Has anyone combined Canon's 2x & 1.4 converters?

[Tapeman]

What kind of results have you gotten?

Does it matter which converter is closest to the lens?

I realize that auto focus is not going to work even with a f2.8 lens.

I am ordering the 1.4x and have the 2x.

[Belmondo]

Yes. It worked (soft of) but I got very soft pictures. The results were such that I lost interest in the experiment very quickly and never tried it again. I was using a 400mm f/5.6 at the time. Of course it was strictly manual focus, and I seem to recall that the largest aperture I could use was somewhere areound f/16. Save yourself the trouble.

[KennyG]

What kind of results have you gotten?

Does it matter which converter is closest to the lens?

I realize that auto focus is not going to work even with a f2.8 lens.

Yes, I have tried the combination with my 300 F2.8L IS

It has to be used with the x1.4 nearest the camera as that is the TC without a recess.

Only one TC is reported to the camera so it appears as an F5.6

AF will work but it is slower.

Results are reasonable with the above lens, but you would be pushing the quality envelope with the 70-200 2.8

[PaulB]

I assume that you are getting the Canon Extenders and are using then with Canon L lenses.
You have to have at least the 2x Extender MkII, as the Mki is not stackable with any other Extender.

The 1.4x goes on to the body then the 2x and the lens.
I use this combination sometimes on my 300/2.8L (wouldn't use the combination on a 70-200/2.8L however) on a monopod and find that in decent light the AF does work quite well so long as there is some contrast for it to lock onto; use the centre focus point only. AI Servo works too - given enough light and contrast. Sharpness and contrast are suprisingly good, certainly nothing is lacking that cannot be adjusted back in Photoshop
I have also used two 2x extenders stacked - but here the AF is really struggling and manual focus is usually needed even with lots of light. Image contrast is much reduced over the 1.4x and 2x combination but you can get shots that nothing else would - although a tripod is definitely necessary.

[KennyG]

While I had nothing better to do. Taken with my 1D and the 300 F2.8L IS of a planter on the wall of a neighbours house some 350ft away. I forgot to do the x2 on its own. No adjustments other than cropping to fit the image. You can see how much softer the image is with both convertors.


300mm on its own
http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/native.jpg

300mm with x1.4
http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/300-14.jpg

300mm with both
http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/both.jpg

[Tapeman]

Thanks for the info.

I just was thinking that if I have both converters in my bag, on occation the extra reach might be worth the trade-off in sharpness. I usually have a tripod with me and I frequently use manual focus when the camera tripod mounted anyway.

[KennyG]

This is the same subject, taken later in the day with the 70-200 2.8L IS with both TC's. It is perfectly acceptable, although not as sharp as the lens on its own. The strange line by the way is a tree branch OOF. The Exif will report 400mm even though the two TC's are attached.

http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/70-200-both.jpg

I hope this helps with your decision.

[Belmondo]

Well, darn! That's pretty impressive. I guess I'm going to have to try it again. I'm starting to think of reasons why I would have gotten such poor results, and a couple things come to mind. I'll repeat the exercise and let you all know how it worked.

Tom

[KennyG]

Same shot, but this time with my 10D. All shots were taken with AF by the way.

http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/10d-compare.jpg

Cheers

[KennyG]

For those that doubt the 100-400L is sharp at 400mm. None of the shots were sharpened in any way other than by C1 when processed.

1D and 100-400L

http://www.stiuk.dial.pipex.com/100-400-compare.jpg

I hope the above sequence helps those who have asked questions about using extenders and those who query the sharpness of the 100-400L.

I'll rest now.......

[Scottes]

I've gotten some great images from the 100-400 even with the 1.4. KennyG, how's this lens with the 2x TC if you've tried it.

Oh, and what the hell, how about the 100-400 + 1.4 + 2x ? :lol: Just shy of 1800 effective on a 10D...

(KennyG, please note that I'm not asking you to take some more pictures - what you've showed so far is great info.)

[Tapeman]

I just ordered the 1.4x from B&H.

I leave for Santa Barbara on Saturday and should have it before I go.

Thanks again for the input.

Belmondo - I'll miss your wit. I hope you recover soon. :)

[Belmondo]

I just ordered the 1.4x from B&H.

I leave for Santa Barbara on Saturday and should have it before I go.

Thanks again for the input.

Belmondo - I'll miss your wit. I hope you recover soon. :)

I'm feeling better already. We're planning to drive to New York and back later this month. :D :D I love long trips in the car---guesss I'm weird that way. Besides, the sooner I wear out this truck, the sooner I can buy a new one, and I want a 4X4 this time. (for potholes)

I'll be driving through Santa Barbara this weekend on my way to the Bay Area, and then back again early next week. I'll wave. Enjoy yourself. It is still one of the prettiest towns on the coast even though it's slowly coming into the 'Greater Los Angeles' sphere.
Tom

[CyberDyneSystems]

I think this is one of those things you HAVE to try :)

If you have them,. why not?

I have tried it once or twice...

Bottom line?

I suppose it could happen,. but so far I have not gotten any "keepers" this way :)