parkhurst6 Loc: Spanaway, WA

A 3x multiplyer on a 18-200mm lens.....
or.......
A Macro70-300mmlens for 3x's the price????

Went window shopping today with my brother. He has a Nikon D3100
Any suggestions??

pigpen

I shoot Canon, so I can only answer so much. Canon has a 1.4x & a 2x, no 3x. Many people say there is a large drop in quality from the 1.4x to the 2x. Also, at least with Canon, you have to look at the compatability charts. Some lenes aren't any good with these multipliers. Sometimes you loose AF. As far as the "Macro" 70-300 lens goes, it is not a true macro, so you can ignore that part of it. Also, again with Canon, there is a $170 version and a $600 version. Obviously the $600 lens is superior in quality, it also has IS the cheaper one does not.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The 3x isn't going to work well, if at all.

Teleconvertors are made for telephoto lenses (and tele-zooms), not an all-in-one incorporating anything resembling normal to wide angle.

Also, the 3x looses 3 f/stops.
If the equivalent maximum f-stop is f/8 or smaller...fuggaditaboudit.
An f/2.8 lens with a 3x convertor makes it an f/8.

A lens marked macro like the "Macro 70-300mm lens" may focus close, but won't technically be a macro, (giving 1:1).

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Too many compromises with the converters. Sounds great at first; but losing f stops and possibly auto-focus is a big price to pay.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Get the lens, he will thank us both later on when his images are actually keepers!

parkhurst6 Loc: Spanaway, WA

Thank you everyone for all your advice and knowledge. I will pass this on to him and we can chat about it. We have went to some of the local shops and it seems they want to sell one specif lens...almost push it. As amateurs without sacrificing quality we want to get as much as we can for our buck. Im sure that I will be back on to ask more questions....still waiting here for my T3i to show and the lens so I can start shooting with it and my new 60D...thanks again everyone!!!

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Only someone who has no idea of photography would buy a 3x, someone at a push will perhaps use a 2x, I never go above 1.4

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Really good glass never goes obsolete. I still use some old non-autofocus glass and the quality is very apparent from the new bottom end stuff. Coatings, lens quality, feel and construction are all very evident in the good stuff.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

here we go again, mostly use my tele converters on prime lenses. i have some good ones so my results have been good.if i could find a 3x as good as the 1.4 and 2x's i now have i would like to play with it.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

But the question was "Which is Better" and the answer is the lens. Yes you can get results with a converter and yes they can be acceptable but the answer to his question is that a lens will always out perform a converter of any magnification.

Wayne93 Loc: Montrose, Colorado

Dang JR1, your photography knowledge is unquestionable but your people skills have a lot to be desired. I thought this forum was to share our knowledge and help others less knowledgeable not insult and degrade them in the process.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Suggest staying away from a shop that offers any 3x multiplier as a good option. Best would be the lens, second best (in my opinion) is the 1.4. Third and least preferred would be the 2x.
Suggest lens only first, then go from there as you learn. Again in my opinion, you will avoid some frustration by avoiding ANY 3x multiplier. To be honest, did not know a 3x existed. Guess we do now. Good hunting.

62sprk Loc: Illinois

I agree with you Wayne93. Being a newbie here on the UHH forum, I appreciate the help from more experienced people in the industry/hobby. The degrading comments by some only lower THEIR personal worth to the forum. Being a professional industrial electrician by trade, when a homeowner asks me an electrical question about their home electric service I offer them a solution in a manner they can understand based on THEIR knowledge. Most of use don't know everything............we rely on others to help us along in adventures we are less informed.

Sundance Loc: S. F. Bay Area

62 & Wayne.... Hang in there guys.... As you spend more time here at the Hog, you will see that JR1 means no harm - you just have to get used to him. He tells it like it is with no sugar coatings. He is not trying to insult anyone; it's just his nature. Take his knowledge with appreciation, and his blunt manor with a grain of salt.

parkhurst6 Loc: Spanaway, WA

In response to all of that and Jr....sometimes salt hurts. If you ask a question obviously your trying to gain knowledge thats how we learn. If someone is rude it puts you off and then you don't want to ask questions or share your pictures. I simply was asking to learn. It amazes me that all of us forget that we once were new and didn't know a damn thing. But if you give someone a little knowledge they forget where they themselves came from. My brother has been with UHH since basically it started. He just happened to be here so I asked for him. I don't think anyone one person could say they know EVERYTHING there is to know about taking pictures...things change with the times to. So lets not forget that you may know more then others but to treat them with the dignity they deserve. Its a privilege to be on here not a right. If that's how I will get treated simply by asking questions....why would I want to put up my pictures for advice to get torn apart and disrespected? Just saying...I thought that was rude...and thank you to everyone else that said a word on my behalf. I'm just looking to make new photography buddies...not enemies! I may have taken it wrong myself...but it came across rude and abrasive, even arrogant. I just want to have fun and make friends, while learning in the process! See you with my new pictures soon...got the gear and glass...now I'm out kicking photo butt! ;0)