Tele converters

canuck257

Senior Member
I would like to initiate a discussion about converters. Looking through my old Olympus SLR equipment I came across a Howa 2x converter which prompted me to wonder if they are still available? I used this with a Sigma 50-200mm zoom lens.

If they are available, do they work with DSLR lenses and what are the pro's and cons? I anticipate experiencing the odd occasion on my wildlife outings when my 200mm may not be enough. The infrequency of these occasions does not justify the expense of a longer lens so a converter is very attractive if it works.
 

Bukitimah

Senior Member
I do owned a tele converter but hardly use it. For me, digital zooming seem a better choice. Before jumping into it, try out your current set up first.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
You will see some good results from converters,this is normally when a lens is used with a converter that it is designed to work with,thats mostly expensive lenses.Take the Nikon 300mm f4 it works great with the 1.4 converter but its not a cheap set up.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
The shorter the converter the better. 1.4x is the maximum for me, otherwise the IQ and AF suffer too much, and preferably a lens no more than f2.8
 

Ad B

Senior Member
Hi,

I'm a Nikon lover just for a few months...
I own a D750 with a 24-120 f4 VR and 70-200 f4 VR lenses.
The 24-120 lens is a perfect walkaround lens. Thats what I do, walk around while taking pictures.
For holidays walks in nice areas, I want to walk as light as possible (but with good gear).
So I went looking for a tele converter, extender, a 1.4x.
I tried the Nikon version and a Kenko version.
The Nikon version did only fit the 70-200 lens, while the Kenko fits also the 24-120 lens.
I bought the Kenko, the Kenko AF 1.4 Teleplus Pro 300 DGX.
It works fantastic on both lenses, AF speed staying fast and furious, sharpness staying very, very good.
So now, on holidays and city trips I have my 24-120 on the cam and the Kenko with me.
I can change my 120 f4 lens into a 170(168 mm) f5.6 lens, marvelous.

And I can change my 70-200 lens into a real tele..
In FX mode it goes fom 200 to 280 mm (f5.6), in 1.2 mode even to 336 mm (5.6)(I think will not use DX mode, 420 mm f5.6)

Ad B
 

J-see

Senior Member
I use the Nikon TC2.0 but solely for macro at the moment. I manually shaved it so it can fit more lenses but only those that allow it to physically attach. There needs to be enough room between the front part of the TC and the back element of the lens.

For my macro lens I use an extension ring between both to get around that problem. That combination affects my focus range since it kills infinity but that's never a problem for macro.

I tried it on other lenses but a 2x is rather light demanding and only the fastest lenses have a chance of auto-focusing with them. It also requires some serious closing down to get a good enough sharpness which limits their use to good light conditions only. Manually focusing with a 2x attached also requires some practice.
 
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JH Foto

Senior Member
A friend of mine has the same Nikon 70-300 lens as me and he gets great results from it using the Kenko Teleplus 1.4 Pro 300. I cannot afford to buy a longer lens so I am going to have a go with this combination.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
A friend of mine has the same Nikon 70-300 lens as me and he gets great results from it using the Kenko Teleplus 1.4 Pro 300. I cannot afford to buy a longer lens so I am going to have a go with this combination.

Have you bought one,are you still a TP member,there is one for sale in the Nikon section.
 
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