Olympus TCON 17X for Stylus 1 Review

Let me say right off the bat, I have used tele-converter lenses before, on my Lumix DMCFZ50. So I do know they have some quirks and limitations. Onto the review. The Tele-Converter attaches to the Stylus 1 with the CLA13 adapter. The Tele Converter lens has a handy rubber grip on it, as putting this on your camera will make it a bit front heavy.

Went into Stylus 1 menu settings and set up one of the buttons to turn Tele converter on or off.  The tele-converter allows you to maintain a constant f/2.8, meaning you can keep the aperture wide open, or stop it down to the camera's max of f/8.0.
Two things that I really have a problem with: Tele-Converter has no lens hood available, nor is there a way for you to protect the front element with a filter. No thread. What I ended up doing was using a 77mm Hoya UV filter, and a silicon wrist band to hold the filter in place.



The images are below, are the same ORF file, processed with different software, then resized to 50%. Photo was deliberately taken in the worst possible lighting, back lit, bright sky. Full zoom, at the top of a tall tree. I felt if the lens could manage this with a reasonable quality as a result, it augers well for 'ideal' conditions.
Processed with Adobe Camera Raw, then opened in Photoshop. Purple fringe removal action, adjusted levels.

ORF processed with Olympus Viewer 3, then opened in Photoshop. Purple Fringe removal action, adjusted levels.

I found that the Olympus Viewer 3 handled the raw file colors somewhat better, but both could really use some more color adjustment. The OV3 one is a bit too cyan, and the ACR has a bit too much magenta. Details on the birds, considering the distance, and lighting, impressed me. Does this equal having a telephoto lens on a camera body? No, but it does allow for a wider use of the Stylus 1.

Now for an image of something rather mundane, but under more 'ideal' lighting. Part of the walk way. ORF Processed in Adobe Camera Raw, opened in Photoshop, levels adjust only. No purple fringing issues, and details are amazing. If you wanted you could count the grains of sand, and how many ants are walking across the brick.

100% Crop of Lorikeet in top of a gum tree. Straight from camera, no processing at all done.


Adjusted with Purple Fringing removed.

Will the tele-converter take as clear sharp photos as body mounted lenses? Seeing as it's being used on a camera that starts out by having a small sensor, no, probably not, but it does take good ones. Is it worth getting? Oh hell yeah, but I would really like to see Olympus come out with some sort of lens hood or 'clip on UV filter for this nice piece of glass.