Kenko Teleconvertor

[kent andersen]

I just bought a Kenko teleconverter. Before I bought one I searched for a thread with examples, but couldn't find any. There is pictures out there, but I had to search through the different thread to find some. Since Kenko is a popular alternativ to the Canon converter, it surely deserves its own thread.

There is several different teleconverter from Kenko available.

Teleplus MC PRO 300 DGX (1.4x and 2.0x)
Teleplus MC PRO 300 DG (1.4x, 2.0x and 3.0x)
Kenko 2x Teleconverter MC4 DG
Kenko 2X Teleplus - 7 Element DG

I have the DG version, and can't say anything about the others. But what google shows is that the differences is the compability for newer lenses. The new 100mm makro is according to some not compatible with kenko DG. The image quality should be the same though.

To make it even more complicated, there is also an old and new version of the DGX version. The old is not working with new lenses to.

Kenko converter is also ONLY working with EF lenses.

The reason for people to buy Kenko is that it is cheaper and is also making AF working even with lenses that are not having 2.8 or bether. If there is anything more to add as information about Kenko pleace post it.

When you post here, pleace tell wich Kenko you are using, the lens, and if the picture is croped or not.

Here is my first shot: Shot with Kenko 2x on a 135L with a 60D.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6125309520_7f9c812ce5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6125309520/)
extender 032 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6125309520/) by andersen_kent (http://www.flickr.com/people/41388512@N05/), on Flickr



croped:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6124849807_cef63745ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6124849807/)
frosch panorama (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6124849807/) by andersen_kent (http://www.flickr.com/people/41388512@N05/), on Flickr

[kent andersen]

kenko PRO 300DG 2x with 135L

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6125427638_7e75df0c2a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6125427638/)
frog (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6125427638/) by andersen_kent (http://www.flickr.com/people/41388512@N05/), on Flickr

croped 100%, and no sharpening.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6124868211_3278fd0252_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6124868211/)
frog eye 100% croped (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41388512@N05/6124868211/) by andersen_kent (http://www.flickr.com/people/41388512@N05/), on Flickr


I am very satisfied with the quality that I have found with the Kenko extender. Haven't tried out the AF, but the sharpnes is definently good enough.

[skut]

what would be the widest aperture when you use this kenko teleconverter?

[kent andersen]

With the kenko teleconverter on a 135L f2.0 I get f4 and a 270mm.

The image quality is not that great at f4, but at f7-8 it is much bether. On the last picture I used f9.

[kwyml12106]

I'm debating whether to add a teleconverter to my 135mm to shoot ultimate frisbee. What stops me is that I find myself usually having to shoot at high shutter speed to get sharp image. I don't plan to use a tripod as I don't want to carry extra weight. How usable is a 135mm on a 7D + teleconverter without a tripod?

[kent andersen]

Even though I haven't tested the teleconverter on 135L much yet, I do think it should be usable. The question when using it for sport is not if it can make sharp pictures, but how well the AF is working. You can get sharp pictures, but if the sharp area ends where it should is another question. I haven't tested that yet.

How sharp the pictures get, depends on how steady hands you have. And how usable it is depends also on what cind of quality you are satisfied with.

The longer the distance is to the object, the more you will see that youre own movement effect the image quality. So, there is a limit on how much you can achieve with a hand held 300mm with no IS. Even IS has its limitation, there is a reason why even big white lenses with great IS are still put on a tripod..

With a monopod, like this (http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-560B-1-Fluid-Monopod-Replaces/dp/B002NZH40O/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1315550689&sr=8-9) you should be helped a long way. That is not to heavy weight, and could be the thing that makes the woow feeling on youre shot.

7D has a much better AF than 60D (wich I am using), so even though AF is struggeling with the teleconverter, it should be possible to make good shots. But, the amount of image where the AF is not getting it will increase with a teleconverter.

I hope this can help you...

[kwyml12106]

Hello Kent! Thank you very much for the reply. The AF of the 135mm on my 7D is lightning fast. Thanks for bringing up the slower AF speed with the extender on. I never considered that b4. That's something I should think about in addition to the lack of IS with this set-up. I wear glasses as I shoot and I'm very dependent on the AF..

[larrycumba]

What is a b4?

[casteel]

B4 just say it slow.

[kwyml12106]

sorry, b4 = before