Question 1

Is a used teleconverter worth it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially if you already have a good telephoto lens. A used teleconverter gives you extra focal length for a fraction of the price of a longer prime or zoom. Just make sure the converter is compatible with your lens and body combination, and check the electrical contacts before buying.

Question 2

What's the difference between a 1.4x and a 2x teleconverter?

Accepted Answer

A 1.4x converter increases the focal length by a factor of 1.4 and costs you one stop of light — autofocus still works fine on most combinations. A 2x converter doubles the focal length but costs two stops of light and places higher demands on the lens; it's best to only pair it with sharp, fast tele primes or zooms.

Question 3

Do teleconverters reduce image quality?

Accepted Answer

A teleconverter also magnifies any small imperfections in the lens it's attached to. With a sharp, high-quality lens, you'll notice little quality loss with a 1.4x. With a 2x converter, you might see a bit more loss in edge sharpness and contrast. The quality of the converter itself — whether brand-specific or a good third-party option like Kenko or Sigma — also plays a role.

Question 4

Which lenses work well with a teleconverter?

Accepted Answer

Teleconverters perform best with sharp, fast tele primes and zooms, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or a 70-200mm f/2.8. Kit lenses or consumer zooms give less convincing results. Also always check the converter's specifications: some are only compatible with lenses of a certain aperture or brand.

Question 5

Does autofocus still work with a teleconverter?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes, but it depends on the combination of lens, converter and camera body. A 1.4x converter keeps autofocus working on nearly all modern cameras. With a 2x converter, autofocus can sometimes disappear on bodies that require a maximum aperture value of f/8 or more. Always check the specifications of your body and the converter to be sure.

Question 6

Are Kenko teleconverters suitable for professional use?

Accepted Answer

Kenko converters are reliable third-party options that are widely compatible with lenses from multiple brands. They're a popular choice for photographers who don't necessarily want a brand-specific converter. Used, quality Kenko converters are a cost-efficient way to get more reach out of an existing lens.

Question 7

What are the downsides of a teleconverter?

Accepted Answer

You lose light (1 to 2 stops depending on the converter), which affects shutter speed and ISO. Autofocus can become slower or stop working altogether with certain combinations. And a cheap lens paired with a converter rarely gives a result that matches a longer lens. A used converter from a quality brand significantly limits these downsides.

Question 8

Can I use a teleconverter from brand A on a camera from brand B?

Accepted Answer

Not just like that. Brand-specific converters are designed for a particular lens mount. Third-party converters from Kenko or Sigma are available for multiple mounts, but they're still mount-specific. Always check the lens mount of the converter carefully before buying.

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Used teleconverters

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