With the launch of the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM lens, Sony joined the ultra-telephoto race, thus Alpha shooters started to compete better in wildlife and sports photography. But how does this lens perform with the Sony 2.0x and 1.4x teleconverters?
A teleconverter is an additional magnifying lens that is mounted between the camera body and the lens and it increases the focal length of the attached lens. If you need higher focal lengths but don’t want to invest in a new telephoto lens, then a teleconverter can do the work. Besides, they are lighter and cheaper than most telephoto lenses, and they can even increase the focal length up to three times. But, unfortunately, they have some disadvantages as well. For example, using a 2.0x teleconverter decreases the maximum aperture of the lens two full stops, which can be pain in low light situations. Also, not all lenses are compatible with teleconverters, and using a teleconverter can lower the speed of the autofocus.
Sony currently offers two teleconverter lenses in their full-frame mirrorless lineup: Sony FE 1.4x and Sony FE 2.0x. In this four-minute video, Tobias Gelston of PhotoRec TV compares these two teleconverters on the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens that he used during his arctic expedition. He compares both converters in terms of autofocus speed, sharpness, and overall image quality.
Are you a teleconverter user? Or would you prefer investing in a longer lens? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
