Anyone using an EF 70-200/2.8 II with a 1.x or 2x converter?

bigrob

bigrob

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Should be getting the 70-200 II tomorrow (2nd hand from this forum).

I have lost my 1.4x (grrr). Anyway I was wondering if anyone here has any real world experience of using this lens with the 1.4x and/or 2x converters for sports.

Will be attached to a Mk III.

n.b. I don't mean stacked.
 
You get a slight slow down in AF when using a converter..
 
Down to f:/4 wide open, bit slower AF (as said), small hit on IQ with 1.4x, (not as bad as 2x).
 
What about the newer canon extenders (mk III). Any AF/IQ improvement on the mk II's?
 
Yep - I use mine with a 1.4x II converter. The results are superb. It's a really amazing lens which knocks spots off the previous version. Example from Sunday:

I0000ySd4PwTdGzs.jpg


Not tried it with the 2x.
 
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Thanks Tobers - just what I was looking for.

I just have no idea where my 1.4x went to. I remember using it last summer. I think I must have dropped it or something.

I'll have to keep an eye out for 2nd hand ones. I see you sold your 2x.
 
Hi Rob

I'm at work so do not have any good photos to show but that lens with a Canon x1.4 III TC performs excellently. With a x2 Kenko pro 300 dgx attached AF slows down marginally (like all lenses) but the results are still comparable to a 100-400L, IMHO (I used to have a stellar copy of that lens for comparison). If feeling flush I would go for the Canon x2 mkIII simply for sharpness away from the centre.


Regards
 
gary43 said:
Hi RobIf feeling flush I would go for the Canon x2 mkIII simply for sharpness away from the centre.
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Thanks Gary

Do you think the x2 Mk III is that much better than than the Mk II?
 
Robin,

I used the 70-200 MK2 with the 1.4 Mk2 TC at the weekend at a football tournament and I was very very impressed with the IQ and also the focus speed.

I couldn't really see how the 1.4 MK3 TC could be any better...And thats a honest truthful point of view from a cynical Yorkshireman !!

If the MK3 X2 TC is anywhere near, it will be outstanding
 
Thanks Tugs

Got a 2x Mk2 coming. Just wish I hadn't lost (or misplaced) my 1.4x !!!

Looking forward to see what the 2x is like with it.
 
Tugster said:
Robin,

I used the 70-200 MK2 with the 1.4 Mk2 TC at the weekend at a football tournament and I was very very impressed with the IQ and also the focus speed.

I couldn't really see how the 1.4 MK3 TC could be any better...And thats a honest truthful point of view from a cynical Yorkshireman !!

If the MK3 X2 TC is anywhere near, it will be outstanding
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Oh goody I have my 70-200 mkII coming tomorrow and I cant wait to try it out with and without the 1.4x TC II. How did your tournament go mate? I have a kids footy tournament on Sunday and i'm thinking of just taking this combo instead of my usual 2 bodies + 300 2.8 & 135L combo. What do you think
 
Phil

I think Tug says it went well.

I am going for a trial with an event company on the 19th for kids football. So I'll be using that combo then. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
redmonkee said:
Oh goody I have my 70-200 mkII coming tomorrow and I cant wait to try it out with and without the 1.4x TC II. How did your tournament go mate? I have a kids footy tournament on Sunday and i'm thinking of just taking this combo instead of my usual 2 bodies + 300 2.8 & 135L combo. What do you think
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Phil, I would advise to take both bodies. I took both bodies on Saturday and I'm glad I did as I was asked to shoot both T&I's and also action.

24-70 on one and the 70-200/TC combo on the other. The other two photographers only took one body and were constantly changing lens throughout the day. Sun, Wind and Rain during the day, so didn't want to be changing lenses every two minutes.

The event went quite well, It was not my event but I learnt a few things for my big gig in July.I'll PM you some details this week
 
I received the mk II today. What a lens it is, the IS is very impressive. I can handhold at much slower speeds than I'd usually be able to.

I haven't got steady hands but it's sharp handheld at 1/15s at 280mm (with 1.4x extender) or 364mm with the crop factor.
 
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alexw9 said:
I received the mk II today. What a lens it is, the IS is very impressive. I can handhold at much slower speeds than I'd usually be able to.

I haven't got steady hands but it's sharp handheld at 1/15s at 280mm (with 1.4x extender) or 364mm with the crop factor.
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Wow that's impressive. I should be getting mine today and I can't wait :thumbs:
 
Err Phil where is the duck photo?
 
Chaps,

I hope you don't mind me chipping in here but I'm wondering about chopping in my 100-400L for a 70-200 f/2.8 mkII? I have the 70-200 f/4 L IS and a 1.4 extender and whilst I use that pair quite often, it's rare for me to put the extender on the 100-400. love the 70-200 f/4.0 as a lightish weight walkabout (on 5DII or 1DII) and might not want to part with that lens just yet.
But 200 x 1.4 gives me 280mm: would I really miss the extra 120mm length to 400? Possibly? Maybe?
 
Tikka - you had a good opportunity there.

You could have written "I hope you don't mind me chimping in here"

Anyway - to your question. What is it you mainly shoot? i.e. do you need 400mm more than you need low light. etc etc
 
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Chimp? I guess I was still waking up and too sleepy to monkey around.
I suppose that I use 200mm much more than I use 400mm. Low light would be better but... I seem to be reaching a hasty decision which now needs costing.
But do I imagine lugging the extra weight of the 2.8 round in place of the 4.0 70-200? Do I see myself living with two 70-200s?
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
Chaps,

I hope you don't mind me chipping in here but I'm wondering about chopping in my 100-400L for a 70-200 f/2.8 mkII? I have the 70-200 f/4 L IS and a 1.4 extender and whilst I use that pair quite often, it's rare for me to put the extender on the 100-400. love the 70-200 f/4.0 as a lightish weight walkabout (on 5DII or 1DII) and might not want to part with that lens just yet.
But 200 x 1.4 gives me 280mm: would I really miss the extra 120mm length to 400? Possibly? Maybe?
Click to expand...

Handheld,you will notice a big difference in the weight, especially with the added leverage the 1.4 will give.
 
Tugster said:
Handheld,you will notice a big difference in the weight, especially with the added leverage the 1.4 will give.
Click to expand...

Aye, I know, much like the difference between the 70-200 f/4.0 and the 100-400! At least the faster 70-200 doesn't end up over a foot long! Maybe I need to work out with 1Dii, 100-400 and 1.4 extender!
 
Just got the 2x Extender. So here are a few shots I grabbed now. They do seem quite soft to me. But I need to practise more. Focussing is slower as you would expect.

Had IS on mode 1. Hand held. These are about 25% crops & have some sharpening.

p194045037-5.jpg


p357885457-5.jpg


p306924807-4.jpg


p306166275-5.jpg
 
bigrob said:
Just got the 2x Extender. So here are a few shots I grabbed now. They do seem quite soft to me. But I need to practise more. Focussing is slower as you would expect.

Had IS on mode 1. Hand held. These are about 25% crops & have some sharpening.

Nip round to Phils when he's out, you'll get the pics you wanted. :lol:
Click to expand...
 
Gary Coyle said:
bigrob said:
Just got the 2x Extender. So here are a few shots I grabbed now. They do seem quite soft to me. But I need to practise more. Focussing is slower as you would expect.

Had IS on mode 1. Hand held. These are about 25% crops & have some sharpening.

Nip round to Phils when he's out, you'll get the pics you wanted. :lol:
Click to expand...

Hey i'll have to watch you :bat:
:lol:
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Phil - I see you are online.

If you have your 70-200 Mk II with you - can you measure how long it is WITH the front cover on?
 
Ok just measured it

70-200/2.8 MK II with hood = 285mm

70-200/2.8 MK II with hood and 2x Extender = 342mm

1D Mk III & 70-200/2.8 MK II with hood = 364mm

1D Mk III & 70-200/2.8 MK II with hood and 2x Extender = 423mm

1D M III & 300/2.8 NON IS = 505mm

All measurements that include the 1D Mk II go to the back of the eyepiece.

I am looking at these http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/acatalog/Camera___Lens_Covers.html

They are a lot dearer than the camomacs but do look better. So for plain functionality the camomacs look great value - see Kipax's comments about the camomacs.
 
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collecting mine on thursday from wilkinsons.. £1799 ... i decided on shop because of the misery i have had in the past with zooms.. taking my camera and my laptop.. gonna try f2.8 at 70 and 200 at distance and short.. if all OK will walk out of shop wiht new lens.. if any issues at any of those settings and will walk away... cant do that ordering online and the price is 100 quid difference so for peace of mind..

thats not knocking online.. bought loads online in past and sure i will in future.. .. just on this one occasion i wanna try it first :)
 
Will you also try it with Extenders or wont you ever be using it like that?
 
bigrob said:
Will you also try it with Extenders or wont you ever be using it like that?
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i ahve the 1.4 and the x2 and i will be trying it wiht those but not in the shop.. i am guessing i may have the need at some time.. for portability over the 400 on a nice day i am guessing... i ahve 4 days at keel uni at end of month doing youth football.. will be using it for that with EX instead of lumping a 400 around all them pitches :)
 
You'll probably need a new rain cover as well :gag:

I must take some photos of the rain cover I got from http://www.wildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk/retail/acatalog/Camera___Lens_Covers.html

I know we discussed this in another thread but hey ho.

The double layer ones above are 3 times the price of than the Camo Mac ones you have.

http://www.youfreeweb.com/CamoMac/

I'm not saying the Wildlife ones are 3 times better I just wanted soemthing that looked a bit nicer. If I had bought on purely financial grounds from a business point of view, then the CamoMac ones look fab & from what you say keeps your 400mm sooper (sic) dry.
 
I ahve been playing and wow! gonna test with convertrers later :)
 
Excellent.

I look forward to seeing this amazing tool in your hands.
 
:razz: Take the tongue wag out and that's the Blush.
 
Yep that's the one I reckon.
 
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