Canon 2x extender

I was using the mk2 EF 2X extender and 1.4X extender with the EF 300mm f/4 on an original EOS 5D and the EOS 1D mk2N they worked really well on those bodies with that lens. The big surprise was how well they worked with the EF 180mm macro, I have no experience with the mk3 extenders or more up to date camera lens combinations.
 
I have looked at my 'old' comparisons and my note is 'Only compression and bokeh better with 300+1.4x=@f4.0' . . . So I took a photo with the 1.4xiii on my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM (it reduces the widest aperture to f4.0) . . . I then took a photo using just the lens at f4.0 . . . Comparing the images the without the 1.4xiii when 'zoomed in' on the screen (to replicate the effect of the 1.4xiii) the image looked the same in sharpness and detail and contrast and colour as the with the 1.4xiii. The only difference was in the with photo I saw a tad more compression and ever so slightly better bokeh. Conclusion? No real benefit to using the 1.4 really. I'd say the same with the 2x too, no need - It actually might make things worse! [I use a Canon 5DSr mostly on a tripod]. Just 'zoom in' your photo on the computer and sharpen it a little for as good as if not better result.
 
I too was curious after replying this morning, I got the 300mm f/4 and both extenders out to try with a Fujifilm X-T4 and Fringer pro adapter. To say that the 1.4x worked better than it did with the old Canon bodies is an understatement, constant AF and IS were perfect, the x2 loses AF , so not as good as the 1Dmk2N but comparable with the old 5D, optically they were both very good.
The 300mm f/4 and 1.4 x extender justified me holding on to them and will be going to Goodwood for the Forest Stage at the Festival of Speed in July.
 
I sold mine (version 2), but held onto the 1.4x which I've owned for over 10 years. The 2x gave noticeably slower AF speed, and softer images overall using my 300mm f2.8 IS. I found I had slightly better results using the 1.4x and just cropping as required and didn't have the additional weight on the lens to deal with.
 
I sold my 2x (mkiii) a couple of years ago, not because there was anything wrong with it or bad about it, I just felt it was more suited to the big primes rather than the telephoto lenses I have. It does bring caveats, as with all TCs but they have their place, usually on big primes IMO.

I still have my 1.4x (mkiii) and that's a really good pice of kit. Caveats are involved again but they usually only become apparent in lower light.
 
it depends on lens and also the camera body you use it with as Dale said the mk 3 1.4 and 2.0 extenders were optimised for the white primes and work best with those rather than slower zoom lenses
I use my 1.4 and 2.0 all the time on my 300 F2.8 quality is excellent
 
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