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 and aperture display; no vignetting at any focal length

 

Nikon D850

D850 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DG + Nikkor 8-15: ??????

D850 + Kenko TELEPLUS PRO300 DGX + Nikkor 8-15: AF works and aperture display

 

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  AF works and aperture display

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.

 

[LeafySeaDragon]

Thanks for collating all the info together in one place Tim. How about the D850 and Nikon 8-15mm? I assume it’d be the same as the D500 and Nikon 8-15mm i.e. needs to DGX version

 

[TimG]

1 hour ago, LeafySeaDragon said:

Thanks for collating all the info together in one place Tim. How about the D850 and Nikon 8-15mm? I assume it’d be the same as the D500 and Nikon 8-15mm i.e. needs to DGX version

 

Yeah, you may well be right and that does seem logical. It’d be good to test it though.
 

If anyone has a D850 and a Kenko 1.4 DGX and/or DG perhaps they can report back…..

[Muellema]

Hi,

use D850 with Nikkor 8-15mm & Kenko 1.4 DGX. Combination works flawless without any problems. If interested can path you some example photos taken with this setup.

Might be time to check if the Kenko is also working on my Nikonos 13mm 😁😁😁, never tried.. 😂😇

 

Br Markus

[TimG]

Thanks Markus! Good to know. I'll add it to the list

[Chris Ross]

Hi Tim,  spoke to Don Silcock who is using one on a Z8 camera with the Nkon 8-15 and his is a "1.4 Teleplus Pro 300" model.

[TimG]

1 hour ago, Chris Ross said:

Hi Tim,  spoke to Don Silcock who is using one on a Z8 camera with the Nkon 8-15 and his is a "1.4 Teleplus Pro 300" model.

Thanks Chris. Do you know if it’s the DG or DGX model? I think the Pro 300 has one or other of those designations. 

[canislupus]

1 hour ago, TimG said:

Thanks Chris. Do you know if it’s the DG or DGX model? I think the Pro 300 has one or other of those designations. 

I have one of those PRO 300 that it says also DGX.

[TimG]

38 minutes ago, canislupus said:

I have one of those PRO 300 that it says also DGX.

With a Z8?

[canislupus]

50 minutes ago, TimG said:

With a Z8?

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I thought the doubts were related only to the Kenko teleconverter.

I have one Kenko labeled as PRO 300 but also with the DGX. I don’t have any Nikon Z to test with.

[TimG]

5 minutes ago, canislupus said:

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I thought the doubts were related only to the Kenko teleconverter.

I have one Kenko labeled as PRO 300 but also with the DGX. I don’t have any Nikon Z to test with.

No worries. Yeah, there is more than one version of the PRO300 and not all of them work with every Nikon body. 

[Chris Ross]

On 4/7/2025 at 6:11 PM, TimG said:

Thanks Chris. Do you know if it’s the DG or DGX model? I think the Pro 300 has one or other of those designations. 

Hi Tim, I've confirmed the full description is:

 

1.4x TELEPLUS PRO 300 N-AFd DG

 

I'm also informed it was previously used on a D500 with a 10-17.  Now being used on a Z8 with an 8-15.