Whether you’re a professional studio or media outlet photographer, aspiring photographer or weekend shutterbug, lens converters can be the answer to replacing your camera if you’re looking for greater lens capacity. A number of digital cameras on the market allow for a lens converter (also called conversion lenses) to be attached. These are primarily cameras that either cannot normally accept any additional lens hardware, are digital SLR cameras, or are consumer cameras that already have a lens. They are especially useful for cameras without interchangeable lenses.

There are several types of lens converters. With telephoto lenses (teleconverters), you can achieve further zoom towards photographic targets. With a wide-angle lens, you are able to add greater scope and include more in your pictures. A macro lens can be added to increase quality in close-up shots. When looking for lens converters for your consumer or professional camera:

1. Make sure that the lens converters you are considering are appropriate to your camera model.

2. Used camera parts such as lens converters are often easy to attain, by either local or virtual sources, and can result in significant savings over new factory hardware.

3. Protect your lens converter or add a lens converter to your current camera lens with a variety of accessories for lens converters.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a lens converters provider or buy wholesale lens converters

The best lens converters usually come from your camera's original manufacturer. However, if the manufacturer does not provide lens converters, you can find them at other retailers. You can also purchase them at wholesale prices for resale to your business's customers.

I recommend: You can find new lens converters at retailers such as J&R. Ritz Camera is another lens converters provider that carries major brands. WholesaleSelect has several options for those looking for bulk purchases of lens converters for resale.

Buy used lens converters

Lens converters can easily be procured from used camera equipment sources, and if you're careful about the condition of the lens converter, you can cut costs here.

I recommend: A popular source for used camera accessories is KEH Camera, where you can also sell or trade your camera. You can also find a used lens converters list on Shutterbug’s classifieds page, which also has a wealth of lens converters information.

Find lens converters accessories

Lens converters may not fit every camera or one may not exist for your model, in which case a lens converter adapter can increase your camera's functionality. In addition, lens converters are delicate and can often benefit from the protection of special cases. Many accessory providers also sell filters.

I recommend: Pro Camera Gear carries LensCoat, which is a case that fits over lens converters and provides not only protection, but also camouflage if you are looking to photograph wildlife. Adorama has a wide selection of adapters for lens converters, and also manufactures their own.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using lens converters with cameras that were not intended to have lenses of that size attached, it's possible for the lens converter to block the internal flash and cause a shadow.