Telephoto Converters

[SKG114938]

With all the new "low cost" teleconverters on the market ($40-60) for units like the Crystal Optics, to the highly regarded but still reasonably priced models ($90-$120) like the Olympus B300, to the high priced models like the model from Century Optics ($400-$700), it all becomes very confusing for us amateurs. Can anyone recommend which companies models deliver the goods?

With the B300 (replaced by the TCON-17) costing around $100 with great reviews, but Crystal's Platinum Pro 2X selling for $300+ getting very critical reviews, following "you get what you pay for" just doesn't seem to apply with regards to tele extenders.

Can anyone shed any light on what to look for or which of these are worth considering. I have started taking an increasing number of wildlife shots and the addition of a 2X or 3X extender would be a great addition - but I have no idea where to start.

I am looking for a tele extender for a 2100UZ.

Thanks!

 

[Julie E]

There are many threads in this forum that have debated and discussed this topic over and over. The one constant recommendation has been the B300. The TCON 14B and the A200 are also good on the Uzi. There are others, of course, but the B300 (and who knows about the new TCON-17) works great. Check a site called amystuff.com or something like that, for comparisons of various lenses. There are others besides the ones I have mentioned.

With all the new "low cost" teleconverters on the market ($40-60)
for units like the Crystal Optics, to the highly regarded but still
reasonably priced models ($90-$120) like the Olympus B300, to the
high priced models like the model from Century Optics ($400-$700),
it all becomes very confusing for us amateurs. Can anyone
recommend which companies models deliver the goods?

With the B300 (replaced by the TCON-17) costing around $100 with
great reviews, but Crystal's Platinum Pro 2X selling for $300+
getting very critical reviews, following "you get what you pay for"
just doesn't seem to apply with regards to tele extenders.

Can anyone shed any light on what to look for or which of these are
worth considering. I have started taking an increasing number of
wildlife shots and the addition of a 2X or 3X extender would be a
great addition - but I have no idea where to start.

I am looking for a tele extender for a 2100UZ.

Thanks!

--
Julie
http://www.pbase.com/julieae

 

[Darrell Spreen]

Here's a thread from about 2 weeks ago that has some
good recommendations.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=4832374

Darrell

 

[James C. Whiteside III]

For the past few years I have got into using converters. Actually about 85% of my shoots are shot with a converter. So to give you some good advice, one lens is not going to meet every need. So I would recommend looking around at what you shoot and want to shoot. This will give you a good starting point.

The problem with lens is that most are made for 3-4X cameras and with you haveing 10x you are not going to have as many choices on the big power lenses.

For the most part the Olympus converters as going to give great results, good prices, and decent useablity. Some of Canon converters are useable and some are not, I would recommend trying first. Kinko also makes some that are fitted for the 2100.

Over all most people have found the common Olympus lenses to perform to there needs. (for a list look at my sig)

So give use a idea what you will be shooting and then we can give you a hand on selecting a lens.
--
Olympus C-2100
Canon TL-55(1.4X),B-300,TCON-14, A-200, C-180,
C-210, Tiffen .7X WA, & Adorama 2X Teleconverter
If they make it, I STACK-IT
Dreaming about a MORE POWER