Tele Converter opinions please

[scoff]

Are these worth getting to extend the range of my existing kit, or a waste of money?
TIA

[CT]

It depends how good your lenses are. A TC will give better results with a prime (fixed focal length) lens than it will with a zoom lens. Having said that better quality zooms do return good results with a TC.

If you stick a TC behind a lens which is a mediocre performer to begin with then you'll be disappointed, as the TC will just magnify any shortcomings which were there to start with.

I certainly don't think they're a waste of time. They make lot of sense financially compared to buying a lens, especially if it's something you wont be using all the time. Just make sure you get a good one and avoid any cheapies.;)

[Ross]

If this is your kit (sorry I copied and pasted from another thread)
Cannon EOS 300D | 18-55 Cannon lense | sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro |Sigma EF-500 DG ST Flash
then I'm pretty sure you won't be able to use a teleconvertor with either of your lenses. Sigma have a compatability chart for their lenses here:

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/support/tele-converters_comp.htm#02

You need a deeply recessed lens on a zoom (where the lens meets the camera body) so that the rear glass element does not come into contact with the front element of the teleconvertor when you are zooming in and out.

[Joe T]

Further to what evilowl said, I think you also need a USM/HSM/etc lens - i.e. with a focusing motor built into the lens.

[scoff]

Thanks guys, will have a look.

[CarlOgden]

I'm buying on this week for my 70-200 IS L and my 100-400 IS L Lenses. I'm going to chance getting getting the 2x converter. Then I might get the 1.4 later this year.

Carl.

[BALDYMAN]

You will loose autofocus with a a teleconverter on the 100-400 is L lense....not enough light. but the image stabaliser will still work.

[Darryn]

Id keep the 2x away from the 100-400 tbh, i was really disappointing with my 100-400 when I put the 1.4x extender on it. I ended up selling the 100-400 and replacing it with a 300f2.8 simply because the IQ wasnt anywhere near what I expected. (Mine might have been a bad example, it certainly wasnt great on my 1series, but on the 20d it seemed perfect)

From all ive read I think I will end up getting a 2x for only when walking a few metres closer to the subject isnt possible. Ive found that primarily using a prime lens I already do this, whereas with the 100-400 id be lazy and just zoom around the scene from a fixed point.