Do all teleconverters reduce light on sensor?

9 years 1 month ago #427592 by TGonzo
First off, I don't understand why this takes place in the first place?  Second, are there any teleconverters that don't rob you out of stops of light?  I want a 2x, but not all that excited about taking a 2 stop hit.  

When you look at the size of a 1.4x or 1.7x teleconverter and then compare that to a 2x, from a physical size standpoint, they aren't all that different.  So why the reduction?  


Photo Comments
,
9 years 1 month ago #427636 by KCook
The F-stop for a lens is simply the ratio of the effective focal length to the effective aperture diameter.  F/4 means the eff FL is 4 times the eff aperture.  A teleconverter does increase the eff FL, but does not increase the eff aperture.  Therefore when the eff FL is increased by the teleconverter, the F-stop is diminished.  More info here -

www.school-of-digital-photography.com/20...rs-on-your-dslr.html

Kelly Cook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

,
9 years 1 month ago #427645 by Little Kate
Go with the 1.7x at least that is what i was told.  


Photo Comments
,
9 years 1 month ago #427647 by Joves
Anytime you use a multiplier on an optical instrument, you lose light, so no there are none that do not lose f-stops. You want a down and dirty way to look at it. Multiply the TC by your widest f-stop, the answer is now your new fully open stop. So with a 2x converter a 2.8 lens becomes a 5.6. A 5.6 lens become an 11.2. The reason that a 2x loses more light is that it is magnifying more, and therefore closing up the aperture more in the process.


,
9 years 1 month ago #427664 by Happy Snapper
:agree:  

Gripped Nikon D810 --- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 --- Sigma 10-20mm f/4 --- Nikon 50mm f/1.4 --- SB600
Photo Comments
,
9 years 1 month ago #427689 by Shadowfixer1
One piece of advice about teleconverters. Don't go the cheap route. If you do, you may as well toss that amount of money out the window while driving down the road. This is one area where cheap doesn't cut the mustard.  
,
9 years 1 month ago #427708 by Alan Nunez
You loose light because you are adding more elements of glass. More glass = less light.


,
9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #427727 by garyrhook
What Kelly explained above. It's a math and physics problem, and there's no getting around that.

Remember: gravity is not just a good idea, it's the law.


Photo Comments
,
9 years 1 month ago #427943 by Superman
Yep, true :agree:

Nikon D90 & D40 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 35mm, 50mm, 105mm, SB600
Photo Comments
,
9 years 1 month ago #428175 by dragosticu
It's math & optics.

If you want a teleconverter, be resonable - don't go with a 2x only because you will get a longer lens.
It is not only the f stop you are loosing, it is also about the quality.

If you have a 300mm you will obtain 600mm which is huge for 95% of the fotography needs.

You may try 1.7x - choose the mid way  :nunu:

Hope this help.

Dragos


,

817.3K

241K

  • Facebook

    817,251 / Likes

  • Twitter

    241,000 / Followers

  • Google+

    1,620,816 / Followers

Latest Reviews

Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.

Apr 15, 2024

The Canon EOS R50 is one of the newest R-system cameras from Canon. Is it worth your money? Find out all the details you need to know in this comprehensive review.

Apr 10, 2024

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is Sony’s flagship mirrorless zoom lens. As such, it’s loaded with features and has a top-shelf build quality that makes it a top pick!

Mar 27, 2024

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

Forum Top Posters

Latest Articles

Blue hour photography might not be as well known as golden hour photography, but it is every bit as good a time to create epic images of landscapes. Learn how in this quick tutorial!

Apr 17, 2024

Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.

Apr 15, 2024

Moving from taking snapshots of your dog to creating beautiful images doesn’t have to be that difficult! Use the tips outlined in this dog photography guide, and you’ll get better results in no time.

Apr 15, 2024

Acrylic print photos are a beautiful way to display your favorite images. But they don’t come without some questions. Get all the answers you need about this medium in this guide!

Apr 15, 2024

Where do you get your landscape photography inspiration? Is it from masters like Ansel Adams? Or perhaps viewing art from other genres? We’ve got these and a few other sources for you to check out!

Apr 10, 2024

The Canon EOS R50 is one of the newest R-system cameras from Canon. Is it worth your money? Find out all the details you need to know in this comprehensive review.

Apr 10, 2024

Too often, affordable online printing companies don’t meet your expectations of what a print should look like. But there are some choices that combine affordability with superb quality!

Apr 09, 2024

Self-critique is an important component of your journey to improving as a photographer. Use these simple tips about critiquing your work as a means to make faster progress with your art.

Apr 08, 2024