Teleconverters?

[Big Kev]

Just doing a bit more reading round on photo stuff.

Has anyone used a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter?

Seems a like a relatively cheap way to turn a 200-300mm lens in to a 400-500mm.

I saw some pics yesterday of an airshow where the guy had used a 2x on his 70-200mm lens and they look great.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showth ... t=18401067" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Do they give good enough quality pics over spending a fortune on a 400mm+ lens instead?

[Big Kev]

OK with a bit more searching the general consensus seems to be 'don't'.
Have to save up for that 100-400 then

[DexterPunk]

They worked beautifully on JD's 500mm... But that lens is phenomenally good! I'd say if you had a nice quality prime, or a 70-200 L for example, you could still get some nice results. You loose light using them though. Not always an issue for daylight use.


Sent from Han Solo using TK-421's phone.

[norbs]

I had a 1.4x and it was great. I think Macca has it now along with the 70-200f/4L that I used with it.

[KNAPPO]

I random bloke I was standing next to at the Aussie GP last year lent me his 1.4x for about 30 mins and it was awesome on my 70-200L f2 lens. Especially in aiding me to remove the fence(s) for head on shots.
These two shots I have a dirty great big fence 1.5 - 2 meters infront of me. Example 1, Example 2.

I noticed a lot of the motorsport togs at the Clipsal 500 shoot with 1.4x or 2x converters on most of the time when using their L glass which surprised me a little.
I still want to get myself one when I have some spare mula.

[Big Kev]

It appears they're ok on L lenses because the optics are up to it. On regular lenses it seems the degradation in quality and the limitation of aperture in comparison to the L means it's not really worth it.

[DexterPunk]

That's pretty much it, yes.


Sent from Han Solo using TK-421's phone.

[Big Kev]

Have to save up for that 100-400 then

hmm I've just seen someone selling a largely unused canon L 100-400 on a forum for 825 quid.

hmm.......
Cheapest I've ever seen is is just over a grand and most shops have it for over 1200....

[DexterPunk]

I'll be buying one later this year.


Sent from Han Solo using TK-421's phone.

[Speed]

One other thing to be aware of with teleconverters is that there is a good chance you will lose your auto focus. Many cameras have a limit of a minimum aperture lens that you can use auto focus with, of around f5.6.
Meaning that if you use a minimum aperture f4 lens with a 2x converter your minimum aperture will be f8 & won't auto focus.