This high-quality teleconverter brings useful extra reach to your X100 at a palatable price
Amateur Photographer verdict
The Viltrox TCL-X100VI transforms your X100’s lens to 50mm equivalent while retaining the f/2 aperture. It’s considerably cheaper than Fujifilm’s own version, but gives just as good results.
- Decent optics overall
- Nice bokeh wide open
- Sharp when stopped down
- Automatically recognised by the X100F, V and VI
- A relatively large add-on for the X100
- A little soft wide open
The Viltrox TCL-X100VI is a 1.4x teleconverter that’s specifically designed for Fujifilm’s popular X100-series compact cameras. It screws onto the front of the built-in 23mm lens to give a 33mm optic, while retaining the f/2 maximum aperture. For those who prefer to think in full-frame terms, that gives a field of view equivalent to a 50mm lens.
Viltrox TCL-X100VI at a glance:
- $189 / £180
- Fits all Fujifilm X100 models
- Gives 50mm equivalent view
- Available in silver or black
- 45mm x 69.2mm, 230g
Fujifilm already offers a very similar teleconverter, the TCL-X100, which first appeared in 2014 and received a ‘Mark II’ update in 2017. However, Viltrox’s version comes with some clear attractions. Most obviously, it’s considerably cheaper, at $189 / £180. Intriguingly, it also employs a more complex optical design. This could, perhaps, indicate good things regarding the image quality.
For the sake of completeness, I should note that Viltrox also makes a 0.8x wideangle converter, the WCL-X100VI. This is a direct alternative to Fujifilm WCL-X100, giving a 28mm equivalent view. It’s rather smaller and lighter than the teleconverter.
While the product names imply that both converters are specifically designed for the X100VI, they work on all generations of the camera.
Viltrox TCL-X100VI: Features
Viltrox has constructed the TCL-X100VI using 5 elements in 4 groups, rather than Fujifilm’s 4-element, 4-group design. These are mounted into a metal barrel that screws directly onto the camera’s 49mm accessory thread, which is revealed by removing a cosmetic ring from the front of the lens. At the front of the converter, there’s a 67mm filter thread, which you’ll also need to use if you want to add a hood.
Like the ‘II’ version of the Fujifilm TCL-X100, the converter is automatically recognised by the X100F, X100V or X100VI, via a magnetic switch. But on the first three generation models (X100, X100S and X100T), you’ll need to specify manually that you’re using it via a menu setting, and then remember to switch this off again afterwards. When I owned an X100T, I added this option to the Q Menu for quick access.
This setting does several things. Firstly, it writes into the EXIF data that you’re using the converter, which is nice to know when browsing your shots later. Secondly, it applies software compensation for distortion and chromatic aberration. Because these corrections were programmed for the Fujifilm TCL-X100, though, it follows that Viltrox must have closely followed the same optical characteristics. Last but not least, on the X100VI it reconfigures the in-body image stabilisation system for the new focal length.
Viltrox TCL-X100VI key features:
- 1.4x extender: This 1.4x teleconverter gives a 50mm equivalent view, while retaining the f/2 maximum aperture
- Auto-recognition: It’s automatically recognised by the X100F, X100V and X100VI, via a magnetic switch
- 49mm fitting: The teleconverter screws directly onto the X100’s 49mm lens accessory thread
- 67mm thread: A 67mm front thread allows the use of filters or a lens hood to protect the large front element
Viltrox TCL-X100VI: Build and handling
Size-wise, the TCL-X100VI is a very close match to the Fujifilm original, measuring 45mm in length and 69.2mm in diameter. It’s 57g heavier though, at 230g, doubtless due to that additional optical element. This makes it a significant addition to the camera that ends up feeling just a little front-heavy. As a result, I preferred to use it with either an add-on handgrip, or a case with an additional finger grip.
In terms of build quality, the Viltrox teleconverter feels every bit as nicely made as the Fujifilm original. It comes in black or silver, with the latter being a nice match to my silver X100VI. In the box, you get a clip-on front cap, a push-on rear cap, and a soft pouch. I was pleased to see that Viltrox has added a slim textured grip around the barrel, which makes it that bit easier to screw on or remove compared to its Fujifilm counterpart.
Viltrox TCL-X100VI: Image quality
When using a screw-on front converter like this, you have to be realistic in your expectations. It’s never likely to match the performance we’d expect from a prime lens in the 33mm region, even a relatively cheap example like Viltrox’s own AF 35mm F1.7 X. But, of course, that’s not the point – it exists to provide more versatility for X100 users, and in this respect, it does a very creditable job.
I tested it on the Fujifilm X100VI, with its demanding 40MP sensor. I suspect pixel-peepers may be underwhelmed by its performance wide open, as when you zoom right in onscreen, you’ll see pixel-level detail is somewhat soft, with the distinctive ‘glow’ of spherical aberration. But when you take a step back out and view your images as a whole, they look just fine. For portraits, that touch of softness can actually be flattering.
Fine detail still looks pretty soft at f/2.8, but things sharpen up dramatically at f/4, especially in the centre of the frame. You’ll need to stop down to f/5.6 or f/8, though, if you want to the corners of your images to look as crisp as possible. Close the aperture down further and you’ll see some pixel-level blurring creep in due to diffraction, but that may well be an acceptable trade-off when you need extended depth of field. Even so, I’d generally avoid using f/16.
The payback for that wide-open softness, though, comes with bokeh. With this kind of front converter, you’ll get increased background blur compared to simply cropping a standard image to 50mm equivalent. It’s quite nicely rendered too, making this converter a good choice if you want to shoot head-and-shoulder portraits.
About the only thing you may have to worry about is flare, and even then, only in specific circumstances. I had no problem when the sun was in the image, but I did occasionally see coloured streaks or large, bright circular flare spots when shooting into the light, but with the sun outside the frame. Then it’s a case of finding some way of shading that large front element.
With the X100VI, one notable point is just how well the IBIS continues to work with the teleconverter fitted. I was able to get consistently usable results at long fractions of a second. That helps with capturing images in low light without having to hike the ISO too much – at least with static subjects.
Viltrox TCL-X100VI: Our Verdict
While I’ve always loved the Fujifilm X100 series, I do sometimes find the fixed 35mm equivalent lens to be restrictive. This is where having the lens converters, both wideangle and telephoto, can be welcome. And Viltrox has made that cheaper than using the Fujifilm versions, without apparently compromising on quality or operability.
I’ve enjoyed using the Viltrox TCL-X100VI and been pleased by the results it’s given me. You get real benefits compared to simply cropping-in or using in-camera digital zoom, with extra background blur at large apertures, and more detail when stopped down. I’m not convinced that the optics are clearly better than the Fujifilm version, despite the extra lens element. But equally, they’re no worse.
Some might be concerned by the lens’s bulk, which means the camera is no longer remotely pocketable. But honestly, after a few minutes using it, I no longer really noticed. It’s not much different to using a Fujifilm X-E5 with a moderately-sized 33mm or 35mm prime. Overall for X100 owners, the Viltrox TCL-X100VI adds a useful extra option at an affordable price.
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Viltrox TCL-X100VI full specifications
| Price | $189 / £180 |
| Filter Diameter | 67mm |
| Lens Elements | 5 |
| Groups | 4 |
| Length | 45mm |
| Diameter | 69.2mm |
| Weight | 230g |
| Camera compatibility | Fujifilm X100, X100S, X100T, X100F, X100V, X100VI |
| Colours | Silver, black |
| Included accessories | Clip front cap, push-on rear cap, soft pouch |
