Kenko Teleconverter and Nikon camera bodies

[TimG]

The issue of which Kenko TC 1.4 works with which body and lens comes up from time to time. Rather than folks having to hunt for the info, I'm gathering it here in this post which we will Pin.

 

Feel free to add info as you learn more combinations! If anyone has a Z8 and can test out a Kenko, that would be a useful addition.

 

Nikon D500 (DX)

D500 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DG + Tokina 10-17: AF works; no vignetting at any focal length

D500 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DGX + Tokina 10-17: AF works; no vignetting at any focal length

 

D500 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DG + Nikkor 8-15: Err message. No AF; no vignetting at any focal length

D500 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15: AF works; no vignetting at any focal length

 

Nikon Z6 (and, presumably Z7) with firmware 3.0

Z6 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 300 DG + Tokina 10-17 : No AF; No aperture display; vignettes with hood attached after 11

Z6 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 300 DGX + Tokina 10-17 : No AF; No aperture display; vignettes with hood attached after 11

 

Z6 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 300 DG + Nikkor 8-15: AF works; vignettes with hood attached after 11

Z6 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15: No AF; No aperture display; vignettes with hood attached after 11

Z6 + FTZ + Kenko HD Pro + Nikkor 8-15mm  No AF; No aperture display 

 

Nikon Z6III 

Z6III + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15mm: No AF; No aperture display

Z6III + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DG + Nikkor 8-15mm  AF works and aperture display

Z6III + FTZ + Kenko HD Pro + Nikkor 8-15mm  [Likely does not work]

 

Nikon Z8

Z8 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DG + Nikkor 8-15mm  ????????

Z8 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15mm  ??????

Z8 + FTZ + Kenko HD Pro + Nikkor 8-15mm  No AF; No aperture display 

 

Nikon Z9

Z9 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15mm: No AF; No aperture display

Z9 + FTZ + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO 300 DG + Nikkor 8-15mm  AF works and aperture display

Z9 + FTZ + Kenko HD Pro + Nikkor 8-15mm  [Likely does not work]

 

Conclusion

a. If you want to use the Kenko with a Tokina 10-17 on a D500 no problem with the DG or DGX model

b. If you want to use the Kenko with a Nikkor 8-15 on a D500, you need the DGX model

c. If you want to use the Kenko with a Nikkor 8-15 on a Z6/Z7/Z6III/Z9 you need the DG model

d. Forget trying to use either the Kenko DG or DGX with a Tokina 10-17 on the Z6/Z7 (well why would you anyway)

e. HDPro Model does not work with Z6/Z8. Not tested with Z6III or Z9 but likely does not work

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TimG]

Z9 info now added. Essentially same as Z6/6III/7, use the DG model not the DGX.

 

[Walt Stearns]

Switching over to full frame mirrorless, the one thing that becomes apparent is that neither Canon, Nikon nor Sony have yet to produce a dedicated fisheye lens for their line. And, unless you are fine with manual functioning lenses, third party manufactures have nothing really to cheer about. 

 

If you’re a Nikon shooter using any the Z model bodies, you might think your only option is Nikon’s F mount AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens with the Nikon FTZ II F to Z lens adapter. In case you are not aware, Nikon’s AF 16mm Fisheye relies on the screw mount auto focus to drive to drive the lens, which renders it as a manual focus lens with the FTZ II F to Z lens adapter, or anybody’s F to Z adapter for that matter.

 

This brings me to the Canon option. Canon, like Nikon has EF f/4 8-15mm fisheye lens with an equally beautiful set of options. And just like Nikon, their lens was originally made for their EOS line DSLR bodies with the EF mount. The reason I am addressing this lens is that they appear to be more readily available on both the new and preowned market than Nikon’s 8-15. Should the price tag be too rich for you, I suggest looking into a secondhand Canon EF f/2.8 15mm fisheye, which unlike Nikon’s 16mm fisheye, the auto focus motor is built into the lens. Whether you go Canon 8-15 f/4 or the 15 f/2.8 15mm fisheye, there is several Canon EF Lens to Nikon Z-Mount adapter with auto focus support to choose from. The two most promising is the Fringer EF-NZ II adapter followed by the Megadap EFTZ21.

 

Having a Canon EF f/2.8 15mm fisheye on hand, both appeared to allow the lens to work as close as you can get natively with full auto focus and aperture support on my Z8. To make thinks a little more interesting, both the lens and adapter combos appear to work just as well when I included a Kenko TELEPLUS HD pro 1.4x DGX Teleconverter for Canon EF with a slightly better nod going to the Fringer model. 

 

How this Canon EF f/2.8 15mm fisheye / Kenko TELEPLUS HD pro 1.4x DGX Teleconverter / Fringer EF-NZ II adapter performs optically behind a dome port underwater is something I look forward to doing in the very near future.

 

[TimG]

I'm sure I read somewhere recently that an independent manufacturer has produced an FTZ-equivalent that will drive older lenses. I thought when I read it that perhaps it would drive the Sigma 15mm - or as Walt mentions, the Nikkor 16mm.

 

The lack of Z-mount fisheye is, for we underwater folk, a major missing element. 

[Walt Stearns]

Yes, Monster Adapter now has the LA-FE2 - Nikon F-mount lenses to Sony E-mount cameras adapter with AF motor built-in for Sony users, and they do have a Nikon F to Z mount coming. The one thing I see as a potential problem is where the motor to drive these older lenses as at the bottom that could prevent it being used in some underwater housings.