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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> I am looking to buy a telephoto 2x doubler
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Showing posts 1 - 6 of 6, (reverse)
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Nikon D40
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
 03/14/2010 07:38:33 PM · #1
I am looking to buy a telephoto 2x doubler to double my zoom. Has anyone had experience with one of these? Do you recommend it, or is it a waste of money? Can anyone help me?
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 03/14/2010 07:40:37 PM · #2
I think Shutter-for-Hire has one...
Pentax K10D
Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED/AL (IF)
 03/15/2010 12:16:33 PM · #3
What telephoto lens do you use now?

Although a more cost effective way to get extra zoom, I've never had luck with the cheaper tele-converters; they definitely cut down on your quality and can give poor auto focus (or none at all depending on the converter).

That being said there's also more expensive tele-converters out there that will do a better job.

The best way to see if one will work for you is to go to your local camera store (if you have one!) and test it before you buy it.

Depending on what lens you have now and what converter you're going to buy, it might be better to just get a new telephoto lens.
Lytro Illum Light Field Digital
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
 03/15/2010 12:23:22 PM · #4
A lot of people have had good results with teleconverters...I am not one of them.

Generally, the stronger the teleconverting (2x vs. 1.4x) the poorer the image quality. I went for the middle of the road and bought a 1.7 by Nikon (TC-17 I believe it's called) and I used it on my 70-200 f/2.8 VR. I didn't care for it after a month of trying it out. Surprisingly, the store that I bought it from refunded my money in full.

I later came across a great deal on a Nikon 80-400 VR while I was in St. Thomas, USVI and that is what I use for that reach beyond the 70-200. Obviously, the 80-400 cost a lot more than a teleconverter, no matter how good the deal was. I glad that I ended up going this route though.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 03/15/2010 12:25:58 PM · #5
Do you have more lenses then what is listed on your profile?
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM
 03/15/2010 12:26:31 PM · #6
Lenses: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
If this is the lens you want to use with the teleconverter, I would just save for a more powerful telephoto. For the price of the good ones, you could get a nice used lens. Most teleconverters work best, with 100mm focal length and up.
Either way, 2x converters seem to degrade quality, more than the 1.4x converters. So if you do buy, look at the 1.4x. That is what I have interpreted.
Good Luck!

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