Customer Reviews

Sakar 2XAFCAN 2X Auto Focus Tele Converter f/Canon EOS

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

 

 

I was very nervous about ordering this. I have a Canon Rebel XTi with two zoom lenses: a wide angle zoom and a tele zoom. Both are auto-focus and image stabelized (IS) lenses that I am most happy with.

However, the really expensive ones that have the matched tele converters are way out of my price range; so both of these are the less expensive (about 1/3 the cost of Canon's best lenses). So I knew I couldn't get any sort of teleconverter that would allow me to have the auto-focus and the IS capabilities; but I really wanted to be able to double my tele zoom for selected shots on our upcoming Kenya safari.

I stewed for a couple of months over this. I didn't (and don't) mind not being able to use the auto-focus or IS (though I sort of hoped I could find something that might let use the auto-focus capability).

I came upon this teleconverter browsing throught Amazon.com and read the specs. I reserched it a bit and was encouraged by the ability to use the auto-focus for at least some of the zoom levels. I also loved the price (though in the back of my head I was reminding myself of the old addage "if it seems to be too good to be true; then it probably is").

Given the excellent price, I took a chance and went ahead and ordered it. It arrived promptly and I "took it out for a spin" the last couple of weekends at our local zoo. And I am most impressed with it. It does, indeed, allow me to use the auto-focus for all but the highest zoom levels and the pictures, as far as I can tell, are terrific. I would caveat that assessment, however, by saying that I am definitely just an amature that those with more discriminating eyes may beg to differ. I would promptly yield to their assessment; but for my purposes, this has turned out to be just what I needed and I am most satisfied with it.

Just got this in the mail today and tried to put it on my Rebel XSI. Fits the camera but not my EF-S lens. After reading the instructions found out I can not use it. It does not work with Canon EF-S lenses. No where in the description does it say you cannot use the EF-S lenses or EOS lenses. It does say it on the box when you get it but it is too late. I will be sending it back.

I bought this teleconverter because the description says it will fit Canon EOS cameras. Most Canon EOS cameras come with the Canon EFS-type lens. I even have a 55mm-250mm telephoto lens I bought from Canon, which is also an EFS type lens. This is the lens I was hoping to expend with the teleconverter. When I received it in the mail, it fit the camera body fine, but WILL NOT FIT any EFS lens. The EFS lens has an extension that comes out the back that makes the fit impossible. In researching on line, I discovered that I was basically screwed, unless I followed one fellow's suggestion and hack sawed the extension off the back of my lens. (he gave detailed instructions) Don't think I'll take this route though, and will probably just return the teleconverter.

Amazon and it's merchants both need to advise people that the most common line of lenses (by far) for Canon EOS cameras cannot be used with this product. I'll probably buy non-Canon lenses from now on for my camera too after reading how their EFS line is incompatible with many other products that I'd like to have.

After several days of research as to whether I would go with a more expensive tele photo lens or the Teleconverter, I decided I would try the latter. I tried using the 2x freehand and was sadly disappointed. I do not have the steadiest hands and when reviewing pictures I had taken of my sons football game I noticed all but a few were blurry and out of focus. I tried it on AF and MF and still the same outcome. However, when I put my Canon on a tripod and took pictures on MF I had better luck. I love the advantage the 2x gives in getting closer to the action I just wish it were easier to use without the tripod. The company I dealt with was excellent and gave great and prompt service.

Update February 13, 2011:
(If you want to see some photos of how this modification was made and some examples, I posted them to the "4 Element 2X Teleconverter For Canon" page since that was the original item I modified).

I ordered a Sakar teleconverter for a friend and I can confirm that it is pretty much the same as the Bower. The one I received said "Digital Concepts" on it but was distributed by Sakar. I will say that after doing this modification again that you have to have a pretty good Dremel and a sharp knife. I used the Dremel (with a small engraving bit) to cut the main donut out then I used my knife to whittle away the rest of the plastic until the EF-S lens fit inside (with a little play so as to not tear up the EF-S part of the lens) the hole I made. Also have to be very careful not to cut / break one of the screw posts on the teleconverter as it is pretty much the far limit of where you will have to cut. I can also confirm that you will have to move the teleconverter lens back some so that the EF-S lens will fit. Threads are tight, so be careful. I found it easiest to screw the lens back (using the lens cap as grip) making my adjustments and then re-tightening the lock collar.

Original Post:
First off, this should be a review for the Sakar teleconverter, but the shipper sent me a Bower so I am writing a review about that. They look similar in construction but I am not sure. If you have a Sakar, then the modification I list here might work but I am certain that it will work for a Bower teleconverter.

I did not want to spend $200 on a hit or miss teleconverter and decided to go cheap. Based on other reviews, both the Sakar and Bower did well with EF lens for the price so I decided to give it a shot. I have a Canon T2i with a EF-S 55-250mm lens (all of my lenses are EF-S).

If you have canon EF-S lens (I used a 55-250mm telephoto) and want a cheap teleconverter then this is a fairly easy mod and will not make any changes to you lens! It will however make some changes to your teleconverter. First mod you can do will only allow you to use your lens on manual focus and requires that you take all the contacts out of teleconverter. If the contacts touch the camera contacts it confuses the camera and will not allow you to take a picture. So with those removed (several screws - watch out for the TINY springs in case you want to put it all back together again) next loosen the screws on the front bayonet assembly (where the lens connects) almost all the way out. Then keep attaching/detaching your lens and making the screws tighter until the lens is snug. You can now use your lens and teleconverter in manual focus mode (keep in mind that you will have no aperture control). You do not want to get the lens too tight on the teleconverter because if you notice it will slowly wear away to rubber portion of the lens back (it actually makes a mark on the teleconverter if you look closely).

The second option is what I did after trying the first one. I noticed that there were marks left by the EF-S lens back on the teleconverter and decided to take the whole thing apart (watch out for the TINY springs and contacts!!!!) and dremel out the portion on the teleconverter that the EF-S lens was touching. I used a small bit to make a fine line/cut and removed just enough so that the lens back fit (i did not want it to scrape the sides but I did not want anything getting inside either). I tested out the 2x lens piece a time or too (had to move it back a little) to make sure it did not hit the back of my lens (you can do this by loosening the outer collar that holds the lens assembly in place then adjust the 2x lens and then retighten). Put it all back together, do a couple more fitting checks and you should be good to go! Plus you get full use of your lens autofocus and aperture settings!!!

I agree with some of the posts here and on the Bower teleconverter that autofocus can be iffy at long range, but I do not mind using the manual focus if I get more control over my lens.

I posted some pics of the teleconverter and the lens I am using on the product page for the "4 Element 2X Teleconverter For Canon" since that is what I actually received in the mail.

The 2X tele converter works better than I expected, fits all of my Canon lenses other than the 'EF-S' series. Well worth the money.

Item came earlier than promised from shipper. excellent shape and brand new as promised. Took with me this past weekend to D.C. for a photo shoot. Worked really great. Clear lens and solid construction. Only problem, when shooting in low light hard to get good white balance.

Overall well satisfied with product.

The item advertised is a Tele-converter Lens. What I received is a set of AF Digital Macro Extension Tubes. A 13mm, 21mm, and a 31mm tube. While these items do work very well for Macro photography and help bring the focal point very, very close, the item is not what it is advertised to be.

Save your money...
For the product you are purchasing you can do a lot better to stay with Canon products.