is the kenko x1.4tc better than the kenko x2tc

iwols

iwols

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hi all been a while since i last used my kenko x2 tc with my sigma 150-500 lens,but i can remember the pics being good but a little soft,has anyone tried the x2 and the 1.4tc as a comparison please thanks
 
2x is horrible compared to the 1.4x, that also applies to Sigma, Nikon and Canon converters, the 1.7 is a really good alternative
 
thanks gary have you tried both the kenkos ,and who make the 1.7 tc cheers
 
I had an older Kenko MC7 2x converter and at the moment I've got a newer Kenko Pro300 DGX 1.4x and the difference is massive. The older ones, MC7 and MC4, were ok but the shots were very soft and I only used it if neccessary. The 1.4x is very good, the IQ from it and my 70-200 f2.8 MkII is great, hardly any IQ drop and the AF speed remains very good. I also use it on my 24-105 f4 IS L and that also is very good IQ and AF speed. I used to use it with a Canon 100-400 IS L and it even retained AF, with decent AF speed and good IQ, with a 7D, 5D2 and other bodies.

I tried a mates 2x Kenko Pro300 DGX yesterday with my 70-200 2.8 MkII on both my 5D3 and 60D, but I think it was faulty as it wouldn't lock on focus and the lens still showed up as a f2.8 instead on an f5.6 with the 2 stop drop. I wanted to see if it was good enough with a view to buying one but I think I'm just going to save for the Canon 2x MkIII just to be on the safe side. Would really like to try one before I spend £300+ on one only to be disappointed though.

On the whole, the Kenko Pro300 DGX 1.4x gets very good reviews and it seems from the reviews that it's about on a par with the Canon and Nikon made 1.4x converters which makes it very good value for the money.
 
Thanks Stuart did you try the kenko 2x pro300 on manual just wondered what you thought of the image quality as that is the one I've got compared to the 1.4 kenko
 
Pretty unscientific test but as I have both these TC's I thought I'd put my oar in:D

1st is my 300F4L with the 1.4x:


and then with the 2x TC:

Just exported from LR4, the x2 shot cropped slightly.

Draw your own conclusions!
 
The image quality you get is 75% down to the sharpness of the mother lens. All it can do is magnify what's already there. They work well on high grade primes, and much less so on cheaper zooms - but that's not the extender's fault.

You could end up spending money and gaining very little, or nothing. The other thing extenders impact on is AF performance.
 
I also have both the Kenko Pro 300 1.4x DGX and Pro 300 2x DG, but in Canon fit. I use them on my 70-200.

I only really use the 2x when the light is very good and for ID shots. It does affect IQ and AF speed, whereas the 1.4x has a negligible effect on them. I use the 1.4x without hesitation, but tend to think twice before using the 2x.

70-200 + 1.4x @ 203mm, f5.6, 1/1000 ISO 200
1063599877_xMtMd-M.jpg

Larger: http://gembobs.smugmug.com/Animals/UK-Wildlife/MG7604/1063599877_xMtMd-XL.jpg

70-200 +2x @ 400mm, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 1000, cropped (taken on the same day as above approx 20 mins later)
1063601836_99FKy-M.jpg

LArger: http://gembobs.smugmug.com/Animals/UK-Wildlife/MG7676/1063601836_99FKy-XL.jpg

As Hoppy says, they will show up any flaws / weaknesses in your lens.

As you can see between the exif on my two shots, the shutter speed was really affected by the 2x TC given broadly similar lighting conditions.
 
Thanks guys only looking on phone at minute so what do you think footman or anyone else thanks
 
I did manage to get a few pics on manual with the 2x on and to be honest they were better than I expected compared to the other 2x I had. Far sharper than the last one, although I was using a better lens on this it this time.
I was dissappointed that the 2x wouldn't work properly, I was going to use my 60D with the 2x, 1.4x and Sigma 150-500 OS and do some manual moon shots tonight.
It was definitely a faulty 2x I used as I had a text off my mate and found out that he returned it and tested faulty. He couldn't get a replacement though as it was the only one they had left.
 
modchild said:
I did manage to get a few pics on manual with the 2x on and to be honest they were better than I expected compared to the other 2x I had. Far sharper than the last one, although I was using a better lens on this it this time.
I was dissappointed that the 2x wouldn't work properly, I was going to use my 60D with the 2x, 1.4x and Sigma 150-500 OS and do some manual moon shots tonight.
It was definitely a faulty 2x I used as I had a text off my mate and found out that he returned it and tested faulty. He couldn't get a replacement though as it was the only one they had left.
Click to expand...

this is the same setup as mine and i too intended taking moon shots,if you manage any will you start a thread so we can compare cheers iwols
 
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