Thoughts on Kenko 1.4x Teleplus Pro DG/DGX and the Canon 1.4x II

Input from members that have had experience with the Kenko 1.4x Teleplus
Pro 300 and the DGX version. If you've had the Canon 1.4x II and can compare
all three that would be very helpful.

I've had the Canon 1.4x II, but I sold it and would like to replace it with
something more versatile. I'll be using the TX on a 70-200 f/4 IS and I've
heard that the 70-300 L IS will work. I don't mind taping off pins I just
want AF, IS and optics comparable to the Canon 1.4x II.

I know there is loss of light. Not a problem. It was a non issue with the
Canon 1.4x II that I had.

If there is already a thread on this, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

First sticky in this section. xD

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=457299

Most people will have Kenko but there's many here with the Canon one too. I myself got the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter $189 USD. By they way, the Kenko does have AF.

I had Kenko Pro DGX for a while and found Canon 1.4x II much better esp in corners.
Add better build quality, weather sealing and more reliable latch mechanism and it doesn't seem that much pricier. Kenko's advantage is the ability to bolt on any lens, TC compatible or not.

I have both telextenders and tested both with 70-200mm lens. One telextender has a very slight advantage at the Center of the image circle, while other other telextender has a very slight advantage at the Edge of the image circle. Not enough to really matter about your choice.

The Canon telextender front element protrudes forward, so it needs to be used with lenses with sufficient space behind the lens rear element to accomodate the protruding element. For that reason, the Canon cannot be mounted to Canon 100mm f/2 lens; the Kenko telextender does not protrude, so it can be mounted on the Canon 100mm lens.

At one time I had both the 300-alphabet soup and the Canon 1.4x Mk II. I felt that the optical performance was very similar but the mechanical construction of the Canon was better. A friend was looking for a tc to use on his EF-S lenses and I had no qualms about offering the Kenko to him.

I've often considered replacing the Kenko so that I can add it to my travel kit and reduce the number of wide primes I drag about with me.

Andrew_WOT wrote in post #14552022
I had Kenko Pro DGX for a while and found Canon 1.4x II much better esp in corners.
Add better build quality, weather sealing and more reliable latch mechanism and it doesn't seem that much pricier. Kenko's advantage is the ability to bolt on any lens, TC compatible or not.

also much smaller and cheaper. you can get the kenko from adorama for around $150. your not going to get a new canon TC for anywhere near that price. i'd get the kenko unless you are mating it with a canon big gun.

ed

Real world comparison here:

http://camerablognetwo​rk.com …dg-300-pro-tc-comparison/

IMHO the Kenko is more versatile, but the Canon has considerably better build and a touch better IQ. The Canon also has the benefit of being able to be sent into the factory to be adjusted with the Canon lens and body.

ed rader wrote in post #14552744
also much smaller and cheaper. you can get the kenko from adorama for around $150. your not going to get a new canon TC for anywhere near that price. i'd get the kenko unless you are mating it with a canon big gun.

ed

I agree, I'd only get the Canon if I wanted the weather sealing and I was using one of Canon's large telephotos.

noisejammer wrote in post #14552670
A friend was looking for a tc to use on his EF-S lenses and I had no qualms about offering the Kenko to him.

No teleconverters for EF-S lenses - sorry.

Another Kenko vs Canon comparison

jimewall wrote in post #14553221
No teleconverters for EF-S lenses - sorry.

I thought Kenko fits EF-S mount, no?

I have the Kenko, and use it on a wide variety of ef-s lenses. works very well. I chose the kenko for a couple reasons: 1) any two products that generate this much discussion and this many comparisons, cannot be significantly different from each other. 2) the kenko will fit all my lenses - not so the canon(the aforementioned protruding element) . 3) price.

I have been extremely happy. I use it a great deal on my 200 2.8, for a very nice lens.

jbrand wrote in post #14553260
I have the Kenko, and use it on a wide variety of ef-s lenses. works very well. I chose the kenko for a couple reasons: 1) any two products that generate this much discussion and this many comparisons, cannot be significantly different from each other. 2) the kenko will fit all my lenses - not so the canon(the aforementioned protruding element) . 3) price.

I have been extremely happy. I use it a great deal on my 200 2.8, for a very nice lens.

You have no EF-S lenses in your signature. A crop lens like the Sigma 30mm or the R 8mm are not an EF-S lenses. (But why would you put a teleconverter on a 30mm or an 8mm anyway?)

Teleconverters are really made for telephoto lenses. Canon does not have any telephoto EF-S lenses. The closest to this is the nifty two-fifty. Since the image quality is reduced with teleconverter use. I can only assume most manufactures feel that it is not worth it to make a teleconverter to fit one telephoto(ish) lens, one that is not typically considered higher end (yes I think it is a nice lens but it is not an L in IQ). Remember with a crop camera the problem is not with the tele side, it is when you want a wide side. Therefore most crop lenses are on the wide side where you don't use a teleconverter. Third party brands make lenses with a crop sized image circle, that does not make them an EF-S lens, it makes them a crop lens. And yes, the Kenko will fit on those. My Kenkos (1.4x & 2x) fit my Sigma 10-20mm, by why would I use them there?

Unless something new has changed, there are no teleconverters (Kenko or other brand) for EF-S lenses.

So Andrew-WOT, I'm pretty sure the Kenko will not work on an EF-S lens - My Kenko does not fit on either my two EF-S lenses.

That said Kenko makes a good teleconverter, they just are not EF-S compatable.

Thanks for the info all. Unfortunately, all of the links above are the
Kenko DG model, no DGX comparisons with the new communication
chip that I found.


THanks Andrew. I'm not too concerned about corner softness as I tend to crop
for birds and wildlife. I may give it a go anyway, especially if I decide to try
out the 70-300 L IS.

Found - a Kenko 1.4x Teleplus Pro 300 DGX I think I'd like to give
it a go... at least have the newer communication chip.

Thanks again and if anyone has any more links or images I'd be glad to check them out.

Happy shooting and enjoy the summer.

I did a personel test of both Kenko versions and the older* Canon 1.4XTC coutesy of my local dealer. I had all three for a full week and tried them out in all sorts of different situations. The Pro 300 was the best - by a margin that was very easy to see with the naked eye in prints.

*Note: I have no idea how the mark 2 Canon 1.4TC compares.