Just want to make sure I understand...

[r2d2]

Okay. I have the 20D and I am looking for a lens. I am new to lenses and am looking to not spend a bunch of cash...

If I purchase the EF 70-200 F4.0L (around $550 US) what would be the 35mm equivalent? is the magnification factor 1.5 on the 20D?

If the 70-200 is not long enough, the 1.4 teleconverter could be added, however the widest the aperture could open would be 8, right? (However, I am slightly concerned about having too much glass on....)

Would this set up be good?

[pcasciola]

The 1.6x magnification factor of your 20D would give you the equivalent of about a 110-320mm. Put a 1.4x TC on there and you'd have roughly a 160-450mm F5.6, not F8.

[Scottes]

Phil is right on, and that combo is pretty darn good rom everything I've seen and heard here. If you have a lot more cash the Canon 100-400 L is very very nice, but at about twice the price, and I don't think it's twice as good.

[r2d2]

The 1.6x magnification factor of your 20D would give you the equivalent of about a 110-320mm. Put a 1.4x TC on there and you'd have roughly a 160-450mm F5.6, not F8.

Great! Thanks. As long as I am somewhat getting the idea....

Does anyone have this combo? 70-200 L plus the 1.4 tele?? Time to say goodbye to Christmas money (and my own..)

[r2d2]

Phil is right on, and that combo is pretty darn good rom everything I've seen and heard here. If you have a lot more cash the Canon 100-400 L is very very nice, but at about twice the price, and I don't think it's twice as good.

Oh BOy!!!! Getting excited!!!! I wish I lived closer to B&H....I want this puppy in my hand now!!!!!!

[Deckyon]

Now, to add to this, and hopefully not start a war...

The 1.6x is not a magnification factor, but a crop factor. you lose the outter portion of the frame (not on the chip but what the lens is capable of seeing, just as if you applied a crop in Photoshop. You do not get ANY closer to the object, you just narrow your Field of View...

[Jon]

It's not a "magnification factor", it's a "crop factor" and doesn't directly affect the lens in any way. You'll just see what you would on a full frame 35 mm camera, if you cropped and printed from the center 25 mm x 22.5 mm of the frame. All that's actually changing is the angle of view captured by the sensor from the lens. There's lots more here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45388). The cra^hop factor on the 20D is actually 1.6, not 1.5.

The 70-200 will have the same angular coverage as a 112-320 mm lens on 35 mm. A 1.4X TC would make it a true 98-280 mm f/5.6 zoom (multiply the TC power by the aperture to get the converted aperture), equivalent to a 156-448 mm zoom on 35 mm. Crop factor alone has no impact on the aperture; it doesn't change anything about the lens, remember, it's strictly a sensor size issue.

What are you planning to shoot? That's a critical consideration in what you would want to use as your principal lenses.

[defordphoto]

Careful now! Let's not get R2D2 too excited. We just had the carpets cleaned in here! :shock:

[r2d2]

Careful now! Let's not get R2D2 too excited. We just had the carpets cleaned in here! :shock:

hee hee. I cant help it, my baby (20D) is hurtin' for some company..:)

What are you planning to shoot? That's a critical consideration in what you would want to use as your principal lenses.

Honestly , I am looking for a good all around lens. There is too many things I want to shoot, to get a specialized lens. I don't see myself in any low light situations....I am not going to get the teleconverter anytime soon, I just don't want to get a lens that is going to be seriously limited...

Thank you also for the link. i might have to read it a couple of times...But at least now I know that I dont know anything .....again...Learning curves suck.

[CoolToolGuy]

I have that combo, and it is fantastic. By itself, the 70-200 f4L is a terrific lens, and if you add the TC to it you get more reach and the difference in image quality is very hard to detect. You sacrifice one stop, but on a well-lit day that won't matter.
Go for it, you will not be sorry.

Have Fun,

[pcasciola]

r2d2,

Don't let the crop factor myth mislead you. Yes, you will be cropping the center 1.6x out of the lens, but you will be resolving that area at the full 8MP of the 20D's sensor. It's not like cropping from film at all, in which case there is no resolution change. I've recently spoken with someone who owns a 1Ds Mk II, 1D Mk II, 20D, and a 500mm prime, and he uses the 20D for wildlife shots because he gets the most reach out of that combination. He claims the 20D "easily outresolves" either of his 1 series cameras, and he gets the largest shot of his subject with the 20D + 500mm setup. Yes, it's a smaller sensor, but by far the highest pixel density sensor of any Camera EOS camera to date.

[flyfishnj]

It's not a "magnification factor", it's a "crop factor"
Here we go ... again ....

[r2d2]

It okay everyone- Lets not get all crazy up in here. :)
I understand the whole sensor size thing a lot better. I understand the supposed difference in crop vs. magnification. But since I am ignorant, they appear to have the same output effect on my printed pics :)

I am too exicted about the lens to worry about what to call the sensor factor..

Can't we all just get along?? :) tee hee

You all are great! Thanks!

[defordphoto]

Seems like the "seasoned" users get a bunch more upset about the 1.6 sensor and what to call it. ;) No, it's not really a crop, but it kinda is and that's how most people best understand it. Most people don't care and love the fact that their long lenses are now "longer" because of the APS-sized sensor.

You're gonna love that lens.

[r2d2]

Thanks!! I hope it looks good on the camera. I know it looks "pro" and all, but too bad it did not come in black.

[defordphoto]

Thanks!! I hope it looks good on the camera. I know it looks "pro" and all, but too bad it did not come in black.

No no...White lenses are cool. :)

[Jon, The Elder]

White lenses - Black lenses

Oh No - Photography predjudice !!