Olympus MC-14 Teleconverter Review: First Micro Four Thirds 1.4x extender is a small, essential accessory for telephoto users

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posted Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 4:13 PM EST

Announced back in September 2014 for Photokina alongside the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Zuiko Pro, the tiny and robust Olympus MC-14 1.4x teleconverter offers Micro Four Thirds users not only the first focal length extender for the Micro Four Thirds system, but also one that maintains the rugged, splashproof build of the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 Zuiko Pro lens.

Currently compatible only with the 40-150mm f/2.8 lens, the 1.4x teleconverter gives the focal length range a boost up to 56-210mm (112-420mm in 35mm equivalents), but with the typical 1-stop of light loss (the f/2.8 aperture stops down to an f/4). The 1.4xTC will also be compatible with Olympus's upcoming 300mm f/4 Zuiko Pro telephoto lens for a 420mm f/5.6-equivalent lens (840mm equivalence in 35mm terms).

The Olympus MC-14 Teleconverter is very compact.

With an all-metal construction and full weather-sealing, the Olympus MC-14x is comprised of six optical elements, including one "HR" element. Testing the teleconverter with the 40-150mm f/2.8 lens produced excellent results, especially at the shorter focal lengths. Wide open at 56mm, the lens and teleconverter produced very sharp images across the frame, with only a slight decrease in sharpness at maximum telephoto. Other optical qualities remain very good similar to the bare 40-150mm lens (and at certain focal lengths, CA actually gets better with the MC-14).

E-M1 (with MC-1.4x teleconverter): 210mm, f/5.6, 1/400s, ISO 160
Image has not been retouched/edited. Click image for full size.

100% Crop from the image above. No sharpening has been applied in post-processing.

Head on over to SLRgear to read the in-depth Olympus MC-14 1.4x teleconverter review, complete with our in-depth report, final conclusion as well as our full range of test results and sample images.

The Olympus MC-14 1.4x ships with a small lens case and front and rear caps, and is available for pre-order for $349.99. Check out Amazon, Adorama or B&H for more info on purchasing. Buying this teleconverter, or any other item, at one of these trusted affiliates helps support this site and keeps the reviews coming!

In the meantime, check out some sample photos using the telecoverter with the 40-150mm f/2.8 lens and the Olympus E-M1. You can view more sample photos, plus download the full-resolution files, over at our Flickr page.