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Teleconverters
Left Image: Minolta Maxxum 9xi,
300mm f-2.8 APO lens, 2X converter, Fuji Velvia 50, Bogen tripod and ball head.
Multi-segment metering, 1/125 at f-5.6. Aperture priority and autofocus.
Teleconverters, also
known as multipliers and doublers are attached to lenses to increase their focal length.
They are available in 1.4X and 2X versions. There is a one stop loss of light when a 1.4X
converter is used and two stops with a 2X. A 300mm f- 2.8 lens for example, becomes a
420mm f-4 with a 1.4X converter and a 600mm f-5.6 with a 2X. There is some loss of
sharpness when you attach a converter to your lenses specially with a 2X converter and
with open apertures. Some converters are designed to work with specific lenses and cannot
be used with other lenses. Check the brand you wish to purchase and make sure they will
work with lenses you plan to use.
Above Image: Minolta Maxxum 7, 300mm f-2.8 APO with 2x teleconverter.
Teleconverters can also be used in close-up photography
to increase magnifications. See close-ups under tips section. When choosing a converter
check its elements. The higher element converters produce better quality pictures but are
more expensive. Independent lens manufacturers make converters for most popular brand
lenses and they can be fitted to any lens. However, quality you obtain depends greatly on
the lens/converter combination. Zooms and mirror lenses don't work too well with
converters attached. Telephoto lenses are used with converter for greater reach. If you
don't have a converter you should look in to buying one as they are great tools and are a
lot better in quality than the ones from only a few years ago. Canon, Minolta, and Nikon
make 1.4X and 2X converters but they only work with certain longer lenses only. Sigma,
Tamron, Kenko (Part of THK co. , Tokina, Hoya, Kenko) also make good quality converters at
much lower prices and they can be fitted to almost all lenses. Note that Kenko also makes
a 1.5X converter.
Recommended Equipment
Kenko
Teleplus PRO 300 AF 1.4x Teleconverter &
Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 AF 2x Teleconverter
1.4X:
KENKO Teleplus Pro 300
converters are made with high quality multicoated optical glass
supplied by Hoya corporation, the worlds largest manufacturer of
optical glass. This glass will match the optical quality of the prime
lens (even at the edges, unlike many teleconverters on the market
today). The optical design of the elements and light path is wide
enough not to cause any vignetting. They are
designed specifically to be use with telephoto lenses of 100mm or
above, and work best with telephoto lenses of 200mm to 500mm. The PRO
300's can be used with telephoto zoom lenses as well as prime lenses,
but, due to their design, Kenko does not recommend them for lenses
that have a zoom range that starts under 50 mm.
Kenko PRO 300 converters are intended to be used with expensive
telephoto lenses and larger camera bodies. They have all metal lens
mounts in both front and rear, as well as a metal core, to support
today's heavy professional camera bodies.
2X:
KENKO Teleplus Pro 300 converters are made
with high quality multicoated optical glass supplied by Hoya
corporation, the worlds largest manufacturer of optical glass. This
glass will match the optical quality of the prime lens (even at the
edges, unlike many teleconverters on the market today). The optical
design of the elements and light path is wide enough not to cause any
vignetting. They are designed specifically
to be use with telephoto lenses of 100mm or above, and work best with
telephoto lenses of 200mm to 500mm. The PRO 300's can be used with
telephoto zoom lenses as well as prime lenses, but, due to their
design, Kenko does not recommend them for lenses that have a zoom
range that starts under 50 mm. Kenko PRO 300
converters are intended to be used with expensive telephoto lenses and
larger camera bodies. They have all metal lens mounts in both front
and rear, as well as a metal core, to support today's heavy
professional camera bodies.
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