Why use a Tele Conversion Lens?

MegaZoom. You will effectively convert your 18x Zoom camera into a massive 30.6x optical zoom on your camera as the telephoto conversion lens gives you zooming ability equivalent to 826mm on a 35mm camera.

Thus it turns your Panasonic DMC-FZ38, DMC-FZ28 or DMC-FZ18 Superzoom Camera into a Panasonic MegaZoom Camera and bringing you closer to the action than ever before.

What Difference a 1.7x Telephoto Converter Lens Makes

For comparison, take a look at the two photos taken below, both were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ18, the first is at full zoom with the Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (TCON-17), the second is at full zoom without a Tele Conversion Lens.

With Telephoto Lens The Photo above was taken at full zoom with the Olympus TCON-17 1.7x Tele Conversion lens fitted to my Panasonic DMC FZ19. (Click image to see larger version)	Without Telephoto Lens The Photo above was taken with my Panasonic DMC FZ19 shortly after the first at full zoom (18x) without a Telephoto Conversion lens fitted. (Click image to see larger version)

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Example Photographs

For an example of what you can expect, take a look at my gallery of photographs taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 and the Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (TCON-17). All the photos were taken in on a recent Houseboat Safari in Kariba, Zimbabwe that we went on.

>> Olympus TCON-17 Gallery

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Advantages of using a Tele Conversion Lens

There is no question that using a telephoto-conversion lens with you camera will bring you closer to the action. This has many advantages in photography, but if we talk in terms of taking photographs on safari, the advantages of being able to take excellent photos of wildlife from a distance are:

• Keeps you at a safe distance from potentially dangerous animals
• Don't disturb their natural behaviour as you don't move into their comfort zone, so get more natural photographs.
• Often get photos that others don't, especially birds that will probably flee at a closer distance
• Take detailed photos of parts of large mammals, the eye of an elephant for example – can make for a more interesting photograph
  
  
  

Disadvantages of using a Telephoto Lens

• Increased Size. One of my main reasons for buying and using a SuperZoom camera, rather than a Digital SLR camera, is size (See why I recommend the Panasonic as one of the best cameras for safaris). Without the Telephoto Lens, the Panasonic DMC-FZ28 & DMC-FZ18 cameras still have a 35mm equivalent zoom of over 500mm and they are very compact especially when compared to an SLR camera. The addition ot the Telephoto lens does increase the size of the camera, but it must be said this is still much smaller and lighter than if you had the equivalent SLR camera with a Telephoto Lens.
• Fiddly. If you are out in the field and need to swap back to using your camera, removing the telephoto lens, whilst easy, can be a little fiddly, however the same can be said for SLR cameras.
• Increased Camera Shake. The added power of the zoom means that there is much more chance of camera shake which your digital stabiliser may not be able to handle. All the photos in the examples on this page were taken without a tripod, however for the very best results I would recommend using a tripod.

 

Cost & Where to Buy

As mentioned before, the Panasonic Telephoto lens is more expensive than the Olympus one.

I bought my lens on Amazon as it is a trusted source and was the cheapest that I could find here in the UK. Even though I bought it through Amazon.co.uk, the lens came from the US, amazingly it was delivered within 2 days!

UK: Buy from Amazon.co.uk

In the UK, the Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens retails for around £190, the Olympus TCON 17 Converter costs around £90 and the DMW-LA3 E Lens Adaptor is about £25, to check current prices, click on the links below:

• Buy the Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens
• Buy the Olympus TCON 17 - Tele Converter Lens
• Buy the Panasonic Lens Adapter (DMW-LA3 E)

 

USA: Buy from Amazon.com

In the USA, the Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens retails for around $220, the Olympus TCON 17 Converter costs around $95. I have been unable to find the DMW-LA3 E Lens Adaptor on Amazon.com, to check current prices, click on the links below:

• Buy the Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens
• Buy the Olympus TCON-1.7x Telephoto Converter Lens

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How to Use the Tele on your Panasonic

Fitting and using the telephoto lens on your Panasonic DMC-FZ18 DMC-FZ38 or DMC-FZ28 is very simple.

Fitting the Lens:

• First screw on the the Panasonic Lens Adapter (DMW-LA3) to the camera
• Screw your Telephoto Lens onto the Adapter.
  
  

Using The Telephoto Lens:

• Turn your camera on as normal
• In any mode other Intelligent-Auto (iA), press the menu button on the back of your camera and scroll down to the 'Conversion' option, change it from off to 'T' for telephoto. Please not that this step is not vital, I think it only ensures that you don't take photos that will show the inside of the camera barrel – If you don't change the setting, just zoom in on your chosen subject.
• Take photos as normal!

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Further Reading

• For my advice on the best alround digital cameras, to take with you on safari and traveling around Africa: Best Digital Camera for Safari and Travel
  
  
• For more of the best super-zoom cameras for safaris, wildlife and travelling, including which camera has the largest zoom and the highest image resolution, take a look at this page on the Safari Holiday Blog: Best Cameras for Safari: Super-Zooms

 

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What to Take on Safari

This page is part of a series of posts on what to take on safari, for further reading try:

• Safari Binoculars
• Best Digital Cameras for Safari Holidays
• African Safari, Travel & Wildlife Books
• Safari Clothing Advice
• Safari packing list of what to take on safari