CNON 400MM F5.6 WITH 1.4 EX III

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wooster

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HI

I have ordered this lens today and am tempted to order the extender to go with it. I hear mixed reports and most agree the extender only works well on a full frame sensor. I intend to use it with a 7dmk2 so I wonder if it is as bad idea?

Anyone have experience with this combination or able to point me to examples of images taken with it?

Thank you for your help
 
FWIW, I use a 1.4x III with a 100-400mm II on a 7D2 and it works fine, but only the central focus point is available. On my wife's 80D, the central cluster of nine focus points are available. I don't know how well it works with the 400mm f/5.6 prime.
 
I did buy a used extender. I liked it. All good with the combo. Now I'm wondering about my 7Dmk1 and looking at possible upgrades ;)
 
7DIII must be just around the corner... ;)
 
ecoleman said:
7DII is a cracking camera for the money. I've used the 1.4 extender on a Sigma 150-600 f5-6.3 and the images where more than acceptable.
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Yeah, it's very popular with birders. I wonder what the 7DIII will be like.

I tried the 1.4 EX II with 400mm f5.6 on a 7DmkI ( admittedly in great light ) and I was really pleased with the results.

I'm using Fuji for just about everything and the Canon is really only for wildlife so I thought cropped sensor might be an advantage, though I'm not sure that's the case now. I keep wondering about going FF for the noise but an awful lot of people do very well with the 7d mkII and are very happy with it. I'm lying around on holiday and having too many thoughts. It could work out expensive :eek:
 
wooster said:
Yeah, it's very popular with birders. I wonder what the 7DIII will be like.

I tried the 1.4 EX II with 400mm f5.6 on a 7DmkI ( admittedly in great light ) and I was really pleased with the results.

I'm using Fuji for just about everything and the Canon is really only for wildlife so I thought cropped sensor might be an advantage, though I'm not sure that's the case now. I keep wondering about going FF for the noise but an awful lot of people do very well with the 7d mkII and are very happy with it. I'm lying around on holiday and having too many thoughts. It could work out expensive :eek:
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Until recently I had a 6D for my landscapes and a 7dMkii which came out very occasionally when I needed a bit of extra reach or when I needed a body with a faster burst rate and better focus system, usually when I went to the red kite feeding station up the road. Whilst the 6D was a bit better at higher ISO, the 7Dii was certainly no slouch. I was quite happy to bump up the ISO if need be.

I've just sold them both and bought a 5DMkIV which is a bit 'best of both worlds'. I shoot predominantly landscapes but also have the better focus system and although the burst rate isn't as fast as the 7D it's good enough what my needs. That's a big chunk of cash though :)
 
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One of the main reasons I fancied the 5Div, other than the low light performance, was the AF. But as I say, I'm in holiday mode and have too much time to consider these things ;)
 
I've used my son's 7D2 and compared it against my 5D3 with long lenses, there isnt to my eyes much difference in colour or noise, the FF just shades it on both but the extra reach is more than welcome on the cropper. YMMV. :-)
 
Any lens that has an effective F8 will work with 7D2 and 5D3/4 but it depends on which lens and/or converter and body as to which of the AF points become active.
It's detailed in the manuals, but F8 only works central point on the 5D3 as Canon hacked the original s/w to make it work after loads of people complained regarding 1DX (mk1) as the 5D3 inherited it's AF system.
7D2/5D4 have a different AF system/matrix as they are later models.
 
Thanks Matt. I had a feeling the Mkiv AF system was more accurate for BIF but if it is the case, it might be by such an small increment it wouldn't matter much. It's interesting you find not much between the two regarding noise as I'd have expected it to be significant. I won't rush into any purchases at the moment.

It's quite an exciting time with the XT3 out now as well :)
 
I would be tempted to hire/test drive a 7D2 and try it out before purchase as you might be more critical than me and I'm not taking the blame for you buying the wrong camera :)
I guess in extreme circumstances the FF might be better but a 400 5.6 and BIF arent going to be used in poor light, etc are they?
I loved my 400 5.6 but the lack of IS made it rarely used as I find IS really helps (me) regardless of shutter speed and the 100/400 was a bit too cumbersome/heavy by comparison, so I bought a 300 F4 IS which is now a favourite lens, albeit a bit short.
So what we all need instead of new super brilliant bodies is a 500mm f4 IS L image quality lens that weighs no more than the 400 5.6 non IS and costs about £800, oh well we can dream cant we. I have seriously thought about a 7D3 but Canon seem to be wasting their time and resources on FF mirrorless and delaying the release of the 7D3.
 
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BTW, an 80D offers more focusing points at f/8 than a 7D2
 
GeeJay57 said:
BTW, an 80D offers more focusing points at f/8 than a 7D2
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Not with the 400 5.6 + Extender. It becomes a group H lens so only centre point at F8 i.e. with an extender.
This is what annoys me with reviews, they bang on about greater AF points but it's only true with certain lens, usually the latest models, so you need to upgrade camera and lens and/or extender to take advantage.
 
Doh!
 
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Not sure on your camera but on a 1D3 and a 80D I used a kenko 1.4 HD and that gave all focussing points and super iq
 
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