100 - 400 IS L and extenders / 300D

[J. Cobble]

I cant tell from the canon website whether the 1.4 or the 2 extender will work with the 100 - 400 IS L while maintaining auto focus and IS with the 300D. Anyone have any experience? Also would like input regarding the 70 - 200 IS L, same questions, same camera.

[IanD]

I cant tell from the canon website whether the 1.4 or the 2 extender will work with the 100 - 400 IS L while maintaining auto focus and IS with the 300D. Anyone have any experience? Also would like input regarding the 70 - 200 IS L, same questions, same camera.
Both TC's will work with your DR but will not auto focus. IS will work with no problem.
The 1.4TC needs a F4 or faster lens to AF and the 2TC needs a F2.8 or faster.
However there is a work around that many folks have been very successful with. Using transparent tape (Scotch or other depending upon your brand loyality) place a small piece over the first 3 contact pins on the TC. Looking at the TC as if it were mounted on the body and facing towards you, you would tape the three pins on the left. Attatch your lens and you should be OK. This works for me 99% of the time.
I know that this works with the 1.4 since I have one but do not know 100% about the 2X. Maybe someone else can let you know.
Salut!

[J. Cobble]

Thanks. Do you find the 100 - 400 too slow for alot of applications?

[scottbergerphoto]

The 100-400 IS L is a great lens. It's not fast enough for sports or auto racing,except on very bright days. For people and wildlife, it's a great lens. This was shot hand held with a 10D and 100-400.

http://www.pbase.com/image/20905204.jpg

This was shot on a tripod with the 100-400 and 2x extender, manual focus:

http://www.pbase.com/image/23527173.jpg
Scott

[J. Cobble]

ScottB, have you tried the tape trick with the 2x extender? Have you tried the 100 -400 on auto races? I was hoping that it would be great as this would solve all my concerns?

[perfectpixel]

The 100-400 IS L is a great lens. It's not fast enough for sports or auto racing,except on very bright days.....

I just got this lens and am very impressed so far. I need it for baseball shots. The lens is *slow* at f4, but the alternative of putting a 1.4X on my 70-200 f2.8 would make that lens about the same speed. Hope I've made the right choice.
As a side note, I got a few Err1 codes on the 10D out of many-many shots. Any comments?
If you'd like to see what the 100-400 can do, follow this:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2136040
cheers!

[KennyG]

The 100-400 IS L is a great lens. It's not fast enough for sports or auto racing,except on very bright days.

Sorry Scott, I beg to differ. I have shot hunderds of hours of motorpsport with a 100-400L on quite cloudy and dull days. Of course, I refer to UK circuits that are not enclosed shadowy ovals, so maybe it is different for some.

This was shot under really bad light conditions, wet too.

http://www.ken.grey.dsl.pipex.com/images/classic2003/f1-5.jpg

You can sometimes get ERR 01 if the temperatures are very low (-10c or worse) or, for some strange reason, when you shoot direct into the sun.

[scottbergerphoto]

It's great to see that the 100-400 is even more talented then I thought! :D I didn't think it was fast enough for that.

I tried the tape thing with the 100-400 and 2x extender. Its behavior was very erratic. I haven't tried it with the 1.4x.
Scott

[defordphoto]

The 100-400 IS L is a great lens. It's not fast enough for sports or auto racing,except on very bright days.

The following gallery was shot almost exclusively under cloud cover -- welcome to the Pacific Northwest -- with the 100-400L. It is a very capable lens. The posted shot is one of my favorite of the series.

The Gallery: http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/2003/CART/Portland/3_Day/index.htm

The Shot:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/2003/CART/Portland/3_Day/img_4264_std.jpg

[IanD]

The 100-400 IS L is a great lens. It's not fast enough for sports or auto racing,except on very bright days.

The following gallery was shot almost exclusively under cloud cover -- welcome to the Pacific Northwest -- with the 100-400L. It is a very capable lens. The posted shot is one of my favorite of the series.

The Gallery: http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/2003/CART/Portland/3_Day/index.htm

The Shot:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/2003/CART/Portland/3_Day/img_4264_std.jpg
Jim,
Every time I see that shot I just sit there and stare. You really should get that one published. It would make a great wall poster.
I love it.

[scottbergerphoto]

Correct me if I'm wrong Jim, but isn't that car standing still? :D
The car in Kenny's shot was hauling a**!
Scott

[perfectpixel]

...well there's lots of stuff that scares me, but in the case of the 100-400, the lens seems to focus with a "snap". It's quite audible and sounds too much like metal against glass. I almost expect for it to be followed by a "crack" next.
Anyone else noticed that?

[defordphoto]

Correct me if I'm wrong Jim, but isn't that car standing still? :D
The car in Kenny's shot was hauling a**!
Scott

Try this: http://www.rfmsports.com/USSBA/Photos/LUPA_sample.jpg

Or this:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/SprintBoats/July2603/Qualifications/img_5303_std.jpg

Or this:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/SprintBoats/August2003/img_8925_std.jpg

Or....Well, that's enough... :D

[Jack_C]

I tried the Canon converter but found the basic Tamron models worked better with the lens. Both will allow autofocus to attempt. It works fine with the 1.4x in most light.

Tamron 1.4x MC4
Tamron 2x MC7

Here's some samples:
http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/100_400_with_14x
http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/rebel_at_800mm

[scottbergerphoto]

Correct me if I'm wrong Jim, but isn't that car standing still? :D
The car in Kenny's shot was hauling a**!
Scott

Try this: http://www.rfmsports.com/USSBA/Photos/LUPA_sample.jpg

Or this:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/SprintBoats/July2603/Qualifications/img_5303_std.jpg

Or this:

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/Galleries/SprintBoats/August2003/img_8925_std.jpg

Or...well, that's enough... :D
NOW you're talking!
Great shots!
Scott