Element vs. $

[swanz]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if anyone can tell me two things:

1) What sort of difference am I looking at betweentwo 1.7x telephoto converters, oneis 3 group, 5 element, the other is 3 group,3 element. More glass in the first, but what does thatmean for quality?

2) Do you think I can avoid paying $600 CDN for the DSC-F717 converter, (3 group, 5 element)and pay $240 CDN for the H1 instead, (3 group,3 element)? They're both 58mm and I need some second opinions... How much quality does 2 elements cost my in picture quality?

Thanks a bunch,

Swanz