EF 70-300/4-5.6 + Kenko 1.4x TC

[BacktotheFuji]

I'm likely to be doing some travelling next year and am looking for a decent range zoom to take with me. The 70-300/4-5.6 IS looks like a good bet...with decent range, reasonably light on the weight front and optical stabilisation.

I might need something a little longer for wildlife though. I've seen some examples with the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter which look OK, so I was thinking this might be a good solution. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

One quick question for those who've tried it, I'm not fussed by losing AF (f8 at the long end) but would the IS still work?

Thanks

 

[I-S]

Yes, it should. Certainly with the canon TCs you don't lose IS when you lose AF, but of course they won't fit the 70-300 non-L. However, I've found that it's really rather difficult to manually focus at F8 on a DSLR viewfinder. Image quality may well not be anything to write home about either, so practice plenty before you go, and be sure you'll be happy with the results.

 

[Strangways]

I've tried my 70-300mm USM IS with a 1.4 extender on my 40D and the IS still works, but as I-S said manual focusing is not easy at all. I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

 

[BacktotheFuji]

Thanks for the comments guys, really appreciate it! Really interested in the IS replies I'm not too fussed about manual focusing TBH as 99% of my shots are MF with old lenses stopped down anyway, and Ill likely be shooting in bright conditions.

I-S, I will certainly take your advice and try the combo out before travelling though

The only other realistic option (that I can see) is to get a Sigma 120-400/4-5.6...but it's a heavy beast and I'm not sure I want to be lugging it around all day! Or take an old MF 400mm prime, but that's still 1KG...eep!

 

[Strangways]

I have the Sigma 120-400mm and I certainly agree that it's not something to carry around all day. The 70-300mm is really great to to travel with and gives far better results. From my experience a cropped picture from the Canon 70-300 is as good if not better than the Sigma 120-400.