L series extenders...

Skyline On Fire

Skyline On Fire

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Luke
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Alright I'm after some advice regarding extenders for L series lenses. I shoot with my 70-200f4 all the time, love it. Now sometimes I need a little more reach, and the extenders seem pretty good value, so long as they don't detract from the IQ too much. I tried the 2x one out in jessops. It doesn't auto focus with the 70-200 f4 due to the max aperture going up 2 stops. So I was thinking of going for the 1.4x just for a little extra reach. that extra 80mm or so cant hurt.

I understand that it will still auto focus due to the one stop max aperture increase to f5.6, but I'm a bit concerned regarding image quality. How detrimental are these things to the quality? I'm a bit of a pixel peeper and love how sharp my 70-200 is, so I really don't want to fork out for this thing only to find it ruins the IQ.

Any real world testing or advice anyone has on the matter I'd really appreciate. I'm backpacking in Eastern Europe soon and it would be great to have that little extra reach with something I can just toss in the backpack and not have to worry about bringing another lens or anything.

Thanks guys.
 
Rather than post an 800x600 image, have a look at this one in 1024x768
Taken with my 70-200L IS f/4 & 1.4X MKII extender.

Shutter speed: 1/125
ISO: 800
Focal length: 280 mm
Aperture: f/5.6

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4780266876_43664b0680_b.jpg


Mine more or less lives on my lens and only comes off it I need to drop to f/4 to keep the shutter speed up & ISO down.
 
I've got a x1.4 that I use a lot on my 70-200. It does slow the AF a little, but you ave to go looking for it, and it does drop the IQ a tiny amount, but you'd be very hard pressed to tell the difference unless you did a controlled test.

I've never used the x2, but have been told by a lot of people that it does have a noticeable effect on sharpness, which is why I went for the 1.4 With that and your lack of AF on the x2 you've certainly picked the right one to consider. I only have two items in my bag that go with me to every job - the 70-200 and the x1.4...
 
Thanks Andy, I'm pretty much settled on the 1.4x then. Where's the best place to buy? Amazon was my first thought but it's through a third party seller on their marketplace, don't mind using those for low value items, but after a few negative experiences with them, I'd rather avoid for more costly items.
 
The 70-200mm f4 was my first lens and I used the 1.4x TC alot with it for aviation and motorsports before getting a 300mm f4 prime. As mentioned, the autofocus speed is hit, but found no loss of image quality with that combination, just don't expect great performance if the light conditions aren't in your favour.
 
Kerso does a good price on them

:thumbs:
 
I think you would be very impressed. I have been astounded at the IQ produced by my 70-200 (2.8) and a 1.4x, to the point that this is pretty much my bread and butter lens choice now as it is still faster than my 100-300 F4 (sigma).

Buy used, then you can sell it without much loss at all. This is what i did, i sold the 2x and kept the 1.4. Although to be honest the 2x was superb as well.

An example of one of my shots with the 1.4 on 70-200 2.8

829317758_JMnqV-L-2.jpg
 
mipevo6 said:
Kerso does a good price on them

:thumbs:
Click to expand...

Indeed he does, they are currently £239.
I highly recommend Ian, I've spend around £1400 with him this year and I will be going back for more.
 
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