treadwl Loc: South Florida

I've been reading many posts on UHH about this photo accessory so I thought I'd offer my 2 cents worth.

First we crave sharpness. We talk about how sharp a lens is. We discard out of focus photos. We use photo enhancing programs to sharpen photos. WIth all this in mind we can approach the topic of teleconverters. We use them to extend the reach of our lenses. If they were so all fired great why would a camera company bother to make a 200mm lens and then make a 400mm lens when the converter would do the same job??

Yes, these little jewels serve a purpose and each photographer needs to decide just what that purpose is. I propose that rather than ask everyone what they think---because these people are NOT YOU and do not reflect YOUR standards that you take the Teddy Bear Test. Seriously. Go out and buy two bears. Get a white one, and a darker one (I actually did this test with three bears (white, light brown, black) Set the bears side by side in good light, put your favorite lens on the camera and photograph each bear at the same ISO and shutter and f-stop. By the way, fill the frame with the bear. Then add the teleconverter and do the exercise again. Then compare the photos on the computer for sharpness. Look at the fine fur, the whiskers---look, really look for detail. Then you can decide what is acceptable sharpness for YOU.

Teleconverters rob light. You lose f-stops when you add the extra glass. Your lens gets slower plain and simple. Many folks push the ISO to compensate for this loss. You are adding grain and losing sharpness. No matter the camera, or what the manufacturer says there is more noticeable grain (and a lack of sharpness) as the ISO rises. Photography is a trade off, lenses, f-stops, ISO. You have to decide what is acceptable for you.

Teleconverters on zooms do not do as well in producing sharpness as they do on fixed prime lenses. It has to do with the amount of glass involved. I can put a 1.7 tc on my prime 300mm lens and sorta like the results. I put the same tc on my 200-400 f4 zoom lens and hate the results---they are flat out soft (even at 300mm).

I look at photos here on UHH and people rave at how beautiful and sharp they are----Sometimes I don't think so---I have my standards---you have yours. We are both right. Decide what is sharp enough for you and then that is the best combination for you to use.

Me---I put my camera on a tripod, use the lowest ISO I can get away with, the sharpest lens I can get (often I use mirror lock up--to reduce vibration and sometimes a cable release) and hope for the sharpest image possible. I use teleconverters, when I think they are necessary--but not without thought as to what the final image will be.

So much to think about--but that is what makes photography fun.

Larry

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

Good article Larry. Thanks.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Hi Larry, thats a good essay on teleconverters. Thank you. I have a teleconverter I used it on a Nikon 70-300 zoom. I use it to enable close focusing on the lens and to help create softer dreamier looking images.

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

Larry,
I hate to totally agree with anyone.
However this post got to me right where I live.
The reason for this is that "frankly my dear I don't give a damn" to quote from a famous movie.
Mostly I shoot what I like and even though I post here I take
what people say with a grain of salt.
In the final analysis each of us must satisfy our own needs and if we do so we will be sucessful to the person that matters. That is to say ones self.
Thank you

Hoss Loc: Near Pittsburgh, Pa

This shot was taken with a Canon 30D with 300 f2.8 L IS with a Conon 2X ISO 500 1/50 sec f5.6 on a monopod

memorykeeper Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana

To me it depends what am trying to record and or convey when it comes to sharp or soft focus.I will not be very popular with contest judges but most of the time am happy with my results. I collect and keep memories of times and places, living creatures and faces; sort of liking something so much that want to bring it home and keep it forever. At the same time I keep shooting, reading, watching videos and studying the work of others. One day I will be able to shoot with higher quality lenses and until then I train to be worthy of using them.

drobbia Loc: Near Middletown, CA

I do appreciate your post and can see where a teleconverter would be a tool to be seriously considered. I really appreciate this post and many of the posts and replies. ---tg

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

Excellent shot Hoss!! I like your butterfly Memorykeeper!

Hoss Loc: Near Pittsburgh, Pa

Thanks Wanda

memorykeeper Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana

You are very kind, I appreciate you taking the time to look at it. Thanks so much.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

I am left wondering at the purpose of posting pictures over this article as they add strictly nothing to what has been said.

Had you posted comparisons pictures of with and without I would have understood.

To me this just one more hitchhiking of a thread that is way more interesting than your pictures.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Good points, Larry. There are different quality extenders, most rather poor. As I remember back in the film days, most people I knew at that time used extenders because it was cheaper than buying another lens, and the results were predictably substandard.
Hoss seems to be using an extender that is a good match for his 300L lens, and the result shows it.
I use a 55mm Micro-Nikkor with a "matched" 2X so I get a 110mm lens that focuses closer, and yet maintains sharpness. Works for me!
Some lens formulas just don't lend themselves to an extender, most zoom lenses, as you note.
Thanks for bringing up this topic, Larry...good stuff!

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I have a question about tele converters. Are they camera specific or lens specific? Obviously I haven't tried one yet.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

They are camera specific, you take your lens off, put the converter on, and then put the lens on top of the converter. Some of the better converters ARE lens specific, and work best with a particular lens. Some el-cheapo converters don't work well with any lens. Ya gets what yas pays fer!

memorykeeper Loc: Indianapolis, Indiana

My apologies, I get carried away when I hear the subject of sharpness. Thanks for bringing it to my distracted attention.