Is The Leica Extender L 1.4x Well worth the Cash?

For those who requested me if Leica glass was definitely worth the cash, I’d say sure — each single time. For those who requested me if different Leica house owners would agree with me, I’d additionally say sure. For those who requested me if it’s definitely worth the cash to you, I wouldn’t have a solution. And in the event you requested me if the Leica Extender L 1.4x is definitely worth the cash, I’d really scratch my head. Teleconverters are an important a part of images for many people. However for the time being, the SL system lacks the lenses that will take essentially the most benefit of a 1.4x teleconverter. In comparison with the massive three, which supply sooner aperture lenses, the Leica SL system’s greatest problem is lacking out on varied telephoto prime lenses for sports activities and wildlife. And till the system brings these and extra critical tremendous telephoto zoom lenses, the Leica Extender L 1.4x may not be value it.

I really feel I additional must make clear these statements. The Leica Extender L 1.4x looks like a rebadge of a Sigma teleconverter. I can’t verify or deny this reality, although. Leica has gotten into an enormous factor of rebadging a few of Sigma’s lens optics and placing far superior construct high quality on them — and typically higher motors. However fairly truthfully, Leica ought to cease this nonsense. For a number of years, the Leica R collection of movie cameras loved many telephoto lenses that rendered gorgeous images. It makes me surprise why Leica wouldn’t attempt to carry these again for L mount. What am I speaking about?

• 250mm f4
• 280mm f2.8
• 350mm f4.8
• 400mm f6.8
• 400mm f5.6
• 400mm f4
• 400mm f2.8
• 500mm f8
• 560mm f6.8
• 560mm f5.6
• 800mm f6.3
• 800mm f5.6

These are simply prime lenses. Nevertheless, the Leica Extender L 1.4x would serve L mount variants of those. lenses extremely properly. Leica doesn’t want Sigma to do them. They may remake them with autofocus with related optics from again within the day, and photographers would rave over the character and rebirth of some basic lenses.

However I digress — as my feelings and keenness for the Leica system are getting the higher of me.

The Leica Extender L 1.4x nonetheless isn’t essentially the best choice you possibly can go for. Leica’s SL system cameras have an APS-C crop choice. Positive, it signifies that you’re utilizing fewer megapixels, however you’re getting the identical aperture that you’d in any other case. The Leica 100-400mm f5-6.3 is in any other case already a fairly gradual optic. With an 1.4x teleconverter, you would possibly as properly be taking pictures with Micro 4 Thirds as an alternative.

In the case of construct high quality, it isn’t clear if the Leica Extender L 1.4x has climate resistance. However I’m fairly certain it’s the rationale why my Leica SL2s sensor acquired soiled.

When it comes to autofocus efficiency, I might discover a slight distinction when it got here to specializing in birds. Nevertheless, that’s an issue that’s negated when trying on the lovely photographs that it’s able to producing.

So which is able to it’s? Will you sacrifice megapixels for additional gentle? Or will you sacrifice gentle for decision? For those who’re a fan of the latter, then you definately would possibly need to think about the Leica Extender L 1.4x. For those who’re not somebody who desires to sacrifice the sunshine (the way in which I’m), then you definately’ll get the next decision digital camera and crop in as vital.

However both means, the Leica Extender L 1.4x is a teleconverter designed for a system that isn’t prepared for it but. Till then, it’s not definitely worth the near $1,000 it prices.