XF 1.4x teleconverter discontinued?

Sven44 · Apr 22, 2021

According to Park Cameras in the UK, Fuji have discontinued this teleconverter?!

I queried this with them as no-one else seems to be reporting it, and it just makes no sense, but they said they have confirmed this with Fuji.

Can anyone confirm, or know why? Are they bringing out a v2? Why would they discontinue the old version before even announcing a replacement?

:-O

notchy · Apr 22, 2021

Sven44 said:
According to Park Cameras in the UK, Fuji have discontinued this teleconverter?!

I queried this with them as no-one else seems to be reporting it, and it just makes no sense, but they said they have confirmed this with Fuji.

Can anyone confirm, or know why? Are they bringing out a v2? Why would they discontinue the old version before even announcing a replacement?

:-O

Very strange if true, given that at least four XF lenses have been designed to use it and it's frequently bundled for sale with those lenses.

Perhaps you are right and this will be replaced by a "Mk II" version, after all, there's a lot of that about at the moment.

baobob · Apr 22, 2021

If this reveals to be correct, sure new versions will be launched

Rod McD · Apr 22, 2021

Hi,

Thx. Interesting. I don't know either.

What would be nice would be a Mk2 that was redesigned without the protruding front elements so that it fits every lens. I don't know if that's feasible without sacrificing IQ. My guess is that if it were feasible, they'd have done it already.

Cheers, Rod

toktik · Apr 22, 2021

I think there might be an inventory problem because it seems to be a very popular item with the release of the XF 70-300mm lens. The TC is out of stock at a couple of well-known resellers in the USA. I have not seen any indication it is being replaced by a new version, but if that is true the current version should see a decent price drop.

baobob · Apr 22, 2021

Same here in France out of stock in many major dealers

Smuj · Apr 22, 2021

Mixed bag here in UK. In stock at Clifton Cameras & London Camera Exchange but temporarily out of stock at Wex & Amazon UK.

Morris0 · Apr 22, 2021

It's available at B&H, Backordered at Adorama and about 1 to 2 weeks to ship from Amazon. It is still listed as a current product on Fuji Global. I suspect this is a supply issue and a vendor trying to avoid your purchasing else ware.

Morris

Sven44 · Apr 22, 2021

Indeed that's exactly why I was looking at it - to go with the 70-300.

I was a bit surprised (and annoyed) that Fuji weren't doing a bundle, and contacted my reseller to try to persuade them to do a deal, only to be told I couldn't get the teleconverter at all as it was discontinued.

As you and others have said, it could well be a supply issue, but Park Cameras are a very reputable seller here, with good links to Fuji I believe, and were absolutely adamant that it has been discontinued.

If it turns out to just be ruse so I don't buy from elsewhere, I think they would take a big reputational hit - I'll make sure of that!!

Assuming they are right... I wonder whether the 70-300 release might be a reason for a mk II? I don't think I've seen any reviews yet of this pairing .. could be they found some issues and are frantically working on a fix?

Jerry-astro · Apr 22, 2021

Morris0 said:
It's available at B&H, Backordered at Adorama and about 1 to 2 weeks to ship from Amazon. It is still listed as a current product on Fuji Global. I suspect this is a supply issue and a vendor trying to avoid your purchasing else ware.

Morris

That makes the most sense to me. The 2.0x TC is no substitute for the 1.4x TC and offers significantly inferior IQ. There’s no reason I can see for it to be discontinued unless they have a replacement being readied for introduction. If so, I’d be really interested to know the reasoning behind it and what advantages a Mk2 version might offer.

notchy · Apr 22, 2021

baobob said:
Same here in France out of stock in many major dealers

One wonders if the replacement stock for European nations is currently sitting in a container or two on a now famous ship currently impounded on the Great Bitter Lake in Egypt ;-)

Morris0 · Apr 22, 2021

notchy said:
baobob said:

Same here in France out of stock in many major dealers

Click to expand...

One wonders if the replacement stock for European nations is currently sitting in a container or two on a now famous ship currently impounded on the Great Bitter Lake in Egypt ;-)

When I was at the beach the other day, there was a huge backlog of ships waiting to enter New York Harbor. The canal backup may have cleared yet now there are a lot of ships that went through as well as those that went around all needing dock time.

Morris

Digishooter2021 · Apr 22, 2021

I bought a used one from B&H and have been very pleased. Have seen one on Craigslist NYC recently too.

TwoMetreBill · Apr 22, 2021

Mine is coming in a couple days, ordered from the Fuji Store on Amazon. Unlike the 100-400 which does appear to be discontinued, you are just seeing a demand/supply issue with the 1.4 TC.

Yes a lot of people would like to see it fit other lenses but they would be very disappointed with the IQ. The camera companies (think Canon and Nikon) finally learned that they were harming their reputation by allow their TCs to fit almost all their lenses. Olympus was ahead of the trend with high end TCs for the HG and SHG line though they didn't block them from fitting other lenses. Finally all the manufacturers started allowing the TCs to fit only the lenses they are designed for. The 55-200 is possibly the only Fuji lens that would deliver decent results with the 1.4TC and then maybe just at the long end.

Jerry-astro · Apr 22, 2021

TwoMetreBill said:
Mine is coming in a couple days, ordered from the Fuji Store on Amazon. Unlike the 100-400 which does appear to be discontinued, you are just seeing a demand/supply issue with the 1.4 TC.

Yes a lot of people would like to see it fit other lenses but they would be very disappointed with the IQ. The camera companies (think Canon and Nikon) finally learned that they were harming their reputation by allow their TCs to fit almost all their lenses. Olympus was ahead of the trend with high end TCs for the HG and SHG line though they didn't block them from fitting other lenses. Finally all the manufacturers started allowing the TCs to fit only the lenses they are designed for. The 55-200 is possibly the only Fuji lens that would deliver decent results with the 1.4TC and then maybe just at the long end.

Huh? Would you care to share your source(s) for your assertion that the 100-400 has been discontinued? I don’t recall having read that anywhere, and there really is no replacement for a lens with that focal length range in Fuji’s lineup or rumored plans. And, no, IMHO, the 70-300 would most certainly not be an acceptable substitute for that focal length range, regardless of the IQ that it’s able to deliver.

Edit: and I will also add that B&H shows it as temporarily out of stock with new units coming in within 2-4 weeks. No mention whatsoever of it being discontinued.

--
Jerry-Astro

Labe · Apr 22, 2021

I spoke with Fuji tec today and it’s not been discontinued...

Jerry-astro · Apr 22, 2021

Labe said:
I spoke with Fuji tec today and it’s not been discontinued...

Thanks for posting that. Had no doubt whatsoever that this was just another unsubstantiated rumor. No reason I can see why they would even do that.

--
Jerry-Astro

Sven44 · Apr 23, 2021

Labe said:
I spoke with Fuji tec today and it’s not been discontinued...

That's good to know, thanks. Park Cameras are going to be in trouble. :-x

jhorse · Apr 25, 2021

I would not count Park Cameras as a reliable source for production runs as opposed to temporary stocking issues. The only reason to discontinue a teleconverter which is compatible with one of their most recently introduced lens, the 70-300, would be to upgrade to a Mk II version and I have yet to see any rumour along these lines.

Sven44 · Apr 26, 2021

jhorse said:
I would not count Park Cameras as a reliable source for production runs as opposed to temporary stocking issues. The only reason to discontinue a teleconverter which is compatible with one of their most recently introduced lens, the 70-300, would be to upgrade to a Mk II version and I have yet to see any rumour along these lines.

I think we're all agreed, there is zero chance that Fuji have somehow decided to no longer offer a 1.4x teleconverter.

The possibilities are:

1. A Mk II is on its way - but very strange that no-one knows anything about it

2. Supply problems due to huge demand, pairing with the 70-300

3. Production problems due to global semi-conductor shortages

4. Supply problems due to Evergiven

What I can't get over, assuming 2. - 4., is Park Camera's insistence that they have it on authority from Fuji that it's been discontinued. They are really putting their reputation on the line.

Meanwhile, silence from Fuji isn't doing their reputation any favours either.

XF 1.4x teleconverter discontinued?

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