Telephoto vs Teleconverters

[PhotoAnt]

Hi, would like to find out the pros and cons of using teleconverters vs super-telephotos/telephotos. Other than the degrading of aperture, are there any other optical losses.

Otherwise it seems to make sense to carry a 200mm + 2x converter than to buy and carry a 400mm f5.6 super-tele.

Would appreciate your inputs.

 

[nightpiper]

beside aperture loss, there is resolution loss, detail loss, sharpness loss & colour degration. if you use very low end cheap brand teleconvertors, you will see a lot of CA & colour very yucky. many people will just stick to 1.4x as they find the degration of 2x too hard too swallow.

also common sense tells you that if 2x teleconvertors are as good as prime telephoto lenses, manufacturer will not make big telephoto & convertors will be very popular.

hope that clears some air.

btw, heard there r 3x convertors as well in case you r keen.