Magnify a Telephoto Lens with a Teleconverter

A teleconverter can be a photographer’s best friend. Since a teleconverter extends the focal length of a lens by up to 100% – taking a zoom of 200mm up to 400mm – it can be the difference between cropping/enlarging a shot (with quality loss) and getting the perfectly sharp, up-close shot you actually want.

Renting a teleconverter, also called an extender, for your lens comes with incredible benefits for professional, amateur and student photographers alike.

The Many Benefits of Teleconverters

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a teleconverter is how it maximizes the value of the lenses you already have and use regularly. Teleconverters typically cost less than lenses, so you don’t need to invest in an additional lens to get the added zoom you occasionally need. They’re also small and light, which means you’re carrying less and traveling lighter – so they’re great if you’re on the go, on a photo safari, or simply want to take longer shots but can’t wield a super long lens.

Renting a teleconverter lens has added benefits, too:

- You can get the range you need (1.4x, 1.7x or 2x depending on brand) as you need it.

- You’ll have less equipment to carry around all the time, since you won’t need an additional lens.

- It means a lower cost to you when you change or update your camera model or switch to a new brand.

When to Use a Teleconverter

A teleconverter is ideal when you want to capture greater close-up definition for a sporting event, nature shoot or any project that requires a couple of shots beyond the standard zoom of your current lens. You retain the minimum focus of your lens but gain a lot more – up to 100% more – range than you otherwise would.

While the range extension is the big selling point, a teleconverter does reduce the amount of light coming into the lens – meaning a decreased maximum aperture. For example, with a 1.4x you’ll lose one stop and with a 2x you lose two stops. If you’re shooting with a long depth of field anyway, this is not a problem. But it is worth noting for those who like to shoot wide open. Camera shake, focus speed and some image degradation can also be a concern. This makes teleconverters less effective in low-light settings and autofocus may not work as the extender slows down the camera’s ability to focus. You could experience flare or ghosting problems if you’re shooting straight into light, too. Keep these factors in mind if you’re considering an extender for a low-light project.

Save Money by Renting a Canon, Sony, or Nikon Teleconverter

At BorrowLenses, you can find a variety of Canon and Nikon teleconverters (or “extenders” as Canon calls them) for your cameras. Olympus, Panasonic and Sony teleconverters are also available. Just remember, not all teleconverters work with all cameras and lenses, so you always want to check compatibility before renting or buying.