Teleconverters and extension tubes

Dan Leach

Dan Leach

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The next things i'm thinking of buying are a set of extension tubes and either a 1.4 or 2x teleconverter. You can see in my sig the equipment i have at the moment, i will hopefull in time change the 18-55 for a 17-80 or something similar and ill change the 70-300 with something like a 100-400.
Which would be the best teleconverters and extension tubes? If i buy particular ones (say, canon) would that restrict me to only buying canon lenses in the future? Are some makes better than others? and would the 2x be a more sensible purpose than the 1.4x?

Thanks in advance for any advice :)
 
They are completely different things for different jobs.

Extension tubes for macro shooting. Longer the tube the more magnification, but equally less light and DOF.

Teleconvs for increasing the range of the zoom. Canon ones are the best optically but only work with specific lenses and report back the drop in f to the body, which stops AF working at > f5.6 (non pro bodies). There are other mftr's that are cheaper, dont protrude, dont stop AF, but are optically worse.
 
Presumably you mean Canon and the best and the others are worse in the same way it can be said of comparing Canon and third-party lenses. Worse in a sense that they can still be really very good and unless you can afford the best money can buy will offer greater value for money.

Kenko have about three different lines of teleconvertors with the Pro 300 DG series being the best and delivering excellent results. And they are only £80 from Onestop Digital in Hong Kong, which is £100 less than even they change for a Canon one. And they do also report their presence to the camera.

With a 1.4x you lose one stop of light, so an f/2.8 becomes a maximum of f/4, and two stops with a 2x so it would become f/5.6. Hence the loss of AF with anything slower. You can put tape over certain pins though to stop the presence of a convertor being reported to the camera though. Also if you stack convertors only the one closest to the camera (I think) is reported.

Both Canon and Sigma have protruding elements and there are compatibility lists on their web sites saying which lenses they work with, and there is an excellent FAQ about them on the lens form on POTN. Generally speaking though the Canon and Sigma ones can be used interchangeably on either of their ranges of long lenses.

Kenko ones (including ones rebadged by Tamron) will fit any lens with an EF mount. They are only intended to be used with telephoto lenses so you would not need an EF-S mount one anyway.

Teleconvertors will magnify imperfections in your lens though so while a 1.4x gives good results with good lenses, you really need an excellent lens with a 2x, though it would probably still be better than an equivalent length low quality lens. I would not expect great results with even a 1.4x on a cheap consumer 70-300mm lens though so it might be better waiting until you upgrade before buying one.

Michael.
 
oldgit said:
They are completely different things for different jobs.

Extension tubes for macro shooting. Longer the tube the more magnification, but equally less light and DOF.

Teleconvs for increasing the range of the zoom. Canon ones are the best optically but only work with specific lenses and report back the drop in f to the body, which stops AF working at > f5.6 (non pro bodies). There are other mftr's that are cheaper, dont protrude, dont stop AF, but are optically worse.
Click to expand...

Oh i know what they do. My main worry is about compatability with lenses and the camera and how they will likely affect future purchases
 
Canon Teleconverters are designed to be used with their L range of lenses only.
I'm not sure if they can actually be used with a none L lens.
If you are going to buy a 3rd party TC the Kenko pro range is highly recommended.
I would start with the 1.4x tc, because as Michael has already pointed out the 2x
will magnify more of the imperfections in the lens.

Extension tubes are a different kettle of fish.
All you need to worry about with tubes is that they allow the body and lens to communicate
properly. So you need to make sure you get auto Ext. tubes.
Again the Kenko auto extension tubes come highly recommended.
For the price of one Canon tube, you can get a set of three.

Now if your planning on using the Ext. tubes and teleconverters together,
you may need to modify one of the tubes so that any protruding glass or tubing from the TC,
isn't fouling on the tube. An example of this modification can be seen here.

Extension tubes aren't solely used for macro work, even though this is probably the most frequent use for them.
They are designed to reduce the working distance, so that you can get closer to the subject.
I use mine on occasions when using the 800mm, as the minimum focus distance is approx. 7 metres.
When I use the tubes I can reduce this down to about 5 metres.
 
After a lot of research on here and a couple of other places I went for a kenko 1.4 for my 70-300is usm lens (400D) as it appears that the auto focus SHOULDN'T be affected apperantly the Kenko doesn't transmit its presence to the sensors, if it does it will be a case of a bit of sticky tape accross the contacts.
There seems to be conflicting opinions as to whether it will work unmolested or not but it did seem more likley to work than the sigma one.
Its in transit from HK at the moment (and cost about £70 ) but when it arrives I will try it out and post a compatabillity "test" on the 70-300 is usm and the 100mm macro usm (both canon lenses)
From what I remember the Canon TC's only work with primes over 135mm and a few telephoto's but I can't find the link at the moment
 
[COLOR="blue[COLOR="Blue"]"]Just found this for Canon TC[/COLOR][/COLOR]


The 1.4X II is a great way to extend the reach of compatible lenses. Note that not every Canon lens is compatible with this extender. The following is from Canon's Web site: "This tele extender can be used with fixed focal length lenses 135mm and longer (except the 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus lens), and the EF 70-200 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 70-200 f/4.0L, and 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS zoom lenses."

And this for Sigma

for CANON EOS Format
SIGMA APO 300mm f2.8 MF MF
SIGMA APO TELE MACRO 300mm f4 MF MF
SIGMA APO TELE MACRO 300mm f4 HSM MF MF
SIGMA APO TELE MACRO 400mm f5.6 MF MF
SIGMA APO TELE MACRO 400mm f5.6 HSM MF MF
SIGMA APO 500mm f4.5 MF MF
SIGMA APO 800mm f5.6 MF MF
SIGMA APO 1000mm f8 MF MF
@ SIGMA APO 70-200mm f2.8 EX HSM AF AF
SIGMA APO 70-210mm f2.8 MF MF

@ CANON EF 200mm f2.8L USM AF AF
@ CANON EF 300mm f2.8L USM AF AF
@ CANON EF 300mm f4L IS USM AF MF
@ CANON EF 300mm f4L USM AF MF
@ CANON EF 400mm f2.8L USM AF AF
@ CANON EF 400mm f5.6L USM MF MF
@ CANON EF 500mm f4.5L USM MF MF
@ CANON EF 600mm f4l USM AF MF
@ CANON EF 1200mm f5.6L USM MF MF
@ CANON EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM *AF *AF

and this

Kenko PRO 300 AF teleconverters will not auto focus with the following Nikon and Canon lenses: Nikon AF-S ED 300mm f/2.8D (IF), Nikon AF-I ED 400mm f/2.8D (IF), Nikon AF-S ED 500mm f/4D (IF), Nikon AF-S ED 600mm f/4D (IF), Nikon AF-S ED 80-200mm f/2.8 (IF), Nikon AF-D ED 200mm f/4, Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, Canon EF 300mm f/4 IS USM.
 
The good thing about Jessops tubes is that they will work with EF-S mount lenses, as do Canon II ones, so these are the best option if you want to use them with your kit lens, or plan on buying any other EF-S lenses.

The Kenko and original Canon tubes are EF mount only.

For the teleconvertors, this is an excerpt from the instructions for the Keno Pro DG:

As you know, the genuine Canon EF lenses are divided into two types, those with 7 connecting pins and with 10 pins. The general lenses in black are using 7 pins and the most telephoto lenses in white are using 10 pins except the EF35-350mm F3.5-5.6L USM and EF70-200mm F2.8L USM which have 7 pins.

When using the Teleplus Pro300DG 1.4X and 2X with Canon EF lenses with 10 pins, the coupling function is the same as the genuine Canon Extender EF1.4X and EF2X.

EXPOSURE MODE "WITH 7 PINS LENS":
1. In the manual, program, shutter priority AE and aperture priority AE modes correct exposure can be obtained. However the indicated aperture is different to the effective aperture (2 stop less than indicated).
2. The depth priority AE and the flash AE modes cannot be used.
Click to expand...

Although the 2 stops mentioned at the end is for the 2x convertor, it is only 1 stop out for the 1.4x version.

Also I have the mentioned Canon 70-200/2.8L (non-IS) and it definitely reports its presence so maybe what they say is only true of older copies of this lens?

It does not report its presence coupled with the Sigma 17-70, though I do not plan to use this combination anyway.

And one last warning from Kenko:

When using the Canon EF50mm F2.5 Compact Macro and EF100mm F2.8 Macro, there will be a possibility of malfunction in AF mode.
Click to expand...

Michael.
 
Hi guys,(and gals!) first post on this forum, was introduced by Kerso and in fact have just bought a couple of items from him today, a 1.4 X and a 100/400LIS beastie.
All works fine with the 1Ds (not a mk2) but a funny thing with our backup, a 400D.

The autofocus does't want to know on the 400 when the extender is on, but strangely enough, works with my old 35/350.

Anyone able to help?

Also Kerso said that there were some rebates about on the 100/400, but nothing in the box.

Anyone know if this is the case or not? Thanks a lot everyone.
 
George said:
Hi guys,(and gals!) first post on this forum, was introduced by Kerso and in fact have just bought a couple of items from him today, a 1.4 X and a 100/400LIS beastie.
All works fine with the 1Ds (not a mk2) but a funny thing with our backup, a 400D.

The autofocus does't want to know on the 400 when the extender is on, but strangely enough, works with my old 35/350.

Anyone able to help?

Also Kerso said that there were some rebates about on the 100/400, but nothing in the box.

Anyone know if this is the case or not? Thanks a lot everyone.
Click to expand...



Take a look here George:

http://canonlensacc2007.onlinerebates.com/terms.aspx
 
CT said:
Duff info abounds on the web, you really need to be careful where you get the info from - the 1.4 X TC works fine with the 100-400L on my 20D and 1DMK2n.
Click to expand...

From the Canon site CT and its saying that it DOES work with the 100-400
and the others listed (except the 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus lens)
Hope that clears up any unintentional mis-understanding
 
LOL. You're too quick. I realised I'd misread it and deleted the post. My bad. ;)
 
Thanks, Sisteron, will have a good look in the morning
George

Cobra, it works fine except with the 400D, that's the problem.No probs with the 1Ds either. My problem is- should it work with the 400D? sorry if I'm not being too clear.the only time is when I use the 100/400+1.4+400D. Will try some other lenses on the morning.

Thanks, George
 
CT said:
LOL. You're too quick. I realised I'd misread it and deleted the post. My bad. ;)
Click to expand...

I am at my most alert at night :lol:
 
George it's about right.

With 1 Series bodies the AF still works as long as the effective max aperture of your lens (taking into account the 1 stop reduction for your converter) is at least f8.

With None 1 Series bodies you lose AF when the effective aperture of your lens (with the converter) drops smaller than f5.6, which it does with the 100-400L.

Image stabilisation is still maintained though on any body.

That's the Canon TC.. It's exactly the situation I have with my 1D and 20D bodies.
 
George said:
Thanks, Sisteron, will have a good look in the morning
George

Cobra, it works fine except with the 400D, that's the problem.No probs with the 1Ds either. My problem is- should it work with the 400D? sorry if I'm not being too clear.the only time is when I use the 100/400+1.4+400D. Will try some other lenses on the morning.

Thanks, George
Click to expand...

Thats what I was researching for George, the 400D
and the lenses mentioned should work, with the Kenko ( I'm sure thats a brand of coffee;) ) as should the 70-300
from the info I have gathered. The auto focus is supposed to be as quick as a tortoise on prozac though. BUT the auto focus is not supposed to work much above f5.6 unless in V. bright sunlight with the sigma unless you tape up the last 3 contacts, I have yet to find out for sure though, but the Kenko seemed the most likely to work once I have tested it I will post my success or failier
Chris
 
Thanks, CT and Cobra (i should have thought of a better name, shouldn't I!)
Funny thing to me is that the extender works in af (and we are only talking about the 400D here) with my 35/350 3.5/5.6 ( therefore almost the same aperture as the 4.5/5.6 on the 100/400) but not on the 100 /400. -even although Canon say that it is not compatible with the former lens. I'm going to do some more tests with other lenses and will report later this morning. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else near here with a 400D, but will have a chance to try a 350D in a couple of weeks.

Watch this space for more thrilling results!! George
 
The extra three pins on 10-pin lenses are used for communicating additional information about the lens (and teleconvertor). Without these being present on a lens there is no way for it to tell the camera that an Extender is present.

On a 10-pin lens the Extender will report its presence to the camera, so the 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 will appear to the camera to be a 140-560mm F6.3-8. On anything other than a 1 series body the AF will be shut down because the maximum aperture is greater than f/5.6.

On a 7-pin lens the Extender will not report its presence to the camera, presumably the much older 35-300mm F3.5-5.6 is one of these sorts and so it has no way of telling the camera you are using a teleconvertor. Although the maximum aperture has been increased the camera does not realize this and so AF continues to work on all bodies.

This is why people suggest taping over those three pins to fool the AF into continuing to work.

If you look in the EXIF for shots taken with a 10-pin lens you will see a Lens Type field containing the lens name, something you do not get for a 7-pin lens as it does not provide this information. On my 70-200 with Keno teleconvertor it reads "EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM +1.4x"

I would imagine when Canon say a lens will not work with an Extender they mean either or both of that the physical design of the lens makes incompatible, and that it does not provide information to the camera about its presence. For someone like Canon the latter would be considered not working properly as the settings on the body would not be correct.

Michael.
 
Michael, I think you may have come up with the answer. Yes, the 35/350 is a 7 pin lens, so I will try taping over the remaining 3 . What kind of tape do you suggest, obviously don't want any gunge to get in to the body.
George
 
Re my earlier post about cashback, don't think buying from Kerso will qualify as not originally sold by Canon in EEA or Switzerland. However will have a go.
 
The tape trick seems to work and thanks a lot folks.Other than EXIF info, what is the point of the extra pins?
 
George said:
Michael, I think you may have come up with the answer. Yes, the 35/350 is a 7 pin lens, so I will try taping over the remaining 3 . What kind of tape do you suggest, obviously don't want any gunge to get in to the body.
George
Click to expand...

Sellotape seems to be favorite from what I have seen / read
BTW there is nothing wrong with the name "George" a lot of famous people have it, but more importantly its my middle name :thumbs:
 
:wave: Yes, suppose there is a kind of Regal ring to it........!! will try the sellotape!

Thanks again

George
 
Sorry to repeat this, but why have the lenses now got more pins than previously, is it only data transmission, and is there any reason not to leave the teleconverter's pins taped up all the time?

Thanks, George
 
I am fairly sure the pins are only used for the extra data, which is only used by teleconvertors and the EXIF.

But I would only tape the pins when you need to as I think the way the AF system works varies according to the maximum aperture and so by fooling the camera there can be a small risk of damage. Plus it is just easier for to have the correct aperture shown in in the camera where possible.

Alternatively though if you are constantly taping and untaping pins there is a risk of getting them gummed up so they will not work anyway.

It all depends on which lenses you use with which bodies and how often.

Michael.
 
Well, I was thinking I would only put the tape on the 1.4x so everything would be normal, but the only time it would come in to play was with the 400D,(the reason for taping in the first place) and when I was using it on the 1Ds as an extension tube, so would be a benefit on the 400D and maybe wouldn't matter on the 1Ds.

Any comments, anyone?

George
 
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