2016-08-26T14:43:34
Rated 4 out of 5
Perfect for a tight budget: Crisp images with some extra work!
I'm on a relatively tight budget so regardless of what many articles said against 2x converters, I got one because I needed solution to get more range out of my 75-300mm kit lens (I use a Canon t3i) and couldn't spend a whole lot. I'm glad I decided to try it because I definitely was not disappointed! However, a few small warnings (cons):
- You will lose 4 full stops of aperture (any multiplier will cost some aperture) so you'll have to increase your ISO and/or shutter accordingly, depending on the mode.
- This multiplier will only fit F lenses, EF and M lenses are not compatible.
- This multiplier will not allow you to autofocus accurately beyond 75mm, beyond that point, a quick manual focus is more reliable. (The reason for only 4 stars)
- Finally, since it does magnify the image, any chromatic aberration in the attached lens at all will be multiplied by about 3 times; it's not great but it can be easily fixed with software.
If you don't mind those trade-offs, you have a near perfect way to get closer to your subject without spending 10-100x the price.
Now for the plus side (pros):
- Cost: this is very inexpensive
- Reach: I've effectively doubled my range all the way up to 600mm and still get great images!
- The main reason I got it, to take sharp, close up images of... aircraft in flight! Yes, that seems like a daunting task for manual focus but I've gained enough experience I can almost fine focus as fast as my camera now (so long as I don't have to zoom in or out too); I've captured many exciting helicopter, propeller and jet aircraft images with this multiplier that would've required a lot of cropping to get the same level of magnification and no where near the detail.
If you can't afford a lot, get this; you won't be disappointed!
PAULINE Z.
