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The Olympus tele conversion lens TCON-17 increases the existing focal length by a factor of 1.7 without changing the aperture. Depending on the used camera model, a special conversion lens adapter is required.
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Technical Details
- The Olympus tele conversion lens TCON-17 increases the existing focal length by a factor of 1.7 without changing the aperture. Depending on the used camera model, a special conversion lens adapter is required.See more technical details
By Don Davis (Coulsdon, Surrey, England)
I bought the TCON-17 to use with my SP590UZ, giving an overall 44x optical zoom, as good as my birding binoculars and hugely greater than any other camera I've had, and achieved at far less cost than anything else I've come across. I'm still getting used to it but I'm generally pleased with it. Minus points: (i) they recommend using a tripod for this magnification, but the extra weight in front of the camera's centre of gravity creates its own problems, and I've actually had better results hand-holding it, (ii) in poor light, distant objects are not as sharply focused as I'd like, (iii) because of the need for the adapter, it takes a bit of time to connect it up to the camera, but leaving the adapter permanently coupled isn't the answer because it leaves one end of the lens unprotected. Plus points: (i) the lens is compact and comes in its own protective bag with caps and fits neatly into my existing equipment bag, (ii) both the lens and the adapter are robust and well made and the screw threads fit well, (iii) the (for me unprecedented) magnification has opened up potential that I'm only just getting to grips with. I've already got some wildlife shots I'm very pleased with using this kit that simply wouldn't have been worthwhile without it, or would have required much more expensive kit.
By R. Fleming (Camberley, UK)
Having tried and failed to get the dmw-lt55 for my Panasonic Lumix FZ8, I learnt that this lens also fits the bill. You require the Panasonic dmw-la2 adaptor, but the Olympus Tcon 17 is a) much cheaper than the dmw-lt55 and b) is more widely available. A win-win. It certainly saved me at least £30 on the best Panasonic offer, which usually came back as out of stock anyway. Can also be used on the more advanced FZ18.
By I-ONLY-WANT-VINYL! (UK)
I bought the adapter (BE warned, you have to also buy the HUGE adapter to fit lenses to an sp550uz) and tele lens for my Olympus SP550uz superzoom and was VERY disappointed. The extra magnification with the tele lens is hardly noticeable, probably because the sp550uz has great optical zoom anyway. I ended up returning the adapter and tele lens for refund, the sp550uz camera is much better just used on its own. Maybe this tele lens and adapter is best suited for other models as other reviewers seemed to fair better than me.
My advice is if you have an sp550uz keep your money and use the camera as it comes, pics are much bettter that way, the tele conversion and its monstrous adaptor will give you little extra benefit and it weighs a ton!
By DR (Lincolnshire, UK)
After using my Olympus C-765 Ultra Zoom digital camera for over 3 years, I have been very satisfied with the results. One of the camera's best features is it's impressive 10x optical zoom. After careful consideration I decided to buy an adapter ring (CLA-4)and upgrade the zoom to a whopping 17x zoom using the quite expensive TCON-17. The results are just as pleasing using the lens as the quality of the shots produced by the camera without an additional lens.
Positive Points:
The lens is well made, easy to screw on to the adapter and produces good quality shots. It has a nice feel to it and is easy to hold. It comes with a leather pouch and two caps; one for the end that attaches to an adapter and one for the actual large lens end. Though the lens is only supposed to be used at it's full extent as recommended, using it at less than this still produces clear, sharp images and also creates a ring of black background around the image creating almost like a plate design that can look very attractive, especially with landscape shots. It can be used for non-Olympus digital cameras such as Panasonic digital cameras.
Negative points:
Sometimes when zoomed fully in the camera cannot always focus on the subject. The lens is quite heavy. If shooting in poor light conditions or indoors the built in flash of the Olympus C-765 UZ will not be powerful enough as you will be shooting things further away to usual. To me the lens seems expensive but if you take alot of far zoom photographs it may be worth it and eventually pay for itself as oppose to upgrading to an SLR.
Practicality:
The lens is of more use when taking outdoor shots in a source of good, natural light, as oppose to indoor shots. The built in flash of the camera is not powerful enough to light the subject, therefore it may well be worth purchasing an external flash. The lens itself weighs about the same as the camera and so when walking around it is best to make sure you have the strap around your neck and you hold the camera as the unit points downwards due to the weight of the lens. The body is made from metal and the lens only comes in black which stands out if you are using a silver camera. The quality of the lens seems fine with no blemishes and the exterior is metal and keeps cool thus the unit is nice to hold. It can become a pain when having to carry the lens around separately so it will be worth purchasing a carry case large enough for the additional lens and it quickly becomes apparent of the time it takes to screw the lens on and off the adapter and also then attaching and deattaching this to the camera itself. Leaving the adapter connected to the lens would be the best idea but then the lens is unprotected at the adapter end as the cap does not fit the smaller screw end of the adapter. Also if storing the lens in the pouch, this is quite tight fitting and so the lens cover for the actual lens end often comes off when trying to get the lens out or putting it back away.
Summary:
All in all it does what it says on the tin by producing good quality photos and has a nice smooth feel to it. I rate it 4/5 for taking photos of people or landscapes far in the distant that your built in optical zoom will not use but highly recommend you buy a case to store it in and only buy it if you are a keen photographer as it is an expensive accessory if it is only to be used a few times.
By Andrew W (Hampshire, United Kingdom)
I have been using the TCON-17 for a couple of months with my Fuji S5500, with good results. It is amazing to have that much zoom. With practice you can use it without a tripod, although at full x17 zoom (10x for camera, 1.7x for TCON - x17 total zoom!) it is difficult to avoid shake if the camera is just in your bare hands. As suggested on the S5000 user website, I permanently keep a filter screwed onto the S5500's adapter ring. That means that when I keep on (un)screwing the TCON-17 onto the camera I'm not damaging the adapter ring's screw thread, which is plastic (my filter's thread is metal, as is the TCON's thread). It works well and is a secure fit.
To sum up - I love it!
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Buy Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens TCON-17 ( for SP-550UZ/C-5050/C-740/C-750/C-725 ) Now
