Did you know that there is an option to significantly increase the focal length of your goal without mortgaging for life? Lover of long focal distances, I'm going to tell you the solution you were waiting for, it's about the teleconverter. An accessory that fits between the camera and the lens and that makes magic. Yes, yes magic, multiply the focal length of your target, for example, it can make a 300 mm become a 600 mm. You are curious, right? New possibilities open up before your eyes, what if? Well that's why I tell you;). Let's see it in detail.
WHAT IS A TELECONVERTER?
Although I have already advanced it, the teleconverter is a cylindrical device formed by several lenses that is placed between the camera and the lens to increase the focal range, or what is the same, get closer to the scene. If you still get lost when we talk about focal or focal length, before continuing you have no choice but to read this article. Now we can continue;). The teleconverter is also known as a duplicator, focal multiplier, magnifier, teleplus ... and its mission is to multiply the focal length of your target. There are several powers, usually usually 1.4x, 2x, that is, multiply the focal length of your target by that number. If you have, for example, a 200mm and you attach a 1.4x teleconverter, it will become a 280mm, a 400mm if it is a 2x.ADVANTAGE
Among the main advantages we find, in addition to increasing the focus, to do it at a much lower price . It is cheaper to buy a lens with less focal length and a duplicator than one with the focal length you can reach with this set. On the other hand, a lower weight assembly will also be formed . Telephoto lenses can weigh a lot, the option of duplicators is much lighter. The minimum focusing distance is maintained , which is a huge advantage, especially in macro photography, which I will tell you in more detail later with respect to the macro and the teleconverter.DRAWBACKS
There is magic but not miracles;). So some inconvenience should have ... Let's see them: The first drawback is the loss of brightness. When placing a teleconverter you lose a light step (if it is a 1.4x) or two steps (with a 2x). This means that, if you are using, for example, a lens with maximum aperture f / 5.6 you will be left with a maximum aperture of f / 8 or f / 11 as you use a 1.4x or a 2x. Another drawback is the loss of sharpness and the decrease in contrast. Keep in mind that you are putting crystals in front of your target. A lens that has been built for a more generic use than your objective, in the end it shows and is much more noticeable over long distances. In macro it is less visible. Maybe this is not an important factor for you and you prefer to go further even if you are left with quality along the way. For that there are the multiple possibilities offered to us;). And if you are thinking that you can use the same magnification by enlarging or cropping the photo, I already warn you that no. You may lose quality with the duplicator, but you will never reach the levels of doing a clipping extension in the editor;).CONSIDERATIONS
It is important, when looking for a teleconverter, that you look well whether or not it is compatible with the objective to which you want to attach it. Also keep in mind the fact that sometimes duplicators are not able to optimize the focus engine of the lens. Find out well about both aspects before buying one. That they are of the same brand does not guarantee that the focus engine works for you. Another aspect to consider is the quality issue. You are putting something in front of your objective, so if it is a high quality objective, in which you have spent a paste to have the best quality, try to make the duplicator you buy is up to the task;). You should also know that some manufacturers design their converters for a specific optics to minimize quality decline.TELECONVERTERS AND MACRO OBJECTIVES
The first thing you can think about is how cool! I can have a super telephoto lens to photograph wildlife, birds or play paparazzi. Now, we cannot forget the option of teleconverters in macro photography. Why? Because without changing the minimum focus distance, as I told you before, the magnification of the subject increases. That is, it can double its size. Another aspect to consider is that the loss of quality in these cases is much less visible than with long distances. In addition, they offer better quality than investment rings. On the other hand, if you compare them with extension tubes, with these you lose less quality than with teleconverters, however, you have to get closer to the bug and it is not always possible or recommended;). These two accessories could be said to be more compatible than comparable.DIGITAL DUPLICATORS
So far I have told you about optical duplicators, but there are also digital teleconverters, especially for bridge and compact cameras . However, I have to warn you that what they do is like an extension in the editor through the crop. Imagine that with your mobile phone you zoom, it is the same as if you enlarge a photo. It loses quality as you increase this. For that you don't need a duplicator;). Posts to put one, that is optical.BRANDS
While major brands such as Canon or Nikon have their own teleconverters, there are other brands such as Kenko, Yonguno or Sigma that also manufacture compatible teleconverters. They do not have the same quality but many times the pocket is the one that commands… Keep them in mind when making your purchase. In Amazon you can find different brands and prices. Here I leave you with some examples, but remember, make sure you buy one that is compatible with the purpose you are going to attach it to.Viltrox C-AF 2 X - Teleconverter Extend Auto Focus Lens Mount for Canon EOS EF Lens * - Electronics
Price: (price not available at this time)
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
0 new 0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
Tamron T62002 - 1.4X Teleconverter for Nikon, Black * - Accessory
Price: € 395.20
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
4 new from € 395.20 0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
Kenko Pro 300 DGX Canon EOS EF - Tele Converter for Canon-EOS cameras, Nikon-AF, Black * - Electronics
Price: € 152.65
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
You save: € 42.35 (22%) (22%)
6 new from € 149.99 2 Second hand from € 119.59
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
Sony SAL14TC - Teleconverter for Sony Alpha cameras (1.4X), White * - Camera
Price: € 499.43
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
4 new from € 477.55 0 Second hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
Yongnuo Extender EF 2 x III (Teleconverter) * - Electronics
Price: (price not available at this time)
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
0 new 0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
Viltrox C-AF 1.4X - Teleconverter Extend Auto Focus Mount Lens for Canon EOS EF lens * - Electronics
Price: (price not available at this time)
(As of: 2020/01/21 1:02 am - Details)
0 new 0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
