Thanks
I have read with interest all of the messages concerning teleconverters.
They were extremely usefull in helping me to decide what to buy. I had
decided on the Nikon Tc-E2. When checking the internet for the best price
I ran across a Kenko GT-20 a 2x teleconverter.
Has anyone used or tested one of these and how does it compare to the
Nikon TC-E2?
****,
I have not used the Kenko 2x personally, but have seen many shots made
with it with a variety of Nikon digicams. If you want quality at 2x, my
advice would be to stick with the TC-E2 which doesn't give up anything.
The primary problems with the Kenko have been chromatic aberration and
less than optimal image quality. The Nikon TC-E2 is superbly matched with
the CP series of cameras (you didn't say which camera you use) and is a
clean, crystal clear, distortion free lens. For top quality consumer and
prosumer digicam images, there are very few lenses which are not maker
specific which match the quality of the lens designed for the particular
digicam by the manufacturer. Both Olympus and Nikon make superb add on
lenses for their cameras. The Eagle Eye OpticZoom at 5x is about the only
seriously good quality add-on telephoto not made specifically for one
camera line. The Kenko 8x32 is better in compatibility with the Nikon
line (in my experience) than any other Kenko lens I have used.
The promised Nikon 3x will undoubtedly be an excellent piece of glass -
don't even think of using the Kenko 3x if you want quality images.
Lin
The canned answer seems to be - buy the TC-E2. BUT - I have used the Kenko
GT-20 and it is superb with the Nikon! It is one of the true bargains
out there
and I have no doubt it will match or outperform the Nikon lens. Images are
fully equal to those with the prime lens - it has no detectable chromatic
distortion,
even in the corners, and is razor sharp across the field. When you use
the camera
telephoto position, there is no vignetting and autofocus works perfectly,
down
to at least 2 ft, probably closer.
Lin has made some good points about the advantages of a manufacturer
-matched
product. But it does no one a service to give information at this forum
on a product
you haven't tried - even going so far as attributing distortions to a
specific item which
is, in fact, a superior product and bargain. Brand loyalty is only good
up to a point.
In fact, Kenko wide-angle lenses I have tried are not as good as the Nikon
WA but, in 2x telephotos, I don't believe the Nikon TC-E2 has any advantage.
If you are interested, I will try to put some images in a photopoint
album and
give you an opportunity to judge for yourself.
Darrell
Darrell, it's great that you found a bargain which worked so well for
you, but it would help, if in giving your recommendation for the Kenko
2x, you included which "Nikon" you have found it to perform well with and
whether or not you also use the TC-E2 to compare the images with.
It would be difficult for any lens used with any of my present Nikons
(CP950 & CP990) to "outperform" the TC-E2 unless it can somehow improve
the performance of the native lens. I see no degradation of performance
at all with the TC-E2 and it isn't necessary to even use adapter rings to
install it on the CP950 or CP990, which is another factor to consider
when costs are totaled. Some others have not had your success with the
Kenko 2x and numerous posted shots attributed by the posters to the Kenko
2x have depicted various and sundry problems including color shift,
chromatic aberrations and edge distortion. I have seen no posts to
indicate that anyone who is using the TC-E2 with their Nikon digicams
have experienced similar difficulties, though I'll admit I haven't read
each and every post on this and all other forums. It would be helpful if
you could post your results and also say when you purchased your Kenko
2x. It's possible that the quality has been improved, or, if you have had
it for an extended period, that their quality control has deteriorated.
There is most likely an explanation for your experience being somewhat
different than that of some other posters.
Best regards,
Lin
