I have recently added a 1.4x iii extender to my kit and used it quite alot whilst on my recent trip to Mull, their didn't seem to be any noticeable slowness in the autofocus on my 7dmk2, so I am contemplating the purchase of the 2.0x iii extender with the 400 DO mk2
Robin thanks for the info and link to your photos which I will have a look at at some point, a little update is that I am going to upgrade to a 5dmk4 to the benefit of the low light performance annd use of higher ISO, with this in mind I will more than probably get the 2x iii to use with the full frame body.
....I have had a 7D-2 since they were released in the UK and have used the 2x III on it. Also, my first full-frame body was a 5D-4 and so I have used the 2x III on that too < Both on my 500mm lens.
I have subsequently sold my 5D-4 in part-ex for a 1DX-2 but have found that although both FF bodies offer less 'reach' than the 7D-2, the FF bodies offer slightly better image quality. The 7D-2 is far from shabby though.
Robin can you tell us how the 2x ext presumably iii, performed AF speed wise, with the 7Dii and 5Div compared to the 1dxIi please. I'd personally value your opinion,but I also think it might help Martin,which is more important to me,given i've made my choices
Martin you need that 2Xext in your bag ,it;s a no brainer it's only hundreds of pounds rather than thousands and it adds so much to your. focal lengths. The 400 DO IS ii takes these ext's so well. Sure i'm still getting to grips with it all,the biggest issue for me is shooting at f8 in blighty in the grey, But that said these new sensors help a hell of alot. I honestly wonder whether the 1dxii might be a better choice,even if you go second hand UK stock or grey. The weightis the only negative I can really see. i'd love to have a 5div aswell for the extra pixies,but the DXii is one hell of a tool,prices are dropping and also black friday isn't so far,good deals there from Canon last year mate,might be worth waiting to see wha's on offer
Thanks for the in depth info Robin and its much appreciated too, with this advice in mind from you and Stu in a real world use I have decided that a....Yes, firstly it is quite important to use the version III Canon Extenders as they play very well with the version II (and now III) white L lenses.
The following information I am giving is not based on anything remotely scientific but is merely how it feels to use and the results I personally find acceptable. AF is slowed down when an Extender is mounted and that's primarily due to the maximum aperture becoming smaller and consequently (broadly speaking) the sensor reading from less light input < This of course varies slightly because of the camera body's capabilities and, as Stu suggests, the 1DX-2 currently performs the best. It is afterall Canon's flagship.
AF feels slower when in AI SERVO and tracking than in ONE SHOT. The 2x feels slightly slower than the 1.4x AF. But it also depends on light and speed of movement and doesn't always matter to the final image result.
If your Canon L lens has the option, if you switch to Stabiliser Mode 3 then IS is off while you are shooting and is only actioned when the shutter is released. This works best if you use Back Button Focus. The reason it slightly, not completely, counteracts the reduced AF tracking speed is because the IS motors aren't permanently in use and hence requiring more from the processor. Having dual processors is yet another reason why the 1DX-2 performs better than a 5D-4. I find that the 5D-4 and 7D-2 perform AF very similarly but the higher fps rate of the 7D-2 gives the impression that it nails more shots.
Some lenses take Extenders better than others. For example the 1.4x works very well on the 100-400mm F/4L II but the 2x kills AF. My 500mm F/4L II takes either well and I have been surprised how well it takes the 2x III < Check out 'THE 1,000 COLLECTION' Album on my Flickr page. The faster F/2.8L lenses (none of which I have) should perform even better.
Btw, having had a 5D-4 with more pixels than the 1DX-2 has, I haven't missed or even been aware of those extra pixels < However, I don't print my images. The image quality of the 5D-4 is more noticeably better than the 7D-2 but the 7D-2 ain't shabby.
I agree totally with Stu that if you have white prime L lenses, a 2x III Extender is definitely a very worthwhile option to have. and so is the 1.4x III.
I hope this helps.
Well fellow toggers I have jumped into the world of the full frame photographer, got myself a 5d mkiv off a friend of mine who is going into mirrorless gear, not had a real chance to use it outdoors yet, but I did check out the layout of the 5div, it seems its similar to the 7d2 in that respect with some extras, hopefully I can do it justice on my days off.
P.S any ideas on a backpack to carry the 5div + 400mm DO 2 and another camera body+ a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. The bag I have is just made to carry the 400mm DO 2 with a camera body attached plus cards/batteries etc....
Thanks again Robin for the info I got a lowepro Flipside 500AWII which I can get all my kit in and with slightly smaller dimensions than your backpack it should be good for taking on as hand luggage....They are similar in handling and controls, menus etc, in fact as all of the EOS camera bodies are. So they are easy to quickly adapt to and use. I have owned and used both the 7D-2 and 5D-4 together.
....I suggest looking at Lowepro. I have the 450AW which holds two bodies plus 500mm prime plus 100-400mm < All Canon EOS system gear.
It's also a size which is acceptable in airline cabin overhead lockers < Just!
Thanks Stuart. I've found a company that still service and repairs them and according to them, will carry on for a while yet.If it is no longer serviced by canon then your biggest problem will probably be finding spare parts. your best best is to contact Canon and find out if they still support the first 400 DO. If they do then your reliable companies will still be able to get parts. If not you are down to finding someone whom has broken a lens for spares. My old 300 f2.8 IS becoming unsupported was a big factor in making me upgrade to the DO II. My fear with the DO lenses is that they are fairly scarce and so spare parts are going to be in even harder to find than say parts for my old 300 IS. Once canon have stopped support you are basically in the lap of the gods if something brakes ! Which with a more expensive lens is a worry.
Hope this helps
stu
Which lens was this? I am sorely tempted by a 400 D02 - I really like my 500ii but it’s a bit of a beast with my shoulder being sore.View attachment 241460Female kingfisher taken in Lincolnshire
Thanks for this. I wish I had seen that advert. I might go and see what was paid for it. I can't be sure if this is not GAS or a genuine way to get me to use my big prime more often.... I have the 1.4ii extender which would take it to 560mm but then the aperture gets smaller too. Hmm.Martin, shoots with a do mark ii Chips. I do aswell It's a hell of a tool, takes the exts well, sharp as a knife. Rob" gyrob" had one for sale in our classifieds recently. I've not shots with a 500ii so can't compare IQ it can't be far away though but I've held a dxii with a 500 on the 400 is like a toy,to carry by comparison. Maybe the DO behaves slightly differently in strong backlit . I can't really think of negatives bar that bit of reach sorry for butting in hopefully Martin will be about shortly I've been using the DO ii for a couple of years now I personally love it
ATB
stu
many thanks for the help RobYes it sold .
Rob.
Hello George,too long no speak I hope your are well, I saw your post and thought I'd say Hi as much as anything and cheers for the previous help naturally.Just seen the updates to the post, I've had a mk 2 DO almost since it came out, and it's travelled extensively with me in various continents for wildlife stuff.
I can only say that it resides permanently on one of my 1Dx2's with a 1.4 converter, and I really can't tell the converter is on it, the performance (as you'd expect) is excellent.
With the x2 it's still very good and light as a feather (!) for an 800mm, but there is a small but noticeable drop in IQ and the af a bit more "hunty" sometimes, but still easy to handhold and if you don't pixel peep the results are great.
Wouldn't be without it!
Glad to see others are appreciating a lens which, for reasons unknown to me, Canon don't really promote.
George.
Be interested in anyone else's thoughts, however, and I wonder if the 600 DO might have an R mount?
An EF supertele is usable on an R with an adapter so it would be logical to cover both markets with one design and simply screw on (or order it with) the required lens mount.So don't you think Canon will produce any more EF only super teles, Bob?