Teleconverters on S2-Any Thoughts?

[jenbob]

I am planning a 2 month bike trip and want to bring my S2 along with 3 lenses and a teleconverter (for my 80-200 2.8). I have seen a few reports on the Kenko but have never used one. Is anyone out there using one? If so, what do you think in terms of sharpness. I certainly don't mind focussing manually.

thanks,
bob

[ballroom_boy]

Hi Bob,

I have the 2x Kenko Pro 300 series which I use with my AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D all of the time and I like it a lot. I lose a little contrast, but not much. I know a few people who use the Kenko 1.4x TC and just love the results. AF works perfectly with both these TC's on this zoom lens.

This article http://www.nikonlinks.com/lenstest.html convinced me to buy my Kenko TC. I hope this helps...

Take care
Roel :)

[Polarpics]

These are excellent converters. I use the PRO 300 2X on a Nikon 80-200/f2.8 and a Nikon 300mm/f4 with amazing results. Don't confuse the new PRO series with the old ones which were terrible. Hoya makes them for Kenko and Tamron.

[Wichita Wayne]

A friend once told me that "you never catch a fish unless you bait a hook and put it in the water". Your alternative to the teleconverter might be "not taking a picture", and that is not a good alternative. Find yourself a good converter and use it. Your pictures might not be technically as good as those shot with a prime lens but so what. You will probably wind up with some great shots that you would have otherwise missed. This same logic works for choosing third party lenses too. I hear people all the time complain that they cannot afford a particular "Nikkor" lens so they live with a hole in their kit. Because, they only buy "name brand" lenses rather than cheap third party lenses. There attitude causes them to miss shots. Whereas a good third party lens that does fit their budget would allow them to fill that hole in their kit, and take some of those shots that they would otherwise miss.

[ballroom_boy]

Sound advice, Wayne. I almost didn't buy my Kenko TC because Nikon didn't have a similar offering. But then I bit the bullet, bought the Kenko TC (for relatively little $$$) and have been pleasantly surprised at the results and the extra reach I have now.

Life is short. Money is just that, money. Save wisely, but remember that we take none to the grave...

My 0.02

Cheers
Roel:)

[SSonnentag]

I bought the Kenko 300 Pro 3X converter with my camera, but found it to induce too much distortion and blurring. It also cut the contrast down more than I was comfortable with. The 2X seems to give much improved results over the 3X.

Shawn