Anyone have experience with "Telephoto Extenders"?

[cosine4]

I have a Nikon D5000 with 3 lens (all Nikon 18-55, 55-200, 35/1.8). I am always looking for more reach and have a 600mm Tamaron on my "Yeah Right Wish-list" :) In the mean time I was thinking of buying a 2x Bower telephoto extender for $109 from B&H. It says that it maintains full auto-focus capability but I have seen some reports of auto-focus not working with short focal length lens which really isn't what I am looking for anyway. I am well aware that there is going to be a cut-down in f/stops and the glass isn't going to be as clear as my Nikon glass.

I guess my questions are:

Does auto-focus work well enough?
Is it secure when attaching between your camera and a 55-200mm size lens?
Did it take decent pictures (not magazine quality, just family memories)?
Was it worth it? for the money (it is pretty cheap)!

I need to order it today if I want it in-time for my upcoming Disneyland Christmas trip :cool1: But I already got "management approval" for the pre-birthday gift just want to do some quick homework :)

Thanks!

[My2Girls66]

I looked into getting an teleconverter once. From what I remember they are best with f/2.8 or faster lenses. It may not auto focus properly on the slower lenses. You might be better off using your 55-200mm and cropping later.

[Code]

AF will definitely not work with an f/4-5.6 lens with a 2x teleconverter, even 1.4x is iffy.

[gruZ]

I've owned both a 2x and a 1.4x version (both Sigma brand used with a Sigma 70-200). In my opinion, the image quality suffered with the 2x version, and the 1.4x worked well and there wasn't a noticeable loss in IQ.

Your experience may differ depending on the brand you buy and the glass you use the TC with, but from all the reviews I have read the 1.4 (or similar) versions will decrease IQ substantially less than the 2x.

Have fun!

[AlbertZeroK]

I would not recomend an extender with any of those lenses. Your autofocus system requires a minimum amount of light, with the extender, you could reduce the light so much, your autofocus would stop working.

I have a canon 1.4x which I used with my 300mm f/4 and use now with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS Mk II, but both of those lenses are on a different Image Quality level than your lenses and you don't get much of a loss because they are such good lenses.

I have owned a 2x converter too, won't buy one again - it reduces image quality too much.

Other than image quality, which is subjective, your extender could turn your lens from a auto focus to a manual focus lens so be careful and find out what the smallest aperture your camera can focus at.