On Wed, 13 Jan 1999 09:41:48 GMT, zhenya.shifrin@usa.net wrote:

>Does somebody has experience using video tele or wide angle lenses (e.g.
>Kenko KVC050 or KVC200) for photography? These devices allow to increase or
>decrease the focal lens of the main camera lens without apperture reduction
>penalty. I guess the fact that very few people use them points to some trap
>here. I tested one tele lens and did not find any vigneting problem. I was
>unable to check resolution/contrast. Does somebody know
>advantages/disadvantages of these lenses compared with standard
>teleconverters? Are they worth the money for photography or their only use is
>camcoders?

These often work well on camcorder lenses, but the worst
El Cheapo "Icky-non f7.5" lens (or even a cheap, no-name
rear teleconverter) will easily outperform a front converter
added to a 35mm-format lens. (Well, one almost-exception was
a no-name .42X fisheye adapter that, when added to a Nikkor
28mm f2.8 AIS stopped down to f22, did produce a reasonably
good-quality round fisheye image...) I often use these for
video work, but never with 35mm or larger gear...