Playing with a new toy...

By Penny written 12/20/06 12:04 PM, published 12/21/06 12:49 AM
I asked a lot of questions to some people I really respect on this site about teleconverters.  After doing some investigating and price comparisons I decided to get one to try it out.  They are much cheaper then the lens I want.  Here are the pros and cons I came up with when I finally used it today.  I used it on my Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED lens.  Here we go:
Con:Not good for driving and stalking
Pro: I did make it look a little clearer in B&W.  Even though I know SG will hate this... ;0)
Con:  In most cases you have to focus manually.  But I am okay with that.  It also cuts down on your light.
Pro:  If you take the time to focus you can get a pretty good far away shot.
Con:  These pics would have been better with a tripod. (Note: If your son skateboards and uses your video camera.  You can bet your tripod will come up missing.)
Pro:If you can get used to it I think it is worth the money until you can afford a bigger lens.
Con:  I am going to want a new lens anyhow!!!

Now remember I am still getting used to this teleconverter.  It is Kenko 2X teleplus MC4 DG converter I think I paid around $70ish for it from Amazon.  I will let you know what else I decided about it in the long run.  

A special thank you to the people who helped me out with my questions about it.  You know who you are....even if you won't admit it....lol


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  • loweho 12/20/06 12:10 PM
    The poor Amish that thought they were out of range are going to have to take a step back.

    - Fickle Finger of F8


  • fuzzy1 12/20/06 12:17 PM
    congratulations to you for expanding your horizons and trying something new!

    - f8 and be there...


  • surferguy 12/20/06 1:00 PM
    :o)

    - WoooFrigginHoooo...


  • RobinG 12/20/06 1:25 PM
    Thanks for all your pros and cons, helps those of us who are clueless on this stuff. :o)

  • Lidljo 12/20/06 1:34 PM
    I am going to have to ask Wim about this piece of equipment. I liked your pros and cons, and will watch for more. I liked your BW of the horses pulling the farm machines.

    - Flowers are happiness...


  • bullshoalsview 12/20/06 1:59 PM
    There is no place for the simple people to hide now...... that better with a tripod shot in BW is good... and is that a BLACK squirrel?

    - Run Bubba Run!


  • Penny 12/20/06 2:18 PM
    BSV I think the squirrel is a cross between a fox squirrel and a black squirrel. BTW If any of you decide to order a teleconverter make sure it is one that fits your camera.

    - Smile


  • Miztli 12/20/06 2:19 PM
    Would'nt be better to practice with a group of frieds with more experience So you could be able to ask questions?

  • ClassyShots 12/20/06 2:27 PM
    I can see it now. Penny dressed in camo with a camo tripod trying to stalk. LMAO

    - Oh Bull!


  • Candice 12/20/06 2:30 PM
    Good "virgin" shots! Have fun with your new toy and keep us posted!

  • KayN 12/20/06 2:57 PM
    Not bad for a trial run..............I've thought about getting one, but with all the cons here.........I dunno............let me know how well you like it after you get used to it.........

    - Ms.N


  • Penny 12/20/06 3:18 PM
    The biggest thing with it is that you have to be willing to take your time. It is not for things like.....amish stalking where you have to just grab the camera and shoot. You need to be able to take your time is what it boils down to. I will definately keep you posted. Manual focus is a trick to get used to.

    - Smile


  • BEARPHOTO 12/20/06 4:40 PM
    The 2x cuts your light in half. Cranked out to 400mm,I think you would need around 1/400 of a second to hand hold. The tripod will be the proof of this pudding. If your SG with VR I'm sure this this doesn't apply with his experience. Have fun playing and a great hoilday.

  • Birdie 12/20/06 4:40 PM
    Looks like you're on your way to getting some good shots! Poor Amish people! I just might have to get mine out and play....

  • BusyB1965 12/20/06 6:20 PM
    Oh my, nothing and no one will be safe down, you can capture more and more...have fun and looking forward to more of your 'test' and explanations. Like the color version of the Amish in field working best.

    - Blessings


  • smalltown05 12/20/06 6:33 PM
    Classy, Penny usually stalks in her PJs. She's never mentioned whether they're camo PJs or not! Nice experiments--and you know I love those Amish shots!

    - blow.....hard


  • Sopris 12/20/06 6:34 PM
    Thanks for the info Penny, I've been contemplating about one myself. Watch out Amish ;)

  • kitzi 12/20/06 7:32 PM
    neat post...informational with great shots.

    - ©kitzi


  • Ashton 12/20/06 8:11 PM
    I just got one too....with about the same results...although no son so no misisng tripod! LOL I had to laugh out loud at that one cuz I used to take my dads all the time. He used to tell me just cuz he said yes I could use it once doesnt mean it was now mine. lol

    - Say...CHEESE


  • AnyMoose Hero 12/21/06 12:16 AM
    Bear is right that you have to shoot at 1/400 shutter speed to hand hold.but the problem with the TC is that since it cuts the light in half it will be hard to get a shot in lower light without boosting your ISO... so yes... Tripod and Yes Manual Focus...But you could see if you took your time, you got some nice shots Penns!

    - Still a Moose


  • MRQUACKERS 12/21/06 12:49 AM
    Nice critique. Enjoyed the pictures.

    - A quack with an camera


  • Fabulos 12/21/06 6:34 AM
    Bearphoto and Anymoose point out the two most important points. Longer lens means a faster shutter speed to be used and a F4-5.6 with a 2X is more like using a f8-11 (I think but could be wrong). Bright sunny days are the best for a tele-converter. I remember having one in High School and I was never too happy with it but I did not have a very fast lens at the time. Someday I plan on trying again. I am curious if the camera was set on auto-iso. The grain looks like it was shot at a high iso. Nikons do well at higher iso but there is a limit. Liked the Amish pictures. The bW version of the horse and carriage looks nostalgic and the group photo came out pretty decent. If they only new.

    - Hmmm....


  • bugaboo 12/21/06 3:01 PM
    Cool new toy congrats ! Looking forward to what you come up with!

  • andreaeagle 12/21/06 11:42 PM
    I'm thinking about getting one too. The manual focus may be my problem, but I'll cross that bridge...Great shots by the way! I look forward to future posts!

    - come over for lunch


  • jeffrey 12/22/06 1:48 AM
    cool shootin ma'am. i always love your amish shots. i have no experience with teleconverters ( Ithought they were evangelist on the phone) but wish you continued luck with it.

    - believe...


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