| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2022 Location: Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens Posts: 191
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 29, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | flawless ease of use | | Cons: | none | | Camera Used: KP
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Bought it on a Black Friday deal on Amazon Germany.
Came in no time and anxiously I opened the box and used the first zoom handy. A DAL (!!!) 55-300 that I was packing for a sale.
The converter is so simple. Fits like a lens, looks like one, yet in front you have a mount. And everything simply turns into x1.4. Worked without any focus hunting in "slower than the maximum recommended f/4 " as if Pentax is playing way too safe with this product.
I shooted in AUTO, no time to hassle, and the results are as below.
First photo at "native" 50 mm
Second photo at "TC" 77 mm
Third photo at "native" 300 mm
Forth photo at "TC" 420 mm
If you don't have the extra 1000s $$$$ to spend this converter is a gem. And 420mm in APS-C equals to ..... a lens at 600mm+ for anyone using Full Frame cameras.
Sure, my photos will not be as splendid as Pros but the quality of the image correlates to the camera and the lens used. And TBH the KP and the PLM that is ment to be used with are perfectly fine.
BONUS: 1.4:1 magnification with my Macro 35 and 100 lenses. 
Thank you Pentax !
PS: The chimney hood was against the sun in the shadow. It was dark by itself. No "lens/TC" flaw that is.
It was funny that Photoshop was showing " Pentax DAL 50-300 @ 420mm "     | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 3,889
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 12, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $399.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Retains image quality of a lens, AW, build, transmits metadata, | | Cons: | none | | Camera Used: K-5, K-1, KP
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I bought this TC when it hit the market. Price in EUR.
The only caveat for me is that it doesn't cover FF. Although on some lenses it works without bad vignetting. My example would be my M 1.7/50. It becomes a FF ~ 2.4/75. Nice.
In a recent post I read that someone used an ultra wide angle lens with a TC and got good results.
So I thought I'd check if I could do a test with my DA*11-18. Of course first I'd check if it is compatible. Could also be interesting for others. So I thought I could post my findings here.
I found the list of compatible (AF) lenses (2021 November) here:
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/converter/lc-1_4x-aw/
Unfortunately my above mentioned lens is listed as "attachment disapproved" as is for the DA Ltd. prime lenses.
The compatibility of following lenses I was interested in are listed as fully compatible on APS-C (a selection) ...
• smc PENTAX-DA 12-24mmF4ED AL[IF]
• HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mmF2.8-4ED Limited DC WR
• HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR (!)
Starting at aperture f/2.4
• smc PENTAX-DA★55mmF1.4 SD
• HD PENTAX-D FA★50mmF1.4 SDM A
• HD PENTAX-D FA★85mmF1.4ED SDM A
AF-Compatible with condition
HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,374
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 6, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $275.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Excellent optics, Light, Small | | Cons: | Price | | Camera Used: K-3,KP,K-70
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The HD DA 1.4X is a must have accessory if you own a DA*300/4, FA*300/4.5 or F*300/4.5. Forty percent more magnification with almost no IQ loss, especially with the DA*300/4. The TC also works very well with the F and FA 100/2.8 macro lenses giving a very high quality 140/4 macro lens.
I’ve tested the converter with my DFA 150-450 and it works well for subjects under 100 feet away, after that, at least with my lens, IQ degrades to the point where enlarging files from the 150-450 alone gives better results. No such issue with the DA*300 which is the nearly permanent home for my converter.
I was lucky enough to find a used copy of this lens for $250, though I would still recommend it a the full $397 current asking price.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: November, 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,968 | | Review Date: October 8, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $280.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small. Work nicely. Great asset | | Cons: | | | Camera Used: K-3
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I bought the DA 1.4x TC, having already a Tamron 2x TC. While I observed a substantial drop in image quality with the 2x TC, I was surprised and am impressed by the DA 14.x TC for a quasi-inexistent loss of IQ. Now, the DA 1.4x TC is all the time in my bag.
Why? I like bushwalking and I like to carry light weights. I am also a prime lens shooter. At a minimum weight and space, the DA 1.4x TC give me a second prime lens with an extra 40% reach, without any problem, issue or concern. My typical use involves the DA 1.4x TC coupled with the FA77mm Ltd, Carl Zeiss 85mm f1.4, Pentax FA*300mm f4. [I use the optical view finder and would not comment on Liveview.] For my usage, the DA 1.4x TC is the perfect tool to add flexibility at minimum weight and space. Highly recommended.
Lastly, I bought 2nd hand my TC through the Forum marketplace.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2018 Posts: 12
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 24, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, well built | | Cons: | None of note | | Camera Used: K3 ii
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Got a good deal on an 'open box' item from SRS. Was expecting some deterioration in image quality in use, but was very pleasantly surprised - it does not seem to detract from sharpness at all.
Usually use with my 300m FA* as in the examples, which are crops. Focus both auto and manual is unaffected.
Altogether impressive - if you have a 100, a zoom, and a 300, this effectively gives you another bag of lenses with no noticeable impact! Works well with both screw and internal motor lenses.
Note that all my comments relate to APS-C use; I haven't tried on a K1!
So far appears rugged and reliable (after about eighteen months' use). If you have the same reservations about a TC that I had, don't - it's a very worthwhile investment.  | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2018 Posts: 1
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 4, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $420.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image quality | | Cons: | None I can find so far | | Camera Used: K-70
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I tried it on three lenses (1) Pentax 55-300 f4.5/6.3 PLM (2) Pentax A* 300 f4 (3) Tamron 70-300 f4/5.6, and they all work perfectly. I tested indoor with dim lighting, and I am surprised there was no problem with autofocus with all lens (including the slowest 55-300). Maybe this reflects excellent autofocus performance of the K-70. Image quality is excellent. I do not notice any deterioration of sharpness on any of these lenses. I am also very surprised that the images from the cheapest Tamron 70-300 + Pentax TC are actually very good. I also do not notice any increased aberrations such as CA. Exposure is correct.
The following pictures were taken with Pentax A* 300mm f4 + DA 1.4X TC
(100% crop)
(100% crop)
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Posts: 674
7 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $395.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build quality, weather sealing, optics | | Cons: | none really, typical TC one stop light loss | |
I just started shooting Pentax and using the DA 300 with this teleconverter. I have been very impressed with this combination so far, despite this being my first teleconverter. I was worried about image quality loss, but I really can't tell a sharpness difference in real world conditions. Any teleconverter will bring out the flaws of the lens you're using, so I don't believe that the images are ever as good as shooting native. That being said, this TC produces very good results as long as the lens you are using it on has minimal flaws to start with.
The build quality of the TC is top notch and the weather sealing is a nice touch. When I use this converter with the DA 300, it feels like it is a native lens. The tolerances are very high and the fit is secure with no play whatsoever. The TC is well built, but manages to be small and light. I really can't find any fault in the design. I also don't notice much difference in AF speed with the converter attached. It is slightly slower, but not significant. If you need extra reach then don't hesitate to use this converter. Keep in mind that mediocre lenses will become even worse with a TC, but that isn't a fault of the TC. Stick with fast, high quality lenses for best results.
Images with DA 300 and this TC
 tricolor crouch by Daniel, on Flickr
 flower2 by Daniel, on Flickr
 evening prance by Daniel, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,777
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 25, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very good performance for a converter | | Cons: | Focus hunting, inconsistent accuracy of focus on K-5iis | | Camera Used: Pentax K-5iis
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I'm not generally a fan of converters. Converters are no substitute for the real thing. Better a 600 f4 lens than a 300 f2.8 with a 2x converter. However, converters are a considerably cheaper and smaller way to extend reach of one's lenses. So when I found a very good price on a used DA 1.4x, I decided to give it a try. I have several lenses where it could prove useful: the DA* 300, the Tamron 70-200, and the DFA 100 Macro.
The biggest question with any converter is: does it give sharper results than you would attain without it via cropping? It would be useful, in this context, to rate these converters, not in terms of added reach, but in terms of added reach with similar resolution. With the DA* 300, this converter will not give you 420mm with exactly the same resolution as at 300mm. Some resolution is lost magnifying the lens from 300mm to 420mm. With this idea in mind, we might invent a new concept for evaluating converter performance: call it "sharpness equivalence." Now I haven't done extensive tests to determine what the sharpness equivalence of DA 1.4x converter might be. It would change depending on lens and aperture. But I would hazard to guess that with the DA* 300, at f8, the converter exhibits a resolution equivalence somewhere between 360 and 400mm. Now this would change depending on aperture. If you shoot with the converter wide open, your sharpness equivalence would be less, and here's why: the DA* 300 is sharper at 5.6 than at f4. If you use the converter, you lose a stop. So if you were to compare an image shot with the converter wide open with a shot taken with the DA* 300 at f5.6 and then cropped to match the FOV of 420mm, the converter shot would not be much sharper than the crop. So if your planning on using the converter primarily wide-open, maybe that isn't such a great idea.
I've raised these technical issues to provide greater appreciation of the trade-offs involved with using the converter. What I have found in terms of real world use is that the DA 1.4x is an outstanding converter if you fully appreciate its limitations. To get the most out of it, you need to, first of all, stop the lens down. Then, because of the extended reach, you need to improve your technique. With the DA* 300, I recommend either a monopod or a tripod. If you insist on hand-holding, shutter speeds of 1/400 or more are might prove necessary (at least with the K-5 series of cameras). My K-5iis really struggled in terms of AF with the converter. When shooting my DA* 300 and Tamron 70-200, I would say my AF keeper rate is around 90%. With the converter, the keeper rate plummeted to around 50%. I also faced quite a bit of focus hunting, where the lens had to go throughout it's entire focus range, sometimes several times, before finding focus. That rarely happened sans the converter. I would imagine later Pentax camera models would be less prone to this sort of behavior. I might also be looking into finding ways to improve my focusing technique as well.
Despite these caveats, I nevertheless find this converter, when I play to its strengths (i.e., stop down the lens, stabilize or use high shutter speed, attain accurate focus) to be thoroughly outstanding. With high end glass, it can deliver surprisingly excellent results, with superb resolution, color and contrast. I was particularly surprised about how well it worked with the Tamron 70-200. While I wouldn't say the images created by this combination were sharper or more contrasty than what this lens provides absent the converter, they did feature better color.
Some samples, first from the DA* 300:
Full rez here.
Full rez here.
From the Tamron 70-200 f2.8:
Full rez here.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2016 Posts: 22
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 30, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | small. weather resistant, AF work even with dark glasses | | Cons: | Drop in quality, expensive | | Camera Used: Pentax K-70
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Well. I found that Pentax DA 55-300mm PLM WR RE is a little too short for my birds hunting so I consider to buy a teleconverter or another, longer focal lense. Because I really like mine 55-300 PLM ( i checked in store that autofocus work fine with this TC ) and there is not much longer focal lenght, quality lenses on the market in this price, I decided to buy a teleconverter - and it can work with all my lenses.
After few bird huntings i start to wondering is the drop of the quality isn't equall with cropping image in lightroom ( or etc ). So the quality suffer preety much ( imho ) so the pictures are enough quality but they're not razor sharp anymore ( much deppends on the lense you use TC with ).
So after some time i bought Sigma 50-500 APO DG HSM OS f/4,5-6.3 for Pentax and you know what? The autofocus work well with Pentax TC! That's amazing!
I'll keep the TC because it's small and simple. It can easly change my small Pentax 55-300 PLM into small Pentax 77-420mm - so i don't need to carry the heavy Bigma with me all the time.
I also find it useful with mentioned Bigma ( become 77- 700mm!!! ) when the target ( bird ) is to far - it help to tell is the focus is lock right or what kind of bird it is  ]
Generally I recomend this TC more than any other. But if you can buy a lense with desire focal lenght, for such price - better buy a lense ( if it's not a sime kind of crap of course ).
Check here - all the pictures taken with 420mm ( 55-300 PLM ), 700mm ( mirror Tamron Adaptall 2 500mm ) and some with 500mm ( the Sigma 50-500 don't show actual focal lenght in specification so the picture can be take with or without TC ) are taken with teleconverter:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149888508@N06/ | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2015 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,677
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 23, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $380.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Doubles my lens lineup | | Cons: | Common aspects of a TC | | Camera Used: K-3ii
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It's a TC...
You're going to lose a little bit of light.
IQ is only as good as the lens in front of it.
AF is likely to struggle in low light situations.
These are all a given, regardless of the TC you are using.
So why did I buy one?
For almost the same price as a Canon L 400mm f5.6, I was able to buy the DA*300, DFA100wr, and the HD 1.4xTC. (gotta love the PF marketplace!)
- Fully weather sealed 300mm f4 lens without the TC
- Fully weather sealed 100mm f2.8 macro without the TC
- Fully weather sealed 420mm F5.6 that can be shot hand-held with the TC
- Fully weather sealed 140mm F4 macro lens capable of magnification beyond 1:1 with the TC
If you have the DA*300 or the DFA100; especially if you have both. You really should consider adding this TC to your bag...
Here's a sample shot wide open at 420mm f5.6
K-3ii + DA*300 + HD 1.4xTC
 IMG_8763-Edit by Logan Hall, on Flickr
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 32
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 5, 2016 | Not Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Compatibility, Light weight | | Cons: | I.Q. at large aperture, or with lenses under 100mm, Price | | Camera Used: Pentax K70
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This tele converter is very convenient, but I am disappointed by the image quality with lenses under 100mm, or at apertures larger than 2.8. The center is bad, the corners are extremely bad.
It gives very good results though with Pentax D-FA 100mm 2.8 Macro, and excellent results with Pentax FA* 200 mm 2.8.
Also, I found out that with autofocus lenses with no 'Quick Shift' or 'MF / AF' selector, it is practically impossible to focus manually.
Finally, for a simple 4 small elements, no diaphragm, no focusing system, the price is ridiculously high. It should be $250 instead of ~$550.
| | | | | Closed Account Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 8,694
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 5, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $575.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Weather sealed, ease of use, great quality optics | | Cons: | None for me | | Camera Used: K-3
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This is a great piece of gear. Being weather sealed itself, means the integrity of both camera and lens is maintained. If used with quality glass, this converter will not disappoint. Image degradation is minimal and really only noticed if " peeping." I predominantly use it with my 100mm 2.8 macro WR and my DA* 60-250 and have found the images with the converter are of a better quality than cropping a standard image to the same size. Being able to use both screw drive and motor driven AF is an added bonus. EXIF data is changed to include the converter with Pentax lenses as well. If shooting JPEG, the lens correction features are disabled while the converter is attached. The cameras firmware will need to be updated to use it also. The price of this accessory is not that high if you consider its quality and versatility. This small piece of kit changes the lenses it is attached to for the better IMO. There are only a few lenses that cannot be used in conjunction with this converter, so checking the compatibility list is essential to avoid damaging either the lens or converter. I can highly recommend the HD Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter. It is compatible with the new HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR KAF4 lens, but not recommended. Here is a link.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/k/telephoto/hdpentax-da-55-300_re/ | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2012 Posts: 14
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 25, 2016 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, optical perfomance | | Cons: | | | Camera Used: K-5
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The good part:
- it doesn't interfere in the quality of the attached lens much
- sturdy all weather build
- light and small
- doesn't change the focusing distance
- almost all lenses can be used
The not so good part:
- pricey
- visible aberrations in corners (slight)
- max sharpness (of lens) can not be achieved
While intended to be used with DA 300*, I found it more useful for macro work. With AF-160FC and T9-2x attached it can do some serious macro work.
I had no focusing problems with SDM (DA 300*, DA 60-250*) or screw-drive (DFA 100 WR and others).
If you want to buy it (or any other tele-converter) you should probably know that all flaws that your lens have will be magnified by tele-converter. Practically that means if your lens do some chroma or fringing, these aberrations will be much worse with any tele-converter attached. So best results will be achieved with optically good lens and equally good converter.
Macro with DFA 100 WR
Macro with DFA 100 WR and T9-2x
Distance shot with DFA 100 WR
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,264
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 16, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Better than no 1.4x TC | | Cons: | Cannot cover up shortcomings in Pentax lens lineup | | Camera Used: K3
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This converter reveals most of the shortcomings in Pentax lens line up. What is it designed for??? There is no large apeture lens like a 2.8/300 or similar that typically is presented in combination of 1.4x and 2x converter. The converter is DA only which is not funny as FF is on the way. Many people use this converter with FA* 2.8/300 and 4/600. With the DA* 200 you can copy a DA* 300, but image quality is not that great anymore.
In combination with the DA* lenses it allows for SDM focussing. This was previously only possible with the Tamron 1.4 converter (old and outdated). The Pentax converter is of better optical and mechanical quality than the Tamron. It also communicates better with Pentax cameras. With DA* 300 it makes for 420 mm focal length, meaning very serious magnification not handled well by most tripods. Handheld magnification is so large that small camera movements will move the AF/metering point away from the target. Shake reduction on K3 works OK, but the long lens line up from Pentax would benefit from in lens stabilization. A decent tripod helps as well.
Results with DA* 300 and open aperture are just OK, you should stop down at least one stop. This converter is not a replacement for a real 5.6/400. Quality of the DA* 300 at f/4 is not really high enough to allow 1.4x magnification with open aperture. Effective f/5.6 allows for AF, but shutter speeds at f/8 are getting quite slow very soon - even at higher ISO. With lots of light around, the DA* 300 + 1.4x will probably be more fun - or for all of you living in countries with lots of sun shine :-)
On D-FA 100M you can increase magnification - again you should stop down a little for best results, effective f/8 works fine for me here.
The real performance of the TC is hard to judge as you can only use it in combination with some lens. While image deterioration is not that much for all my lenses, it deteriorates the image quality at open aperture enough to call the effect significant.
The DA 1.4x converter is a nice to have addition of Pentax glass. Today, a TC should complement high end tele glass which is not available in Pentax land. In my rating I don't blame the TC for shortcomings in the Pentax lens line up.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: June, 2014 Posts: 62
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 20, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $445.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Light, compact,Works with very wide len spectrum | | Cons: | None to date. | | Camera Used: K3/K30
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I have used this converter with 3 F series lenses and all 8 of my DA series lenses.
I am pleased with the results. Even the much older lenses worked well. I saw no
change in AF and IQ remained unchanged. The DA series lenses gave similar results. All test I have done are merely eyeball. No measurements were taken.
The converter is easy to use but be careful to follow instructions when mounting lenses and the converter.
I am really enjoying the extra reach, I am getting from my lenses.
Buy one and get the benefits of saving money on lens purchases.
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