tele converter for ZD 40-150

[nautilus]

I want to ask you about any experiences about using a teleconverter (CANON TC-DC58N for example i have an opportunity to buy it for a few bucks ) with a 58mm filter thread with any ZD, I am considering buying one to my existing telephoto combo consisting of E1 + ZD 40-150 mkI for cases where 300mm reach isnt enough... but what about IQ... anybody tried something like this? Thank you.

[cifcap]

You may have better luck than me. I purchased a 2 x tele-converter (TC) for this same use (and also for use with the 14-45 and 35 macro lenses) and I wouldn't recommend going this route. The item I bought only worked up to 100mm and then the quality dropped significantly. Plus the added weight on the front of the lens could cause long term problems. It does however work with the 14-45 and 35 macro without any problems, but the weight on the front element is still a concern.fficeffice" />>>
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I'd get an Olympus TC (you may lose AF) or go for a longer lens. The former is cheaper than both the DZ 150 f/2 or Sigma's 150 f/2.8 macro. You could use a TC with them and lose a stop and have 210 f/2.8 or 210 f/4 or use the EC-20 and have a 300 f/4 or a 300 f/5.6. If speed is not a concern the 70-300 has been hailed as a decent lens and would be faster than the 40-150 w/ the either TC. Or of course you could wait for the 4/3rds version of Sigma's 70-200 f/2.8.>>
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Good luck,>>
JW>>
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[e_dawg]

I wouldn't recommend using a TC on a slow kit lens like the 40-150. Your max aperture would be f/8 for just a 1.4x TC and f/11 for a 2x TC at the long end of the 40-150's range. The amount of light / ISO / shutter speed you'd need to operate at 600 mm EFL is ridiculous. I think you'd be better off getting the 70-300.

[robertro]

High quality converters like the one you are thinking about seem to do fine in terms of image quality.

I occasionally use an Olympus tele-converter with my 40-150 to extend the reach without losing light. I often carry the Olympus IS/L 1.3x or A-200 1.5x adapter which I mount with a 58-52 step-down adapter; they give me a bit of extra reach at 182mm/f4.5 for the IS/L or 210mm/f4.5 for the A-200. These weigh 125g/4.4oz and 160g/5.6oz respectively, and do not seem to place any undue strain on the lens or motor.

I'm less fond of the Olympus dedicated 1.4 and 2x adapters despite their excellent reviews because they cause 1 and 2-stops of light loss, which are a major loss for the 40-150 lenses.

[core]

fwiw teleconverters like the TC-DC58N you mention are placed in front of your 40-150 lens (basically afocal projection) and should not increase lens speed (increased f/stop).

I have used Oly's TCON-17 on my 40-150 mk-1 on occasions, but the extra ~260g weight mounted off the front of the lens is significant. Not only is AF speed slower, you can hear that the motor working much harder. Although I also have the 40-150 mk-2, I have not/will not test the TCON-17 on it; at full extension there's already quite a bit of play on the lens barrel!

How's the weight of Canon's TC? I'd suppose if you can grab it for a 'couple of bucks', give it a try.

Here's Wrotniak's take on the TCON-17 on Sigma 55-200mm

http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/si-tcon.html

Note that he's added a Feb 2008 comment at the end of the article about Oly's 70-300 ... now how about adding a TCON to that