Sigma TC-1401

The Sigma TC-1401 is a well-built, weather sealed 1.4x teleconverter for Nikon F. Build quality is excellent, but optical performance is near the bottom of the barrel. At USD 349 to USD 389, it's a tough sell unless you absolutely need the reach and can live with softer images.

The TC-1401 does what it says on the box, it multiplies your focal length by 1.4x. The build is genuinely impressive for this category, and the stabilization support means you won't lose VR or OS functionality with compatible lenses. But the optical score is rough. At the 19th percentile, this converter is near the bottom of the barrel for image quality. You'll likely see softness, reduced contrast, and maybe some chromatic aberration creeping in, despite that one ED element. Autofocus performance is middle of the pack at the 54th percentile, so expect some slowdown and hunting, especially in lower light. The 70th percentile aperture score means you lose a stop of light, which is standard for a 1.4x, but combined with the optical hit, it stings more.

Stacked against the competition, the TC-1401 is in a weird spot. The Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm and Sony E 18-135mm are actual zoom lenses, not converters, so they offer way more versatility out of the box. The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit is also a zoom with better optical chops. The Nikon NIKKOR 2178 and Meike SE Mark II 85mm are primes with their own strengths. The Sigma's build quality beats most of these, but its optical score is the worst of the bunch by a wide margin. If you need a teleconverter specifically, this is a niche pick. If you need reach, any of those zooms will serve you better without the image quality penalty.

Pricing is all over the place. US listings range from USD 349 to USD 389, and Newegg has the cheaper end of that spread. For a teleconverter with this optical performance, that's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for the build quality and weather sealing, but the core job of a teleconverter is to extend reach without wrecking image quality. This one doesn't nail that. If you can snag it at the lower end of the range and you only need it occasionally, maybe. But at nearly USD 400, you're better off saving for a longer lens or a higher quality converter.

The Sigma TC-1401 is a 1.4x teleconverter for Nikon F mount. It adds reach to your existing telephoto glass without adding much bulk, just 190g and a 7 element design with one ED element. Weather sealing and stabilization support are here too, which is nice for a converter in this class.

But let's be real about the scores. Build quality is a standout at the 91st percentile, and stabilization lands in the 81st. Optical performance, though, sits at the 19th percentile. That's a red flag for a product whose entire job is preserving image quality while magnifying your lens.

Skip this if you care about image quality. The optical score is bad enough that pixel peepers and anyone printing large will be disappointed. Also skip it if you don't already own a compatible Sigma telephoto lens, since it's useless on its own. And if you shoot in low light often, the one stop light loss plus mediocre autofocus will drive you nuts.

This is for Nikon F shooters who already own a compatible Sigma telephoto lens and want a bit more reach without buying a whole new lens. The build is solid, the weather sealing is a nice touch, and it's light enough to live in your bag permanently. But the optical hit is real. If you're picky about sharpness, this will frustrate you. Casual wildlife or sports shooters who need occasional extra reach and can accept softer images might be okay with it. Anyone else should look elsewhere.