Hardly a week goes by on the OM List without someone wondering how the 300mm
f/4.5 works with the 1.4X teleconverter. It turns out there is a pretty
consistent, although not always significant degradation in image rendering
ability with the teleconverter attached. The downside to this is that it is
harder to focus when using the 1.4X, probably because wide open performance
really deteriorates - and that is the image one must focus on. Note the F+
rating (there is no E). That means all detail is lost and only the shape
tells you what you photographed.
300mm f/4.5 Zuiko (multi-coated)
Vignetting = A
Distortion = moderate pincushion
Aperture Center Corner
f/4.5 B- B-
f/5.6 B+ B
f/8 B B-
f/11 B+ B-
f/16 B B
f/22 B B
f/32 B B
Note: slightly soft contrast.
300mm f/4.5 Zuiko (multi-coated) with Olympus 1.4X Teleconverter
Vignetting = A (none)
Distortion = None!
Aperture Center Corner
f/4.5 (6.3) F+ D-
f/5.6 (8) C C
f/8 (11) C- C-
f/11 (16) B- C+
f/16 (22) B C+
f/22 (32) B- C
f/32 (45) C+ C
Note: Poor wide open performance makes focusing difficult; low contrast;
remarkable lack of distortion and vignetting.
BTW, I used a massive, unextended Bogen 3040/3047 combo for the 1.4X test.
Fully stopped down (effective f/45) the exposure was 2 seconds.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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