Do all teleconverters degrade image quality?

Are there any teleconverters that won't degrade image quality? I was told to stay away from 2x teleconverters, but what about the 1.4x or 1.7x?

I don't know about degrading shots, it will slow things down a bit

Adding the extra glass will degrade. Better 1.4 TCs will have the least effect.

Do some personal testing, and see what you think. The common advice is that yes, teleconverters are not as good as a lens of the desired focal length. But you would be better off seeing it with your own eyes, and making your own opinion.

A long time ago I saw a portfolio of surfing shots. They were these awesome shots of surfers riding waves against a giant sun. The photographer was stacking 3 and 4 teleconverters together to get the shots. Now that's crazy, because we all know you aren't supposed to do that, but he broke the rules that we all follow, and that's why his photos looked so unique.

DJMarcus wrote: Are there any teleconverters that won't degrade image quality? I was told to stay away from 2x teleconverters, but what about the 1.4x or 1.7x?

Not all 2x TCs are the same.
Here is a pretty involved review.......
mansurovs.com/nikon-tc-20e-iii-review

Henry Peach wrote: Do some personal testing, and see what you think. The common advice is that yes, teleconverters are not as good as a lens of the desired focal length. But you would be better off seeing it with your own eyes, and making your own opinion.

A long time ago I saw a portfolio of surfing shots. They were these awesome shots of surfers riding waves against a giant sun. The photographer was stacking 3 and 4 teleconverters together to get the shots. Now that's crazy, because we all know you aren't supposed to do that, but he broke the rules that we all follow, and that's why his photos looked so unique.

I need to get my white lab coat from the cleaners... I love stacking stuff!

chasrich wrote:

Henry Peach wrote: Do some personal testing, and see what you think. The common advice is that yes, teleconverters are not as good as a lens of the desired focal length. But you would be better off seeing it with your own eyes, and making your own opinion.

A long time ago I saw a portfolio of surfing shots. They were these awesome shots of surfers riding waves against a giant sun. The photographer was stacking 3 and 4 teleconverters together to get the shots. Now that's crazy, because we all know you aren't supposed to do that, but he broke the rules that we all follow, and that's why his photos looked so unique.

I need to get my white lab coat from the cleaners... I love stacking stuff!

Remember that each x2 isn't added, it's multiplied, so 2 x2 TC block 4 stops, 3 block 8 stops, 4 block 16 stops....

Well I have a feeling that with the newer High ISO sensors that the loss in stops at one point will not be relevant. Then it comes down to optical elements and image degradation. I have never been a fan of TCs, but if you are on a budget and want reach they are a great option. The 2x have always been hell nos in my opinion. A lot of the image degradation can be due to a couple of things, vibration being one. So using a mirror lock and a good sturdy tripod will eliminate that problem.
To DJ yes some do. It depends on the quality. This is an area where cheap and good do not meet. I know many people have been satisfied with the Kenko Pro Series TCs. What I find ironic is that Kenko makes one that will work fully with my 80-400 lens, and Nikon does not. You can go to B&H and read the user comments on the Kenkos. Anytime I have had a 1.7x in my film days they were all terrible. I do not know why the 1.7 never seems to be any good. Fact is I have had 2x TCs that were better. The 1.4 have always been the least evil.

Any time you introduce additional glass surfaces into the equation that were not part of the original optical design, there will be some loss of image quality. How much depends both the TC & the lens it's being used on. In older film days, they made TC's that were matched to specific lenses & thus gave better results when used with those lenses. Only thing you can do it to try them out & if you don't like the results, return them or sell them off (depending on where you get them from)