Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS mkII TC Compatibility issue ?

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gary43

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Hi, I have a query which, hopefully, others might share experience of ?

The background is: I recently purchased a new Canon 70-200 f 2.8 IS mkII and in many ways it is a fantastic lens. However, I tried it out with Kenko MC4 and MC7 x2 non-reporting TCs and could not get reliable AF on 5D, 1D3 or 60D bodies. I was suitably miffed and sent the lens back for an exchange.

The second copy of this lens does the same thing.

Both copies do, however, work with my x1.4 Canon EFII and Sigma EX DG TCs and the newly-acquired x2 Kenko pro 300 DGX; all of which are reporting.

OOI, I had the mkI version of this lens which would snap on focus with ANY TC attached.

So, the question is; is my version of this lens alone in only retaining AF with reporting TCs or is it a common situation with the 70-200 f2.8 IS mkII ?

I look forward to hearing from anyone who could shed light on this.

Regards to all.
 
Maybe it is just me with this issue or everyone else with this lens is out capturing the sunshine ?
 
I would say that rather than the lens being at fault, that you look to the Kenko TC - I had issues with their TC's being "slightly" incompatible with the latest (2010 manufacture) range of Canon Zoom lenses - non reporting / AF issues and was advised early last year that a revision on the TC was imminent, from memory I was told that Kenko TC's with a green dot on the box were from the latest manufactured batch.

As you have proven the lens works perfectly with the Canon TC and it is always a risk using a 3rd party product where they have to reverse engineer a solution. I would imagine that Kenko will play catch up at some point.
 
lostsoulal2 said:
I would say that rather than the lens being at fault, that you look to the Kenko TC - I had issues with their TC's being "slightly" incompatible with the latest (2010 manufacture) range of Canon Zoom lenses - non reporting / AF issues and was advised early last year that a revision on the TC was imminent, from memory I was told that Kenko TC's with a green dot on the box were from the latest manufactured batch.

As you have proven the lens works perfectly with the Canon TC and it is always a risk using a 3rd party product where they have to reverse engineer a solution. I would imagine that Kenko will play catch up at some point.
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Hi, thanks for the information above.

Interestingly the Kenko pro 300 DGX I just purchased HAS got a green dot and works fine. I had not realised the significance of it though.

Thanks again.

Gary
 
gary43 said:
Hi, thanks for the information above.

Interestingly the Kenko pro 300 DGX I just purchased HAS got a green dot and works fine. I had not realised the significance of it though.

Thanks again.

Gary
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Hi Gary,

I never replaced my Non "Green dot" Kenko TC's and did wonder if I was being told the truth, but it appears so. I found my Kenko TC's ( both the cheaper 1.4 MC4 and the Pro 300 DGX) would both work okay with a Prime Lens, but it was just the Zoom lenses I had the issue with. Canon must be doing something more complicated with the connections on their latest Zoom's?

Regards

Roy
 
Hi Roy

FWIW, I totally agree with you. I have (or have had) quite a few lenses in the recent past and NEVER had TC compatibility issues until receiving this "latest-generation" bit of kit.

Also FWIW, IF you are looking to replace TCs, I got my green dot x2 Kenko pro 300 DGX from Simply Electronics for under 120GBP delivered which I thought was a VERY good price. I'd read a lot of indifferent stuff about Simply so thought I'd try them out on some inexpensive gear and I must say that I was delighted with the service. I expected a week+ delay (HK is a long way) but got it within the week which I as happy with. Not Warehouse express speed but it was the right price.

Regards.

Gary
 
Hi Gary,

I did not realise the price of the TC's had dropped that much in the last year, I might get my old ones replaced as they are more versatile than the Canon TC's which are restricted to certain lenses. Just spotted the Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 1.4X DGX Teleconverter is only £110 from Digital Rev.

Regards

Roy
 
lostsoulal2 said:
Hi Gary,

I did not realise the price of the TC's had dropped that much in the last year, I might get my old ones replaced as they are more versatile than the Canon TC's which are restricted to certain lenses. Just spotted the Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 1.4X DGX Teleconverter is only £110 from Digital Rev.

Regards

Roy
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Not sure that the price of TCs has dropped in the mainstream shops but certainly the importers are remarkably cheap. Does the Digital Rev cost include all charges ? If so, this is a bargain, I'd expect to pay somethinhg like that for a used item !

FWIW, I have the Canon x1.4 EFII but I've never been delighted with it. I'd rather use the Sigma x1.4 EX DG. I have shot them side-by-side in tests and I think the Siggy is as least as sharp.

Good luck with your purchase if you go ahead.

Gary
 
gary43 said:
Not sure that the price of TCs has dropped in the mainstream shops but certainly the importers are remarkably cheap. Does the Digital Rev cost include all charges ? If so, this is a bargain, I'd expect to pay somethinhg like that for a used item !

FWIW, I have the Canon x1.4 EFII but I've never been delighted with it. I'd rather use the Sigma x1.4 EX DG. I have shot them side-by-side in tests and I think the Siggy is as least as sharp.

Good luck with your purchase if you go ahead.

Gary
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Hi Gary,

The D-Rev prices are inclusive of import handling charges- so no unexpected tax bill, but postage of £12/18 by Airmail/UPS needs to be added.

Thanks for the thumbs up on the Sigma teleconverters, I will have a look at them when the time comes to replace my old (well fairly new, but pre green dot upgrade) Kenko TC'S.

Thanks

Roy
 
Hi Gary,

A short update - the latest version of the Kenko TC now have a "Blue dot" on the box, not sure when they started shipping that way, but that is the latest batch manufacturing revision. I ordered one which is on its way to me via my nephew who has done some tests, which have all been positive.:)

Regards

Roy
 
Kenko updated the reporting procedure of their teleconverters about a year ago. It mystified most people, but here's the story http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10012501kenoteleconvertors.asp

NB I know the Kenko Pro 300 is good (I've got one) but with that particular, and amazingly good 70-200 MkII, I would get a Canon Mk3 extender and just know that, overall, I was getting the best possible performance.
 
Hi Roy

Thanks for the update below. Hope the blue dot version works for you. If it is any improvement upon the previous version I'm sure you will be very, very pleased.



Hi Hoppy

Thnks for the tip below. A friend of mine has the x1.4 mk III and does not seem overwhelmed with it compare to the Kenko pro 300 dgx equivalent. Maybe the x2 mk III is a bigger improvement ? Not sure I've seen many reviews on the x2 mk III.

FWIW, I've just picked up a 600 f4 IS which might go well with the Canon x2 mk III ? Got to say the Kenko pro gives excellent results but I'm always happy to improve my pictures. Will watch out for reviews and maybe take the plunge on the x2 mk III ?

Thanks to both for the replies.

Gary
 
TBH, I just find it impossible to believe that, overall, the little Kenko telecon, good though it is (and as I say, I've got the 1.4x 300 Pro) is actually better, overall, than the Canon. By overall, I mean across a range of focal legnths and apertures, at centre and edges of the frame. Plus AF speed. And bearing in mind, of course, that 90% of the image quality is dependent on the sharpness of the mother lens anyway.

TheDigitalPicture have just updated many of their reviews with comparison images using the new MkIII extenders, and you can compare directly to the MkII. They're better! :thumbs: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Extender-EF-2x-III-Review.aspx
 
HoppyUK said:
TBH, I just find it impossible to believe that, overall, the little Kenko telecon, good though it is (and as I say, I've got the 1.4x 300 Pro) is actually better, overall, than the Canon. By overall, I mean across a range of focal legnths and apertures, at centre and edges of the frame. Plus AF speed. And bearing in mind, of course, that 90% of the image quality is dependent on the sharpness of the mother lens anyway.

TheDigitalPicture have just updated many of their reviews with comparison images using the new MkIII extenders, and you can compare directly to the MkII. They're better! :thumbs: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Extender-EF-2x-III-Review.aspx
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Hi Hoppy

Thanks for the link will check out TDP reviews when I get 10 minutes.

FWIW, I do not doubt the merits of the mkIII converters once connection speeds are considered. I have to say though that I have seen reviews where Canon mk II TCs have not exactly shone, in the sharpness department at least. I do recognise the merits of the Canon kit in terms of build quality, weather seal etc...though

I've used a Canon mkII x1.4 for about 3 years but prefer my recently acquired Sigma EX for absolute sharpness. Similarly, I've tested a friend's x2 mk II versus my Kenko pro 300 and I'd take the Kenko any day.

I must say that the x2 mk III is VERY tempting though.

Thanks again for the link.

Just out of interest where in theEast Mids are you.FWIW, I'm in windy, wildlife-free Loughborough.

Gary
 
I'm just your side of Peterborough :)

Another reason why I think the new Canon extenders will be good is that they are completely new and developed alongside the new 70-200 MkII and 300L 2.8 MkII. If you load up the comparisons on TheDigitalPicture, the 70-200 MkII plus 2x is now so almost indistinguishable from the 100-400L at 400mm.

That's really why I want to trade up to that lens - it's a 70-400mm f/2.8-5.6 zoom! And if you look at it like that, it's both cheap and light too :thumbs: I'm also dreaming of a 300L 2.8 MkII turning magically into a very handy 600mm f/5.6! It's only money... :'(
 
HoppyUK said:
TBH, I just find it impossible to believe that, overall, the little Kenko telecon, good though it is (and as I say, I've got the 1.4x 300 Pro) is actually better, overall, than the Canon. By overall, I mean across a range of focal legnths and apertures, at centre and edges of the frame. Plus AF speed. And bearing in mind, of course, that 90% of the image quality is dependent on the sharpness of the mother lens anyway.


TheDigitalPicture have just updated many of their reviews with comparison images using the new MkIII extenders, and you can compare directly to the MkII. They're better! :thumbs: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Extender-EF-2x-III-Review.aspx
Click to expand...

I have both the Kenko and the Canon 1.4x Extenders - I also have the Canon 2x extender, but find that is not used as much..... and concur that overall the Canon extenders win in terms of sharpness, quality and ease of AF.

I did have the cheaper Kenko MC4 1.4 Extender and the results from that were surprisingly good - very good value if it meets your needs.

The Kenko extenders are perhaps more versatile fitting a greater range of lenses than the Canon and if I am 'walkabout' with just say a 24-105mm lens, the Kenko will fit and give a little bit more reach where its not possible to walk forward......

Long term, I will aspire to move to the Mark III as the results with the extender coupled to the 70-20mm F/2.8 Mark II lens is compelling....... just got to wait for the price to drop down to a more reasonable level as currently the Canon Mark III Extenders are ~ £499....... I am hoping that give it 6 months they will be circa or sub ~£300.
 
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