70-200L F/4 with 1.4 teleconverter for macro work

[mac0118]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of adding to my camera equipment. I have a 70-200L F/4 (non IS) lens and I'm going to buy a Tamron 1.4 teleconverter to use with it for additional focal length. I have also read that by adding a 1.4 teleconverter this can also be used for macro photography instead of buying additional extension tubes. With that in mind, I would like the following feedback.

1) What is the image ratio of the 70-200L F/4 with 1.4 teleconverter added? Is it 1:1 or better?

2) Has anyone used this combination for macro shots and if so, how did they like it?

Basically I'm looking at killing "two birds with one stone" with adding telephoto focal length and macro capabilities with the additional purchase of only a the teleconverter.

[Canon Bob]

I think you've mis-understood somewhere along the line. The best you'll get with a 1.4x T/C is about 0.3:1.
A 25mm tube will push the lens to 0.4:1 approx.

Bob

[Johan Groenewald]

No it's not going to work for macro, not even if you add tubes. I also have 70-200f4 and 1.4tc and can take some sample shots for you in the morning. Nothing beats a proper macro lens. Your 70-200 will work for flowers and large insects but nothing small.

[mac0118]

It was this site that made me think that using a teleconverter would provide macro capabilities

Quote:

"Attaching a telephoto extender between the camera body and the lens. A 1.4× or 2× teleconverter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconverter) gives a larger image, adding macro capabilities. As with an extension tube, less light will reach the film or sensor, and a longer exposure time will be needed. However, working distance remains the same as without the teleconverter."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_photography

Johan, I would really appreciate some shots using this setup.

[Canon Bob]

The important thing you need is a lens with a high native magnification. True macro lenses are 1:1 magnification or greater. If you started with
a lens that was 1:2...ie, half life size and then added a 2x converter you'd get 1:1.
The natiive mag of the 70-200 is quite low (0.21x) and hence won't get close to macro magnifications with even a 2x T/C.

If looks like the example in the link is referring to a lens with 1:2 image size.

A set of extension tubes is your best option to get closer to macro magnifications.

Bob

Edit...adding a 25mm tube to your nifty will give you the best option...arround 0.67x mag

[mac0118]

So stacking a 30mm plus a 36mm Kenko tubes to my nifty fifty should give me better than 1:1 image size. Correct?

[RPCrowe]

You can get some pretty decent high magnification images by using a 50mm EOS stacked with a manual focus lens (of any brand that has an identical filter size as your camera lens) mounted reversed.

There are adapter rings which are essentially a double male connector. One side screws into the lens on your camera and you screw the 50mm manual focus lens onto the other side of the connector.

http://photography.search.ebay.com/reversing-ring_Lens-Accessories_W0QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoent rypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQdfspZ1QQfposZQ5AIPQ2fP ostalQQfromZR2QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQsa bfmtsZ1QQsacatZ78998QQsadisZ200QQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslc Z2QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs

Manual focus lenses are dirt cheap on the used market.

There is another relatively inexpensive way to achieve macro and/or close up photography. Use another brand (Canon won't work) manual focus macro lens and a convertor from EOS to that brand. You will need to manual focus, but I use MF for a majority of my macro shooting anyway. Macro manual focus lenses can be found relatively inexpensively.

The best buy was mine! I got a mint 90mm Tamron f/2.8 Macro (non-Di model) for less than $125 including shipping from an eBay seller. This is about the price of a decent set of extension tubes.

[gasrocks]

Well, you already have the 70-200, and you'll need to get the 1.4x TC anyway for other things. Get an ext. tube or 2 and you can start into the macro world. Won't be 1:1 but not everyone needs that power. You can do some nice insects and flowers with that set-up.