Canon PowerShot S5/S3 IS Telephoto Samples

Though the S3 / S5 IS is capable of 12x optical telephoto, or 432mm, there will be the occasion where even greater power is desired.  We've tested several teleconverters and the results are presented here.  The converters range from 1.5x to 1.7x.  To calculate the effect of a teleconverter, simple multiply the power of the converter by the focal length of the S2s lens.  For example, the S2 at full tele is 432mm.  Multiply 432mm x 1.5x = 648mm focal length.  The exif information from the camera records the focal length as 6.mm to 72.mm.  To convert to 35mm equivalent, multiply this number by 6.

The Canon S3 / S5 IS samples below were taken using the Lensmate 52mm and 58mm adapters and the teleconverters described.

The first image of the pair is the converter with the camera at full telephoto zoom, and the second image shows that point at which vignetting begins to appear. If the lens was zoomed back further toward the wide setting, the corners would darken and the image would eventually become circular.

S3/S5 Lensmate 52mm adapter with Raynox DCR-6600

 

 

S3/S5 IS with no converter

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S3/S5 IS Telephoto at wide setting. That's Seattle about 2 miles away.
focal length 36mm		 Zoomed to
focal length 138mm
Zoomed to
focal length 276mm

Zoomed to max telephoto
432mm

 

S3/S5 IS and TC-DC58B 1.5x 58mm
This is the teleconverter that Canon designed for the S3/S5 IS.

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S2 full telephoto zoom
with TC-DC58B 1.5x 58mm.
Focal length 648mm

Zoomed back to the point at which
vignetting begins.
Focal length 256mm

 

S3/S5 IS and Raynox DCR-1540Pro 1.54x 52mm
 Slightly more power than the TC-DC58B with comparable image quality.

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S2 full telephoto zoom
with Raynox DCR-1540 X 52mm
Focal length 665mm

Zoomed back to the point at which
vignetting begins.
Focal length 202mm

 

S3/S5 IS and TC-DC52B 1.6x 52mm
We've included this lens designed for the S1 for those that might already have one.
A little corner soft at full zoom.

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S2 full telephoto zoom
with TC-DC52B 1.6x 52mm
Focal length 691mm

Zoomed back to the point at which
vignetting begins.
Focal length 252mm

 

S3/S5 IS and Olympus TCON17 1.7x 55mm
 A popular high quality converter. Good center sharpness at full zoom. (we do not sell this lens)

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Olympus TCON17 1.7x 55mm
Focal length 734mm

Zoomed back to the point at which
vignetting begins.
Focal length 217mm

 

S3/S5 IS and Raynox DCR 2020PRO 2.2X

Highest power of teleconverters tested. Though somewhat soft in the periphery, could be ideal for birding or situations when this might not be an issue. Be sure to click on large thumbs below to see full size images.

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Raynox DCR 2020PRO 2.2X 62mm
Focal length 950mm

Zoomed back to the point at which
vignetting begins.
Focal length 611mm