2x extender blues

2x extender blues · 10:20 AM

I bought a kenko 2 x extndr and ive been using it but my images are very soft.
The combo is the extender and a 50mm pentax smc A 1:1.7. Here are a couple of images.
The first image is just the 50mm.
The second is with the xtender
d

dermc · 01-19-2008, 10:48 AM

Should I just throw the extender away?
d

clarenceclose · 01-19-2008, 11:44 AM

Definitely off. Did you purchase the extender from a retail company? If so, send it back and get another. If off e-bay the seller must stand up for what they sell or send them a bad report to downgrade their standing.

Do you know of another person with a Pentax to whom you could lend the extender and have them test it on their camera?

If you are going to toss it away, send it to me. I will figure out something to do with it.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-19-2008, 12:39 PM

before condeming the extender, what are the exposure properties of each shot.

also, why on earth would you put a TC on a 50mm lens. normally you put a TC on a telephoto, not a nromal lens.

Is this the only way you have to get a 100mm Focal length?

spyglass · 01-19-2008, 01:09 PM

I had played around with these "cheap, easy solutions" but came to the conclusion that they just never got the job done. The images were flat, lacked contrast. etc. The cost of 2 F stops was very limiting in late afternoon or early morning shooting. I would return it if possible or toss it and chaulk it up to the cost of education. I personal would remove the internal lens and use it as an extension tube. (Soligor sold teleconverters that provided a removeable inner lens).

Spyglass

dermc · 01-19-2008, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the reply's.

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

before condeming the extender, what are the exposure properties of each shot.

also, why on earth would you put a TC on a 50mm lens. normally you put a TC on a telephoto, not a nromal lens.

Is this the only way you have to get a 100mm Focal length?

In one word "Experimentation".

I think im going to take spyglass' suggestion and make an extention tube.

Thanks.
d

Jodokast96 · 01-19-2008, 03:07 PM

Just curious, did you change the SR focal length from 50mm to 100mm?

dermc · 01-19-2008, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by Jodokast96

Just curious, did you change the SR focal length from 50mm to 100mm?

Ya. Switched it over. Should i have left it at 50mm?

d

**SCGushue** · 01-19-2008, 04:02 PM

There are a few things that you should consider before chucking your extender... which I do not recommend you do BTW.

First: You need to be aware that even with the very best dedicated extenders there is going to be some degree of image degradation. To counter act said image deficit you need to consider stopping down the lens at least a minimum of one stop to recover some sharpness.

Second: If your tests are not shot on a tripod the results are spurious at best. Use a tripod and keep track of your f-stop and exposures. Bracket the image and compare those images to find the sweet spot when utilizing the 2x

There are no free rides in photography. For everything you gain, you lose something. In this case, you gain focal length and lose f-stop or shutter speed. Also, recognize that a 2x will never be as sharp as you want it to be and you will be a little happier

Stephen

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01-19-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
spyglass Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 747	2X Teleconverter always at a cost I had played around with these "cheap, easy solutions" but came to the conclusion that they just never got the job done. The images were flat, lacked contrast. etc. The cost of 2 F stops was very limiting in late afternoon or early morning shooting. I would return it if possible or toss it and chaulk it up to the cost of education. I personal would remove the internal lens and use it as an extension tube. (Soligor sold teleconverters that provided a removeable inner lens). Spyglass

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01-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#2
dermc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Johns, NL, CAN Photos: Gallery Posts: 242 Original Poster	Should I just throw the extender away? d

01-19-2008, 11:44 AM	#3
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506	Definitely off. Did you purchase the extender from a retail company? If so, send it back and get another. If off e-bay the seller must stand up for what they sell or send them a bad report to downgrade their standing. Do you know of another person with a Pentax to whom you could lend the extender and have them test it on their camera? If you are going to toss it away, send it to me. I will figure out something to do with it.

01-19-2008, 12:39 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	before condeming the extender, what are the exposure properties of each shot. also, why on earth would you put a TC on a 50mm lens. normally you put a TC on a telephoto, not a nromal lens. Is this the only way you have to get a 100mm Focal length?

01-19-2008, 02:47 PM	#6
dermc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Johns, NL, CAN Photos: Gallery Posts: 242 Original Poster	Thanks for the reply's. Originally posted by Lowell Goudge before condeming the extender, what are the exposure properties of each shot. also, why on earth would you put a TC on a 50mm lens. normally you put a TC on a telephoto, not a nromal lens. Is this the only way you have to get a 100mm Focal length? In one word "Experimentation". I think im going to take spyglass' suggestion and make an extention tube. Thanks. d

01-19-2008, 03:07 PM	#7
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Just curious, did you change the SR focal length from 50mm to 100mm?

01-19-2008, 03:31 PM	#8
dermc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: St. Johns, NL, CAN Photos: Gallery Posts: 242 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jodokast96 Just curious, did you change the SR focal length from 50mm to 100mm? Ya. Switched it over. Should i have left it at 50mm? d

01-19-2008, 04:02 PM	#9
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	There are a few things that you should consider before chucking your extender... which I do not recommend you do BTW. First: You need to be aware that even with the very best dedicated extenders there is going to be some degree of image degradation. To counter act said image deficit you need to consider stopping down the lens at least a minimum of one stop to recover some sharpness. Second: If your tests are not shot on a tripod the results are spurious at best. Use a tripod and keep track of your f-stop and exposures. Bracket the image and compare those images to find the sweet spot when utilizing the 2x There are no free rides in photography. For everything you gain, you lose something. In this case, you gain focal length and lose f-stop or shutter speed. Also, recognize that a 2x will never be as sharp as you want it to be and you will be a little happier Stephen