Cany anyone give me an opinion on digital camera add-on lenses/extenders (telephoto/wide-angle)?

Question

I see plenty of these on ebay but have yet to find an opinion. For the most part they seem to be "brand-free" although I do see "Digital Optics" in there too - no or few camera makers own product though.

I do know that, even with a Nikon Extender on Nikon equipment, there is always going to be a slight loss in image quality and maximum aperture. I can live with that.

What I would like to know are these generic optics rubbish, mediocre or okay? (I think at best they are going to be okay!). With respect to all photographers (since about everybody takes pictures these days one way or another), I invite answers from serious amateur or professional photographers who may offer me a clearer perspective.

Incidentally I am more interested in a Wide-Angle converter than the telephoto (although sometimes they come together).

Answer 1

Raynox, Tiffen, Hoya, and Kenko are brands I've heard of that make conversion lenses for various brands. Personally, I'd stick to them. They make them to standardized sizes, like 58mm, or 55mm

Take a look at the sample galleries on Lensmate. They have sample galleries for converters on Canons. I'm not sure if the results would be the same on Nikons. Keep in mind that if you use the wrong one one, or a generic converter on a cam, there's always the possibility that you'll notice vignetting or cut-off corners. Alot of it depends on the specific fit between the generic converter, and your model


Macros
http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/G5G3macro.html

Teleconverters
http://www.lensmateonline.com/newsite/S1wide.html

imo, image quality on these are not bad. You can see in some models, there is some serious barrrel distortion though, at the real wide focal lengths.

Also, the forums on www.DPReview.com have excellent knowlegeable folks on there that can probably give you more first-hand knowledge on options for Nikon conversion lenses.


G'luck!

Answer 2

rubbish