Kenko 1.4 TC controversy???

Since the German site, Traumflieger published it's resolution test results indicating that the “lower priced” Kenko Teleplus MC4 AF 1.4 DGX bested it's more expensive sibling the “PRO-300". http://www.traumfliege​r.de …lekonverter/ove​rview.php;
There has been much “forum chatter” suggesting that the tests were flawed, & therefore invalid.

If, on the other hand, the tests are valid; the only “sensible” reason would be that the additional lens element incorporated in the “PRO-300” to reduce CA effects is a “trade-off” in which “a degree” of resolution is sacrificed??

Most of the Forum conclusions lean toward the “PRO-300” being unquestionably superior to the “MC4”; but they all appear to be based upon a belief that higher cost always equates to superior performance; rather than any definitive image comparisons!

I wondered if anyone has done an actual comparison between the two, or knows of a link to such a test?

Leigh
www.leighwax.com

Yes, before I bought I tested both and the Canon TC. The PRO version beats both the others.

I too tested the Canon, Kenko, and Pro 300, the pro 300 won. The Canon was very slightly sharper in the center, but fell off fairly fast, the Pro 300 was best overall, still very sharp in the center, with much less fall off, still very sharp at the corners, the keno, was just a step below.

I've read that test too and surprised me too.
I'm using Sigma telephoto lenses.
So based on that test, I bought a 2x Kenko mc4 from Adorama thinking it was going to be better than my old cheap mc7 2x Kenko. I was wrong, it wasn't, I sent it back. Since then I've purchased a Sigma 2x APO EX DG and a Canon 2x III, both are excellent and easily beat the mc4 and mc7 Kenkos, but eventually I kept the Sigma. Even though it has a bit more CA, it is sharper in the center by a hair than the Canon III.

Now, back to the 1.4x extenders... I owned a Kenko Pro 300 DG which I loved and thought it was very sharp. But then a few weeks ago I bought a used Sigma 1.4x APO EX DG and it is sharper and has less CA than my Kenko. It surprised the heck out of me, there is very very minimal IQ loss using that 1.4x tc. The conclusion I sold the Kenko and kept the Sigma of course.

So basically, after going through a few tcs in both the 1.4x and 2x categories, I ended up with 2 Sigmas which may make sense since I'm using them with Sigma lenses (70-200 2.8 OS and 120-300 2.8 OS). I'm sure if I was using Canon telephoto lenses I'd have Canon TCs.

My only guess is that there is a lot of copy variations with Canon and esp. 3rd party converters. When I was comparing Kenko 1.4x Pro 300 DGX against Canon 1.4x TC II, Canon was so obviously superior that I couldn't help but question objectiveness of that German review.

I haven't seen anyone else do comparisons to confirm whether the german test is accurate or not. I've been thinking about getting the kenko, but I'm finding that the mixed results isn't very reassuring.

Test them yourself. My local shop could not have been more helpful, in fact they were as fascinated to know my results as I was.

good enough to use with 50mm 1.4 to make it more like the 85mm 1.8 or so? Or not worth it.. I'll have to look into the Sigma now or the pro 300

EDIT: found answers here: http://photo.net/learn​/optics/tc2/index.html Not the best idea, but not bad. Even perfect L lenses with the best converter out there will have a little degradation in quality. Depth of focus will be the SAME. for a 1.4x converter, you lose that much more light...so f/2.0 becomes f/2.8. Pairing with prime lenses works fine, but again siight loss in quality Might be worth trying out for me

gabebalazs wrote in post #14524987
I owned a Kenko Pro 300 DG which I loved and thought it was very sharp. But then a few weeks ago I bought a used Sigma 1.4x APO EX DG and it is sharper and has less CA than my Kenko. It surprised the heck out of me, there is very very minimal IQ loss using that 1.4x tc. The conclusion I sold the Kenko and kept the Sigma of course.

Gabe do the Sigmas work with all lenses like the Kenkos?