Canon 100-400 X2

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Andrew Gough
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Apologies if this subject has already been covered somewhere, but I would be grateful for your experiences.

Have any of you used Canon's 100-400 L zoom with a 2X extender? If so, was it worth the effort? I am specifically asking from a wildlife point of view and am wondering if using it at f11 made it pointless.

Mind you, if I wasn't trying to do things on the cheap I would't have to ask, but the budget won't stretch to 400/600 primes just at present.

Thanks, boys and girls,
Andy.
 
I was using mine with a 1.4X at the weekend just to see how it worked. Nothing fancy as far as the shots were concerned but the quality was very good indeed. Can't help with a 2X unfortunately.
 
Hi Andy, Not answering your question at all, but I have a question for you. I am looking into getting this lens for wildlife photos. I am currently using a 55-250mm, which to be fair is getting me some pretty OK results.

How do you rate the 100-400L for this purpose? Did you step up from another cheaper zoom? If so, did you notice a difference in the L glass?

Sorry to hijack this thread to ask you a question of my own, when I have no experience of the 2x extender.:)
 
dont you lose AF with exenders on this lens? Just thinking unless its on a 1D body. other bodies only AF @ f/5.6 and under!
 
I'd use the 1.4 XTC on the 100-400L at a push, in fact I have done, and it's not bad. To expect to get away with using the 2X TC on a zoom lens, especially one with the range of the 100-400L is just asking a bit too much. Nice idea, but I think you'd be disappointed, and find yourself struggling with small effective apertures in all but the very best light.
 
I don't have the 100-400 but the quality of the 2x on a 70-200 (which is generally regarded as a sharper lens) wasn't good for me so I ended up buying a 400 f/5.6 prime.
 
I've got a 2XTC and almost never use it. I'm always disappointed with the result. Thats on a 70-200 though
 
I honestly think you have to think in terms of using the 2XTC behind a prime.
 
I've got a 1.4x and have used it on my 100-400 but you lose autofocus, so I've really only used that combination for shots of the moon.
 
yep you loose the auto focus with the 2x aswell so if it not in focus it your self that has caused the problem but you can get good shots well i have in the past.
there is a canon 100-400 section on flickr Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
here direct link i hope
 
I have tried both the 2x will be a complete waste imo, although you can tape the contacts on both tc's to get you AF on the 2X it would strugle to focus and IQ will be pretty poor, I agree with whats been said on here that the 2X is really only suitable for primes.
The 1.4X however works very well behind the 100-400.
 
Thanks, everyone.
I haven't bought the 100-400 lens yet, and I think it's just as well from your replies. Think I'll have to remortgage and get a decent prime.
Andy.
 
The 2x is a bit much even on something pretty top notch like the Canon 300 f2.8... and as others have said won't auto focus on a xxxD series body without some bodging. Two stops (because that is what a 2x adds) from the long end of the 100-400 is f11 which is too much even for the 1D series bodies...

If you want more than 400mm on a xxxD series you are talking serious monies... the cheap, workable options are to stick a 1.4x onto a 300 f4 (420mm at f5.6) or stick with the 100-400 (which isn't as good as the 300mm f4 even with 1.4x). There is also the 400 f5.6, old but not bad...

There is no magic solution to a good, cheap long bit of glass!
 
Sorry Swag72, I can't answer any of your questions because I haven't bought these items yet. If I have a brainstorm and decide to go for it I'll let you know.
 
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