1.4 Teleconverter with Canon 400mm 5.6L

[Granarystudio]

Is anybody using a 1.4 teleconverter with the Canon 400mm 5.6L?
The extra stop will mean F8 therefore manual focus, or does the tape trick work well enough to allow AF?
Any difference between Kenco pro 300 or Canon, (mkII version).
I will be using on a 7D.

Or am I better not to bother and accept I will just have to crop more?

Any feedback from your own experiences appreciated,

Neil.

 

[Roy C]

I have a Canon 1.4x tc but from previous experience a Kenko pro is just about as good - with the latest Kenko Pro DGX model you do not have to tape the pins as it will attempt to AF even at f8. Like most Tc's on a f5.6 lens and non 1 series Camera they work best on one of the outer AF points with the centre point being very hit and miss.

You could always use live view AF on the 7D Neil - I have even gotten AF with my 400/5.6 and 2x tc (f11) no problem. Live view AF can be very accurate given good contrast but it is slow compared to normal phase AF of course. It is best with a tripod though and you can then zoom the live view to 5x or even 10x.

Attached is a couple of shots I took with the 7D 400/5.6 and 2x tc (800mm or 1280mm if you consider the crop factor) to give you an idea of the IQ. With just a 1.4x tc IQ is, of course, better still.
BTW the 2x tc used was a 20 year old teleplus model that will not even AF on a f2.8 lens with normal AF but is fine using Live view AF.

 

[Roy C]

Here are a couple taken with 7D + 400/5.6 + just a 1.4x tc Neil to give you an idea of IQ.

 

[Granarystudio]

Roy,

Really appreciate the reply and details.
Better get a Kenko organised, probably start with the 1.4 and see how it goes.
Would love to get a Canon 500 F4 but the cost is scary!

Regards Neil.

 

[vaizki]

Those are great Roy.. Are they heavily cropped?

 

[Roy C]

Those are great Roy.. Are they heavily cropped?

Yes Jukka they are all fairly heavily cropped -the top oyster catcher for instance is less than 25% of the full frame.

 

[Mike.P]

I recently purchased a EF 400mm and to my surprise the Sigma 1.4x I normally use for the 100-300mm f4 fits. Took this with the lens and teleconverter, was manual focus and hand held but I was rather pleased with it once the processing was finished.


Moon - Handheld by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr