A
lens extender, also known as a teleconverter, is a device that attaches to a
camera lens in order to increase its focal
length. This allows the
photographer to capture images of distant objects with greater detail and clarity.
The most common type of
lens extender is the 1.4x converter, which increases the focal
length of the
lens by 1.4 times while reducing the amount of light entering the
camera by one stop. For example, if you attach a 1.4x extender to a 200mm
lens, the focal
length will be increased to 280mm and the maximum aperture will be reduced by one stop.
The advantages of using a
lens extender in
photography are several. Firstly, it enables
photographers to get closer to subjects that are far away, which can be especially useful for wildlife, sports and event
photography. Secondly, it allows them to achieve a shallower depth of field, which means that the subject will be in focus while the background will be blurred, creating a more aesthetically pleasing image. Thirdly, it is much more cost effective to buy a
lens extender than to buy a longer
lens of similar quality.
However, it is important to note that there are some disadvantages to using a
lens extender. The most significant of these is the reduction in image quality. Since the extender is essentially magnifying the image, any imperfections in the
lens will be magnified as well. Additionally, since the extender reduces the amount of light entering the
camera, it can make it more difficult to achieve the desired exposure settings in low light situations.
In summary, a
lens extender is a useful tool for
photographers who need to capture images of distant subjects with greater detail and clarity. While it does have some disadvantages, the advantages of using a
lens extender generally outweigh the drawbacks and make it a valuable addition to any
photographer's gear.
Photography