Canon 70-200 2.8 Mk II with extenders?

n1kcy

n1kcy

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I have the Canon 70-200 f2.8 Mk II lens can anyone offer any comments on how well would it work with either the 1.4x or 2x converters?

How would it compare against the Canon 100-400 for example? or indeed the 300mm f4 lens?

I read something about the auto focus only working above f8 or something, but it was linked into the sensor size, I use a cropped sensor (40D). Can anyone shed any light on this?
 
should be fine up to f5.6 so either works ok and the IQ is still brilliant
 
Marac said:
should be fine up to f5.6 so either works ok and the IQ is still brilliant
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When you say should be fine are you talking about the auto focusing?
 
yes, I believe the 30-40-50D series will still AF up to f5.6 with an extender fitted, the 1.4x will put you at f4 and the 2x will put you at f5.6.

It's a wonderful lens isn't it
 
talking about extenders, has anyone ever double stacked 1.4x's on a 300/2.8? i.e 588mm f/5.6

wondering what the quality would be like
 
Marac said:
yes, I believe the 30-40-50D series will still AF up to f5.6 with an extender fitted, the 1.4x will put you at f4 and the 2x will put you at f5.6.

It's a wonderful lens isn't it
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Yep, my first and only L lens but probably not for long.

EdBray said:
The 70-200L f2.8 (mk1 or mk2, IS or non IS) will retain AF on all bodies with a Canon 1.4x or 2x extender.

The IQ and focussing speed will be slightly affected by the 1.4x extender and much more so with the 2x extender.

The IQ with the 1.4x extender is very useable and acceptable with the 2x.

ISO crops here with both 1.4x and 2.0x extenders fitted. choose 280mm and 400mm
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Thanks for the link, I'd seen that website before but couldn't remember what it was called.

buckas said:
talking about extenders, has anyone ever double stacked 1.4x's on a 300/2.8? i.e 588mm f/5.6

wondering what the quality would be like
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I didn't even know that was possible.
 
I don't think it can be done, the 1.4x extender's front element sticks out too far to allow it to mate with another 1.4x as it doesn't have the clearance. It will fit into the 2x extender as the body is longer!
 
EdBray said:
I don't think it can be done, the 1.4x extender's front element sticks out too far to allow it to mate with another 1.4x as it doesn't have the clearance. It will fit into the 2x extender as the body is longer!
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Cool, that's put my mad stacking mind to rest - Thanks :thumbs:

so with the 2x it'll be 600/5.6 IS ~ is the image quality good with the 2x?

drew
 
I've said this a lot recently, but really don't use it with a 2x extender. It's almost a crime to ruin the IQ so much with one of those. Great with a 1.4x, but awful with the 2x.
 
The23rdman said:
I've said this a lot recently, but really don't use it with a 2x extender. It's almost a crime to ruin the IQ so much with one of those. Great with a 1.4x, but awful with the 2x.
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What lens are you using and on what body? If it is the 300mm 2.8 then you might either have a bad copy of the lens or the 2x TC as no one would call that combination awful. Or maybe your camera needs some adjustment to get the best out of the combination (which some cameras do not offer).
 
The23rdman said:
I've said this a lot recently, but really don't use it with a 2x extender. It's almost a crime to ruin the IQ so much with one of those. Great with a 1.4x, but awful with the 2x.
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What you say is kind of my gut feeling. I then think that the 1.4x probably won't give me enough reach so perhaps I should put the money saved on converters towards the 100-400. I've yet to meet anyone who regrets buying that lens.
 
The23rdman said:
I've said this a lot recently, but really don't use it with a 2x extender. It's almost a crime to ruin the IQ so much with one of those. Great with a 1.4x, but awful with the 2x.
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You are probably referring to the mk 1 of this lens, whereas the OP is asking about the mk 2.
I've seen numerous posts and example pics on fredmiranda which show that the mk 2 is very good with the 2x, not quite as sharp as the 100-400 at the long end, but much better than the mk1 + 2x combo.
 
micloi said:
What lens are you using and on what body? If it is the 300mm 2.8 then you might either have a bad copy of the lens or the 2x TC as no one would call that combination awful. Or maybe your camera needs some adjustment to get the best out of the combination (which some cameras do not offer).
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I'm talking about any version of the 70-200. The 2.8 mark II is okay, but still pretty average. Any other version gives IQ comparable to a kit lens.
 
My 70-200mm arrived today :D and although I've only done a few quick tests, handheld the 70-200mm + 2x TC matches up very well against my 100-400mm - This was handheld from about 100 feet on a 50D -- I shall do more testing over the weekend to see how it shapes up against the 100-400

70-200%20test%20(1%20of%203).jpg


70-200%20test%20(2%20of%203).jpg
 
Check out the link Ed Bray posted for the-digital-picture.com. Then load up a few direct comparisons with the 100-400L etc. The new MkII 70-200 2.8 with a 2x telecon compares very well indeed with the 100-400L, and also the 300L 4 with 1.4x. It's mighty impressive.

As a standalone 70-200, it is in a class of it's own, bar none. As a 400mm, it's pretty damn good. As a 70-400 f/2.8-5.6 'zoom' with four stops IS it is something of a bargain.

300L 2.8 is another of Canon's stunningly sharp lenses. Amazingly so. That also takes a 2x pretty well. A lot of birders are using this combo as it's much cheaper and more manageable than the big 500/600 4s. Not saying it's as good as those (that would be impossible) but the fact that it gets mentioned in the same breath, and used, says a lot.
 
That's what I'd heard and it tallys with what a guy in my photo group has found, hence my question to Dean as to whether his thoughts are based on experience.
 
n1kcy said:
I have the Canon 70-200 f2.8 Mk II lens can anyone offer any comments on how well would it work with either the 1.4x or 2x converters?

How would it compare against the Canon 100-400 for example? or indeed the 300mm f4 lens?

I read something about the auto focus only working above f8 or something, but it was linked into the sensor size, I use a cropped sensor (40D). Can anyone shed any light on this?
Click to expand...

I tend not to use the 1.4x extender with my 300 as I often cannot get the shutter speed I want, hence getting rubbish shots! Actually I very rarely use it at all now. Hope that helps. :lol:
 
Thanks everyone for all your thoughts, I think I will try a converter as it's far less outlay, not sure which one yet, probably keep an eye on the classifieds for a bargain. If I buy a second hand converter I can hopefully sell it on again if it's not the right solution for me.
 
The23rdman said:
I'm talking about any version of the 70-200. The 2.8 mark II is okay, but still pretty average. Any other version gives IQ comparable to a kit lens.
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There was a guy on here who sold his 200mm f/2.8 prime because the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II was that good. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it still delivers the goods with a 2x tc, but I know a lot of lenses won't be happy with one.
 
trencheel303 said:
There was a guy on here who sold his 200mm f/2.8 prime because the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II was that good. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it still delivers the goods with a 2x tc, but I know a lot of lenses won't be happy with one.
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Well, I'm hoping I've just bought one (2x) through the classifeds forum, just waiting for the OP to come back to me.
 
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