---------- Forwarded Message ----------- From: "George Wu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:01:48 -0500 Subject: KENKO (Teleplus) 1.5x TELECONVERTER SHQ 4 ELEMENT
My commens are predicated on the assumption you want to spend as little money as possible but still get something decent. As for me, I'm cheap. Get a Tamron 1.4x or 2.0x (MC4 & MC7 are model #'s but I'm not sure since I don't have them in front of me). I bought both off the internet (used) a year ago. Advantages: - the 2x TC is a 7 element model with good BBAR coating. I think the 1.4x is a 4 element (again, not sure). - they show up on eek-Bay a lot and are reasonably priced. - they are 'universal' meaning I've used them with every lens I own; this probably means I own too many lenses. - they let the camera's autometer system work, so TTL metering is retained. - optical performance: you always lose some quality with a TC. With the 1.4x, I've not noticed anything significant. With the 2x, you "regain" some image quality due to the coatings and 7 element design. I've found that I get best images with the TCs when used with a fixed focal lens or a macro 90mm lens (for macro photos). I always use a tripod or brace the camera when I have a TC and this increases image quality considerably. I've used both TC's on a 400mm lens and I liked the results (I think I had one of them scanned into a jpeg, if you want I can send it to you). For macro photos I've haven't noticed any image degradation with either TC, but with macros you gotta pay special attention to careful technique. DISADVANTAGE Instruction sheet says they are both autofocus at f4 or wider only. This is not strictly true. They can autofocus at smaller apertures, depending on the model and/or type of lens. Some lenses retain AF all the way to f22. Some lenses retain AF at f5.6-f11 or so, but the AF slows down quite a bit at smaller apertures. Sometimes I just manual focus with them, as it can be faster than AF. I'm not going to suggest that these Tamrons are better than what else is out there. But I found that these provide the best performance for the price. If you want AF at all apertures the Pentax-F 1.7x TC seems highly regarded by PDML (I've never used it) but it will cost you more. My own opinion is that I shouldn't spend a lot for something that has imperceptibly better or has perceived better performance. But did I mention I was cheap? Regards, George ------- End of Forwarded Message ------- John Whittingham Technician
