When you become a wildlife photographer, it seems like no focal length is long enough to reach all the gorgeous wildlife out there. But, it is not always possible to get the longest lens due to budget and weight constraints. This is where a teleconverter shines. It is an inexpensive accessory that can get you closer to your subjects.
Depending on the type of teleconverter, you’re able to get up to twice the focal length of your lens. So you get the reach without adding considerable weight or spending a massive amount of money.
What Is a Teleconverter?
A teleconverter is a small piece of equipment that goes between your camera and lens. It acts like a magnifying glass for your lens, increasing its magnification. For instance, if you have a 400mm lens, you can use a teleconverter to increase thefocal lengthup to 800mm.
Teleconverters are reasonably priced, especially when compared to longer lenses. A teleconverter also has the size advantage—it is small and doesn’t take up space. A longer lens will be considerably heavier and cumbersome to carry.
If you already have a telephoto lens, you can use a teleconverter to increase its focal length rather than buying a whole new lens.
You can buy teleconverters in various configurations like 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2x. These determine the magnification ratios of your teleconverter. For instance, if you have a 300mm lens, you can get a focal length of 1.4 times 300, which is 420mm. With a 1.7x teleconverter, you get 510mm, and 600mm with a 2x one.
The more magnification, the bigger the teleconverters are. A 2x teleconverter is bigger, while the 1.4x one is more compact and thinner. The 1.4x and 2x are the most common ones you will find on the market.
Why You Need a Teleconverter
Although a teleconverter is a helpful tool for any photographer, some photographers benefit more from it.
Wildlife Photography on a Budget
Wildlife photographers usually opt for a teleconverter. The 800mm is generally the longest focal length you can buy. Sometimes, wildlife photographers need more reach, so adding a teleconverter is an excellent option. With a 2x teleconverter, you can reach a whopping 1600mm focal length.
Also, a teleconverter can be handy if you’re a beginner who needs longer reach on a tight budget. A basic 300mm lens can transform into a 600mm lens, getting you closer to your subjects. A new 600mm lens will likely cost over three times more than a teleconverter.
If you use a crop sensor camera with a full-frame lens, you will gain even more focal length with a teleconverter. Let’s say you have a Nikon crop sensor camera with a 600mm lens. You have to multiply by the crop factor, which is 1.5x for Nikon cameras, so the effective focal length of this combo will be 900mm. Add a 2x converter, and you get 1800mm. You can reach any subject with such a focal length!
Handheld Shooting
A tripod is a great tool to have, but not all photographers prefer to use it for wildlife photos—some like the freedom of shooting handheld. However,shooting handheld with a telephoto lenstakes practice.
An 800mm lens is heavier and longer, and you may be unable to carry it for a long time. Prime lenses, particularly, can be bulkier. With a teleconverter, you’re able to extend the focal length of a smaller zoom lens without adding much weight.
To successfully shoot wildlife photos handheld with a long lens, you need practice and patience, and a teleconverter can help by considerably reducing the weight.
Full Resolution Files
Cropping is a picky subject among photographers, and many professionals prefer to avoid cropping photos to maintain full-resolution files. A 600mm or 800mm lens will get you closer to the big cats or birds of prey, but still, you must crop your images to get striking portraits.
Want to utilize the complete megapixels of your camera? Then grab a teleconverter. You can get closer to your subjects and get amazing portraits without the need for any cropping.
Macro Photography
If you think teleconverters are helpful only for taking pictures of faraway subjects, think again. Teleconverters also have their place in macro photography for magnifying the tiniest of subjects.
A true macro lens can give you 1:1 magnification or life-sized images, but adding a teleconverter can let youtry super macro photography. you’re able to see finer details at more than life-size magnification.
You can try extension tubes or close-up filters for ultra macro images. An extension tube has some advantages, like no loss indepth of fieldor minimum focusing distance.
The Disadvantages of a Teleconverter
Teleconverters are valuable tools on many occasions, but they are not without drawbacks. The main disadvantage of teleconverters is the reduction in maximum aperture.
With a 1.4x teleconverter, you lose a stop of aperture, and a 2x converter will set you back two stops. If you have an f/5.6 lens, the maximum aperture goes down to f/8 with a 1.4x converter and down to f/11 with a 2x converter.
The loss of maximum aperture is not a big deal for wildlife and macro photography because both are notorious for thin depth of field. But, it can be an issue when working in low light conditions.
Also, teleconverters are made with glass elements, so you can expect a slight reduction in the image quality because the light has to pass through additional elements.
Things to Note Before Buying a Teleconverter
When you’re shopping around for a teleconverter, it is essential to check compatibility before buying, especially if you use a third-party lens. You can check with your camera manufacturer.
Some inexpensive teleconverters may come without autofocusing abilities. For wildlife and sports photography, autofocus is a crucial feature, so ensure your teleconverter has the capability.
A Teleconverter Is a Worthy Addition to Your Camera Bag
Even with a few disadvantages, a teleconverter is an indispensable tool to have, especially if you are a wildlife or macro photographer. you’re able to gladly skip it if you are a landscape or portrait photographer.
Pick this small-sized, inexpensive accessory to take beautiful portraits of birds and animals without breaking the bank. There are multitudes of photography accessories to elevate your photos, and this is an important one.
