Canon 70-200L 4.0 and 1.4XII or 2.0 EF Extender question?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TERRY WADE
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TERRY WADE

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Could anyone please advise and help me with a question regarding the combination of using the Canon 70-200L 4.0 lens and the Canon Extender EF 1.4 II or 2.0.

When using the above will my Canon 300D autofocus work? I'm thinking about buying this combination for aviation photography, but really need AF to work on moving subjects! I only take images on sunny days and normally shoot on the TV mode at 500th of a second and let the camera set it's own F stop.

Thanks in anticipation for any help

Terry Wade
 
Using the 1.4x will maintain autofocus as it will only add one stop (so it will be within the aperture range of 5.6, using the 2x though will mean you will have to use manual focus as it will add two stops (pushing it up to f8). As only the 1 series Canon bodies can auto-focus beyond 5.6.
 
Warspite said:
Using the 1.4x will maintain autofocus as it will only add one stop (so it will be within the aperture range of 5.6, using the 2x though will mean you will have to use manual focus as it will add two stops (pushing it up to f8). As only the 1 series Canon bodies can auto-focus beyond 5.6.
Click to expand...

Hey Warspite
Are you sure of that :thinking: because I use a 2x on my 70-200 f/2,8 and 20D and have never had af hassles...Although I cannot absolutely promise that I have gone past f/8:thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

Oh and Terry the extra elements in the 2x give a bit of fuzzy double blur in background though.Not absolutely unpleasant but in this config it definitely calls for good technique and solid support I'd say:thumbs:
 
Just thought it worth mentioning that alot of people use the 100-400 f4.5/5.6 L IS lens for aviation photography because it has good range and optical quality. By the time you buy a 70-200f4 and an extender you could be approaching the price of the 100-400.

Also be warned that the using a 1.4x doesnt really lose too much in image quality, however using a 2x will have a more noticeable effect.
 
But yours is 2.8, so your lens would become a 5.6 with a 2x.
 
Good point there
I went for the 2,8 and have never really done the numbers crunch on 70-200 f/2,8 vs 100-400.
At the time I bought the 100-400 was less of a priority though.
What are your thoughts on the 28-300 though?
Maybe I should get the 1,4 after all
 
Never used a 28-300 - but from what I've trawled through, its heavy, expensive, and image quality is average. It is supposed to be well built and obviously covers a wide focal range though.

I use the 1.4x myself and find the quality loss to be quite low, although it depends on lighting conditions, but even then the 1.4x only pushes it to a 280mm equivalent - but still find it useful when you need to see a little further.
 
280mm which on a 1.6 FOV crop should give you 448 right?:thinking:
 
Yup :thumbs:
 
Anytime:thumbs:
 
I've just bought a sigma 1.4x to use with the 70-200 f2.8

tests at the shop were positive :thumbs: even in the sigma brand there was a big difference in image quality between the 1.4 and 2x items.

I'll only use the 200+.4 on occasion, so the 100-400 would have been overkill for what I shoot......even if i could get on with the zoom design.
 
This lens needs decent light otherwise it hunts with a 1.4x (sometimes without!) It can make AF very frustrating. If you think you'll need the length then get a lens that has it rather than use a TCon.
 
Thanks for all the replies, don't think I'll use this combination.

Terry
 
If you are into aviation photography you should really consider the 100 – 400 IS USM L lens. It’s spot on for this field and because of the weight of the lens it’s fairly stable to hand hold. Take a look in me gallery at the Leuchars album, the two shots of the Chinook were hand held at 400mm and there nice and sharp.

OK it’s not the cheapest lens in the shop but as has been said, by the time you mess with other lenses and extenders you are not going to be that far away from this bit of glass :)
 
I may be selling my 100-400 in a couple of months as I want a 300 f2.8. If the finances come through, I'll place a for sale ad.

Just to add, it's just been serviced by Lehmanns in Stoke, had a brand new IS unit (bill was £140) so it's in top class condition.

Carl.
 
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