Telephoto 2x/3x lense for a digicam...worth it?

[NFS4]

I want to get a 2x or 3x lense for my camera. I've already gotten a filter kit which actually works pretty good (for A95).

Well, I was at an Orioles game last weekend and the Baltimore Inner Harbor, and it made me crave some extra leverage than what my standard 3x zoom can provide. I've got $23 in eBay PayPal points to use (and I don't buy much on eBay anyway), so I've found these three:

Phoenix 3x
Kenkon 3x
Digital Optics sx

I've heard that Digital Optics sucks, but I just threw it in for reference. Comments, opinions?

 

[Kalvin00]

Bump, would like to know as well.

 

[Fritzo]

It works, but you may have to use the manual focus (depending on how your camera's AF works), plus you might get some vignetting. I've got a 3x zoom attachment for my Olympus 3000z and it works fine. Get a mini tripod also as your pics will be fuzzy if you don't use one with the zoom.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
It works, but you may have to use the manual focus (depending on how your camera's AF works), plus you might get some vignetting. I've got a 3x zoom attachment for my Olympus 3000z and it works fine. Get a mini tripod also as your pics will be fuzzy if you don't use one with the zoom.

(1) My A95 has very good manual focus controls so that shouldn't be a problem
(2) What brand zoom attachment are you using?

 

[Fritzo]

I'm partial to Tiffen products. Their products seem to have the best price/performance ratio.

 

[yllus]

We've got a list of recommended add-on lens solutions up on CanonTalk though it's nowhere near complete. The Digital Optics lens is rumoured to have a really bad vignetting effect (darkening in the edges of the photo), but you know how rumours are.

The Tiffen MegaPlus 2x Telephoto Lens is a completely safe choice. That Kenko you linked is supposed to be pretty decent too. And of course you could always go with Canon's own Canon TC-DC52A Tele Converter Lens (1.75x). I don't know anything about the Phoenix to be able to comment on it.

Fritzo: What lens exactly are you using with that Olympus? I have a friend with that camera and a 3x zoom lens would make a great Xmas gift.

 

[pyonir]

I have a Kenko telephoto for my Canon G3. I recommend that one. Stay away from the other two, they are cheap lenses with cheap glass. I agree with yllus that the Tiffen is a good lens as well.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: pyonir
I have a Kenko telephoto for my Canon G3. I recommend that one. Stay away from the other two, they are cheap lenses with cheap glass. I agree with yllus that the Tiffen is a good lens as well.

Thanks on the Kenko recommendation

 

[Tiamat]

Hmm, thanks for the information. I have been holding up on buying a digicam cause i dont like how the 3x optical zoom is less than my eyesight. I guess i need a compact digi with 12x optical to satisfy me... In any case, this could be possible with the use of one of these add-ons i guess? Sorry, im a total Digital Camera noob.

 

[pyonir]

NFS4, keep in mind that the telephoto will need to be used at almost full zoom most of the time, otherwise you'll see a lot of vignetting (barrell effect). That is unless you crop the picture down after the fact.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Hmm, thanks for the information. I have been holding up on buying a digicam cause i dont like how the 3x optical zoom is less than my eyesight. I guess i need a compact digi with 12x optical to satisfy me... In any case, this could be possible with the use of one of these add-ons i guess? Sorry, im a total Digital Camera noob.

Compact cameras usually don't take add on lenses. Get a camera with a 10x lens if you want a small package/high zoom. Add on lenses make the camera very cumbersome to carry around.

 

[NFS4]

How about this Opteka 3x