Digital Nc 3.5X High Definition Telephoto 50mm
The 3.5x magnification with three ED glass elements suppresses chromatic aberration across the frame, while the 181g weight and 72mm filter thread make it a compact add-on for DSLR lenses. Its multi-coated optics maximize light transmission and minimize reflections, and the included stepping rings fit 49-67mm filter threads, adding versatility. This lens suits DSLR shooters who want extra reach for macro or portrait work without carrying a heavier telephoto prime.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A screw-on macro booster that punches way above its price for close-ups. Just don't expect it to be a real telephoto lens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely strong macro performance for the price 93rd
- Super light at 181g, easy to toss in a bag 86th
- Includes stepping rings for 49-67mm filter threads 79th
- ED glass actually reduces purple fringing 71st
Cons
- Not a real standalone lens, it's a screw-on converter
- Optical quality tanks outside macro range
- f/3.5 minimum aperture means you lose a lot of light
- No weather sealing, and the mount situation is clunky
The proof
Performance
The macro score is the headline here. Our database puts it in the 93rd percentile for macro work, which is wild for something this cheap. The three ED elements do actual work keeping purple fringing down, and the multi-coating helps with contrast. But the optical score overall sits in the 32nd percentile, so once you step away from close-up work, sharpness and clarity fall off a cliff. The stabilization helps a bit, but you're stacking glass on glass, and physics doesn't care about your feelings.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 3 |
| Groups | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | multi-coated |
Aperture
| Min Aperture | f/3.5 |
Build
| Mount | SLR Lens |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 72 |
vs Competition
Stack this against the Nikon NIKKOR 20059 or the Canon EF-S 18-135mm and you'll see the difference immediately. Those are actual lenses with real optical designs. The Viltrox AF 20mm F2.8 FE is a proper prime that runs circles around this for general shooting. But none of those give you 3.5x magnification on a budget. The Sony E PZ 16-50mm is more versatile, but it won't get you this close to a subject. This thing is a one-trick pony, and the trick is macro.
| Spec | Digital Nc 3.5X High Definition Telephoto 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 18-55mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | - | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | SLR Lens | Sony E | Nikon F | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 181 | 590 | 205 | 535 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | - | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | telephoto | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nc 3.5X High Definition Telephoto 50mm | 53.9 | 69.9 | 86 | 93.1 | 31.6 | 70.9 | 33.2 | 79.4 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 63.1 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 70.9 | 97.9 | 79.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.7 | 81.4 | 83.8 | 95.4 | 54.7 | 82.8 | 82.8 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 53.9 | 97 | 67.1 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 75.8 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 86.7 | 83.9 | 49.1 | 86.2 | 88.3 | 80.5 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.6 | 77.9 | 82.8 | 95.8 | 79.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At around $80 USD, this is a cheap way to dip your toes into macro without buying a dedicated macro lens. If you already own a kit lens with a 49-67mm filter thread, it's a low-risk experiment. But don't expect it to replace a real telephoto prime. You get what you pay for, and sometimes that's fine.
Read more
Overview
This is a screw-on teleconverter pretending to be a lens, and honestly, it's a weird little gadget. The one thing to know: it's not a standalone 50mm prime. It mounts on top of your existing lens to give you 3.5x magnification, and for macro shooters on a budget, it's surprisingly decent. But it comes with real compromises.
Common Questions
Q: Does this work as a standalone lens?
No. It screws onto the front of an existing lens with a 49-67mm filter thread. You need a base lens already mounted on your camera.
Q: Will I lose image quality?
Yes, especially outside macro range. The ED glass helps with fringing, but stacking extra elements always costs you sharpness and light. Expect to lose at least a stop or two.
Q: Is this good for wildlife or sports?
Not really. The 3.5x magnification sounds tempting, but the optical quality and light loss make it frustrating for fast or distant subjects. A used telephoto zoom would serve you better.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a real telephoto lens for wildlife, sports, or portraits, this isn't it. Go grab a used 55-200mm or 70-300mm instead. You'll get autofocus, better sharpness, and a lot less frustration.
Verdict
If you want to shoot bugs, flowers, or tiny details without spending real macro lens money, this is a fun little tool. If you want a telephoto lens for wildlife or sports, this isn't it. Buy it for what it is, not what the marketing copy pretends it is.
