Kodak Telephoto Lens Kit for DX Series Digital Cameras

Rating:
Summary: Watch out, you need an additional adapter!
Review: I bought this lens kit taking for granted that it would fit my Kodak DX4530, but when I got it, I realized that I need an additional adapter, not included in the kit, with a US$20 value. What an ugly surprise. So be sure that you have the extra adapter.

Rating:
Summary: Extends the capabilities of the camera.
Review: I've had one of these about a week at this point, long enough to have some idea of what it can do. The camera I'm using it with is a Kodak DX6440, which has a 4x zoom. This teleconverter lens allows the camera to zoom between 4x and 8x, which is a very useful medium-telephoto range.

This is not a very extreme telephoto and will not allow you to photograph far-distant objects. However, it allows you to fill the frame with a subject in the medium distance, rather than have it be a small thing in the middle of the frame. It also, unlike the built-in zoom, displays a good amount of telephoto foreshortening, which extends the range of photographic effects one can obtain.

It is also very useful for photographing people. The telephoto effect tends to make portraits more flattering, and it allows a reasonable distance from the subject, allowing the photographer to be an observer of the scene, rather than interacting with it. Great for candid photography, whether street scenes, one's children, pets, or any other subject you don't want to distract by having to get in their faces to photograph them.

Because telephoto magnifies the effects of camera shake, it would not be advisable to use this lens in low light without supporting the camera in some manner - hand held shots tend to come out poorly.

The lens and adaptor do add significantly to the size and bulk of the camera. They project about two inches from the front of the camera. The adaptor scarcely weighs anything, but the teleconverter lens is fairly weighty, since it contains some fairly large glass elements. It's certainly not uncomfortable to use, but it's not nearly as light a camera with the lens attached. When not needed, they fit into a small padded leather-look drawstring bag which can be carried easily in a pocket.

Photographs produced are clear and sharp. I find that with this lens the camera's capabilities are improved immensely, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Inexpensive way to squeeze a little more out of your camera
Review: The description of this item doesn't really go into details what it's composed of, but the kit contains one Kodak 2x telephoto lens with lens cap and, because the lens won't fit directly onto the camera, two adapters that allows you to use it on a wide range of DX series cameras, I.E. the DX7440. When you determine which adapter you need to use, you won't need the other adapter. You can just assemble the pieces and keep it in the included bag.

When you first put it on the camera you'll notice the viewer will show the image in a tunnel vision- a distant circular image surrounded by darkness. You need to zoom the lens of the camera beyond 2x to get rid of it, which logically you'll need to do anyway because the camera has its own 4x zoom lens and any setting below 2x makes using a 2x telephoto lens piontless. The image will be blurry at first, but using the autofocus (I.E. pressing the shutter release halfway down) will focus the image and make it crystal clear. I was told that the image quality isn't as good as cameras with true interchangable lenses, but I have no complaints.

All in all, it's a pretty good accessory to squeeze a little more out of your digital camera. If nothing else, the extra telephoto lens at least does make the camera look cool.