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Hi
My first post so please go easy on me!
I have an Olympus C740UZ with a 10x zoom. This means I can get some reasonable shots of birds in the garden from my kitchen window - but sometimes I wish I could get that bit closer.
My question is about teleconverters. Will a 2x teleconverted give me the equivalent of a 20x zoom and what is the downside - I have read about something like vinegar - but what exactly is that!
Also I notice teleconverters on eBAY for about £50 - are these any good or should I be looking at some reputable optics. Look forward to some thoughts and advice.
Cheers
Martin
Hi Martin, and welcome to the forum. I'm sure someone will be along soon to help with your query.
Hi mipettin,
First of all, on behalf of all the Moderators and Admin Staff, let me welcome you to BirdForum.
I hope you will enjoy your time with us, and will visit the site often.
You'll find plenty of folks here willing to help.
Now, to answer your question - from my own personal experience - your assumption regarding the teleconverter is, essentially, correct.
Now I am no expert, so wait for more experienced people than I before making a final decision - but here are the three main problems I personally have encountered with my teleconverter.
1) Vignetting (or vinegar!). Yes, this does happen, but in my experience, only on very long lens settings - so shouldn't be a problem in your garden. (see * below)
2) Increased magnification will mean increased susceptibility to camera-shake... do you use a tripod?
3) In some cases (well mine) the fitting of a teleconverter means loss of autofocus. For a rubbish photographer like myself - this is important!
*Finally, does the Olympus C740UZ have a dedicated converter you can buy? From a quick Google on the model, it look like it has a built-in zoom lens, rather than a lens that is detachable from the body of the camera, allowing the fitting of a teleconverter - as is the case with my Minolta.
Now it is time for all the professionals to go easy on me, but I cannot see how you can fit a teleconverter to this model.
Best advice of all... wait for some more replies!!!