X100VI Accessories – NEEWER LS-61 1.5X X100 Tele Adapter: Um… What The Heck, Neewer?
Subtitle: Just when I thought I couldn’t like this camera more.
This is the third accessory post I mentioned in an earlier post.
The “What the heck?” part.
Neewer already pulled me away from a lighting solution I did not think I would ever leave.
But that is not all. I also changed out my on camera flashes.
They released wireless mic kit that was such a good value that I got it even though I rarely shoot video.
They made my go to roller camera bag.
And then there are the Sony AF macro tubes that put my macro lenses on a trailer.
All camera adjacent products. All offering competitive and occasionally even unique and better specs for less. Check the reviews above for more information. And now we have this.
What the heck is that? I am glad I imagined that you asked.
A teleconverter.
Why do I want one?
They exist.
That simple. Tell the truth and shame the devil.
More?
In theory, it expands the usefulness of a fixed lens camera.
Reality?
It may be a toy. Used once or twice, then it might be doomed to a dark corner somewhere to collect dust.
Why not the one that Fujifilm sells?
Cool! Sign me up! No electronics and all glass so it can’t possibly cost that mu… <checks price> $384.00! Surely that is all I need to use it, right? Nope. Just for fun, to use it, one also needs to order the $46.35 adapter.
So… carry the two… $430.35 all in.
For something with no electronics.
That may be a rarely used toy.
Nope.
This is when I asked the internets:
What else ya’ got?
And it answered with less expensive options.
$149.
$109.
But are they any good? To be clear, at these prices they would have to utterly awful for me not to give them a try. But I wanted to know what to expect. So off I went to Google land, and that is when I saw it.
Neewer! My old friend. How are you?
$99 you say… with the adapter ring included…
and a case…
and a 30% off code on the page at the time of purchase? (As of this post, there is a 25% code. But if they have no code at all, check back in a few days based on past experience.)
You sly dog. Of course, I will take one. Thank you.
It does the gaping glass maw thing out front.
Not nearly as dramatic out back.
The assembly.
What does it do?
Turns an effective 35mm-ish full frame focal length to approximately 50mm.
So… Pictures… Any good?… Yep. Here are my day one sample photos, followed by some thoughts.
For comparison’s sake, here is the same scene without the teleconverter.
For comparison’s sake, here is the same scene without the teleconverter.
For comparison’s sake, here is the same scene without the teleconverter.
Show and tell at the camera shop. The usual
The elder X100 cameras.
Dillon taken by Dillon.
Dillon show and tell.
This is when I realized the ISO was set so high, and changed it back to Auto
Retook a couple of photos in case the earlier pics could not be saved with AI Denoise.
Thoughts.
First, let me get some housekeeping out of the way.
Am I saying that the Fujifilm option is not worth the additional expense?
No.
Is the Fujifilm adapter better?
Even having never used it, I am certain it is.
Is it 6.15x better for me?
No.
Mainly because I do not intend to use this for “serious” work. But…
By everything I am seeing, it could be.
Notes.
- No noticeable vignetting I can see.
- No glaring optical faults I can see.
- Colors and sharpness are well maintained.
- Adapter does not noticeably impact AF.
- Not that unwieldy with the adapter attached.
- I like that they provided a case for it.
- Used it with and without the camera set to tele adapter mode, and could see no difference.
- May be my imagination but it adds a bit of a vintage glow.
- Some may see this as a demerit, but I rather like it. Also gives a different look.
- Not a bad looking thing.
- Thought I would prefer one in black to match the camera, but I rather like the way it looks, actually.
- Adds a bit of subject isolation, and the magnification makes it a more suitable tool for closer portraits.
Faults?
At this price. Nothing that would deter me from getting it.
If forced to identify something? Let’s see.
- Not a huge fan of the white lens cap.
- But it pretty much stays in the case when I am using it.
- If pointed directly at a bright light source, there is a ring that does not appear otherwise.
- Don’t point it directly at a bright light source. But if you do…
- I think it looks kind of cool.
- …welp. That is all I have got.
Overall opinion?
Up there with the best $70 I have spent.
There are never any guarantees, but I do see myself using this often. AI am aready planning on using it at a jazz event tomorrow night for a little extra reach.
Well done, Neewer.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 
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