I just ordered the out-of-production Sony DCL-DH1758 conversion lens. This is exciting because now I’ll be able to get great close-up photographs of distant subjects.
First a word on my gear. I’m currently shooting with a Sony NEX-5N, which is a very sleek mirrorless compact camera. My lenses include:
- The 16 mm pancake lens (very nice lens, great close up photos)
- The fisheye converter lens (bends the horizon for selective dramatics)
- The 18-55 mm kit zoom lens
- The 55-210 mm zoom lens (gets me into the action w/o disturbing same)
The 55-210 mm lens is very good for close up shots, such as the Mallard ducks on my photo greeting card # 237. This lens is also great for shooting lost details on old city buildings.
Now, the subject of my post: the new Tele-Conversion lens fits onto the end of my 55-210 mm, bringing the camera up to an incredible 357 mm maximum range. As an added plus, my camera’s sensor has a 1.5 crop factor, which (and I’ll forgo the technicalities) brings me to an effective range of over 500 mm!
So what does this mean to the casual viewer? Well, photographers often want to record action, not cause it. Say I want to photograph city pigeons getting high on fallen flower blossoms (it does happen). Now, with the wrong lens, I have to “zoom with my feet”, and get close to the birds. As a result, the pigeons get nervous and stop being interesting. I’ve caused action, and lost the shot.
With a decent optical zoom, I can stop at a safe distance and take my photographs. Fun stuff!
Boston, MA, spring 2012: the camera’s 210mm focal length gets us to the natural action.
Ara Hagopian's The Literate Show 