Canon extender help please

trigger · 28 May 2011

Hi, my kit was all based on low light gig photography, subsequently I have a 50mm F1.8 and a Sigma 24-60 F2.8.

I may have an opportunity to shoot an indoor event (no flash) which will require focal lengths (I would guess) in the 70-100 range.

I cant afford a fast lens to suit so my question is.................

Would an extender work with the above lenses, if so which one would you recommend. I'm sure I have read that extenders dont work well with some lenses.

Thanks in advance

Assassin · 28 May 2011

Hi, Canon extenders will only work with specific lenses, and these two lenses are not them. Generally they will only work with white Canon lenses...

Assassin · 28 May 2011

Assassin said:
Hi, Canon extenders will only work with specific lenses, and these two lenses are not them. Generally they will only work with white Canon lenses...

Just to clarify, the extender cannot be fitted at all to those lenses...

trigger · 29 May 2011

Cheers, do you know about the sigma extender with the sigma lens?

da_nige · 29 May 2011

Doubt it would work either. Both the Canon and Sigma converters have protruding front elements. I'm sure there is a compatibility chart on Sigmas website for the TCs giving you which models they work with.

What about renting something longer?

Neil

trigger · 29 May 2011

Hi thanks just researched this and no they are not suitable for those lenses.

I'm looking at the sigma 50-200 F4-5.6 OS with the OS I might just get away with it.

Cheers

hollis_f · 29 May 2011

Second-hand Canon 55-250 for £134 with 3 months warranty. Cheaper and better than the Sigma.

Bawbee · 29 May 2011

hollis_f said:
Second-hand Canon 55-250 for £134 with 3 months warranty. Cheaper and better than the Sigma.

This would also depend on which body is to be used.

Also remember, whichever make of extender you choose, you will lose light to the sensor - i.e. 1.4x = 1 f/stop, 2x = 2 f/stops.

hollis_f · 29 May 2011

Bawbee said:
This would also depend on which body is to be used.

This is true. I've assumed that somebody unwilling to spend more that £250 on a lens is not going to be using anything but an APS-C sensor.

Kemble3 · 30 May 2011

Might be slightly off-topic here but have you considered hiring a lens if you get this gig? A 70-200 f2.8 would seem your best bet and they are not that expensive hiring for a few days.

Ian

mickledore · 30 May 2011

I've heard it said that you can add the smallest kenko extension tubes to the lenses that an extender won't fit onto in order to create the right shape. I've not tried it, and have no idea what effect it has on lens performance, but might be worth considering.

da_nige · 30 May 2011

mickledore said:
I've heard it said that you can add the smallest kenko extension tubes to the lenses that an extender won't fit onto in order to create the right shape. I've not tried it, and have no idea what effect it has on lens performance, but might be worth considering.

I tried that a few years ago when I was younger and more foolish. You have to file a bit off the tube and if you try to AF you risk burning out the focus motor like I did.

Neil