I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW AND TAKE PICTURES TOO: FUJI TL-FX9 TELE CONVERSION LENS
Written: Mar 20 '06 (Updated Mar 22 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to attach and use.
Cons: The lens cap isn't compatible with my camera's.
The Bottom Line: An excellent addition to a fine camera system.
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| JAMES23's Full Review: FUJIFILM Fuji , TL-FX9 BLK 1.5x (43960724) Lens Co... |
When I first purchased my new camera, the Fuji FinePix S5100 Digital Camera http://www.epinions.com/content_174122241668 a little more than a year ago one of the features I enjoyed most was the fact that there re additions that I would be able to add to the basic camera package down the round. That would ensure that it met not only my immediate needs, but possible future ones too.
Well a year later and having mastered the basic camera it seemed only sensible to look at getting my hands on some of the extra goodies. Actually I still haven't mastered all of the functions on the camera yet, but since when has that ever stopped a guy from wanting to get his hands on a new toy.
My loving or should that be long suffering better half decided that this toy er excuse me essential piece of technology would be a good Christmas gift. Being smart as well as understanding and not knowing exactly what lens I wanted or even which one fits my camera she opted for a couple of gift cards, that revolutionary system that has forever changed the way western civilization shops for Christmas and/or birthday presents, from one of Toronto's better known camera stores.
I'd even give them a shout out and some free publicity here except for one small fact. I ordered the lens a couple of days after Christmas and due to their screw ups including cancelling the order didn't get it until late February
There are are several lenses attachments or upgrades available for the S5100, the Fuji, TL-FX9 BLK 1.5x (43960724) Lens Converter, basically a telephoto lens, which we'll discuss here and both macro and wide angle Conversion lens that hopefully will be my next investments.
I chose to go for the telephoto before the wide angle as it seemed a more versatile and useful option. Actually like a little kid in a candy store I wanted both but like the proverbial kid had to settle for one. I still intend to get the other as I feel it will be useful if not essential for a trip to Europe which ahs been delayed yet another year due to unforeseen circumstances.
The TL-FX9 BLK 1.5x (43960724) Lens Converter hereafter referred to as the converter, or the lens, or even the shiny new toy because I'm too lazy to type or even cut and past all that out, is an excellent piece of kit.
It is designed to be used with the following Fuji camera systems S5100, S5200, S4900/6900, S602 S304/3800 A screw on ring adapter is provided for moist of these cameras types. This adaptor cannot be used with the S5100 and one needs to use the adaptor that came with the camera, which most users keep permanently attached to it both to protect the zoom lens and for the LCF(look cool factor).
The Converter comes with this adapter, the lens itself converter; two plastic protective lenses caps and a rubberized plastic bag with a shock cord draw string closure for storing the lens when not attached to the camera.
The bag is a useful little item and I quickly rigged a small clip so it could be attached to my camera strap for those times when not dragging around my camera bag. The plastic caps are of course essential but I was disappointed that they were not similar to the one that comes with the camera itself and which is attached to the strap/body by shock cord.
Unfortunately this cap cannot be used when the lens is attached. One is then left with the option of walking around with no cap, not a good for the lens or having to remove it and shove it in a convenient pocket.
The lens itself is of machined aluminium with black plastic accoutrements and is light weight and rather elegant looking (dimensions are noted below). It is however more than just a pretty accessory.
Naturally I had to try it out the minute I got it home form the store. As I noted it was easy to figure out how to attach it and a few minutes later I was standing at our living room window overlooking downtown Toronto and fiddling around with the camera's zoom lens and focusing on street signs, cars and the occasional homeless person 13 floors below. I'd focus on something and take a shot with the converter on and examine it in the camera's view screen and then take the same shot without it and compare them.
Now looking at pictures in a tiny screen an inch wide does not allow a good comparison. Step two was to download the picture and compare them on my computer screen. This gave me something I could actually see, although to be honest I was a bit disappointed with the results. It didn't seem like there was much of a difference between the shots I'd taken with the converter and those without. However this was only the first very unscientific test and I had been using subjects only a couple of hundred feet away.
Like the camera itself the real test would be using the converter on a trip. As luck would have it (ok careful planning) we went down to San Andres Island in the Caribbean shortly after for a week of fun in the sun.
This trip allowed me to put my new toy through its paces. San Andres has plenty to offer for the visitor especially so for the photographer.
Directly across from our hotel and about a kilometre off shore was one of the small islands that surround the main one. It was easy to take shots of this with and without the telephoto and then compare the results. I took my laptop with me and this allowed me to upload pictures and compare results on a 17 rather than a one inch screen.
The differences were immediate and the details I could get combining the 10x zoom lens with the 1.5 x magnification. I could make out details on the neighbouring island that made it look like I was viewing it from 100 metres away, not five to ten times that distance.
San Andres has a couple of spectacular wrecks on the reefs visible only as blobs from shore, that I was able to get some excellent close up details shots of. Later in the week I would get fantastic close up shots of windsurfers far in the distance that looked like I was on the board next to them not safe on shore.
As the week progressed my comfort level with my new toy increased. I was also able to quickly remove or install the lens as needed. The hanging it off of the camera strap when not in use was not a completely satisfactory measure and the search for a the perfect camera bag that will do more than take up space in the hotel room continues.
If the climate had allowed for it my photographers vest/bush jacket with it's numerous pockets may have been the solution, as it was shorts and t-shirts don't allow much stowage for camera bits and pieces.
As I thought it would, this lens converter has ensured that my S5100 will remain a useful tool for several more years to come. Even when it does become time to upgrade one consideration will be a new Fuji that can be used with this lens. Now I just have to work on hinting at the wife for the wide angle. Christmas is too far away but there is an anniversary and my birthday coming up.
Features and Details:
Magnification: 1.5x
Compatibility: Still Photography
Mount Type: Snap/Screw on
Optical Construction: 3 Groups/3 Elements
Mounting Dimensions-Rear Diameter: 55 mm
Physical Dimensions: Length 2 in/ Weight 3.5 oz
Misc: MPN- 43960, Product ID- 21031451,
Continental Breakfast-No
Fluffy Towels-No
Cost: $189.00 Cdn (plus tax)
Recommended:
Yes
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JAMES23
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
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