Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x For Canon EOS Review

Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification



This 1.4x tele-converter from Kenko fits between a lens and your camera, increasing the focal length of the lens by 40% and reducing the maximum aperture by one stop. This new tele-converter has been developed with updated electronics to record more accurate EXIF data. At the moment, it is only available to fit Canon EOS cameras. This converter currently costs around £215. In this review, we’ll see how it performs.

Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x Handling and Features

Weighing only 110 grams, this 1.4x converter is a great way to add extra focal length, without having extra bulky lenses to cart about. The build quality of the converter is good, with a combination of high-quality plastics and metal used in the construction, however, the converter makes no claims about weather sealing.

The full complement of electronic contacts to support compatible lenses are present and the camera reports a maximum aperture one stop slower than that of the attached lens, as it should. The converter is easy to fit, and the minimum focusing distance of the mounted lens remains unaffected, allowing more of the frame to be filled with less of your subject. It is recommended to check the Kenko website to ensure the lens you wish to use with the converter is compatible.

When used with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens, focus speeds seem largely unaffected with the Canon EOS 6D body used for testing, even in relatively low light conditions. 

Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x Performance

To test the converter, we checked the clarity produced with the 70-200mm lens at 70mm, with the converter as well as without to see how much effect it has on image quality.

Overall, sharpness is reduced compared to using the lens on its own, especially towards the edges of the frame at fast apertures. In this case, sharpness towards the edges of the frame is reduced from being just shy of excellent levels to fairly poor levels of clarity at maximum aperture. Performance in the centre holds up better, but is still reduced from excellent levels of clarity to good levels of sharpness. As the aperture is stopped down, the effect on sharpness is diminished as performance levels climb closer to that of the lens on its own. This combination produced very good sharpness across the frame between f/8 and f/16.

Canon 70-300mm + Kenko 14x @ 70mm MTF
 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. Averaging them out gives the red weighted column.

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. Simple.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Canon EOS 6D using Imatest.

Levels of chromatic aberrations are actually reduced slightly with the combination of converter and lens keeping levels of fringing under half a pixel width.

Canon 70-300mm + Kenko 14x @70mm CA
 

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Canon EOS 6D using Imatest.

Falloff of illumination towards the corners of the frame is increased slightly. Without the converter, the corners of the frame are 0.8 stops darker than the image centre at 70mm and maximum aperture. With the converter this is increased to 0.9 stops.

Pincushion distortion is increased slightly, only 1.44% present with the converter. Without the converter, Imatest detected 0.97% pincushion distortion at 70mm.

With the converter in place, contrast is is slightly reduced, especially when shooting into the light.

Kenko TelePlus HD 1.4X DGX Sample Photos

Value For Money

Currently, this teleconverter can be picked up for around £215, which isn’t quite bargain-basement territory, but is still less expensive than Canon’s EF Extender 1.4x, which costs £310.

Those shopping around for a bargain may consider the Kenko 1.4x Teleplus Pro 300 DGX converter as an alternative, as it can be picked up for only £130.

Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x Verdict

The use of a teleconverter is often a compromise that will result in reduced image quality than with a dedicated lens. This teleconverter is no exception to the rule, although it does offer a cost-effective way to gain extra telephoto reach with image quality that will be acceptable for many people. Those who are happy with the results from this converter may also find they’re just as happy with the results from Kenko’s less expensive Pro 300 DGX version, so that is worth bearing in mind also.

Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x Pros

Good build quality 
Reasonably lightweight 
Compact
 

Kenko Teleplus HD DGX 1.4x Cons

Reduction in clarity at maximum aperture may be noticeable, especially towards the edges of the frame
Not weather sealed

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

Kenko TelePlus HD 1.4X DGX Specifications

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