Cameras, Lenses and Accessories

Len · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 15:05

Hi All;

I know most of you will advocate for a lens rather than x1.4 or x2 teleconverters but at present that's not an option for me as I would like to go beyond 300mm which takes me into a more expensive price bracket, which I cannot afford at present. Everywhere I go (retailers) they always seem to put me off buying a teleconverter, my question is are teleconverters that bad????

cannockwolf · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 15:15

they will dramatically reduce the light going into the camera, im sure its about 2 stops, but people will come in there, so if you have a lens that is f2.8 dropping 2 stops wont do too much damage, but if you are starting at f5.6 which i think your 70-300mm will be that will make it virtually unusable, it probably wont even auto focus mate, it doesnt mean it wont work, but if its not an incredibly bright sun-shiney day it would be next to useless

carregwen · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 15:21

They put you off a converter because they want to sell you a lens. Nearly every commentary I have seen says to avoid x2. A good quality x1.4 is normally fine. I have the Sigma DG x1.4, but can only use it on certain lenses. I think Canon may have similar restrictions. It is not an ideal solution, and really I think it's just a way of birders getting more reach from a long distance when they can't get too close. Converts may force you to use manual focus on some lenses.

cannockwolf · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 15:25

i had a kenko 1.4x on my 80-400mm and it made it slightly soft and i had to manually focus in all but very bright days, you need a f2.8 lens to make this worth doing, i sold my converter.

Len · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 17:07

Cheers Dave and Rob: appreciate the advice and comments.

Dave you are right about my 70-300 also all my lenses become manual focus when attaching anything between camera and lens (or so I'm led to believe)as the motor is in the lens

cannockwolf · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len

Dave you are right about my 70-300 also all my lenses become manual focus when attaching anything between camera and lens (or so I'm led to believe)as the motor is in the lens

the kenko ext. tubes and teleconverters have the electrical contacts in them to pass through the lens info and should auto focus, but if its too dark the camera will hunt too much and be slow or never get a correct lock on. Other cheaper converters may not have these contacts and render your lens fully manual inc. the metering

Len · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 22:41

Cheers Dave; Probably best to master what I have till that new(poss secondhand) lens comes my way

.

Yvonne · #8 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 12:47

On my Canon 1000D I am using a Sigma 70-300 lens.I wanted a larger lens so I purchased a tele converter by Kenko x2.Yesterday I used it and I do not know why but the photos were too light.I have looked on sigma site and they do not have one to go with this lens so am I stuck I only tried it once yesterday so can I return it to the shop and have a refund ?.I will let you know. Yvonne

**Ogofmole** · #9 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne

Yesterday I used it and I do not know why but the photos were too light.

That is interesting, but was the image usable otherwise i.e. sharp or do you think you would had got better results taking the shot without TC fitted and cropping in.

Yvonne · #10 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 14:53

I wanted the depth of 600 as I was looking at a Great crested Grebe who was far out.Captured him hand held.I took one close up of a bird it was perfect the others at a distance were dreadful.
the TC has eight then three points in it. my camera and lens only have 5 and 3.I do not know how to refer to these as it is all new to me.Would that make the difference ?