Teleconverters

[Squawk1066]

I am after some advice please Ladies and Gents- Is it worth purchasing a telconverter for my 300mm lens? I have seen what appears to be a decent one for sale second hand, it is x2 and would bridge the gap for me until funds allow a purchase of a proper lens.

Most of my photosgraphy is quite far away from me, being fast jets around bases. I have found a good spot for photos at a base near me, but the jets are too far away for my 300mm lens.

[Squawk1066]

Many thanks for the replies, it is appreciated.

on full zoom it is 5.6. On that basis it's not worth buying the converter, is that right?

[Squawk1066]

Simpo Two said:

It will be OK in good light, but you'll be focusing manually. In this scenario you could probably guess the distance using the focus ring, ie 'infinity and back a bit'.

The other way out is to shoot at 300mm and crop to half size, if you have enough pixels to spare.

Sadly the cropping route is no good because my camera is only 10mp. I'm pretty much looking to get through the winter on this kit, then do a full upgrade in February.

[Squawk1066]

Ari said:

You need to be careful with teleconverters, they only fit a small number of lenses.

I bought a Nikon 2x teleconverter to use with my F2.8 70-200. I found that it drops the quality just enough that I end up reducing the finished image size by 50% to restore quality.

In other words, I end up with exactly what I would have got if I'd just used the lens as it was and then cropped the photo by 50% afterwards!

Interesting, thank you. I am going to give it a try to see what happens...

[Squawk1066]

RobDickinson said:

Honestly with a consumer 70-300 zoom you are better off buying one of the 150-600 lenses.

Funds currently don't allow for such a purchase.

[Squawk1066]

Many thanks for all your input, I will be taking the plunge tomorrow and buying a converter. Hopefully the results will be decent. It's the same brand as my camera, so should do until funds allow for a new camera & lens package.

[Squawk1066]

tr7v8 said:

Check it fits the lens you intend using it with. I have a Sigma 1.4 & the rear element on one of my zooms fouls the teleconverter so you can't bayonet the two together.

Will do, thanks.

[Squawk1066]

Ari said:

Did it work?

Not suitable for its main purpose- taking photos of fast jets. It's fine for anything static though. A friend has one on his camera and he couldn't get mine to focus on the jets either.

[Squawk1066]

Simpo Two said:

Sort of like my first post then!

Interestingly a friend has a similar set up and it works. At least I know for certain now, time to save for a decent lens.

[Squawk1066]

GravelBen said:

This may be a factor...

Yes, thank you- the one I bought certainly wasn't a cheap one, it was £153.

Quite odd to see some people leap on their high horses over this too.