How Do Teleconverters Work?
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What they Do
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A teleconverter is a magnification lens that goes between a camera lens and a camera body. Teleconverters generally only work with specific lenses inside a manufacturer's line, so it's important to check the lens compatibility with the teleconverter before investing in one. Teleconverters are useful for extending the focal length of a lens without having to invest in a new one.
Types
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Teleconverters are usually available in three different magnification factors: 1.4, 1.7, and 2x. Using one of these teleconverters increases the focal length of the lens it is put on by that factor. For example, a 70-200 f2.8 VR Nikon lens with a 2x teleconverter on it becomes a 140-400 lens. Since teleconverters are compact, it is an excellent way to get greater focal distance on your camera without having to carry around extra, heavier, lenses.
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Limitations
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Teleconverters generally work best on faster lenses, such as those that are f2.8 and better. One reason is that putting a teleconverter on a lens reduces the aperture by the amount of magnification on the teleconverter. For instance, in the aforementioned example, the f2.8 70-200 lens with the 2x teleconverter becomes a 140-400 lens with an f5.6 aperture. As long as the photographer can compensate for this decrease in aperture size, using a teleconverter is an excellent tool.
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