Olympus TCON-17, Olympus C-210 and Canon TL-55 comparison (10kzoom -- other FZ10 information and photos)
Canon TL-55 samples (Barry `barrnet') -- the Canon TL-55 is a 1.4x telephoto, reported to be small and lighter than the TCON-17. Around $100-$130, or as low as $88 (as of March 2004).
Ken `Ken S5017' (dpreview, Panasonic forum, 10 April 2004) has posted posted test photographs with an Olympus TCON-300. Sounds like Ken needed to make his own custom bracket to attach the TCON-300 to his FZ10. The TCON-300 costs about $520 new, or about $420 second-hand (as of April 2004).
Fuji 1.5x teleconverter (the Fuji TL-FX9?) -- test photographs by Mark Turner. He used a PD62 Pemaraal converter and also a 62 mm to 55 mm step-down ring. The teleconverter has a 55 mm thread (of course!), weighs 3.5 ounces and is two inches long, and is reportedly a little more expensive than the Canon TL-55. Some users report (when using these lenses with Fuji cameras) that the Fuji 1.5x has a little bit more chromatic aberration and less sharpness than the TCON-17. Look at the comparison between the FX9 and TCON-17 by Antti Holma (using a Fuji S602. To see the photograph labels on the previous link, you need to click on the individual photographs).
See also the Pemaraal website (Section ![[*]](crossref.png)
),
which has comparison photographs between the TCON-17 and also the
TCON-14B. The TCON-14B is reported as ` ``Only'' 1.4x, but does not
vignette down to about 2.5x, which is completely amazing. Razor sharp,
as good as the Sony VCL-HGD1758 -- does not hurt sharpness or speed.'
As of March 2004, Panasonic will soon be releasing their own 1.5x teleconverter, the DMW-LTZ10, and also a wide-angle converter, the DMW-LW10. Presumably, Pansonic's teleconverter for the FZ10 will not require a thread-size adapter.
CK's Digital Camera Page -- Dr. Ching-Kuang Shene's camera guides, including the FZ10. Amongst other useful information are telephoto lens comparisons (Canon TL-55, Minolta ACT-100, Olympus TCON-17, Sony VCL-HGD1758) and usage tips.