About

RAYNOX is the registered trademark of Yoshida Industry Co., Ltd. A Japanese company based in Tokyo, they have been producing high quality optical instruments for over 47 years.

Using the latest in computer-aided-design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and high-index/low-dispersion optical glasses, structural polymer barrel materials and exotic anti-reflection coatings, Raynox make some of the best Teleconverter lenses available. Raynox also manufacture a number of macro, wide angle and other telephoto lenses, but for this Raynox review, I will stick wit the 2025 Pro.

This particular Raynox Telephoto Conversion Lens is made of high index optical glass elements and by using a suitable adapter you can attach it to a large variety of digital still cameras as well as digital camcorders to increase the optical magnification by a factor of 2.2x

Main Features & Specifications

• Magnification: 2.2x
• High-Resolution 260-Line/mm
• No reduction of light value (F.Number)
• Antireflection coatings on all lens surfaces
• Mounting threads: 62mm
• Front filter size: 82mm
• Size 123 x 86mm
• Light Weight - 275g L (9.7oz)
  
  

High-Resolution 260-Line/mm

The DCR-2025 Pro has been designed using a new concept of two-group/four-element formula to obtain the maximum resolution power of 260 lines/mm whilst also maintaining a very low dispersion.

The resolution power is the calculated figure obtained when the conversion lens is attached on the perfectly made master lens. In other words, you can read the test pattern of 260 pair of black & white lines written in the width of 1mm. With a lower resolution lens the lines will not be clearly separated but in vague gray.

Anti-reflection Lens coatings

The DCR-2025PRO teleconverter has has anti-reflection coatings on all air to glass surfaces and are what produces the blue, red, or green reflections you see when you look into the front (objective) lens of the lens.

These coatings assist with light transmission, improving the image quality considerably in comparison to lenses that either don't have any coatings or only coatings on some of the surfaces. They do this by bringing in more light for a brighter picture and eliminating the strayed beams at the fringe of lens lessening the effects of aberration effects.

Negatives

On the down side, this lens is not waterproof or fogproof and so you need to take extra care when using it in dusty, wet or places with high humidity.

So suddenly exposing the Raynox 2025 pro conversion lens to a warm environment from the cold area may create some internal fogging. If this happens, keep the lens in a dry area till it disappears.

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What Difference a 2.2 x Telephoto Converter Lens Makes

For comparison, take a look at the three photos taken below, all were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 from the same location, the first is just using the camera without a zoom, the second is using the cameras full zoom without the Tele Conversion Lens (18x) and the third is at full zoom using the Raynox DCR-2025PRO Super Telephoto Conversion Lens (39.6x):

Taken without any zoom to show the distance from the subject	Using the 18x zoom of the Panasonic FZ18 - so without any teleconverter attached	Using the Raynox DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 39.6x

I took these comparison photos below at the Focus on Imaging Show - Europe's biggest annual imaging show with the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR, both with and without the Raynox 2.2x DCR-2025PRO teleconverter.

Wide angle shot, taken without any zoom to show the distance from the subject	Using the 30x zoom of the Fuji HS20 - so without any teleconverter attached	Using the Raynox 2.2x DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 66x

 

More information: Adding the Raynox 2.2x teleconverter to the Fujifilm HS20

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Difference between 1.7x and 2.2x teleconverters

Below is the comparison between using a camera (Panasonic DMC-FZ18) with the Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (TCON-17) attached and then with the Raynox 2025PRO attached:

Taken without any zoom to show the distance from the subject	Olympus 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (TCON-17) - 30.6x	Using the Raynox DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 39.6x

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Example Photographs

The first three photos below were taken by me whilst I was on Safari in Zimbabwe with the Raynox 2.2x 2025Pro Teleconverter attached to the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR - giving me a massive 66x or 1584mm (35mm equiv lens). I also had the camera attached to a tripod for added stability. The only editing that I have done is a little cropping, resizing and sharpening. I have also actually reduced their quality (file size) to optimise them for the web.

F-Stop: f/7.1 Expos Time: 1/280 sec ISO-100 Using the Raynox 2.2x DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 66x Camera on a Tripod	F-Stop: f/5.6 Expos Time: 1/320 sec ISO-160 Using the Raynox 2.2x DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 66x Camera on a Tripod	F-Stop: f/5.6 Expos Time: 1/250 sec ISO-200 Using the Raynox 2.2x DCR-2025PRO at full zoom - 66x Camera on a Tripod

 

The four photos below were taken by me in my garden in the UK. All photos are uncropped and were taken with the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 and the Raynox DMC-2025Pro Telephoto Lens.

Also take a look at these excellent photos below published on flickr using the Dcr-2025 Pro Tele lens. All 4 photos were taken by using a Panasonic DMC-FZ28 and the Raynox Telephoto Lens.

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Raynox DCR-2020PRO Teleconversion Lens

Raynox rather confusingly also produce the DCR-2020PRO which is exactly the same as the DCR-2025PRO, except that it only comes with 2 adapter rings (for 52mm and 58mm filter sizes) and without the Raynox LS-082 lens shade.

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FujiFilm FinePix HS20 and the Raynox DCR-2025PRO

The Raynox 2025Pro comes with a selection of rings including a 58mm one that fits on the threaded lens of the Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR.

This camera has a massive 30x zoom (720mm - 35mm equiv lens), so with this 2.2x teleconverter attached you get a truely massive 66x zoom (1584mm). For more take a look at my section on adding a teleconverter to the FinePix HS20.

 

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Panasonic FZ Cameras and the Raynox DCR-2025PRO

You can attach this Raynox Pro lens to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ100, FZ45, and FZ40 cameras, thus extending your focal length from 24x (600mm*) to a huge 52.8x (1320mm*)

To do this you will need the Panasonic DMW-LA5 Lens Adapter and the Raynox RA6255 adapter ring that is included in the DCR-2025Pro Package.

• Minimum focusing distance: 4.5m(AF macro mode)
• Effective zooming without vignetting: 20x - 24x zoom

To mount the Raynox DCR-2025PRO on the LUMIX DMC-FZ38, FZ35, FZ28 and FZ18 cameras, you will need the Panasonic DMW-LA3 Lens Adapter mounted and the Raynox RA6255 adapter ring that is included in the DCR-2025Pro Package. Once attached, it will extend the focal length to 1100mm*

• Minimum focusing distance: 11m/6.5m(Macro mode)
• Effective zooming without vignetting: 6x-18x(FZ18), 7x-18x(FZ28), 18x(FZ38/FZ35)

 

*35mm film equivalent

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Camcorders and Video Cameras

As well as cameras, you can mount the 2025/2020 pro Raynox lens to many High Definition Digital Camcorders these include the Canon Legria HF M406 camcorder that I recently took on safari with me.

Others include the SONY HDR-FX7, VX-2100, VX-2000, VX-1000, PD-170, PD-150, PD-100, TRV-900,/950 Canon GL-1, GL-2, XM-1/2 and many more that have threaded lenses.

For a full list take a look at this Camcorder cross reference table.

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Also Included

The DCR-2025PRO comes with 4 step up adapter rings for 43mm / 52mm / 55mm / 58mm filter sizes and their LS-082 lens shade. (The DCR-2020PRO which is the same lens, but comes with 2-adapter rings for 52mm and 58mm filter sizes and no shade)

Adapter Rings

The adapter ring that you use will depend on the thread size on the lens of your camera, for convenience, the DCR-2025PRO lens kit comes with the most common sizes:

• RA6243 F62-M43mm Adapter ring for 43mm filter size.
• RA6252 F62-M52mm Adapter ring for 52mm filter size.
• RA6255 F62-M55mm Adapter ring for 55mm filter size.
• RA6258 F62-M58mm Adapter ring for 58mm filter size.

Some cameras, like the Panasonic FZ series cameras come with an awkward lens thread size and you will need to get a separate step-up or even step-down adapter ring - these are relatively inexpensive and easy to buy on places like Amazon.

Raynox lens shade: model LS-082

Also included in the DCR-2025PRO lens kit is the LS-082 Lens Shade that weighs just 69g.(2.4oz).

You attach it to the end of the Raynox telephoto conversion lens and it helps reduce unwanted light, preventing lens flare as well as ghost images.

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Cost & Where to Buy

Apart from the extremely powerful zoom, one of the main advantages of buying a teleconverter lens and combining it with your SuperZoom bridge camera is it's relatively low cost:

UK Shoppers Buy this lens in the UK:	US Shoppers Buy this lens in the USA:

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In Conclusion

Apart from the extremely powerful zoom, one of the main advantages of buying a teleconverter lens and combining it with your SuperZoom bridge camera is cost. When you compare the total cost with that of buying an SLR with a large telephoto lens the saving is huge and whilst there is no doubting an SLR with a top of the range telephoto lens will take higher resolution photos, a bridge camera with a good teleconversion lens like the 2025Pro will be more than enough to satisfy the needs of most users who don't have bottomless pockets.

So If you are looking to really extend the focal length of your superzoom camera, taking it way beyond what was only previously only available to the mega rich, then I highly recommend the Raynox DCR-2025PRO lens. It is light weight and transfers plenty of light to your camera's sensor, ensuring that your photos come out looking as good as possible.

Cost & Where to Buy

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Alternatives

other telephoto conversion lenses you may wish to consider are the 1.7x Olympus TCON-17 or the Panasonic DMW-LT55 55mm 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens which both can be fitted to a variety of cameras including the Panasonic FZ's.

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Recommended Cameras

Below are a few cameras that I have reviewed that are ideal to use with the Raynox 2025 Pro and take with you on safari.

Related Articles

Below are some more articles that you may also find useful:

• Bird Photography Equipment that I use on Safari
• Best Superzoom Cameras 2012

 

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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
• Best Superzoom Cameras 2012
• African Safari, Travel & Wildlife Books
• What Equipment I take on Safari
• Bird Photography: Equipment used on Safari
• Safari Clothing Advice
• Safari packing list of what to take on safari