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Lenses with Built-in Teleconverters and Advantages vs External TCs

Published: January 21, 2022

 

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR with Built-in  1.4x Extender
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR with Built-in 1.4x Extender

 

One of the highlights of the recent unveiling of the Nikon Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S lens is its 1.4x built-in teleconverter (also know as extenders)  that converts the lens to an effective 560mm f4.0 lens with a push of a switch. Teleconverters have long been popular especially among the wildlife photographers who are always hungry for more reach, and all main manufacturers offers their external teleconverters generally on 1.4x, 1.7x(rare) and 2.0x versions.

There are few donwsides associated with the teleconverters:

  1.  They reduce the  light that falls on the the sensor. A 1.4x Teleconverter reduces the light 1-stop, a 1.7x TC reduces 1.5-stop and a 2.0x TC reduces by 2-stops.
  2. It is not practical to put an external TC  on and off while shooting in the field, the process is cumbersome
  3. Reduces the sharpness and the contrast of the image
  4. Reduces the Auto focus speed and accuracy under certain conditions, especially in low light

#1 is basically a rule of physics so there is no remedy for this  effect, whether you use an external TC or a built-in one. ON the other hand, Built-in teleconverters are used to solve the problem #2 above and reduce the impact of #3.

With the built-in teleconverters, the switch is almost instant, just push a button or a switch and there you go, #2 resolved.

 

Built-on Lens Teleconverters Easy Switch between Focal Ranges
Built-on Lens Teleconverters Easy Switch between Focal Ranges

 

Regarding the problems #3 and #4, contrary to external teleconverters that are built to be used with several lenses with different optical formulas, the built-in teleconverters are optimized specifically to the lens that it is built-in.  This gives the designers more options to optimize the design for higher sharpness and contrast, minimize the unwanted effects, and set the auto focus mechanism in sync with the TC.

As can be seen  on the MTF chart below, the impact of the built-in TC of Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S on the image quality is minimal which makes it an excellent 2-Lens in 1-body!

MTF Chart for the Nikon Z 400m f2.8
MTF Chart for the Nikon Z 400m f2.8

 

These are the other lenses that are in our database that have Built-in Teleconverters:

Lenses with Built-in Teleconverters

  • Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR  with 1.4x TC, Focal range and aperture  with the TC is 252-560mm F5.6
  • Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO with 1.25x TC, Focal range and aperture  with the TC is 187.5-500mm F5.6 ( Full-Frame Equivalent of 375-1000mm on a FourThirds camera)
  • Canon EF 200-400mm f4L IS USM Extender 1.4x with a 1.4x TC, Focal range and aperture  with the TC is  280-560mm F5.6
  • Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S with 1.4x TC, Focal range and aperture  with the TC is 560mm F4

 

Canon EF 200-400mm f4L IS USM with its 1.4x Extender
Canon EF 200-400mm f4L IS USM with its 1.4x Extender

 

Are there any other lenses that are not in our list? Would you like to see more lenses in the future with built-in Teleconverters? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

 

For reference, here are the specs and feature comparison of these 4 lenses:

FEATURE and SPECS COMPARISON
ModelNikon Z 400mm F2.8 TCCanon 200-400mm f4L IS USM Ext 1.4xNikon AF-S 180-400mm F4E TC VROlympus 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS
Lens TypePrimeZoomZoomZoom
Lens MountNikon ZCanon EFNikon F (FX)Micro Four Thirds
Focal Length400mm200-400mm180-400mm150-400mm
Max Format35mm FF35mm FF35mm FFFourThirds
Image Stabilization
Number of Diaphragm Blades9999
Optical Elements25252728
Optical Groups19201918
Minimum Focus Distance2.5m2m2m1.3m
Max Magnification0.23x0.15x0.25x0.29x
Weight2950g3620g3500g1850g
Length380mm366mm363mm314mm
Diameter156mm128mm128mm116mm
Filter Thread46mm52mm41mm95mm
Weather Sealing
PriceAmazon, B&H PhotoAmazon, B&H PhotoAmazon, B&H PhotoAmazon, B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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