Converter examples...

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

... or the difference between good and bad glass.

I think we all agree on both issues, a lens without a converter is better than with on and the Nikkor 2.8/24 is a very good lens.

Now, how is the image quality of this lens influenced by a wide angle converter?

Just imagine 24mm (resp. 38mm at an EOS 350D) are not wide enough and you do not have a wider lens.

This is the original shot:

This is the result of the Nikkor and a good converter, the Raynox DCR 720 (which turns the lens into a 17.2 mm and thus a 28 mm lens at the 350D):

There is a considerable deterioration, but the quality is acceptable.

Now this the same Nikkor with a no-name 0.5x wide converter. This offers 12mm (19.2 mm / EOS350D) but it is not usable!

What do we learn? Only use a converter in an emergency and if it is a good one...

Riku · Expire: 2017-04-30

That is really terrible, but what about cheap tele converters, can they be as bad?

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

No, due to my experience - I have used about 4 different ones - they are not that bad, but they mostly cause strong CAs at high contrast edges.

The best one I have ever had was the Raynox DCR-2020 Pro, a huge piece but really good. Just one example:

Shot with a Panasonic Lumix FZ-20 and the Raynox 2020 TC.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I didn't think the last one made with TC, seems good one. I met only one good converter Vivitar macro converter made by Kiron.