Using Canon 70-200 f2.8 with extenders

[chphoto]

So, I've currently got a superb 70-200mm f4L non-IS, which I would quite like to replace with a f2.8 IS version, for the additional light grabbing capability, and with a view to using a 1.4 extender in the future. It will be mostly used for sports and some portraits, I'm looking to do more of the local football this year.

The question really is whether or not there's a justifiable 'leap' to the mk2? Does the mk2 take the extenders that much better than the mk1? Looking for some real world experience from people!

 

[KIPAX]

the 70-200 mk2 is the best zoom lens I ever had.. I had sigma 70-200 and canon 70-200 and the mk2 is leaps and bounds above the rest...

 

[Mike.P]

Having had the MKI (plus the Sigma OS and f4) I would say yes it does.

You would be hard pressed to tell the 1.4x was there from the IQ and even the 2x gives very acceptable results (I use the MKIII converters).

 

[pete.rush]

I thought the 70-200mm f4 non IS worked well with the 1.4x TC, the IS f4 version suppose to be even better, wasn't as impressed with the performance of the 70-200mm f2.8 with the TCs, although as a standalone lens its performance is very good. By all accounts the MKII version of that lens and MKIII version of the TCs are suppose to be a step up in performance and IQs. Would a 70-200mm even with a TC be long enough to cover the your local football?

 

[chphoto]

I'm more than happy with the focal length of the 70-200 at present, I would just like some extra reach. The local clubs aren't exactly premiership pitches! I'm using a 7D, so the crop factor helps me out somewhat, but the 1.4x extender will give me the extra. I think budget constraints will push me towards the mk1 for the time being, and maybe p/x at a later date for the mk2...

 

[George]

I'm more than happy using both extenders on a mk2 2.8 and mk 3 extenders, frankly I don't notice any loss of af speed or image degradation with the 1.4.

With the 2x the af is a bit slower to acquire a target, but again IQ is excellent.

Can't answer for the mk1, however, if you can stretch to a 2nd hand mk 2 I'd go for that, there have been some on sale here for under a grand I think.

George.