In my last article, I said something like “I don’t need any new equipment right now”, but meanwhile I was quietly making purchases like this.
Teleconverter lens DMW-TC20A
This is a 2.0x teleconverter made by Panasonic for MFT mounts.
The Leica DG50-200mm F2.8-4.0 I have on hand is a highly reliable telephoto zoom lens that can cover the super-telephoto range of up to 400mm in the 35mm format. I can say with certainty that the combination of this lens and the LUMIX G9PROII is the strongest of all the camera and lens equipment I have used up to now at this focal length (it’s just the opinion of an eternal beginner).
![Panasonic｜パナソニック カメラレンズ LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 50-200mm/F2.8-4.0 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. LUMIX（ルミックス） ブラック H-ES50200 [マイクロフォーサーズ /ズームレンズ]](https://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/biccamera/cabinet/product/3166/00000004599271_a01.jpg?_ex=128x128)
However, as a lightweight “rail & travel” photographer, I’ve had rare opportunity when I wish I could zoom in or out a little more, and whether or not to get a longer-range lens with a MFT mount has been a question I’ve been pondering since last year. With the start of the spring “rail & travel” season just around the corner, I wonder what I should do.
The first option for reinforcement is to buy more Leica DG 100-400mm F4.0-6.3…
I have no doubt that it’s an excellent lens, but it’s super heavy (for MFT) in terms of price, size and weight, so I wonder if I can invest in it in preparation for the “rare opportunities” that arise, or if I can carry it around frequently while enduring the weight.
![Panasonic｜パナソニック カメラレンズ LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 II ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. H-RSA100400 [マイクロフォーサーズ /ズームレンズ]【exc_pb】](https://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/biccamera/cabinet/product/8926/00000012146795_a01.jpg?_ex=128x128)
After much thought, I decided to forgo the 100-400mm lens and use a teleconverter instead. If you use the genuine teleconverter DMW-TC20A, which is compatible with the Leica DG50-200mm F2.8-4.0, you can extend the focal length to 400mm. Of course, it’s not all good things, and the trade-off is that it becomes two stops darker (400mm F8 at maximum aperture) and there is probably some negative impact on image quality (although the manufacturer says there is no impact).
However, when you consider the benefits of being able to prepare a temporary long-distance cannon with a focal length 800mm(FF conversion) for just 160g of weight, I think it’s worth investing a few tens of thousands of yen. Fortunately I was able to save on cash outlay because I was also able to use the accumlated points at a certain camera shop.
-What happens to the camera’s behavior when you attach the genuine teleconverter and lens?
-How does/does not the lens correction of PhotoLab work?
-What happens to the crucial image quality in the first place?
There are various things that are of concern, so I tried taking some test shots right away… The story will be in the next article.
