teleconverter that an extension tube

Paul Howell · Apr 5, 2019

I bought a Minolta X700 that came with a lots of odds and ends, one is a 2X teleconverter that has removable element so that it can be used an extension tube. Name on the barrel is Zykkor. Although not a big fan I have owned a number of teleconverters, is the only one I have even seen that can be turned into a extension tube. Doubt that the lens it'self is very good, looks like either 2 or elements 3. Might be common, just had paid any attention.

gorbas · Apr 5, 2019

Great idea!

trendland · Apr 5, 2019

Paul Howell said:
I bought a Minolta X700 that came with a lots of odds and ends, one is a 2X teleconverter that has removable element so that it can be used an extension tube. Name on the barrel is Zykkor. Although not a big fan I have owned a number of teleconverters, is the only one I have even seen that can be turned into a extension tube. Doubt that the lens it'self is very good, looks like either 2 or elements 3. Might be common, just had paid any attention.

These optical extenders have not to be worst - but in most cases (the cheaper ones) they are terrible wirst from optical characteristics!
I remember the price of a television lens within the 80s : ~ 48.000,- bucks.....
after some years a so called "wide lens" was avaible (it was all the time avaible - but it came more popular then)

trendland · Apr 5, 2019

......bad transition....sorry

the pricing for that wide shot lens was a bit more ~ 60.000,- but then there was a wide shot
extender (O,8) the company was Century - the extender was real "CHEAP"

~1800,-!
That Century Extender was the worst optical instruments I ever remember!
Sorry "Century" ......guess the company isn't any longer existing (hope):
The "Century" we called had the optical characteristics of a big "ashtray" from massive glass!
I never used this part - but as a most expensive ashtray it could have been "usable"

with regards

Paul Howell · Apr 5, 2019

I would have no idea that the elements could be removed, the previous owner kept all of her documentation including the directions for the teleconverter. I know that some long lens like the Minolta AF 300 and 400 came with a matched 1.4 teleconverter and were quite good. The only off the shelf teleconverter I ever had that was decent was the Vivitar 2X macro, I think it was Series 1.

trendland · Apr 5, 2019

.....hmmI just googled "Century".... ....a " Big Player " jet - they are with
Schneider Kreuznach together?? Came up with modern "ashtray":

..... hope it is a better one today (never heard about again since 1990)

with regards

PS : So are you sure about the optical characteristics of your Minolta extender?

Paul Howell · Apr 5, 2019

PS : So are you sure about the optical characteristics of your Minolta extender?

Not really, will test it this weekend, I have a Soligar 100 to 300 and Kiron 28 to 70 that came with the camera that I plan on testing, so might as well test the teleconverter as well, need to pick up a roll of Tmax 100. Might be better than I had thought.

Chan Tran · Apr 5, 2019

Using the converter normally you already gain the magnification 2 times because the focal length is doubled and yet the minimum focusing distance is the same.

AgX · Apr 5, 2019

I have come across such combo of mechanical and optical extender repeatedly. So one can choose from both worlds so to say.

glbeas · Apr 5, 2019

I made my extender for one of my 35mm cameras by pulling the lenses out of a cheapo teleconverter. Was way cheaper than any of the extenders I could find for it.

MattKing · Apr 5, 2019

I have a Vivitar version of this for my Olympus OM bodies and it is wonderfully useful.
Its optical performance is probably so-so, but its flexibility is spectacular.
Pop a 50mm f/1.8 lens on the front and you have a 100mm f/3.6 lens with close focusing capability - adjustable from no extension down to 1:1.
Don't use it for high resolution reproduction work - use it for photographing smaller details of real life.

AgX · Apr 5, 2019

But to be fair, when I first had one in hand and I realized the coloured marks on the optical assembly and that by twisting it the assembly could be taken out, it took me a second or two to realize what that all was about...

Paul Howell · Apr 5, 2019

I might have one in the past and did not know that it came apart and never gave it another thought.

choiliefan · Apr 6, 2019

If its a Zykkor the lens elements may have just fallen out unintentionally...

teleconverter that an extension tube

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teleconverter that an extension tube

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