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Topic: front end conversion lens (FEC) not wide or fisheyes (Read 6817 times)
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oldtool
Newbie
Posts: 13
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I am interested in a Front End Conversion lens, FEC, for use on my Ef 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 IS USN lens. I may also use it on a EF 35-135MM lens also. The camera body is a Rebel XS (1000D). I am sure I am not the only one looking for a reasonably priced option and still get good quality photos. I am on a fixed budjet and things can get tight at times.  So, who makes a good front end extender, say a 1.7X or 2.0X, for under lets say $200.00? I have read a lot on the teleconverters that go between body & lenses & do not like the fact that you lose an F stop but would they be a better choice?  |
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Bob Atkins
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I wouldn't really recommend it. Nobody makes one specifically designed for Canon SLR lenses and even if you could find one it wouldn't be as good as a conventional TC that goes between the lens and camera body. While it's not technically impossible to make a front mounted TC that matched an SLR lens, it would likely be more expensive than a rear mounted TC of equal quality because of the large size of the optics that would be required. Most front mounting TC you'll be able to find in a 58mm filter size would be relatively cheap and relatively nasty. Here's one for only $19.99 if you just want to experiment. Here's one for Around $170, but note that it's really designed for use with camcorders, not SLR lenses. I really don't know how well it would work on a lens like the 70-300is. If you decide to try it, let me know what you think of it! Here's a really expensive one (over $500) - http://www.schneideroptics.com/Ecommerce/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?CID=1070&IID=882 - but it's really intended for use on 35mm movie cameras. |
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« Last Edit: February 05, 2010, 02:26:33 PM by Bob Atkins »
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oldtool
Newbie
Posts: 13
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Bob, I have decided to be brave, or its that stupid?. I have ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009OAFJ8/ref=oss_productI am more than willing to give you my opinion of it after I try it. I am an armature though so it really won't mean much. How about this, after I have used it for a day or two I will put a couple of raw (CR2) files on my web site so you can download them and analyze them? I don't have near your expertise so your opinion would mean a lot more. I have unlimited space on my site and am willing do what ever you would want to compare and/or analyze the photos taken with this lens. I really enjoy and have learned a great deal from your site so have no problem working with you on something like this. |
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dentheman
Junior Member
Posts: 20
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I was curious after reading your post, so I attached my Canon TC-DC58N 1.75X (from Canon A720IS) to the front of my 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. Here is what I noticed after a few quick shots:
-The heavy weight of this metal barreled TC attached to the front causes zooming and focusing movements to bind -I think it could cause wear or damage.
-Auto-focus works about the same as a between the lens TC -That is, it sometimes works at wide angle, but not in telephoto.
-Image looks very soft.
-I lose about 2 f stops.
-There is a very severe color 'haze' around the objects in the photos -When I shot a white birdbath against a dark background the birdbath had a white glow around it, tree branches against the overcast sky have a bluish haze. It is much more diffuse than typical chromatic abberation.
I didn't even download the photos, just looked on my LCD screen. This combination could be of some use for very diffuse portraiture. I would have done more experimenting, at different settings, etc, but didn't like the binding.
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« Last Edit: February 06, 2010, 01:30:22 PM by dentheman »
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dentheman
Junior Member
Posts: 20
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Hey, if you have good luck, I may have to order it too!
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Bob Atkins
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Well, if any front mounted TC is going to work OK it would likely be a low power one made by a company who does good optics, so the Sony 1.7x is probably a good choice.
I actually have a Sony VCL-DH2630 2.6x front mounting TC but it's much too small to use on a DSLR since it only has a 30mm thread and the aperture at the camera side of the lens is only 9mm in diameter. It works pretty well on my camcorder (though autofocus becomes a bit "iffy"). It also make as excellent low power telescope if you look through it!
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