We've all been there before. You're trying to frame a subject — a bird soaring or a distant athlete — and your lens just doesn't have enough reach. It's time to invest in a more expensive, ultra-telephoto zoom lens. Or is it? There's another option, a hidden gem in the photographer's toolkit: the teleconverter.
A teleconverter is used to extend the reach of the lenses you already own, but how exactly do they work, and is there anything else you need to know before clearing space in your kit for a teleconverter? Let's find out.
Table of contents:
How do teleconverters work?
Right about now, you're probably wondering exactly how teleconverters work. After all, telephoto lenses achieve their extra reach through specialised optical designs, with extra optical elements being put to work.
A teleconverter doesn't magically make these additional elements appear, but it instead uses its own to magnify the central portion of your image, thus providing a tighter crop around your subject. You still need to use a lens when working with a teleconverter, as it sits between your lens and camera body, and magnifies the image that your existing lens is sending to the sensor of your camera.
Are all teleconverters created equal?
If you've done any prior research into teleconverters, you may be aware that they include figures such as 1.4x and 2x in their name. This number refers to the amount of increased magnification the teleconverter supplies.
Putting this into a hypothetical situation: attaching a 1.4x teleconverter to a 300mm telephoto prime lens increases its focal length to 420mm, while using the same lens with a 2x teleconverter increases the focal length to a huge 600mm.
So, what's the catch?
Does a teleconverter affect image quality and performance? You can't expect to be gifted all of this additional magnification for free — there's always a trade-off! With teleconverters, the main catch is that it makes your lens a little slower in terms of its maximum aperture rating, usually by 1 or 2 stops depending on the magnification of the teleconverter.
Understanding how teleconverters affect aperture is made easier by putting this into a real-life example. If your lens's maximum aperture is f/2.8, this would be lowered to f/4 or f/5.6 depending on the teleconverter used.
Teleconverters also often have other drawbacks, such as slowing down autofocus speeds and reducing image quality due to magnifying any aberrations captured. That said, thanks to many advancements in technology, manufacturers do an excellent job at reducing these issues in modern models.
It's also worth mentioning that teleconverters are quite limited in terms of lens compatibility. They generally work best with lenses that have a fast aperture rating, as these can handle the inevitable loss of light and still function satisfactorily. Before making the plunge on a teleconverter, make sure you confirm compatibility with your camera gear.
When to use a teleconverter
A teleconverter is used by anyone wanting to increase their magnification to bring distant objects closer, making them particularly popular with wildlife and sports photographers. But there are other benefits too. A teleconverter is far lighter than a lens with the same magnification, making it perfect for photographers on the move.
When compared to a lens with similar magnification, a teleconverter is also much more affordable. When you've finished using it, it can quickly be removed from your camera, leaving you to work with your original focal length — adding undeniable versatility to your kit.
Teleconverters: Pros and Cons
Pros of using a teleconverter:
- Increased magnification
- Smaller and lighter than telephoto lens gear
- More affordable
- Easy to use
- Quick & easy to install and remove
Cons of using a teleconverter:
- Results in light loss, which directly affects aperture
- Can reduce image quality
- Slower AF performance
- Only compatible with select lenses
Need help deciding if a teleconverter is worth it?
If you are still unsure if a teleconverter is right for you, the expert staff at your local Ted's store will be happy to discuss your options with you. Whether you ultimately decide on a teleconverter or a longer lens, our photography blog is here with hints and tips so you can get the most out of your camera gear.
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