Should You Buy a Teleconverter for Your Camera? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Travel Tech 77 77 people found this article helpful
Are Teleconverters Worth Using?
Teleconverters increase the focal length of a camera lens
By Jo Plumridge Jo Plumridge Writer University of Plymouth Former Lifewire writer Jo Plumridge is a photography professional and writer for photography and travel venues such as BBC, Digital Camera Magazine, and Saga Magazine. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 23, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography A teleconverter attaches to a camera lens to increase its focal length and, therefore, it's magnification or zoom. As useful as teleconverters are, they also admit to some trade-offs. A telephoto lens. George Rose/Getty Images Why Use a Teleconverter
Most photographers carry a telephoto lens in their kits. These lenses are great for getting up close and personal to subjects when it is impractical to physically move closer. There are times, however, when even our strongest telephoto does not get us close enough to the action and we need just a little more of a zoom. One option is to invest in a new and longer lens, though this solution can be expensive and is not always a viable option. A cheaper way to extend the focal length of any lens is to buy a teleconverter (or extender). A teleconverter looks like a compact lens and is mounted between the camera body and the lens. It multiplies the focal length of the lens it is connected to. Teleconverters range from 1.4x magnification to 2x magnification. The Benefits of a Teleconverter Lens
These tools work great in some circumstances: The most obvious reason to use a teleconverter is to increase your focal length. A 2x converter will double your focal length, taking a basic 70-200 mm lens up to 150-400 mm.Teleconverters do not weigh a lot, but professional telephoto lenses often do. For example, Canon's 100-400 mm lens weighs 1,363 grams (about 3 pounds).Using a teleconverter does not affect your minimum focusing distance. This means that you can continue to use a telephoto lens to get close-in to a subject that is not too far away. The Drawbacks of a Teleconverter Lens
However, teleconverters aren't ideal in other circumstances: Using a teleconverter can drastically reduce the speed of your lens. The lens receives less light with a teleconverter, reducing the maximum available aperture. With a 1.4x converter, you will lose one stop, and with a 2x converter, you'll lose two. Sharpness and contrast can suffer when using a teleconverter, multiplying any small imperfections that your lens might suffer. Teleconverters work best with high-quality glass. Increased focal lengths intensify camera-shake problems. Teleconverters can slow down the speed at which your camera can focus. If you have an entry-level DSLR, you might find that it cannot autofocus at all with a teleconverter. Final Thoughts on Teleconverters
If you own a cropped-frame camera, your focal length will already be magnified by around 1.6, so it is possible to get a very long lens! Not all lenses are compatible with teleconverters, so check your lens' compatibility before investing in a teleconverter. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Why Pro Photographers Say You Should Be Excited About the New Pixel 7 Pro What to Look for When Buying Used Camera Lenses DSLR Camera Basics: Understanding Focal Length Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor Comparison Camera Terminology for DSLR Camera Lenses Understand Camera Zoom Lenses Guide to Camcorder Lenses The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2022 What Is a Prime Lens? Everything You Need to Know What Is Aperture? How to Take a Selfie on iPhone Clean Fungus From Your Camera Lens How to Clean a Camera Lens How to Use the iPhone Camera How to Use Perspective in Photography Should You Buy a Tablet? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies