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When using a teleconverter, first choose a shutter speed that suits your subject, then compensate for the converter’s light loss with ISO or a slower shutter. Check that your exact lens, converter and camera are compatible before mounting them: teleconverters reduce the effective maximum aperture, may affect autofocus and can reduce sharpness. There is no single best setting for every combination or subject.

Check compatibility before attaching a teleconverter

Identify the exact camera body, lens and teleconverter, then check the manufacturer’s compatibility chart and manual for that combination. Compatibility affects more than autofocus: an unlisted lens may physically contact the converter’s optical element. Nikon specifically warns that an unlisted NIKKOR lens can damage the converter, so do not test an unlisted combination by mounting it. See Nikon’s AF-S teleconverter compatibility chart for its listed combinations and limitations.

Also check whether the combination supports autofocus, metering and stabilization, and whether it has restrictions for your camera body. Manufacturer claims apply to supported equipment: for example, Nikon describes its TC-14E III as retaining image quality, AF accuracy, metering and VR stabilization with compatible AF-S NIKKOR lenses, not with every Nikon lens or body. The product is listed at Nikon’s TC-14E III product page.

Account for the effective aperture and light loss

A teleconverter magnifies the image and increases effective focal length, but it also reduces the lens’s effective maximum aperture. Nikon gives these typical light losses: one stop for 1.4x, 1.5 stops for 1.7x and two stops for 2x converters. A lens that was already close to its maximum aperture will therefore have less light available after the converter is fitted. Nikon explains the trade-off in Using Teleconverters.

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NEEWER 3X Teleconverter for Phone Telephoto Lens Only, 17mm Thread, LS-89
  • 5X telephoto use only: Only for phones with a 5x optical telephoto lens; compatible with iPhone 18 Pro Max 18Pro 17 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra S25 Xiaomi 15 Ultra Vivo X200 Ultra, and more; not for main or ultra wide cameras; telephoto zoom varies by model
  • Real 15x lossless optical zoom: Extends phone telephoto lens from 5x (120mm equivalent) to 15x (360mm equivalent) without digital cropping—retaining clarity and fine details for shooting distant subjects like wildlife, sports, concerts, and portraits
  • Multicoated optical system: 12 elements in 6 groups HD optical glass and multilayer coatings minimize glare and distortion while enhancing image sharpness and detail—even at high zoom levels
  • 17mm mount + 37mm filter thread: Equipped with a 17mm lens mount for NEEWER phone cages and phone cases; the 37mm front thread supports ND, CPL, and other content creator essential and influencer must have photography filter accessories
  • Use with tripod & phone cage: Use a tripod to reduce shake and blur; secure lens with NEEWER 17mm thread cage or case; set max zoom to activate telephoto lens; compatible with iPhone, disable Macro Control and cover extra lenses to stop auto switching
Converter strength Added focal-length factor Typical light loss stated by Nikon
1.4x 1.4× 1 stop
1.7x 1.7× 1.5 stops
2x 2× 2 stops

The aperture display and autofocus behavior depend on the specific camera-lens-converter system. Confirm what your camera reports rather than assuming a legacy combination will communicate the effective aperture in the same way as a newer one.

For a system-specific illustration, Sony says its FE 2x teleconverter changes an f/2.8 lens to an effective f/5.6. Sony notes that maintaining exposure may require a higher ISO or slower shutter speed; this example describes that Sony converter, not every 2x system. See Sony’s SEL20TC product page.

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VILTROX Auto Focus 2X Teleconverter Extender Converter for Canon EF Mount Super Telephoto Lens 135mm f/2L,200mm,300mm,400mm,600mm,70-200mm,100-400mm and DSLR Camera 5DII 80D 760D 7D,Black
  • The 2X Teleconverter can make the focal length of all the Canon EF lenses increased to 2 times, Built-in 4 groups, 7 pcs optics, and the exposure factor enlarge approx 4. (equals to 2 aperture).
  • Compatible for Canon EF Mount Lens.[Notice:It only compatible with fixed focal length L-series lenses 100mm and over, as well as the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, EF 70-200mm f/4L, and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L.]
  • Support lens Auto Focus function.Outstanding image quality thanks to new optical design and improved AF performance. The focus speed is really fast and can track the subject, and lock the subject flexibly and accurately.
  • Lens coatings are optimized to minimize ghosting and flare. With the aperture adjustment lever on the adapter, you can adjust the aperture fast.
  • With an upgraded USB firmware interface, it supports USB firmware upgrading, and through subsequent upgrades, the adapter can improve its function, and fix bugs.

Set shutter speed for the subject before adjusting exposure

Decide how much motion you need to freeze. A perched bird, a moving animal and a fast sport each present different motion-blur risks, and the longer effective focal length can make camera shake more noticeable. Choose a shutter speed that suits the subject and your shooting conditions; there is no universal number that guarantees a sharp result.

If the resulting image is too dark, raising ISO can preserve your chosen shutter speed, at the cost of more image noise. Slowing the shutter can keep ISO lower, but increases the risk of blur from subject movement or camera shake. In dim light, when freezing action matters most, a higher ISO is generally the more useful trade-off than a shutter speed too slow for the subject.

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NIKON Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4X for 1.4X Magnification of Compatible Nikon Z Mirrorless Lenses and Nikon Z Cameras
  • Compatible with select Nikon NIKKOR Z long telephoto lenses.
  • Increases the native reach of compatible lenses by 40%—without any loss of resolution and with outstanding image quality.
  • Retains all AF functionality and speed, VR capabilities and minimum focusing distance, with only 1 stop of light loss.
  • Can use every focus point of your Z series camera's sensor all the way down to f/11, unprecedented for teleconverters.
  • Maintains the close focusing capability of NIKKOR Z lenses while enlarging the reproduction ratio by 1.4x. Durable and dust and drip resistant.

Use the camera’s meter and review the histogram or image highlights to check exposure. Make adjustments based on the actual scene and result rather than relying on the original lens’s exposure settings after adding the converter.

Check autofocus on your exact combination

The converter’s loss of light reduces the lens’s effective maximum aperture, and autofocus availability, speed and accuracy can vary by lens, converter and body. Consult the manufacturer’s compatibility information for the exact combination, then test focus in the kind of light and on the kind of subject you plan to photograph. If autofocus is unavailable or consistently unreliable, switch to manual focus where appropriate.

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NEEWER 2X Converter for Phone Camera Telephoto Lens Only, LS-79
  • 2x telephoto lens converter: For smartphones with a built in 5x telephoto camera, this converter doubles optical zoom from 5x (120 mm equivalent) to 10x (240 mm equivalent) for distant shooting without digital cropping or image loss
  • For 5X telephoto cameras only: Not for main camera; cell phone accessories compatible with Vivo X200 Ultra Xiaomi 15 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 S25 Ultra Android iPhone 18 Pro Max 18 Pro 17 16 Pro/Pro Max; select 5X before use if optical zoom is below 5X
  • Compact and lightweight: Compared to standard external zoom lenses, this 2x converter is shorter and lighter; it features a 17mm thread for 17mm threaded phone cages, cases, and lens clips; content creator essential photography and filming accessories
  • Multicoated optical glass: 7 elements in 5 groups of HD optical glass and multiple nanocoatings reduce glare and distortion, resist water, fingerprints, and scratches, and ensure excellent light transmission; a cleaning cloth is included
  • Important note: Different phone brands may require different zoom levels to activate the telephoto lens; compatible with iPhone, apply the included stickers to cover the wide angle lens to prevent lens switching caused by light sensor interference

Limits from one camera system should not be applied to another. Nikon’s F-mount chart gives combination-specific autofocus restrictions, while Nikon says supported Z-series teleconverter combinations can use the camera’s AF points down to f/11. That f/11 statement applies to Nikon Z equipment and supported combinations; Nikon also notes that AF accuracy and speed can vary with the subject and shooting situation. Details are in the compatibility chart and Nikon’s Z teleconverter overview.

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Improve sharpness and check the result

Nikon notes that a teleconverter can reduce sharpness. To give the combination its best chance, focus carefully and stabilize the camera when practical—using a suitable support or steady technique—while keeping the shutter speed appropriate for any subject movement. Stabilization can help with camera shake when supported by the equipment, but it cannot freeze a moving subject.

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Viltrox TC-2.0X Teleconverter,Telephoto Lens with Autofocus
  • ✓【PRODUCT SUPPORT, 3-Year Waranty】— We are committed to providing our customers with an exceptional experience, if you encounter any issues during use, please feel free to let us help you.
  • ✓【 Compatible List】 — Only Compatible With Sony FE SEL70-200G2/ FE SEL70-200GM2/ FE SEL70-200GM/ FE SEL100-400GM/ FE SEL200-600G/ FE SEL400-800G/ FE SEL300F28GM/ FE SEL400F28GM/ FE SEL600F40GM/Viltrox 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
  • ✓【Extends focal length by 2x】 — The 2.0X teleconverter is a lens accessory that can be mounted between the camera and lens to increase the focal length by up to 2x, making it particularly suitable for users who want to use telephoto lenses for wildlife, sports, etc.
  • ✓【Double the focal length】 — The 2.0X teleconverter extends the telephoto focal length without increasing the number of lenses, achieving a balance between increased focal length and high-quality images.
  • ✓【Wide compatibility, comparable to original teleconverters】 — The Viltrox 2.0X teleconverter complements the original lens, providing 2.0 times the focal length. It maintains overall image quality and lens autofocus functionality and features a dust- and splash-proof design for reliability in outdoor photography.

Make a test frame with and without the converter at similar framing, and compare focus, detail and visible defects such as vignetting. Nikon notes that vignetting or other image defects can occur with some combinations. A converter offers extra reach and can be more convenient than carrying a longer lens, but it is not guaranteed to match the sharpness of a dedicated longer lens. If your converter is a legacy Sigma APO TELE CONVERTER EX DG, Sigma’s manual says its 1.4x and 2x models reduce effective aperture by one and two stops respectively and makes autofocus dependent on the specific lens combination; that manual was last updated on 2021-02-08, so use it for those products rather than as current guidance for other Sigma gear: Sigma’s compatibility manual.

Choose 1.4x or 2x based on the whole trade-off

A stronger converter gives more reach but costs more light. Compare the supported options for the actual camera and lens, considering how much reach you need alongside exposure, autofocus and image quality. A 1.4x converter is the less demanding of these two choices for light; a 2x offers greater magnification but typically costs two stops. The better choice is the one that remains usable at your subject’s required shutter speed and produces acceptable focus and detail at the intended distance.

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