I stopped posting as I got annoyed with the MF pictures thread due to the weird commentary around "brightness" by someone. I shoot primarily for myself, so no need to waste energy and discussing the high key look of an image if I decide to go for it.
This being said ... I have started to really love the TC – a key reason to go Alpa for me – because precisely the compactness creates opportunity. It is one thing to use a tripod, another to lug a TC around.
This is with the TC and 43XL. Even more compact, although you need to pay attention to wobble. My favorite combo now is the X shutter 40 HR and TC.
I can recommend max reduction to a TC and a wide-angle, ideally with x shutter. Its amazing. Never had so much fun. If you shoot an IQ4 Achromatic its like having 2 Leica M11 Monos stitched together with a lens that's perfectly sharp edge to edge.
I also have the Factum – its not the same as the TC. TC is so compact, it changes your approach. With the Factum ... it is still unwiedly in a way, so I also think I can just as well take the Rm3Di which also has a grip.
TC you can put in a small protector and quickly take it out. Highly recommend Alpa just for this – its unique.