EF 70-200 f/4 and 1.4xTC

[SidW]

Yes Sir I have read the above information on Tele-convertors but am still slightly confused.
I have just bought the EF 70-200 f/4L and am considering buying the Canon 1.4x Tele-convertor.
I know AF will work @ f/5.6, but what I would like to know is:-
1. Will it work stepped down to say f/8 ?
2. Will the metering be affected in any way ?
3. Will the centre cross type sensor still work?

Also I assume I will have to fork out for the tripod bracket as well.

Please advise.
Thanks
Sid

[Bob_A]

I just received this combo.

1. AF works fine for the entire range with the extender (f5.6 to f45)
2. The in camera metering works the same as for any other lens. The only difference is that with the lens on you can only open up to f5.6 instead of 4.0.
3. I don't believe that the center focus point is cross type because the maximum aperature is f5.6 with the extender. Cross type is only available for lenses with a maximum aperature greater than f5.6. High precision cross-type is only available on lenses with a maximum aperature of f2.8 or larger.

[Wildman]

Sid...

I'm sure the Canon 1.4 TC will work a little better with your EF 70-200 f/4L than my cheapo Tamron 1.4 TC, but at about four times the cost, I'm not sure it's worth the difference. I love my 70-200. It's a terrific lens. The Tamron 1.4TC ($79) seems to work fine for me.

It matters not whether you close down to a smaller apature. The lens will open up to its maximum available value when focusing, then close back down to whatever value you have chosen.

I'm not the most experienced guy around here, but haven't had any problems with metering with my lens with the TC.

The cross sensor works with f/2.8 lenses or faster with the 20D, if I read the book correctly.

I have found the EF 70-200 f/4L focuses very quickly with the Tamron 1.4X. Any slowdown isn't significant as far as I'm concerned. Make sure to use a tripod and use a cable release or the timer to reduce camera shake.

[SidW]

Thanks guys.
I'm mightily relieved to here this. Will go ahead with the purchases.
I sure hope I can live up to all this equipment I'm Buying.
Sid

[Bob_A]

The cross sensor works with f/2.8 lenses or faster with the 20D, if I read the book correctly.

Not quite: "High precision" cross type for f2.8 or faster, standard cross type for lenses with larger aperatures than f5.6. Page 68 of the manual.:D

[Medic1]

Buy it.....works great!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

FYI.. all Canon lenses AF wide open.. at the largest aperture available,. they only stop down to what we have the f/stop set to in Camera after focus is acheived and the shutter is released.

[lordjim]

Agreed with Wildman. The Tamron SP AF 1.4X will do the job for 1/4 of the price of the Canon.

This is a sample pic of this combination:

http://www.pbase.com/lordjim/image/44039039

I know that some will say why put a third party glass in front of a L but the answer is because some third party glasses, such as the Tamron SP AF extender, are good and cheap!

[Chazs]

Also I assume I will have to fork out for the tripod bracket as well.
Sid

I got this combination a month ago, and everything works as it should with the TC. As for the bracket, the lens is light enough that the bracket isn't necessary in most cases. Even on a tripod it doesn't feel overly front heavy. However, I like to shoot a little astrophotography and I think I am getting a little too much vibration on long exposures with my barn-door tracker. Hence, I ordered up the black tripod ring ($30 cheaper than the white one). Should be here this weekend.