Teleconverter vs. Extension Tubes: Can someone tell me what the difference between a teleconverter and extension tubes for a lens are? I am looking at both on B&H and they seem to do...

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Can someone tell me what the difference between a teleconverter and extension tubes for a lens are? I am looking at both on B&H and they seem to do the same thing. I want to extend the "reach" of a couple of my lenses. The teleconverter is in power of magnification, as in 1.4 or 2 times the focal length. The extension tubes are in mm.

snowbear

Teleconverter = far away things, extension = close up things.

A teleconverter will increase the focal length of a lens. For example, a 2x teleconverter on a 200mm lens will give you the equivalent of a 400mm lens.

Extension tubes reduce the minimum focus distance, allowing you to get closer to something (and thus magnifying it.) It's one way of getting close-ups and macros.

Both will rob you of light.

olderguy Loc: South Dakota

AuntieM wrote:

Can someone tell me what the difference between a teleconverter and extension tubes for a lens are? I am looking at both on B&H and they seem to do the same thing. I want to extend the "reach" of a couple of my lenses. The teleconverter is in power of magnification, as in 1.4 or 2 times the focal length. The extension tubes are in mm.

A teleconverter will increase the power of your lens by the amount you specified and extension tubes allow you to photograph at a considerable closer distance then the lens would normally allow.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

AuntieM wrote:

The teleconverter is in power of magnification, as in 1.4 or 2 times the focal length. The extension tubes are in mm.

Teleconverter numbers approximate the added magnification factor. Extension tubes are available in three lengths: 12-mm, 20-mm, & 36-mm.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Thanks everyone. I have close up "lenses" that I attach to my regular lenes for close up shots, so guess I need a teleconverter. A day is wasted if you don't learn something new, and on this forum, I have learned enough to coast through several years of not learning anything new each day. :-)

Jerry Green Loc: Huntsville, AL

AuntieM wrote:

Thanks everyone. I have close up "lenses" that I attach to my regular lenes for close up shots, so guess I need a teleconverter. A day is wasted if you don't learn something new, and on this forum, I have learned enough to coast through several years of not learning anything new each day. :-)

The close up lens that attach to your lens like a filter reduce the depth of field and unless they are the really good ones like Nikon and Canon make they will also degrade the image. Extension tubes have no glass and I think they are a better option for close up photography.

tramsey Loc: Texas

AuntieM wrote:

Thanks everyone. I have close up "lenses" that I attach to my regular lenes for close up shots, so guess I need a teleconverter. A day is wasted if you don't learn something new, and on this forum, I have learned enough to coast through several years of not learning anything new each day. :-)

A day wasted if you don't learn something new, I'm sitting in the seat beside you. It is hard to believe all the knowledge that is available here Thanks to everyone who likes to help.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

You may want to know more about teleconverters before you buy. They do not work well on zoom lenses. Since they reduce the light by about a half most of your zooms will not have light to focus. The quality is a lot less than lenses without them. For me they are fun to play with but just dont work to take good pictures. - Dave

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I would be using a teleconverter during the day to shoot wildlife that is reasonably too far out for my 300 to get a good clear shot. Since I would be shooting in bright conditions, and usually shoot at f8 or 11, it appears that I should be OK. I would absolutely love to be able to afford a 300 up lens, but maybe the teleconverter would be a good compromise. I don't understand what wilsondl2 said about not working on a zoom lens. Do you need to use a teleconverter on a straight mm lens then? Maybe I should call B&H and talk to one of the pros they have. Additionally, point taken on J. Green's comment about reducing the depth of field....so, will reconsider the extension tubes as well. I appreciate all the hints, "watch out for", etc.....it's amazing that after I get a hint or warning, I say to myself...."why didn't I think of that? It's so obvious."

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Sorry I wasnot clear. Most prim lenses are faster than zooms F/4 or faster. Most zooms are f5.6 or slower when zoomed all the way out. When you put the converter on all lenses lose 2 stops with a 2x converter. This is not enough light for automatic focus to work. Remember when you shoot at f8 or f11 your camera focuses wide open and then stops down automatic when you press the shutter. You may be able to focus on manual with the converter. Hope this helps - Dave

mawyatt Loc: Clearwater, Florida

We use a Nikon 70-200 F2.8 with a 1.7 Teleconverter. This combo works well for us, and I have shot race cars (12 Hrs of Sebring) and off shore race boats (World Off Shore Races) with good results.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Also, to make-up for the loss of light, you may have to shoot wide-open, which will significantly narrow your DOF.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

How about stepping up the ISO a bit?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

One thing I didn't see mentioned was that if you use a teleconvertor, the lens still focuses as close as the original lens it is used on. IE: If you use a 2x on a~ 100mm 2.8 that focus down to 3 feet you will have a 200mm 5.6 that focuses to 3 feet.
And some work great on zooms. There are good ones and bad ones out there. (Look for "matched" teleconvertors if you can afford it). It's a less expensive way to increase your reach.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

AuntieM wrote:

How about stepping up the ISO a bit?

Two stop increase in ISO takes ISO 200 to ISO 800, and ISO 400 to ISO 1600. Enter a new set of problems.