S3 Focus Issue with Teleconverter

[Davo]

Well as a newbie I thought it was time to join up to try and get some advice as there seems to be a lot of good stuff on this board. I've had my S3 for a few weeks and think it's a great piece of kit. The only glitch seems to be getting it to focus using an additional 2x teleconverter. My wide angle converter in contrast works perfectly. Without the teleconverter focus at 12x is pin sharp but when I add the converter not so great. The image at 24x on the LCD display is pin sharp but as soon as I depress the shutter half way to focus things get seriously blurry. I've tried focus lock and manual focus, setting the converter setting to both "on" and "off" and also changed the image stabiliser settings - all with no apparent effect. Any inspired thoughts would be greatly appreciated !

[3drcpilot]

I think I have the same teleconverter. It came with the camera in an ebay deal. After every setting and attempt to get a good shoot I came to the conclusion that it is not meant for this camera. The Sony ??1758 is what I will get someday.

[Davo]

Maybe your right - just not meant to be, but still more than happy overall with the S3. Anyone have any recommedations then of teleconverters that you've had success with ?

[3drcpilot]

I really like mine as well. My friend even sold his DSLR and got one for himself and one for his wife with change left over.

BTW, did the supplied lens cover fit on your 2x tele? Mine didn't.

[kids_bus_driver]

I was thinking on buying the set for my s3, but I think I'll wait for more posts here before jumping.

Would you post the brand names, that don't work?

[kids_bus_driver]

Elsewhere in this forum is a discussion you might want to read.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=213541

[Davo]

The teleconverter which doesnt appear to work on the S3 (but did work well on my old A70) is an own brand product from the Jessops photo stores here in the UK. The wide angle which works well on both is a Raynox DCR 6600 - there are some pics comparing this wide angle and others on the Lensmate site which a few people have mentioned. I purchased my S3 adaptor from Lensmate direct from the USA and have to say quality and price-wise it's much better than the plastic Canon version I used on my A70.

[kids_bus_driver]

I just bought the Oly tcon 17 (1.7x) and I also cannot get it to focus. I used it Sunday for over 300 pix of Eagles, and maybe 5 came out. As you said, as soon as the button is pressed, its gone. I also tried manual focus, on/off, diff settings. Just won't stay in focus. It will be in focus up until I press the button. As a monocular, it works nicely, too bad I can't take pictures with it. S3IS Canon

[JustShootin']

I have the Canon TC-DC58B, 1.5 tele-converter for my S2, and it's eveything one could expect from a conversion lens. Focus is fast, pictures are good.

[JustShootin']

Eagle taken with S2 and Canon 1.5 teleconverter. Even with converter, eagle was still out of reach, so some cropping was done, causing some loss of quality. But all in all, I still find this lens to work very well.