Phase One today announced the immediate availability of a new Schneider Kreuznach 2x teleconverter. The development of the lens is the result of close and ongoing collaboration between Schneider Kreuznach, Mamiya Leaf and Phase One.
Compatible exclusively with the Schneider Kreuznach 240mm leaf shutter and 150mm leaf shutter lenses as well as the Mamiya/Phase One 150mm AF lens, this 2x teleconverter effectively doubles the focal length of these lenses to 480mm and 300 mm respectively.
In the above we compare the quality of the details of an image shot with the SK 240 LS with 2x digital zoom (to the left) and the SK 240 LS with the 2x teleconverter (to the right). The fine details in the image stand out much better with the teleconverter.
“We have had multiple requests for a teleconverter from photographers,” said Espen Beck, senior product manager, Phase One. In many situations they prefer the flexibility of a teleconverter and a medium range lens over a long telephoto lens. Even though this teleconverter solution means that they have to rely on manual focus, many prefer the teleconverter solution because they can shoot more varied scenes; they can travel lighter; and the solution costs less than a very long telephoto lenses. With the compatible lenses, the teleconverter offers photographers great optical compression that effectively eliminates the distance between objects in the captured scene. This is a great effect for shooting stunning landscape images for instance.
Only manual focus is supported with the teleconverter. The 2x teleconverter reduces the maximum aperture of the attached lens by 2 f-stops. Note that the teleconverter is not compatible and should not be used with any other lenses.
To get the most from the 2x teleconverter it should be used with a support rail to stabilize it. We can recommend that photographers use the teleconverter and the compatible lenses together with a special support rail from Hejnar Photo. More details on the rail system coming soon!
Pricing + Availability
You can order the teleconverter now from Capture Integration. The list price is $1,990. Stay tuned for the product review once the first shipments hit our shelves.