Customer Reviews

Olympus TCON-14B 1.45X Tele Extension Lens for E-10

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was made specifically for the Camedia E-10, but will fit many other systems. On the E-10, this is a 203mm fixed lens (as considered in the 35mm film format). Although the base lens is a zoom, when using it with this extender you have to keep it pretty much locked in the full telephoto mode. There is a little play for framing, but any wider than say 180mm and the vignetting starts (viz., begins to look like you're gazing through a pipe). I have a fairly broad experience with extenders. My judgment overall is that they're not worth bothering with - the amount of distortion, chromatic aberrations, flaring, and the lose of lens speed makes them a real trial - IN MOST CASES! In the case of this extender, however, I'm really impressed with Olympus. I think that they probably figured, well we're not offering interchangeable lenses with the E-10, we have to provide outstanding performance in our extenders. And that's exactly what they've done. What I think was the best part of the surprise for me is the speed of this lens, and the others, in that there is almost no reduction. But I wouldn't care that it was fast if I couldn't get a good picture with it. The image brightness and contrast are really superb. When used outdoors, which is where you normally run into trouble with any lens because of the extremes of lighting, I've been very pleased with the performance. Gotta love this lens! I've become a huge fan of the Olympus extenders. For my E-10, I have the 0.08x and the 3x extenders, as well.

Overall I like the Extension, however anyone purchasing should be aware of the following;

It is somewhat heavy!

It uses very large filters.

With converter on camera you have to use the maximum zoom or it crops the corners.

Other than those things I am very happy with this

Switching from 35mm film to digital? This is the system for you unless you are shooting layouts or high def posters for billboards. 4.1 megs with tiff format gets you a 36" x 24" poster size print (Kinko's if you don't have a 4x printer). Use Photoshop to up the definition 300dpi to 600dpi and be prepared to burn a whole CD for your cause. I used to shoot 35mm with fuji 50 with a Nikon F2 and the biggest frek'in lens (f 1.0) that you could buy. I'm so happy with not having to rent a custom color darkroom to get the photos that I want. If you are a low light shooter, you have to play with the camera a bit...easily done with digital, quick feedback. If you shoot speed one disadvantage is the E-10 only goes down to 1/640 sec. I have to admit I rarely used the 1/2000th on my Nikon, unless it was on a sunlit day with my 400mm f2.8 and I needed to "freeze" the shot. Rare with anyone, but outdoor sports photography.

The compliment of lens allows for some very creative shots. In addition, going digital gives you the control of your very own darkroom. Enjoy!

Large lens. Once on the camera you will not fit it into any carrying case.

I never realized I hadn't reviewed this, so just a quick comment. I was very satisfied with this lens. I stacked it with another and was happy with the results.

The first thing I must say: fast delivery. I live in the Netherlands and the product had to be shipped in. It took about 3 weeks (which I think is fast!)
Anyway the product itself forfilled its expectations. Nothing more nothing less. I really love the olympus lenses; I found this one to be an great addition to my WCON lens.
So no regrets so far