Using the 1.4x Converter With Fujinon Lenses

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The Fujinon XF 1.4x TC WR has been available since autumn 2015.  The converter is a useful addition to the camera bag for any photographer using the X-Series system who has either the XF50-140mm f2.8 and /or the new XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 as it extends the focal length of these two lenses at the expense of one stop of light.

 The 1.4x converter only works with these two zoom lenses due to the fact that part of the converter protrudes and fits into the back of the lens.  

 The advantage is it keeps the profile of the converter very small - it only increases the size by 16mm - but it means that lenses that have enough clearance to the back element can accept the converter.  

 This means the two cheaper Fujinon telephoto zooms - the XF55-200mm f3.5/4.8 and the XC50-230mm f4.5/6.7  - cannot be used with the converter, much to the disappointment of owners of these lenses.

 Fitting the 1.4x converter to the 50-140mm f2.8 turns it into a 70-196mm f4 (or 105-300mm f4 equiv) and the 100-400mm f4.5/f5.6 becomes a 140-560mm f6.4 / f8 (196-840mm equiv).  

 Some tele converters have been known to impair image quality and slow down the auto focus function but the Fujinon 1.4x converter doesn't do either of these things and aside from the loss of one stop of light there is no downside to using the tele converter if you need to increase the pulling power of either of these Fujinon zoom lenses.

 The WR in the title means the 1.4x converter will maintain the weather resistance of the two premium zoom lenses if fitted to an X-T1 or X-Pro2, which are both weather resistant.

 I used the 1.4x converter on both the 50-140mm f2.8 and the 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 at last weekend's FIA World Endurance Championship Official Test at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France with some excellent results. 

 Due to the fact that the maximum aperture is f8, using the converter on the 100-400mm in tricky lighting conditions does become a challenge for shooting sport or wildlife if you want to maintain an 'action freezing' shutter speed but because the X-Trans sensors handle high noise extremely well I have no problem pushing the ISO to maintain a shutter speed that will allow the action to be captured.

 The autofocus on the 100-400mm using the X-Pro2 was just as 'snappy' with the converter fitted and I was able to follow focus cars through some of the fastest corners on the circuit. At the end of the long Mistral Straight the cars were travelling at over 340kph (210mph) and the autofocus was able to follow the cars as they swept past my position.

 I also used the X-T1 with the 50-140mm f2.8 and the teleconverter and again the autofocus was unaffected by the addition of the extra lens.

 Here are some examples of using the 1.4x converter on the 100-400mm :-
X-Pro2 + 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/1250 @ f8 ISO1250 - lens at 560mm
X-Pro2 + 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/1250 @ f8 ISO1250 - lens at 560mm
X-Pro2 + 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/250 @ f8 ISO400 - lens at 560mm
X-Pro2 + 100-400mm f4.5/5.6 + 1.4x converter - 1/1000 @ f8 ISO1250 - lens at 560mm

Here are some examples of using the 1.4x converter on the 50-140mm
X-T1 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/150 @ f11 ISO400 - lens at 196mm
X-T1 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/210 @ f8 ISO400 - lens at 196mm
X-Pro2 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/2000 @ f4 ISO200 - lens at 175mm
X-Pro2 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/1100 @ f4 ISO200 - lens at 70mm
X-Pro2 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/150 @ f14 ISO200 - lens at 70mm
X-Pro2 + 50-140mm f2.8 + 1.4x converter - 1/280 @ f7.1 ISO200 - lens at 196mm
CLICK HERE for more information on the Fujinon XF1.4x TC WR

CLICK HERE to see the video of the Fujifilm press conference in Tokyo with some images showing the various focal lengths of the four premium Fujinon zooms, which includes shots taken with the 1.4x teleconverter.

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