Teleconverters
Feb 6, 2014 06:43:41 #
Feb 6, 2014 06:48:02 #
Feb 6, 2014 07:27:29 #
Carl A wrote:
How good are teleconverters VS telephoto lens
I use my telephoto lenses a lot more than my teleconverter
Feb 6, 2014 07:31:39 #
Teleconverters are a risk, a trade-off and a compromise.
First, you lose f-stops, at least one, anytime you use one.
Second, if your base lens has multiple camera control functions, the teleconverter may or may not pass the camera signals through to the lens.
Third, if your base lens is a small f-stop to begin with such as on a big telephoto focal length, addition of the teleconverter may darken the lens image sufficiently to cause problems with autofocus.
Fourth, teleconverters are often made by 3rd party manufacturers for generic use (on any lens) and not engineered for a specific lens or brand of lenses.
But there are advantages, of course. Price, weight, convenience. I use a 1.4X on my Canon 100-400L f/4.5-5.6 with excellent results. But it's a Canon teleconverter used on a Canon "L" series lens. Results with cheaper lenses, cheaper teleconverters and mismatched manufactures may not give the best results.
I would suggest you find a loaner or rental teleconverter and see if it works to your satisfaction.
First, you lose f-stops, at least one, anytime you use one.
Second, if your base lens has multiple camera control functions, the teleconverter may or may not pass the camera signals through to the lens.
Third, if your base lens is a small f-stop to begin with such as on a big telephoto focal length, addition of the teleconverter may darken the lens image sufficiently to cause problems with autofocus.
Fourth, teleconverters are often made by 3rd party manufacturers for generic use (on any lens) and not engineered for a specific lens or brand of lenses.
But there are advantages, of course. Price, weight, convenience. I use a 1.4X on my Canon 100-400L f/4.5-5.6 with excellent results. But it's a Canon teleconverter used on a Canon "L" series lens. Results with cheaper lenses, cheaper teleconverters and mismatched manufactures may not give the best results.
I would suggest you find a loaner or rental teleconverter and see if it works to your satisfaction.
Feb 6, 2014 07:36:50 #
Carl A wrote:
How good are teleconverters VS telephoto lens
I would rather use a good lens, or do without. Good converters are expensive, and there is reduction in aperture and image quality. Having said that, members use them, as do pros, and they get good results. I'd rather have the real thing.
Feb 6, 2014 07:36:58 #
I find I need to focus on a near object then it will focus on full extension.
Feb 6, 2014 07:37:45 #
mldavis2 wrote:
Teleconverters are a risk, a trade-off and a compr... (show quote)
You have covered it well. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Feb 6, 2014 07:42:49 #
I use a 1.4 on my Canon 300 f4 with a 7D everyday and been very happy with the results. AF is still lightning fast and IQ is excellent.
Virtually every image on my wildlife photography blog was taken using that combo.
Virtually every image on my wildlife photography blog was taken using that combo.
Feb 6, 2014 08:24:14 #
I think there are several members of UHH that use them regularly with very good results. Beats carrying around another lens or changing one at a critical time. I use mine on my Sigma 18-250 and don't have any problems. It is the same on that I bought to use with a Nikon lens. Just try before you buy.
Feb 6, 2014 16:39:27 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Carl A wrote:
How good are teleconverters VS telephoto lens
You will always lose light and image quality with a teleconverter. In general, a longer lens will have better image quality than a lens with a teleconverter. The question is whether you want to buy/carry the second lens, compared to the TC, and how big an IQ difference there is. A good TC on a good lens will be pretty good. If either component is weaker, though, things go downhill fast.
Feb 7, 2014 06:45:18 #
the better the base lens the better the results with either the 1.4 or 2.0. most times you don't shoot wide open anyway. I just watched a photo show on public tv the guy had a canon with a humongus lens, he also had a teleconverter on it. type in teleconverters in the search section on this site.
Feb 7, 2014 07:33:34 #
mldavis2 wrote:
Teleconverters are a risk, a trade-off and a compr... (show quote)
To add to your list - auto focus is problematic especially in low light.
Feb 7, 2014 08:01:50 #
If you start with a top of the line fast lens and use a matched teleconvertor, the quality loss is hardly noticeable. I use the Nikon 70-200 2.8 and use the TC 1.4 and and he Sigma 50-150 2.8 DX with the 1.4x TC. The only thing I notice is one stop light loss.
Feb 7, 2014 10:10:10 #
antlertwo
Loc: Ballston Spa, New York
I purchased a Kenko 1.4 for my 300mm Nikon lens and now wish I had put the money toward a good lens.
Feb 7, 2014 15:20:59 #
Carl A wrote:
How good are teleconverters VS telephoto lens
There was a good thread about this subject just yesterday. People always want to talk about the loss of light. That is not nearly as important with digital since you can up your iso one to two stops to compensate for what you lose by adding a TC. Back in film days it was critical because you couldn't just up the asa of the film. Those days are gone for most of us and that light loss argument should be dropped.
Further, that some people have a bad experience with a TC is probably their fault first for not knowing their equipment well and second, not knowing what is an effective combination of lens and TC to keep from a drastic loss of quality. Fantastic lens with a fantastic TC attached, used by a fantastic photographer will yield fantastic images, subject matter permitting. You cannot have been a member of uhh long without having respect for the positive things being said in the referenced thread. Don't just read - follow the links and look at the images by the people doing the talking then decide if they know what they're talking about or not: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-183179-1.html
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