know the verdict on it. I also ordered a .45 Wide-angle from these same guys. Still waiting for IT.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180200202560&mfe=sidebar

:(

I've ordered from them before so, I know they're good. Just Slooooooooooooowwww...

[arrowind]

I have a 1.4 Kenko that I use with my Nikon D50. Works well but remember you loose 1 to 1.5f stop. Some lens have a tendency to hunt in auto focus. Really need a tripod for use. If you use a VR lens you will most likely have to turn that off.

[Snappers]

Sadly I dont have a VR lens.
Thanks for the comments guys. I'll look into it more when I return from Holiday.

[gjtoth]

Andy, check out page 89 in "The Digital Photography Book". Pricewise... I really don't know. I just picked one up for my Oly. I got it on the cheap because... well, that's what it is. Got it directly from good ol' Hong Kong for 8 Pounds and another 11 Pounds to ship. Roughly $45 (at the time of purchase -- exchange rates fluctuate so fast!). It seems like it's taking forEVER to get here but should be here tomorrow or Monday. I'll, of course, let you all know the verdict on it. I also ordered a .45 Wide-angle from these same guys. Still waiting for IT.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180200202560&mfe=sidebar

:(

I've ordered from them before so, I know they're good. Just Slooooooooooooowwww...

Well, as an update to this -- I got the teleconverter from the guys in Hong Kong and, well... it stunk. So, I got a refund and, as luck would have it, I won an auction for the teleconverter MADE BY OLYMPUS for this camera. Got it at 75% less than MSRP. I received it today and I gotta tell ya... it's magnificent! I can't wait until that hawk lands on the bat house again. You'll be able to count the feathers. Another lesson learned. The odd thing is: I got a teleconverter from these guys for my A720IS and it works great! As does their wide-angle lens for both the Canon and the Oly. Weird.

Here's a comparison. #1 is a wide-angle with no zoom, no TC. The target is a stop sign that is barely visible beyond the visible stop sign. It is approximately 1/4 mile away. #2 is the same target at full 18x zoom, no TC -- both stop signs are now clearly visible. #3 is at full 18x zoom with the 1.7x teleconverter. Note, the nearer stop sign is not even visible. Only the distant one!

Notice also that there is very, very little (if any) fringing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/2232837191_c56b87af73_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2232835423_cd1d5da8bf_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2232833645_220dbf9546_b.jpg

[jerryph]

Teleconverters are a nice way of getting added magnification from your zoom, however I would stay away from the bigger 2X and 3X ones for a few reasons:

- With the 2X you lose about 1.5-2 stops of light
- With a 3X you lose about a 2.5-3 stops of light.

What that means is that if you have a lens that at it's maximum zoom is at F/5.6 normally, on the 2X teleconverter, you will be at F/8 at that same maximum magnification and need lots more light to get the pic. A 3X on a F/5.6 lens could mean that it starts off at F/11, and in basic talk, it would be useless at all but the very brightest days.

Where a teleconverter could be well used is like if you had a 70-200 F/2.8 and slapped the 1.7X teleconverter to get it from F/2.8 to F/4, that makes it a VERY useable lens.


For me, I just happen to own that 70-200 F/2.8 lens... and I personally wold not get over a 2X teleconverter... matter of fact, I plan on getting the 1.7X one... that gives a smaller 1 stop drop... making my F/2.8 lens an F/4 lens with a 340mm capability... and for me, that is excellent!

In all cases so far, I was talking OEM teleconverters, meaning Nikon teleconverters for Nikon cameras. Third party teleconverters (like the Kenko ones), may cause a greater loss in sensitivity and in some cases may make the lens lose the ablity to autofocus. Check before buying!

[gjtoth]

Teleconverters are a nice way of getting added magnification from your zoom, however I would stay away from the bigger 2X and 3X ones for a few reasons:

- With the 2X you lose about 1.5-2 stops of light
- With a 3X you lose about a 2.5-3 stops of light.

What that means is that if you have a lens that at it's maximum zoom is at F/5.6 normally, on the 2X teleconverter, you will be at F/8 at that same maximum magnification and need lots more light to get the pic. A 3X on a F/5.6 lens could mean that it starts off at F/11, and in basic talk, it would be useless at all but the very brightest days.

Where a teleconverter could be well used is like if you had a 70-200 F/2.8 and slapped the 1.7X teleconverter to get it from F/2.8 to F/4, that makes it a VERY useable lens.


For me, I just happen to own that 70-200 F/2.8 lens... and I personally wold not get over a 2X teleconverter... matter of fact, I plan on getting the 1.7X one... that gives a smaller 1 stop drop... making my F/2.8 lens an F/4 lens with a 340mm capability... and for me, that is excellent!

In all cases so far, I was talking OEM teleconverters, meaning Nikon teleconverters for Nikon cameras. Third party teleconverters (like the Kenko ones), may cause a greater loss in sensitivity and in some cases may make the lens lose the ablity to autofocus. Check before buying!


And, indeed, that was the case with this el cheapo 2x TC from Hong Kong even though the seller actually stated it was made for the camera. The 1.7x from Olympus is outstanding as you can see from the sample. I've tried some shots of birds at the feeding station and it's perfect. No aberrations in the slightest. The icing on the cake was the price. I couldn't be happier with it.

[windrider86]

I'm ever so glad I read this post as i was looking at the teleconverters for my Olympus on ebay and of course thats where they came from. I should have learned by now that you really get what you pay for but I keep on trying to find that magical deal out there.

[daltoned]

Re kenco teleconverters, I've seen postings on other web forums that these are poor quality. Hope this helps.

[daltoned]

want to add to my thread above, when I had the fuji s9600 as my only camera, I was recommended to look at the Raynox teleconverters as a good quality, reasonable option. I did not buy in the end so don't know how good they might be. Might be worth checking out.

[dkippen]

Gary -

Nice shot - it's amazing the differences.