The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter is an accessory that mounts between a compatible lens and a Sony E-mount camera, doubling the focal length or focal length range of the lens. It is designed to work with Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras and lenses, but it can also be used with APS-C models with a 1.5x crop factor.
In this review, we will look at the main features, pros and cons of this teleconverter, based on various sources¹²³.
Introduction
The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter was announced in May 2016 along with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS and the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter. It is one of the few teleconverters available for Sony E-mount cameras, and it offers a significant increase in reach and magnification for capturing distant or small subjects, such as wildlife, sports and astronomy.
The teleconverter has a total of 8 elements in 5 groups, including one aspherical element to reduce aberrations and improve sharpness. It also has a Zeiss T* coating to minimize flare and ghosting. The teleconverter maintains full communication between the lens and the camera body, ensuring the proper function of the camera's exposure metering, autofocus and image stabilization.
The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter is compatible with three Sony lenses as of this writing: the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS and the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS. With the teleconverter attached, these lenses become 140-400mm f/5.6, 200-800mm f/9-11 and 800mm f/5.6 respectively.
This teleconverter has a metal mount and a high-quality build with dust- and moisture-resistant design. It also has rubber seals at the mount and switches. The teleconverter comes with a rear cap and a front cap that can be attached to the lens hood of the compatible lenses.
It does not change the minimum focus distance or the maximum magnification ratio of the lenses it is used with, but it does reduce the maximum aperture by two stops. This means that less light reaches the sensor and the depth of field becomes deeper.
Pros and Cons of Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter
Here is a summary of the main pros and cons of the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter:
| Pros | Cons |
| Doubles the focal length of compatible lenses | Reduces the maximum aperture by two stops |
| Maintains full communication between lens and camera | Degrades image quality to some extent |
| Supports autofocus and image stabilization | Limits autofocus speed and accuracy |
| Dust- and moisture-resistant build | Compatible with only three lenses |
| Compact and lightweight |
Conclusion
The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter is a useful accessory for Sony E-mount photographers who need more reach and magnification for their telephoto lenses. It doubles the focal length of compatible lenses without changing their minimum focus distance or maximum magnification ratio, while maintaining full communication between lens and camera for autofocus and image stabilization.
However, the teleconverter also comes with some drawbacks, such as reducing the maximum aperture by two stops, degrading image quality to some extent, limiting autofocus speed and accuracy, and being compatible with only three lenses.
If you can live with these limitations, or if you are looking for an affordable and compact alternative to buying longer lenses, then the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter is worth considering. It is a handy tool that can enhance your photographic possibilities.
Further Reading
(1) Sony FE 2x Teleconverter Review – Photography Life
(2) Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter Review – The-Digital-Picture.com
(3) Sony FE 2x Teleconverter Review – Optical Features – Photography Life