TC-E17ED

I use the TC-E17ED with my Panasonic FZ-7. I don\'t have any other teleconverters to compare with, but this combination can produce very good images in adequate light. Naturally, a teleconverter is pushing the limits of the FZ-7\'s capabilities, and depth of field and aberrations can be problems unless the focus is spot-on and the lighting is adequate. However, that isn\'t the teleconverter\'s fault. When the focus is on, the pictures are excellent. The TC-E17ED has a great reputation, and I don\'t have any complaints.

Physically, the TC-E17ED is a thing of beauty. It\'s solidly constructed and you will feel proud to have it on your camera! Although it costs significantly more than the Olympus TC-17, I feel like I got my money\'s worth. It weighs about 3 times as much as the FZ-7, but with a Pemaraal snout and B+W 55-60E adapter ring the whole assembly feels very solid and comfortable, and not too heavy at all. The new center of gravity is at the base of the teleconverter\'s barrel, which is a natural gripping point. The included tripod/monopod mount won\'t close around my camera\'s snout properly since it\'s designed for the geometry of the Coolpix, but it works well enough that I can use it on my monopod with an improvised fastening device. Anyone who\'s handy with tools can improvise something similar.

Fortunately the threading on the end of the teleconverter is 86mm, which allows a decent selection of filters and hoods. I found the Nikon HN-13 hood to be an excellent choice. I have seldom removed the TC-E17ED from my camera since it first arrived.