70-200 2.8 ISii +x2 TC or a 100-400 lens?

Trying to decide which would give the best results. I have a 70-200L f/2.8 ISII & was wondering if I should purchase a X2 III converter to give me more reach or should I just opt for a 100-400 lens instead? Is the x2 III converter compatible with the 70-200?

Miki G wrote in post #14790972
Trying to decide which would give the best results. I have a 70-200L f/2.8 ISII & was wondering if I should purchase a X2 III converter to give me more reach or should I just opt for a 100-400 lens instead? Is the x2 III converter compatible with the 70-200?

Yes the 2Xmk3 works well on the 70-200 mk2 but not sure if it will be as good as a 100-400L might be worth trying the converter to see if your happy first.

Thanks Malla 1962.
Good idea. I will contact the store & see if they will allow me to test the converter with the 70-200. I don't expect it to be as good as the 100-400, but if the results are acceptable, I might just go with the converter.

The 100-400 will give you better results from greater than 200mm. That said, a 100-400 is $1300 dollars and a 2Xmk3 is $500 dollars (although, I got mine for $330 when Canon had a promotion on refurbished lenses). Carrying around the 70-200 and 100-400 is also alot more difficult than just the 70-200 and TC.

I opted for the combo over the two lenses, but if you are looking for the sharpest images, you might look at the two lenses.

Here is resolution charts on them. http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=7​&APIComp=0

Lenses with TC's are just like any other lenses- while they might degrade performance some, at others, they might actually improve performance. Under certain circumstances, stopping down the combination- helps. 1.4x TC's tend to focus faster. 2.0x gives you the range you need sometimes. I guess I am fortunate- both the Sigma and the Canon 70-200's take TC's fine.

Now, about possibly working better than expected (improving performance... Any lens and body combination- is either spot on, off one way, or off another- and depending upon how much- IF- determines how soft or "on" the lens is. MFA can help, if you can get it right- and if the body supports it. Now if you throw a TC in there, it's also got an effect on that overall "balance" and it might put your combination "right" or "spot on" where you could notice a slightly off- bare. So, technically, a TC can actually improve things... I carry two TC's with the 70-200 rather than carry a 70-200 and a 50-500. Sometimes, I take out just the 50-500, but it's a bit hefty, especially after an hour or two. Mostly I use a 1.4x TC with the 70-200, if I can- maintaining most of my AF speed.

Thanks Roroco & Wayne.Robbins.
I was thinking that the TC might also be useful with my 600mm f/4, which I don't tend to use very often on long hikes due to it's weight. I already have a 1.4X TC which I use with the 70-200 & the results tend to be fairly good in most of my shots.

Had the 100-400, as well as the 70-200 II, sold the 100-400 and missed it and rebought it.
I do have a 1.4 II for times I want it for the 70-200. The 1.4 III is a bit better on the edges. I prefer the 100-400 over the 2. III used with the 70-200.

The new MK III TC's are excellent with the new generation super tele's and the 70-200 MK II's. I've had tremendously good luck with this combo.

You're going to spend more but you get a lot more versatility than you have with the 100-400.

I really love the IQ 70-200 II +III 2x combination. But one of the things to consider is that the AF speed sucks with the extender Lucky for me I do not need a real fast AF so I can life with it

Superdaantje wrote in post #14800627
I really love the IQ 70-200 II +III 2x combination. But one of the things to consider is that the AF speed sucks with the extender Lucky for me I do not need a real fast AF so I can life with it

Ok I'll politely beg to differ on this one I just about only shoot fast moving birds and have had fantastic results. I hardly notice the difference it snapping to focus with the TC on. Now of course you're going to use this in good light or yeah its going to suck. So does the 100-400 in bad light.

You have better AF than I do

Almost all of the birds that I've seen are slow, relatively speaking. Try shooting 3D R/C helicopters! Now that's a challenge- even in broad daylight.