Sony 2x and 1.4x Teleconverters - How Good Are They!

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I use the Sony 1.4x and 2.0x Teleconverters with the Sony 100-400GM Lens and share results on image quality, focus speed and focus performance while searching the Arctic for polar bears. Tested with the Sony a7RIII and Sony 100-400 GM paired with the 1.4x Tele and 2.0x Tele. Want to see more from my arctic expedition? • Wild Arctic Photograph...
More info and RAW photos to download: photorec.tv/2018/07/sony-1-4x...
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Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM: bhpho.to/2LfkuoT
Sony 1.4x FE Tele: bhpho.to/2JGWntM
Sony 2.0x FE Tele: bhpho.to/2Lev1AP
Arctic Expedition: • Wild Arctic Photograph...
Wildlife Tips and Tricks: • Wildlife Photography T...
Review of the Sony 100-400 Lens: • Sony FE 100-400mm f/4....
Review of the Sony a7rIII: • REVIEW MIrrorless Sony...
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[@tebs2]

Awesome content toby!!! I always love your videos, keep doing it 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@keving7773]

Thanks, this is very helpful. I’ve been using the 100-400x1.4 for wildlife (mostly eagles, osprey, owls and other smaller birds ) with great results. I did feel like the 2x would lead to very noisy images. And you confirmed my suspicion. Thanks

[@maheshdeokar1220]

Do you feel the difference in sharpness with and without using tele converter....????

[@EmoEmu]

Been wondering about this. Thanks.

[@ratacostabal]

please make a review with the 70 - 200 with the teleconverters! thanks and great videos

[@juhanyman1802]

Looks good. Thanks for the review Toby. Think I'll have to buy the 1.4 teleconverter to go with my a7r iii and 100-400mm for wildlife shots.

[@eddydiaz5746]

After searching and searching for a video that would tell me exactly what I needed to hear about the 2x teleconverter before I purchased it, I’m glad I found this video! Extremely helpful and straight to the point.

[@stretch90]

The 2x teleconverter works great, but it matters which lens it's paired with. I use it with the 70-200 and it's really sharp with great AF.

[@kaweew3526]

Great video as ever, thumbs up! BTW, would you prefer the 2x rather than the 1.4x if you're solely focusing on night cityscape or landscape shots?

[@AndreasMariotti]

The AF speed with the 2x on the 100-400 f4-5-5.6 is slow because you are at F9-11, and the A7 models can do hybrid AF/phase AF only till f8.0, above f8.0 the camera is doing contrast AF only. On the 70-200 f2.8 the AF with the 2x is still fast, because you are only at f5.6. When you want proper AF you should only go for the 1.4x on the 100-400, the 2x makes only sense for the 70-200 f2.8

[@timlaunyc]

Yup. AF is fine (not great) with my a7rii, and the 70-200 with 2x teleconverter.

[@mrnomore]

indeed. he doesn't understand physics. not the first time

[@a-n-d-r-e-a-s]

In my opinion you should only use the 2x if you own an A9. Otherwise buy the 1.4x

[@davidinmd712]

I use an A7RM3, getting a 100-400 this week. I do birds so I'm going with the 1.4x; BUT I also do "melting" sunshots so I will go with a dark ND and thinking of using the in-camera digital zoon (clear view) for the sun shots. I'd like comments on this. Thanks

[@lmball]

Andreas Urbanczyk Yes, even adding the 2x to 100-400, the af speed and focusing speed is incredible(even I tried that “inside” the showroom)

[@itzajdmting]

I shot an aerobatic fighter jet team (Red Arrows) demonstration recently with the Sony X2 TC + A73 + 70-200GM2, and was a bit disappointed at the number of soft focuses I saw when I got home. But the wind was bad that day, and I'm not used to shooting such fast targets, so those are also considerations. Also one of the Red Arrow pilots saw my photos online and reposted them to his stories so that was pretty cool - they can't have been that bad!

[@klackon1]

Top job, I have been awaiting your 1.4 and 2 x comparison for a few weeks: thanks a lot. Much as I would like one, I believe I can now rule out the 2 x.

[@photorectoby]

I want the 2x just for moon shots :)

[@klackon1]

To update my above post, I now have an A9 in addition to my A7III so will go for the SEL20TC. My A7III just used for macro and my A9 now has PDAF to f16!

[@DrTarekahmad]

Thank you very the helpful video. Did you try the teleconverters on the 70-200mm f2.8 GM?

[@caiofra]

Thank you very much for this helpful test. Cheers from Frankfurt, Germany

[@photorectoby]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks Mark.

[@MeAMuse]

I have been looking for this video for a long time. Decision made... 1.4X

[@photorectoby]

Glad I could help dean!

[@tegelfloorbreda3786]

I have the sony A7III and the sony 100-400. This year I go on a safari trip to South Africa for 3 weeks. Would you buy the 2.0 converter for the extra length?

[@slhibbs]

im just going to buy this combo with the 1.4 thanks

[@MaxJanice]

So 70-200 F4 also can work with that converters too? Thanks.

[@savedemperor8024]

Will the 2x tele converter work with old lenses like for example those that need a adapter to fit the camera mount?

[@rogerdominguez4495]

can this teleconverters be used with shorter focal lenght lenses as a 50m or 20mm?

[@michaelspivak6697]

Thank you for your insight on the focus issues with birds in flight. I have the exact same issue. My Sony 100-400 with the 1.4x creates excellent images of still or slow moving objects but slightly misses focus on fast moving birds. Should I get the 200-600????

[@guillermobecher2848]

what camera do you have

[@ericrobinson8078]

In my experience this about sums up the situation using TCs. While they are useful in giving that extra reach, they do come at a cost that that one really needs to be aware of.

[@pjw2000]

Walrus living its best life there at the end. :)

[@photorectoby]

TOTALLY :)

[@Anarki2U]

I hope that Sony will make 1.4x and 2x teleconverters that fits the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM lens.

[@ownvideofootage]

When we will see a Panasonic teleconverters episode? Regards!

[@GeertSaenen]

Hallo, i am using a sony a77II with some "old" minolta lenses. If you have to choose between a 80 -200mm f2.8 G lens with a teleconvector or a sigma 50-500mm f4.5 - 6.3 (the bigma), what lens do you prefer? Should i buy a teleconvertor or keep chooting whit that heavy lens?

[@photorectoby]

I personally haven't compared those so am reluctant to say. Some of those older teleconverters are pretty rough. Can you rent or borrow first to try.

[@ricki-bobby]

The best use case for a teleconverter is long, fast primes. Zooms + TC's have always involved compromise. That goes for Nikon and Canon as well

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

Do you think they must be working on new better ones?

[@evankupec8495]

will you do a video of these teleconverters with the newer 200-600? the only video i can find is in German :(

[@photorectoby]

I did my own personal tests with the 1.4x and found it to be good. Focus speed takes a hit but overall quality is still very good. 2x is just too much of a hit in focus speed and quality.

[@EH-pm1ke]

What eyecup is that?

[@mateohinrichsen1963]

Does this teleconverter work for the standard 70-200 lens that usually comes with the camera bundle?

[@byronlp]

No

[@Zhorellski]

Does the added aperture by a TC affects depth of field? or just the light.

[@photorectoby]

It does affect both depth of field and light. It is the same as if you set your lens to that aperture.

[@nazukeoya]

How well do you think this 2x teleconverter will do in terms of focus, detail, color, and f-stop for shooting the moon in detail if I use the 100-400 GM lens with a Sony A1?

[@photorectoby]

It will work very well!

[@nazukeoya]

@@photorectoby Excellent! I bought it already and love it.

[@MaxPhotoGraphic]

Thanks, nice content, is it possiplble to connect 2multipliers together? E.g. 2x + 2×+ 18-105mm on my a6600

[@photorectoby]

Its possible but only with another spacer or adapter inbetween. And results aren't going to be great.

[@trevorwarner6196]

Which Nikon F to Sony E full functioning adapter would suggest I get for my A7 ii and later on an A7iii?

[@photorectoby]

I honestly haven't found one I can happily recommend. They are all pretty rough.

[@trevorwarner6196]

Thank you. the Fotga adapters you recommended work very well

[@howardtiersky9596]

wish this video were still available but alas just a black rectangle that spins indefinitely. Perhaps try reposting it?

[@yixuz42]

I think a APSC camera is better than 1.4X extender+full frame camera. The autofocus without extender is very reliable. I found my 80D + 400mm f5.6 or 70-200mm f4L focus much faster than 1.4X with 5D4.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Xu Yi unfortunately for Sony users, no apsc is in the league with a9/a7iii when it comes to AF.

[@yixuz42]

That's true. But they might update the a6500 with the new autofocus system very soon.

[@Calvinki]

Will the Sony FE 1.4x converter work with the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens? thx

[@vx5981]

It will not. It only works with a few Sony lenses,

[@LucianWerhli]

Hello guys! helpme please! i need know about fe 2.0x teleconverter with Sony SEL 70 mm - 300 mm, is compatible? thanks

[@photorectoby]

It is not compatible.

[@Marc-op3ov]

My experience is that this converters are fine with the high end lenses, the. 1,4 x is very good, the 2 x also, but always keep in mind that light is a key element. With the new 300mm f 2,8 it is magic you can travel light and have very good performace with the 1,4/ and good with the 2x . IQ is outperforming my sony 200-600 zoom (the 200-600 is still good and more budget friendly) I never use the converters on my 200-600

[@johnzoids]

Would you say it's better to buy the 70 to 200 and the 2x teleconvertor instead of the Sony 100 to 400.

[@photorectoby]

I would say that gives you more versatility and a range that potentially starts wider (70) without a tele on but if wildlife is your goal 400mm will rarely feel close enough and even just a little more reach with 560 can help.

[@IanWilkinson]

It's a shame that you didn't mention which camera body was used for your tests, although you did flash a graphic showing a7RIII at 1:20 for about one second!

[@photorectoby]

The description mentions though I do wish I had said in video too.

[@thomashorner7141]

could you use this tele converter with other lenses? say for instance with the sony 85mm 1.8 ?

[@tylerbrown9835]

Thomas Horner I wondered the same thing, but in Sony’s description of their teleconverters it lists the lens they’re compatible with and they are only with 400 or 600mm primes or the 70-200, 100-400, or 200-600 zooms. I’m not sure what would happen if you tried mounting an 85mm 1.4 lens with the 1.4 teleconverter, but if it was compatible you would have a 120mm f2.8 lens. Which in my opinion would be pretty awesome and a lot lighter and cheaper than buying a 70-200 or a 135mm. But for some reason it probably wouldn’t work

[@thomashorner7141]

@@tylerbrown9835 i think it probably wouldn't work due to the focal calculations but would be interesting to see if someone already had one what what happen

[@MrKevin920]

@@tylerbrown9835 The glass at the mounting end of the lens sits in more because there is a lens post that sticks out of the teleconverter so it can actually sit inside the lenses its compatible with, so using it with any other lens is impossible

[@brunodavidpiloto]

I bought my 2x when I got the 70-200 GM and I honestly regret it. I do plane spotting with it and the sharpness is just not there for me, especially at the corners of the images... Pretty much like the results you showed with the birds while mentioning the AF performance. Another great video! Cheers

[@klackon1]

Thanks for your obsevations. I was considering purchasing the 2 x for my 100 - 400mm G Master for birds in flight, but following this video and your comments I will definately go for the 1.4 x.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

The 2x sucks! I also deeply regretted buying it. Unless you always stop down to f/8 or even f/11, it's totally not worth it.

[@klackon1]

Thank you for your observations. I was told by my local Sony Specialist shop there were no issues with the x 2 TC. As there is no difference in price between the x 1.4TC and x 2 TC I was inclined to believe what I had been told: though I would have tested a x 2 out prior to purchase. There is no need now.

[@badr_marfou]

I did the same as you did, 2x reduce the quality a lot, the problem I noticed a ghosting effect, for example when photographing the moon and pixel peeping I can see double edges to the right of the moon, it unfortunately appears in all aperture setting

[@baccus61]

@@badr_marfou Did you use a tripod and turn off image stabilization? Would that make a difference?

[@TrueFaith94]

Thank you! Very helpful video... "buh-bye"

[@mission609]

Teleconverter + 16-35 GM is avalable or not?

[@mangolassi_.]

Nope. There's an overview on the Sony site that says which lenses are compatible with the converters.

[@kayizijoel1167]

Where were you in Africa? A few things looked like you were in my country Uganda.

[@nazukeoya]

What month did you go on your safari? You saw better animals than when I went.

[@photorectoby]

Those photos are from March.

[@G3N13music]

Are these converters compatible with the Sony FE 70-200mm F/4.0G OSS lens?

[@Yama_kawasaki]

I SEE HEAD OF A BIG DROGON IN YOUR VEDIO ^_^

[@blueckaym]

The TCx2 is rather pointless on a high-res camera like the R-line. W/o the TCx2 if you use the digital-zoom you'll end up with similar or even slightly better quality than with the TCx2. If you do a lab-setup and manual focus IQ would probably be amost identical, but troubles start when you try to use the TCx2 with AF in real-life, it's lagging and hunting so much that you should still shoot only stationary targets. The TCx1.4 is better, very negligible reduction in IQ, and i find that TCx1.4 + ~0.6DigitalZoom is usually better than TCx2 (and especially lot less AF issues). The TCx1.4 as he said in this video is slower to focus than w/o it, but it's still manageable (except perhaps for sport event and alike)

[@maheshdeokar1220]

Rather than having this combination isn't it better to go with canon 200-500mm....???

[@klackon1]

Mahesh Deokar. The 200 - 500 is a Nikon lens, not Canon: and as far as I'm aware the only really reliable adapter is the Sigma MC11, which is for Canon glass only. The Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6 is a brilliant lens, I owned one when I had a Nikon D500. But I would never buy Nikkor lenses for use on my Sony A9/A7III, unless there was a Nikon to E mount adapter which matched the Sigma MC11.

[@maheshdeokar1220]

@@klackon1 oops... sorry for stating it as canon lens.. 😂 ... what I wanted to ask is isn't it better to go with Nikon 200-500mm pairing with d500 rather than using these tele converters as these tele converters degrades the quality a bit....??? 😊

[@klackon1]

@@maheshdeokar1220. It certainly could be better to go with a D500 system, dependent on what you require from a system overall. Had Nikon released the Nikor 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR earlier, I probably would not have changed to Sony. I had a Nikor 300mm f4 PF ED VR + TC14EIII (which worked beautifully with that lens) as well as a Nikkor 200 - 500mm (the TC14EIII did not work that well with that lens). I actually preferred the 200 - 500mm, but afler 7 hours of walking 5 days a week it was giving me problems with my hip ( I also carried an Olympus EM1 mark II + Oly 300mm f4 + 1.4TC at the same time). My Sony system is much lighter, so no hip problems. The new Nikkor 500mm f5.6 PF ED VR would have solved the problem. I do, however, prefer my A9 and A7III to the D500, and the Sony 100 - 400mm is fantastic: so I have no regrets.

[@maheshdeokar1220]

@@klackon1 weight is the issue why people leaning towards mirrorless system...

[@ownvideofootage]

By the way, I'm still waiting the Lumix G9 review...

[@baburh]

I would consider this review incomplete as I have not heard anything on the vignetting problem the teleconverters bring in. As a 1.4TC owner I agree with general comments on AF and image quality. I do have to add that once you have the 1.4TC on on a FF Sony, there is no chance of posting a photo straight out of the camera. You cannot solve the vignette problem in Lightroom either, the vignette is that strong. Beware the fact that all shots taken with the 1.4TC on need to be cropped before posting/printing.

[@lifethroughthelense94]

thank you for saying this was about to grab the 1.4 for my a9, might grab it for my a6300 tho

[@eppen1]

Totally agree about the vignetting problem. I also feel that the autofocus is slightly off at long distances using the 1,4TC using A7III.

[@quambomb8798]

Your title sentence is structured as a question but then ended with an exclamation, is this a statement or a review??

[@hernanenriquez1804]

I like your latina partner you had, unfortunately I can't remember her name!

[@IS-gz1sq]

are gonna ignore that print tho....... 🍄

[@ernreeders1487]

Both do obvious vignetting though.

[@f0t0b0y]

Ouch. I’m sure Nikon users are all kinds of happy with your results. Sony, bring Nikon and Canon users together for the first time ever.

[@photorectoby]

I am not sure I follow.

[@gameprodigy940]

It looked at me first.