Pros & Cons
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- Compact.
- Weather-resistant design.
- Minimal effect on image quality.
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- Pricey.
- Doesn't work with all lenses.
- Can slow focus speed.
Fujifilm Fujinon Teleconverter XF 1.4x TC WR Specs
| Dimensions | 0.6 by 2.3 inches |
| Lens Mount | Fujifilm X |
| Weight | 4.6 |
At $449 the Fujifilm Fujinon Teleconverter XF 1.4x TC WR is more expensive than some lenses, but that's a price that photographers who crave extra telephoto reach are likely willing to pay. The compact teleconverter mounts between your lens and camera body, extending the focal length by 1.4x, but also reducing the effect f-stop of your long glass. Currently it's compatible with just two lenses, so don't expect to use it on any lens in your bag. But if you own the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR ($1,899.00 at Amazon) or the XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR and want to zoom a little further, it's a worthwhile accessory.
Design
Like most teleconverters, the XF 1.4x TC WR is very compact, measuring just 0.6 by 2.3 inches (HD) and weighing 4.6 ounces. It mounts to your camera just as a lens does, and has its own mount and release catch to attach a lens. The front element protrudes beyond the mount, which is why it can only be used with specific lenses. There are non-dedicated teleconverters on the market—though none for the Fujifilm system—that keep the optics fully inside the barrel.
I used the converter with the XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. It extends the focal length by a 1.4x factor, turning it into a 140-560mm zoom. In doing so it also halves the light captured by the lens at its maximum aperture, giving the zoom a variable f/6.4-8 aperture. If you opt to pair with the 50-140mm f/2.8 you'll end up with a 70-196mm f/4 zoom.
Like the Fujifilm X-T1 ($318.00 at Amazon) and both supported lenses, the TC is protected from dust and moisture. You can take your system out in a downpour and shoot to your heart's content.
Performance
I tested the sharpness of the XF 100-400mm both with and without the teleconverter attached. I was happy to see that it only mildly effects the sharpness of the lens. At 100mm f/4.5 the lens scores 2,571 lines per picture height on our standard Imatest sharpness evaluation. Adding the teleconverter cuts the score to 2,428 lines—that's a drop of 143 lines, or about 6 percent resolution.
At f/5.6 without the teleconverter and the corresponding f/8 setting with the TC installed, the results were actually much closer—just about dead even, in fact. The same goes for f/8 sans converter and f/11 with it installed. While I wasn't able to confirm it with a higher-resolution body (the 24-megapixel X-Pro2 has not yet come in for review), what we're seeing here is likely an excellent lens exceeding the detail that the camera's sensor can record.
At f/11 the bare lens scores 2,586 lines, but it shows only 2,314 lines with the teleconverter installed. That's an 11 percent drop, but it's not entirely the fault of the teleconverter. Diffraction robs images of detail at small f-stops, and you'll see a drop at f/16 when shooting with any lens on the 16-megapixel X-T10 ($269.99 at Amazon) .
Focus speed is also a concern. When I tested the lens by itself the X-T1 would lock focus in about 0.2-second if the lens elements didn't need to move significantly, and in about 0.4-second if a rack from infinity to the close focus distance was required. The acquisition speed doesn't change with the teleconverter installed, but the rack from infinity to the closest point slowed to 0.5-second.
Conclusions
There's a definite upside to using the teleconverter for those times when you need extra telephoto reach. And the Fujifilm Fujinon Teleconverter XF 1.4x TC WR has some very good qualities—its effect on image quality is minimal, and its weather-resistant design matches the capabilities of the compatible lenses and Fuji's X-T1 camera. It cuts the incoming light, but that's true of all rear teleconverters. Overall, you should consider the price, the slight effect on focus speed, and the limited lens compatibility if you're considering the Fujifilm Fujinon Teleconverter XF 1.4x TC WR. But if you're in want of more reach than your 50-140mm or 100-400mm can provide on its own, it's a worthy addition to your kit.