Nikon Z-Mount 2x Teleconverter: Full Field Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ม.ค. 2022
- 2x Teleconverters (especially from Nikon) have a notoriously bad reputation for loss of sharpness and other problems. Nikon has recently released their teleconverters for the Z-mount lenses/bodies, and I put the TC2.0 to work. Here are the results and my opinion.
Music in this video: "Relaxing Harp Music" by Doczky. Commercial Usage license purchased from Pond5
Not long after this video was published, I had to say farewell to my beloved canine companion, Tyler - who was the always-willing test subject and model for my cameras and lenses, in addition to being my amazing friend. I dedicate this to him, and while it's just a simple product review video, it will always be special to me for that.
Sad to hear about your doggo.
beautiful dog i have 7 dogs and just adore them. Sorry for your lost.
Sorry to hear that. My boy is laying at my feet as I watch this video. They sure are special.
Sincerest condolences 🙏🙏
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. 😢
Very interesting video and great photos. I have the same 70-200 2.8 lens + TC 2.0 and my initial impressions are favorable. I can't wait for spring to get more opportunity to use them.
very nice video thank you. Iam
about to get the 70-200 f2.8 and i was considering the z 100-400. But seing your video of the z2 xteleconverter it makes more sense. To have 2 lenses all in one.
Thanks for the review. You helped me decide. I’m going to pair it to the Z 70-200 2.8 & Z9. Have a good weekend
Me too! As soon as my Z9 comes! :)
Good video. I would love to see a side-by-side comparing a non-converted shot at 200% vs a 2x shot at 100% just to compare apples to apples regarding subject, noise and clarity. Otherwise, thanks for sharing. Very insightful!
That would be a good evaluation, I agree. Might do that.
Thanks for sharing your experiences , nice video, picture and great music ... I have 300mm PF, 500mm PF and 200-500mm f/5.6. Definitely will consider to replace 200-500mm with the combo of Z 70-200mm and Z muont 2x TC.
Thanks much for watching! Not sure I'd replace that 200-500... I don't have it but hear it's a sweet lens. There is also the 100-400 new Z lens in f/5.6. I was curious about the TC 2.0 as an alternative to that, and I think it's viable.
@@KnightsandWeekends I agree I have a 70-200 S plus the Z 1.4 = 280mm F4 but I do need more reach with African Wild life so 2x I will have to get
Thanks -- your comment using a TC is better than not getting the shot is spot on.
Like all TC's the ZTC's fuel an overly loud debate about cropping in -vs- using TCs - vs- buying even more expensive longer gear. I carry both ZTCs all the time and they are sharper than their f-mount versions. I use TC's a lot on my very long prime lenses (primarily the 600/4) the 1.4 works great all the time. The same is true of the ZTC14 on the 70-200 and 100-400 AND I cannot wait to test this on the 400 and 800 Z lenses when these arrive.
I suggest you perform the same tests as others -- i.e. compare the results with and without the TC at 140mm and 200mm -- then you will be able to highlight the real differences.
Remember the effective aperture is 2 stops slower when using the same aperture settings. So you need to shoot at these focal lengths at both 2.8 (with and without) and 5.6 (without) to allow the results to be compared.
Using TCs on Zoom lenses has always resulted in slightly worse results than using them on primes did.
The ZTC20 (like all TC20s) is a little more troubling. The loss of 2 stops is of course part of the cost of using it, the other part is the loss of sharpness and "ghosting" (presumably from added diffraction). Like almost all TC's the ZTCs are general purpose "lenses" and so not fine tuned for each of your lenses (currently only the 70-200 and 100-400). Those lenses with a built-in TC have TCs tuned to work with the specific glass in each lens - this leads to the sharpest result. THe TC125 built for the 800/5.6 was also tuned to work on a typical version of this lens. Whereas the rest are designed to work on all other lenses that allow them to be used. Sometimes bad ones emerge from manufacturing (like my F-TC17II - a terrible version). So the first job to do is to test the TC to check it is a good one on your gear - if not return it and ask for a replacement.
Thanks, Andy. Great comment with a ton of information. I've never been great at doing thorough "lab" tests, and usually compare field results which may or may not be direct comparisons. I've been using the F-1.4TCIII with the 600/f4 recently with nice results as well. I truly think the Z-mount platform is just superior in many ways - some that have to do with the glass and some with the sensors and firmware, etc. I have the Z 1.4TC coming from Nikon and am dying to try it on the new 800mm PF when it arrives!
Thanks for the review. This is the third review I have seen. To me a constant F5.6 140-400mm lens (with very modest compromises) for an additional $600 sounds like excellent value from the 2X teleconverter. I can’t say I feel that way about a 98-280 mm focal length provided by the 1.4X. There is only a $50 difference between the two teleconverters, but 120 mm difference in focal length. Even if the 1.4X is a very small amount better in image quality, the difference does not seem to be visible until until one is zoomed in 200 to 300% (see Ricci’s review) . if the quality ever matters that much, I’ll bite the bullet and spring for the new Z 100-400 or other dedicated telephoto lens. In the near term, I don’t see that happening.
I agree completely.
Excellent video and interesting to see
Many thanks
Absolute perfect review, excellent detail with real world testing.
Thank you! My goal is to produce the content that I'd want to watch. Hoping to get more flowing soon!
I purchased both the 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters for the z-mount, and I’ve been very satisfied with the results. I recently used the 1.4x TC with the new 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6S and I was really impressed with the image quality. Even the edge sharpness is excellent. I was never impressed with the F-mount equivalent of either TC.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Concerning my upcoming telezoom-purchases I must decide between three options: 1) Z 100-400 S with 1.4 TC 2) 200-600 non-S-lens (roadmap) 3) 400mm F? PF?? (roadmap) with 1.4 TC. Maybe the first option is the most versatile - all aspects considered?
@@markusbolliger1527 Originally, I was going to wait for the 200-600mm because I tend not to purchase lenses with variable apertures, but I am so impressed with the image quality of the 100-400mm even with the 1.4x TC, that I believe I made the right decision. And it’s essentially the same size as the 70-200mm f/2.8S, which is very convenient.
@@guyyowell8547 I use the 1.4 with my 500PF... much more impress with my new Z9 than my previous cameras... My first thoughts was to use a 1,4 on my 100-400... but change my mind and keep my 500PF!
I'm looking into buying the two TCs as well as the 100-400mm. I'm really curious about the performance of the lens on the 2x TC. Have you personally tried this?
Cheers.
@@automotivebuff3202 I have used the 2x TC on the 70-200mm f/2.8S and was very satisfied with the outcome, but haven’t yet tried it on the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6S. Check out the TH-cam video from Matt Grainger where he uses the 2x TC with the 100-400mm, and was very impressed with the picture quality.
Great Video. I have the 1.4 x convertor for the S 70-200 but need 400mm for African Wild Life and cant have the brilliant 70-200 plus the 100-400 just announced I DONT want to sell my 70-200 so this convertor will be my solution
Very reassuring video! Currently the only two lenses that supports this TC is the 70 200 and 100 400 z lenses IMHO.
Glad it was helpful! Yes, at this point, those are the only lenses supported. The forthcoming 800mm PF might be... that would be interesting indeed.
Also have the 70-200 with the 2x Converter and think this is realy a smart solution to have some more reach in a very good quality. Even on my Z7II with more megapixel it looks very good
Yep. For me 140-400 fits nicely under my 500 and my 600 for closer subjects or wider shots - and pop off the TC for the 70-200, and you've got it all covered.
I didn’t hear if the photos of Tyler were handheld. Thanks for your videos.
Yes, they were all handheld shots. Thanks for watching!
in theroy would this work with the FtZ Adapter? I have the Z7ii, and 3 f mount lenses(upgraded from the d750) currently but looking to add a couple z mount lenses this year....and trying to figure out the better route to go...
No - it is not compatible with the FTZ adapter, which is most unfortunate for us all! Currently, it can only be used with two of the native Z-mount lenses.
Would this converter work with the Nikkor Z DX 50-250 lens? And that would make that lens a 500 mm zoom?
So sorry to hear about Tyler
I just got a Z9 and am in the market for a telephoto. Would you favour Z70-200mm paired with TC2x or Z 100-400?
Thank you.
It depends on how you plan to use the lens, but I find the teleconverter to be such good quality that it effectively gives you both those lenses in one, if you have the 70-200.
We’ve found cropping in natively is the same as using a TC. Might be worth a test.
Agree that I should have included the comparison. I'll probably do a short follow-up. I really suck at lab-test type stuff.
@@KnightsandWeekends Hello from Italy...Please do that. Especially Z7 & Z9 users (like me) would need this info very much, because Russ & Loz Productions only tested the 1.4 converter with discouraging results. Maybe the 2.0 converter has "that special kick" to justify the purchase.
@@dietmardejori1161 Yes, I will. Thanks.
Does the display show the aperture correctly when using a converter?
Great question! Aperture is correctly displayed in the EVF and screen information - not sure about the "in barrel" display for lenses so-equipped. Now I'm curious to see!
Unfortunately, you failed to explore the historical issue of the "loss of sharpness" with TCs. To do this, a comparison "with" and "without" TC would have to be done. To quote Andrew below, "a side-by-side comparing a non-converted shot at 200% vs a 2x shot at 100% just to compare apples to apples regarding subject, noise and clarity."
I don't disagree with you, and probably should have done one test like that and included it. I really wanted to focus more on the overall quality of images captured (we can usually see the difference with the old TC's). I figured there would also be the debate about "optical magnification vs. digital magnification". Not my intention to brush off detailed comparison techniques, I'm just not usually the white lab coat type. That said - your point is filed away for reference. ;-)
Have you done any comparison to the 1.4x vs the 2.0x TC? If so, any thoughts?
I haven't really - not in any tangible way. Good idea to do... if I can make it empirical enough. I hate shooting test charts and stuff. :)
Yeah, I hated the rattle on the F-mount version. When it first arrived, I thought it was broken. I was imagining the courier playing soccer with the box like Jim Carrey in the opening minutes of Ace Ventura ;)
LOL... same here.
I feel the same about the F-mount teleconverters, and took the same chance you did with this one, for the same reason. With my Z6II and Z7, it's mostly gotten me very good results. Not 100% as sharp as the 70-200 alone, but quite satisfactory. I expect it to produce better results with the Z9, when I receive it, so I'm not sorry I purchased it. The Z system has continued to impress me with each new release, and can't wait to use my Z9 with all the Z lenses. :)
I too am waiting on the arrival of the Z9, and hope to see the Z-mount lenses in peak performance! I'm also quite eager to test some old (and some very-old) Nikkor glass with it and the FTZII.
It looks really good. I am guessing that if you use it on good glass, you get good results.
Sorry to hear about Tyler. We had a rough few years as our dogs grew older and left us. My closest companion was a black Lab, Kate, whom I had to say bye to two years ago. It tears me up to lose them, but they bring so much joy in my life that I can’t imagine not having dogs follow me around.
Thanks much. I also have no idea how to live without one.
Just curious that if we are using z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 with Z teleconverter TC-2.0x VS z 800mmm. The cost would be half, but how about the quality? Thanks
Interesting question. I might explore that - for starters, you'd have about 1/2 the light. Thanks for posing the question!
i have tried both TCs with the Z100-400mm for several weeks now. With the TC1.4, it is pretty good. For the TC2, it is a mixed bag. The TC2 works very well when taking images of insects (under good sunlight) about 1.5 to 2m away (far enough not to disturb them). However, when taking images of birds (depending on distance), i feel that the clarity is not good enough, and is worse than bird images using 200-500 with TC2. As such, I am now using the 100-400mm with TC1.4 for photography of insects and small birds found in shrubs (short distance), and only using the TC2 for videography. I am still using the good old 200-500mm with TC2 (previously 1.4) for bird photography in general and the clarity is still pretty good to me IMO.
@@matlim Thanks
I use Sony but this is my opinion, 600mm lens: Handhold / Add 1.4x Tele: Monopod / Or 2x Tele: Use a tripod, beanbag or any other method to steady lens as much as possible.
A 600 with a 2x shows every molecule of movement! I know that first hand!
Since I have bought the Z70-200 with 1.4x my 300PF remains most of the time in the cupboard; if I need longer reach I grab the 500PF; the 2x is no alternative because of loss of IQ
Have you tried the Z-mount 2x? It is not at all like the F-mount version. Very little image degradation. I agree about the 500 PF, but there are times that the zoom option wins out.
the 2x Z is one of the best teleconverters ive ever used.
but I dont like teleconverters.
the lose 1 to 2 stop of light, compromise the autofocus and degrade the image but the do increase the reach a little.
I wished i had bought the 1.4x Z TC instead of the 2x...
I had decided to buy only one - at least initially... and because the only lens I have that works with it is the 70-200, I didn't feel that I would gain much for my $600 with just the 1.4. I'd love to have it too, eventually - especially if I obtain longer Z-mount glass. But I have to say that this TC is very impressive.
@@KnightsandWeekends I still have the 3 Nikon TCs from the APS G lenses and a handful from the past.
The Z TCs are better.
A TC will shorten the range a little but costs image quality and light.
I'm waiting to see the Nikon 200-600mm Z lens and my money will be going toward that...
Got mine in today, took about 1,000 shots with it on the 180-600… had a horrible time with it paired with the 180-600 (not saying it’s terrible with other lenses… I’m sure it’s perfectly fine with larger apertures). I’ll be sending it back for sure.
I have yet to test the 180-600 with the TCs. I should do that.
@@KnightsandWeekends Thanks for replying, I forgot all about this. Here we are 11 days after I commented my opinion and I just can't send the 2x TC back... Spring time migratory birds are arriving here, and I have managed to take some really pleasing shots thanks to the morning, bright sun before work. But only when they are perched and very still due to the slower shutter speeds than I care for at 1200mm. I don't think I will be using it very much, but my opinion is slightly changed with the circumstances?
I purchased the 1.4x z and 2x z teleconverters over a year ago. I own the 70-200 2.8 s lens and recently purchased the new 100-400 s lens. I originally purchased these two teleconverters earlier due to the supply chain issue which is still going on. My ultimate goal is to pair these two teleconverters with the eventual release of the 300 2.8 s lens. With the 300 2.8 lens and these two teleconverters, this would make for a very versatile telephoto lens combo at a much less expensive 400 2.8 s price. I will use the 1.4x s on the 100-400s lens but at F/11 the 2x teleconverter is not that useful. When the 300 2.8s is released I will sell my 300 2.8 VRII along with my three f mount teleconverters. The sharpness of the Z mount lenses and these two teleconverters is outstanding!
Found out after I'd bought it that the adaptor doesn't work on the Nikkor 24-200mm zoom
No, this is only for the Z-mount lenses and cameras. The good news is that they are in high demand so you should have no problem selling it.
When Nikon releases some long glass I wont be using the 2x TC much...
400 f/2.8 w/1.4TC is now available for pre-order.
I bought it to use with my new 100-400... returned it... not real better than cropping... make sense if you have a Z6 sensor, and want to keep more pixels... not worth it on the Z7's sensor with a lot more pixels available...
That's why I did all the testing with the Z6ii - made more sense. I think the "magnify or crop" debate will always exist, and I just don't don't enjoy shooting tons of test chart shots. :) I'd be hesitant too with the 100-400, which from what I hear is very sharp. Plus, you'd be a f/11 max and would have to boost ISO for everything. For the 70-200 f/2.8 I think it has value. Thanks for watching!
@@KnightsandWeekends That's something I forgot to mention... but very important for me... shooting at F11 needs a lot of light... what we do not have in so many situations when shooting birds! Thanks ;)
I'm not worried about not being able to sell my 24-200mm....but like Nikon who sold me the camera and lens, you forgot to mention one thing...that enlargement adapters don't apply to them.....I think peopel should know that
How far away from your subjects were you may I know. Thank you.
It varied, but generally 10 to 15 yards.
@KnightsandWeekends Thank you. I have the Z7 and the 70-200 and I primarily shoot with a prime 500 f4. But now I need a little more flexibly and zoom options so I bought the 2x TC after watching your video today.
@@joeyalbergo I think you will be very satisfied with its performance and the versatility it provides.
@KnightsandWeekends I'm really excited to try it out. I do a lot of military aviation photos. So 5.6 and 1250 or 1600 sounds good to me. I was shocked to see the 3200 ISO photo and the clarity.
@@joeyalbergo Nikon's mirrorless cameras (especially Z8, Z9) handle higher ISOs very well. As long as you're sharp and the exposure is good - they clean up great!
Thanks. Great video. I have been using the Z-mount teleconverter for some time. I already had the Z 70-200 f/2.8 but the reach wasn't sufficient for my needs for wildlife photography. I had the Z 100-400 on order from the day it was launched and was getting very frustrated by the long queues and delays affecting deliveries here in the UK so bought the 2xTC as a stop-gap. I was really impressed by its performance. I now have the 100-400 and use the 2xTC on that while waiting of rthe Z 800 PF to arrive. Boy is it frustrating waiting for new lenses that promise so much!!!! If you are interested, you can see a selection of images taken with the Z 70-200 + 2xTC at the following link as well as some taken with the F-mount 200-500 with the 1.4xTC. Look at the little "I" icon left of each image for the details showing which lens combination was used. - www.briandandridge-photo.co.uk/Wildlife/WWT/WWT-Arundel/Arundel-Wetlands-2022/
Very nice work, Brian! You are going to LOVE the 800 PF! I am equally anxious for Nikon to withdraw the embargo they have on the 400/2.8 TC. I need that one!
@@KnightsandWeekends Thanks. You're not going to believe this - I now have had the 800PF for 2 weeks and it is still in the box!!!! My wife and I headed off for a two week holiday in South Africa two weeks ago but, just before we left I had a message that my lens had arrived at the dealership and I had 48 hours to collect! I just had enough time to dash in to pick up the lens and take it home before catching the train for the airport. We head home tomorrow so really looking forward to the unboxing on Thursday shortly after getting in the front door!!!