Multiple converters (revisited)

[Belmondo]

In an earlier thread, the question was asked whether you can use multpile Extenders (TCs). In typical Belmondo fashion, I related how I had tried it and gotten very poor pictures and had vowed never to do it again. Then KennyG posted some very interesting pictures taken with multiple extenders, and it piqued my curiosity to at least try it again.

I took the first picture with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS at 70mm. I didn't have a 50mm with me. It at least helps to establish the scene. My target was the big sign for the Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Desert, California. All shots were taken from the upper level of their parking garage. Except for the one shot taken at 70mm, all other shots were taken with the 400mm f/5.6L in various combinations with a 1.4X and 2X extender.

I apologize for the size of this post. Those of you with dialup connections are probably looking for a rope already.

Tom

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/35370mm_Screen_Res-med.jpg

This is with both extenders (1.4X and 2X)
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353Both_Extenders_400mm_Screen_Res-med.jpg

...and a 100% crop.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353Both_Extenders_400mm_100_crop-med.jpg

2X extender alone
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/3532X_Extender_400mm_Screen_Res-med.jpg

....and a 100% crop.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/3532X_Extender_400mm_100_Crop-med.jpg

1.4X extender alone.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/3531point4X_Extender_400mm_Screen_Res-med.jpg

....and a 100% crop.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/3531point4X_Extender_400mm_100_Crop-med.jpg

And finally, no extender.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353No_Extender_400mm_Screen_Res-med.jpg

....and a 100% crop.
http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353No_Extender_400mm_100_Crop-med.jpg

It's not clear what this proves except that I have a lot of time to waste. The pictures using multiple extenders are not bad. They do make the camera very difficult to use, however; manual focus only, and very slow.

[Tapeman]

It seems you hang out around parking garages alot.

[Belmondo]

It seems you hang out around parking garages alot.

I collect hubcaps. :roll:

[Scottes]

Thos/Tom, I think this is great. Either extender alone produces a very good image. Both extenders produce a usuable image, though you won't be selling it to National Geographic or printing it at 20x30. But it is usable, at least for the satisfaction of web display and saying that you got the picture.

400 x 1.4 TC x 2 TC x 1.6 crop = 1792 effective. That's a bit of power.

You're quite a ways away, and the resulting image would show the eye of a sparrow. Granted the eye would be a pixel or two, but you'd see the eye.

[IanD]

TT
Very interesting shots. Helps with the choice of my next (and first) prime. Were the shots taken with the lens wide open?

[Belmondo]

Yeah, it was absolutely wide open. Even so, I was getting readings in the camera of f/16. That would be in keeping with losing 3 f-stops with the two extenders (one for the 1.4X, and two for the 2X).

As I said in the original post, I tried this once before and got terrible results, and now I better understand why: it was a very hot day, and I picked a subject considerably farther away than the sign I used for this exercise. Between haze and heat distortion, the poor lenses didn't have a chance. I should have thought the thing through a little better.

Now I'm going to try taking some pictures of trains in the next county. :wink:

[IanD]

Now I'm going to try taking some pictures of trains in the next county. :wink:
TT,
Looks like we are looking for the same thing. I'm looking for a lens that I can sit on my back balcony and take pictures of moose in Alaska with :lol: :lol:

[Belmondo]

I'm sure Gitzo would appreciate that. Alaska is an awfully long walk, although Moose is pretty good eating. (Of course Kodiak bears think donkey is pretty good eating, too.)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm sure Gitzo would appreciate that. Alaska is an awfully long walk, although Moose is pretty good eating. (Of course Kodiak bears think donkey is pretty good eating, too.)

Donkey is O-kay,. but I hear the Kodiaks are especially fond of Photographers... :shock:

[Tapeman]

My Canon 1.4x II extender came today.

I cannot combine it with my 2x I.

The rubber on the camera end of the extenders will not fit into either of the other extenders.

BUMMER! :( :( :(

I guess I should have paid more attention to the thread I posted earlier. PaulB stated in his reply that the 2x had to be a mkII, mine is a mkI.

[IanD]

I'm sure Gitzo would appreciate that. Alaska is an awfully long walk, although Moose is pretty good eating. (Of course Kodiak bears think donkey is pretty good eating, too.)

Donkey is O-kay,. but I hear the Kodiaks are especially fond of Photographers... :shock:
CDS,
One of the prime (no pun) reasons I keep Gitzo is that even with my screwed up knees I can run faster than him.
Rule #1 when shooting subjects that might consider you an appitizer:
Make sure there is at least one person/beast of burden in your group that is slower than yourself. :lol:

[Scottes]

Rule #1 when shooting subjects that might consider you an appitizer:
Make sure there is at least one person/beast of burden in your group that is slower than yourself. :lol:

Two safari guides are walking along when suddenly they surprise a lion a short distance away. The lion jumps up and starts towards them, and both guides run away. One guide is frantic: "We'll never be able to outrun this lion!" The other guide is quite calm: "I don't have to outrun the lion, I just have to outrun you."