Good telephoto Lens?

[RI Xterra]

What's a decent and inexspensive telephoto lens for the G3?

[darrylr]

There is a comparison of the various teleconvertor lenses available for use with the G3 here:

http://kazutoku.cside.com/G3CON_eng.htm

I would recommend the Canon TC-DC58N.

-Darryl

[Deckyon]

I second the Canon lens, as it was designed with the G3 in mind. Besides, I have never seen a bad Canon lens.

[jpmccormac]

The Tiffen Megaplex 2x TC gets pretty high marks also. It's cheaper than the Canon TC. Best price I've found was on http://www.lensmateonline.com

There's a review of this TC on photo.net here:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/digital/cameras/megaplus/

[celestprof]

I've heard that the Kenko is better. The Tiffen has vignetting unless used with the G3 zoomed all the way out.


I ordered the Tiffen from Lensmate but after hearing about the Kenko, I emailed asking to switch the lenses. Not sure if I got to it in time.

[RI Xterra]

So if I was to buy the Tiffen 2X lens is it safe to assume that I need to buy the Lensmate adapter as well??

[RI Xterra]

RI Xterra wrote:
So if I was to buy the Tiffen 2X lens is it safe to assume that I need to buy the Lensmate adapter as well??
Can anyone answer this?

[MackRoe]

You will need an adapter to use any telephoto lens with the G3. I bought 2 Lensmate adapters, one with a 58mm thread setup, a second with 52mm threads. They fit right onto the G3's body, then you attach either step-down rings or your telephoto lens, depending on what unit you go with. I bought step-down rings (very inexpensive) to make sure the Raynox 1850 Pro telephoto that I bought from Digital Imaging in New York would work. I am wishing now that I had bought the Canon telephoto lens, as the image quality isn't as good as I want it to be. So, i think as far as adapters & step-down rings go, you can buy third-party or off-brand stuff, but I'd buy the Canon lenses, just because they were designed with the G3 in mind. Hope this helps, dude....Mackroe

[RI Xterra]

It certainly does and thanks for the usefull info... ;)

[KRDV]

I am in the market and deciding between the Oly TCON17 and the Tiffen. Tiffen is about $25 cheaper but that's not a big issue. I like that the Tiffen has threads for filters but the OLY is said to be excellent quality (Tiffen also good I think). If I go with the OLY how much will I miss the threads (I don't plan on using it most of the time, only at certain times)? Has anyone used both? Thanks in advance.

[darrylr]

I just ordered the Canon TC-DC58N. I guess I will find out on Xmas morning how well it works.

:)

-Darryl

[Deckyon]

I think you will be happy with the Canon lens. I got it shortly after getting my G3 and have use it a lot. I am very satisfied with the images it produces.

[celestprof]

I now have the Tiffen. I haven't had a chance to use it yet.

[Man-Fai Wong]

KRDV wrote:
I am in the market and deciding between the Oly TCON17 and the Tiffen. Tiffen is about $25 cheaper but that's not a big issue. I like that the Tiffen has threads for filters but the OLY is said to be excellent quality (Tiffen also good I think). If I go with the OLY how much will I miss the threads (I don't plan on using it most of the time, only at certain times)? Has anyone used both? Thanks in advance.

Personally, I wouldn't worry about not have front filters for a tele. As you say, you don't expect to use it quite that much, but only on occasion. Makes it kinda pointless to spend additional good $$$ on UV filter for protection or most any other filter.

And if you went w/ the Tiffen, I suspect you'll find even less use for it than some others just because you have to use it at full tele zoom to avoid vignetting.

If I were you, I'd figure out how much the Oly's better optical quality is worth compared to the Canon's better useable zoom range. Both are lacking front threads. But IIRC, the Canon should give you more useable range of focal lengths (and is also less hefty).

_Man_

[KRDV]

That's a good point. I haven't focused much on that issue but now that you mention it, it seems important. I will do some comparing of the TCON vs. the Canon. Thanks.

[pyonir]

I picked up the Kenko KNT-20 and I'm very happy with the results thus far.

[br3w0k]

me too, im more than happy with performance of Kenko KNT 20 ...

[luckyart60]

When I first bought my G3 (now almost a year ago) I went crazy buying all kinds of accessories. For add on lens I got Raynox DCR-1850 Telephoto, DCR-720 Wide angle and M-250 Macro. I have been pleased with the results espically with the M-250.

To my point, (of course it depends what type of photo you wish to take) But I find that I dont use the add on lens so much anymore I'm very happy with the G3 lens.

So maybe anyone considering buying additional lens should really first consider how many times they will really find the need for them.

[Silverman]

deckyon wrote:
I think you will be happy with the Canon lens. I got it shortly after getting my G3 and have use it a lot. I am very satisfied with the images it produces.

Hi friend, what is the tcdc58n tele lens Optical Construction?
How many elements?
Length?
Thread?
Weight?

Thanks in advance

Silverman

[1rushfan]

Canon's optics have always been a step above the rest. For the most part, I consider how satisfied I'll be with a less-than-best image. The only drawback I see in the Canon lens is it's 1.75 vs. some of the other manufacturer's 2.0's. The other thing it switching from the OEM lens to the telephoto...adapter, threading, lens caps. Not so much an "on the fly" accessory.

[astrojim]

Just joined-looks like a great group. I've owned my G3 about 2 months but have pretty broad experience with 35mm gear over the past 40 years. I recently bought the Olympus TCon 17-it is very sharp. A knowledgable salesperson at my local camera shop said that although Canon makes great lenses it is known that the Canon Tcon 58 is soft and that the Oly is very sharp. This is also born out by the Japanese site referenced in a prior post where he rated the Oly sharper than the Canon based on his photos which are posted for review at that site.

I bought 2 Lensmate 52mm adapters for $47 and use one for the Oly which has a rear thread of 55 mm so also bought and need a stepup ring 52 to 55. I bought the 52 vs 58mm adapters because they are less obtrusive to blocking various beams and flash as demonstrated on the Lensmate site.

No front threads but I didn't feel it was that important-I wanted the sharpest lens-if I get nervous about protecting the glass I might look for a lens shade but I don't expect to be walking around with it on the camera all that much-generally I'll pull it out for a specific situation and when that's done it'll go back in the bag.

I bought the Oly at B&H for $99 plus $5 shipping to the midwest. Hope this helps.

Jim

[Andy_T]

Just for the records...

I'm very happy with the KNT20 ... but it also vignettes unless zoomed in more than 2,5 x (85 mm equivalent?)

REason is that although it's 52 mm threads, the rear diameter of the LENS is only around 30 mm. (metal rim around it)

Regards,
Andy

[oldewolfe]

Be aware that when installed it blocks about 85% of the viewfinder so you have to use the LCD. This is a real pain if you are shooting fast action sports such as soccur, surfing etc.

Cheers
Larry

[Andy_T]

Hi,

the other problem with the viewfinder is that the viewfinder is not enlarged ... so you won't see which part of the image in the finder really is in the photo.

Regards,
Andy

[msvadi]

I don't believe that you can find a converter that is both inexpensive and decent. All good lens have price close to $100.

I have TCON-17. Looks like a high quality glass. I did not notice any distortions which are quite common with converters (people say). It's relatively big and heavy, but size was never a problem for me. Actually, it's much more comfortable to hold the camera with the converter attached.

I guess, the only two problems are that it's only 1.7x and that there is no front thread for filters. So, all filter have to go between the adapter and the teleconverter. This can create vignetting, however, it's less likely to occure with G3/5 than with G2 that I have.

here is a portrait pic I took with TCON-17:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21107

[Man-Fai Wong]

1rushfan wrote:
Canon's optics have always been a step above the rest. For the most part, I consider how satisfied I'll be with a less-than-best image. The only drawback I see in the Canon lens is it's 1.75 vs. some of the other manufacturer's 2.0's. The other thing it switching from the OEM lens to the telephoto...adapter, threading, lens caps. Not so much an "on the fly" accessory.

Actually, there's only 1 true 2x tele from the name brands. The Tiffen is the only one that's true 2x. The Kenko is not. Check the lens comparison page linked by Darryl above and you'll see. (Well, might as well repeat the link here :D http://kazutoku.cside.com/G3CON_eng.htm)

You will find that the Oly is the best of the lot quality-wise, but the Canon does offer more useable zoom range w/out sacrificing quality (unless compared to the Oly). The Oly is well-acknowledged by very many to be the best in this price range.

Me? I went w/ the Canon because the Oly was MIA for so long that I couldn't wait any longer. I'm happy enough w/ the Canon though since it gives me a decent zoom range instead of forcing me to stick w/ full (or near full) tele. I also prefer that it's not so hefty like the Oly.

_Man_