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Question: Nikon D60 and multipliers/teleconverters!?
I'm a hobbiest, not a pro!. I've seen listings for products that increase the magnification of a lens!. I sometimes see them called "multipliers" meanwhile, someone I know referred to them as teleconverters!.
Does anyone know what these things are!? Can you confirm what they're called!? Are these things any good!? With a Nikon D60 DSLR, what would be a good choice!?
I have a Sigma APO 400mm lens that I use specifically to shoot photos of the moon!. I'd like to get in tighter to it and thought that one of these things would be a good toy to tinker with before I make the decision to invest in a bigger lens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
These handy lil devices are another lens assembly that clicks on the body of the camera and then the lens clicks on it!. They are called - doublers - extenders - multipliers - and normally give fair to not so fair results and should be approached with caution!. Because it is another lens element in your optical path, the chances of it degrading your image is kinda high!. If you want to get one, you may pay a few 100 bucks for a good one that won't degrade your image too much!.
They are basically a - Barlow lens - http://www!.astunit!.com/tutorials/barlow!.!.!.!. - and they spread out the light the # of times printed on the side of them!. 1!.7 - 2x - 3x - and so forth!. However, if you REALLY wanna trash your image, just stack 2 or more of them!.!.!.!.!!
A 2x doubles the power of what ever lens is on top of it but it also cuts the light in half, making the seen image thru your view finder darker!. A 3x is three times and a 1!.5 or 1!.7 is as the numbers say!.
Some lenses are designed to accept these devices with less degradation!. Nikon, Canon and other manufactures design some of their long lenses to utilize them and the degradation is less!.!.!.
Your 400 would become a 800 and would give you full frame images of the Moon (or Sun with proper filters OVER the front objective)!. The sharpness is a gamble and would also depend on a number of other things!. Sharp critical focus for one!. A way of tripping the shutter to avoid wiggling the camera!. A sturdy mount, the length of exposure and so on!.!.!.
Your APO lens would benefit greatly if you bought a doubler either made for it (check with Sigma) or you bought one of good quality, from Sigma or Nikon!.!.!. Why degrade the image quality of such a fine lens with a cheap add on!.!.!?!? While they don't cost as much as the lens they can help - make - good ones are not cheap and up wards to $300 or $400 may be encountered!. But look at what you gain!.!.!
Bob - Tucson
PS - Another choice is to buy a lens made for such, a small telescope of the "folded optics" kind!. http://www!.telescope!.com/control/categor!.!.!. - Meade and Celestron also have OTA's - optical tube assemblies - that allow a camera body to attach and then attach to a sturdy tripod!. Choices!.!. The world is full of choices!.!.!.
Bob - TucsonWww@QuestionHome@Com
I would highly recommend getting a multiplier made by the same brand that made your lens, which in your case would be Sigma!. Multipliers come in two forms usually: 1!.4x and 2x!. With 1!.4x, the focal length is multiplied 1!.4x and you lose one stop of light!. With a 2x multiplier, you lose two stops of light!. So, you want to start off with a fast lens (f/2!.8 or faster)!. I am unsure of your lens' maximum aperture, but I doubt it is that fast!. If it isn't, it's OK, but your subject must be absolutely still and you must use a tripod in anything but daytime light or you will get blurry shots!.
For the moon, there isn't much of a chance of the moon moving in a second or so!. But, you must be using a tripod!. No ifs ands or buts!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
The double the lens according to the multiplier on the lens!. They also double the f-stop!. So, if you have a 400mm f2!.8, the 2x teleconverter would make it a 800mm f5!.6 lens!.Www@QuestionHome@Com