Any suggestions on which is the better? The Kenko is 129.00, the sony about 100.00.
I am interested in the clarity and performance at full zoom.
Right now I don't want a 400.00 telephoto (or I can't afford a 400.00 lens!).

thanks, mike

In my opinion the sony 1.7 lens is outstanding

I have the Sony 1.7, and it produces a very nice image. It does vignette on my VX2000 at about half way up the telephoto scale-- depending on fstop, of course. I understand that is fairly universal on teleextenders.

I also own a Kenko wide .7 x , and it has been great too, but can't comment on the telextender.

Any suggestions on which is the better? The Kenko is 129.00, the sony about 100.00.
I am interested in the clarity and performance at full zoom.
Right now I don't want a 400.00 telephoto (or I can't afford a 400.00 lens!).

thanks, mike

I've seen the Sony HG-1758 telex for as low as $239. recently. I paid $369. for mine, two years ago. Are you referring to another telex model, that sells for $100.? I had a Kenko 2X telex several years ago and quickly sent it back, as it had poor optical quality and some distortion. The one I got was advertized as having 52mm mounting threads, but they were actually 49mm, with a 52-49mm step-ring attached. This telex would vignette throughout much of the zoom range on a 58mm lens.

If you want to get the best quality from a PD170, you can't put a low-cost telex on the front and expect good results. I've found that the Sony HG-1758 vignettes at about 42% of full zoom and below, on my VX2100. Its optical quality is as good as the basic lens.

the 1.7 sony is on ebay for 98.00.
I did however end up with a kenko 2x from b&h.

Raynox seem to be really getting onto the telephoto bandwaggon now, as this site shows:
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/egindex.htm.