teleconverter vs cropping

[mrjames]

I've just sold my canon 1.4x teleconverter
my reasons for doing so were largely financial, but now the question is do I buy another one further down the line?

I shoot a 1dmk3 and a bunch of lenses, the only one compatible with the extender is the 70-200 2.8 IS

image quality was ok but not fantastic with the extender and from my tests on the-digital-picture it seems that maybe upgrading to 70-200 mk2, and using a full frame camera, might be a better (and more versatile option) than getting another teleconverter. The cropping potential of the 5d2 with the sharpness of the 70-200mk2 will probably give better results than my current 70-200 (which might not be so good even at 200mm on 21mp sensor)

it seems that the 70-200 mk2 is so good wide open that a 1.4tc makes it nearly as sharp as the 300mm f4, and with a 2x converter nearly as sharp as the 100-400 at 400mm

I think the mk1 70-200 should definitely not be used with a teleconverter wide open, but rather than get another teleconverter for my longer range shooting (and to be fair I didn't use the converter much) I should probably upgrade the 70-200 first, and then upgrade to a higher resolution body too (1ds3 or 5d2, maybe also a crop camera)

what do you think- has anyone done any comparisons between them?

I might buy another teleconverter once I have the new lens, if I still don't use it much I can always sell it again

 

[pete.rush]

I have to agree with you about the 70-200mm f2.8 IS MKI. On its own its a great lens, but add a TC and nope, rubbish, my 300mm f4 beats it hands down even with the 1.4x TC added, but then again I'm using it for action photography.

I've heard very good things about the 70-200mm f2.8 MKII and also good things about the MKIII convertors, but would still prefer a prime over that combination and although there is improvement of the MKIII v MKII TCs I would probably buy a sigma 120-300mm f2.8 than the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 + TCs.

As for the body, my question is what do you photograph?

The 5D2 autofocus system ain't that great if you shooting moving subjects, that's why they've seriously upgraded the autofocus system on the 5D3, however for landscape, portrait work the 5D2 is a very good camera.

 

[Engineer73]

I've been using a Canon Mk 3 2X converter to give some length to my 70-200mm f/2.8 Mk1 on a 7D. I have to say it's very hard to get keepers. The autofocus is slow and images of birds on the perch have a soft quality even when they are quite close and don't need much cropping. Often the details of the feathers are just not as visible as they were through the viewfinder and the eye is just not tack sharp.

 

[mrjames]

I think it's confirmed, no teleconverter on the 70-200

but the question is- do I upgrade my 70-200 to a mk2, do I get a 300mm f4, or do I get a 5d2 and crop in with the 70-200

I have a ridiculously sharp sigma 150mm macro, and I couldn't use the canon TC with it, but with a sigma/kenko converter I could have 300mm f5.6, and 2:1 macro

 

[pete.rush]

I think it's confirmed, no teleconverter on the 70-200

but the question is- do I upgrade my 70-200 to a mk2, do I get a 300mm f4, or do I get a 5d2 and crop in with the 70-200

I have a ridiculously sharp sigma 150mm macro, and I couldn't use the canon TC with it, but with a sigma/kenko converter I could have 300mm f5.6, and 2:1 macro

If you want a zoom, what about the sigma 120-300mm f2.8 OS
OK not on par with the canon 300mm f2.8, but its a zoom, constant f2.8, fast focusing (in most situations) and Sigma's new OS system. OK a few issues in terms of quality, and back focusing, but for the money and you get a good copy, not a bad lens for the money, but you better be quick as they've just released a new model which is twice the price, so you'll have to hunt around for the MKI OS version, but around £1500-1600

 

[mrjames]

If you want a zoom, what about the sigma 120-300mm f2.8 OS
OK not on par with the canon 300mm f2.8, but its a zoom, constant f2.8, fast focusing (in most situations) and Sigma's new OS system. OK a few issues in terms of quality, and back focusing, but for the money and you get a good copy, not a bad lens for the money, but you better be quick as they've just released a new model which is twice the price, so you'll have to hunt around for the MKI OS version, but around £1500-1600

I had thought about the 120-300
but I think I read that in tests the mk2 70-200 with a 1.4 tc was better (but one stop slower)

plus a 120-300 would be something i'd not use that often to justify the price, and it's heavy as hell. i've shot the 300mm f4, and it's pretty light and compact

i've got a long time to think though as it's going to take my forever to get that sort of cash together aha

 

[faddius]

My friend used the latest canon 2x tc and canon 70-200 mkii on holiday recently, the results were genuinely gorgeous. I'd have never guessed there was a tc involved as the impact on iq was very very minimal.