5D Mark III + 100-400L + Kenko 1.4X DGX Autofocus?

The Kenko in question works fine for me with a 5D2 and 100-400. It will track anything I can keep in frame, which doesn't include barn swallows. The links are a an osprey and a dragonfly.

http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157625579630781


http://www.flickr.com …8101328100/in/p​hotostream

Since it works well on 5d2 I presume it is even better on the newer body. Try it for yourself!

sloanbj wrote in post #15264843
The Kenko in question works fine for me with a 5D2 and 100-400. It will track anything I can keep in frame, which doesn't include barn swallows. The links are a an osprey and a dragonfly.

http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157625579630781

http://www.flickr.com …8101328100/in/p​hotostream

Since it works well on 5d2 I presume it is even better on the newer body. Try it for yourself!

Are those using auto focus?
I was unable to find exif data supporting that.
If so, kudos!
I have been unable to autofocus on dragonflies using a canon 300 2.8 and a 1D mk iin.
I always photograph them using manual focus.
I prefocus and wait for it to enter the focal plane and then spray and pray.

MakeMeShutter wrote in post #15267450
Are those using auto focus?
I was unable to find exif data supporting that.
If so, kudos!
I have been unable to autofocus on dragonflies using a canon 300 2.8 and a 1D mk iin.
I always photograph them using manual focus.
I prefocus and wait for it to enter the focal plane and then spray and pray.

Thats typical of the behavior hard wired into the camera. Its not that the camera cannot, it just refuses to because thats what Canon have instructed it to do. You may need to tape the 3 pins before it will work.

Lowner wrote in post #15267519
Thats typical of the behavior hard wired into the camera. Its not that the camera cannot, it just refuses to because thats what Canon have instructed it to do. You may need to tape the 3 pins before it will work.

Thanks for this information Richard, greatly appreciated!
I will have to give that a try.
--Shawn

Shawn,

Its worth a shot anyway. It costs nothing except a half inch of selotape. Good luck.

MakeMeShutter wrote in post #15267450
I have been unable to autofocus on dragonflies using a canon 300 2.8 and a 1D mk iin.

Lowner wrote in post #15267519
Thats typical of the behavior hard wired into the camera.

Nope.

1. The 1D MkIIn should be able to AF on the centre point even with an aperture of f8.
   
2. The 300 f2.8 will have an aperture of f4 or f5.6 with a 1.4x or 2x TC and will quite happily AF on any EOS dSLR without having to tape pins.

Hi Frank, my AF works fine for larger slower moving subjects, just not fast little dragonflies zipping in and out of the frame at the speed of light.
I use center focus the majority of time.
For small birds or insects in this case, I just cant seem to follow the subject fast enough to get a lock at the minimal distances I am working at to just be able to see them.
I agree with all you have written in this thread.
To be fair, I have not tried taping pins but have used the limiter switch, slowed the setting for time to switch once lock is achieved, greater depth of field, center point focus and still find my focusing with my combination inadequate for the task of small birds(ex. kinglets, warblers) or insects using AUTO FOCUS at close range. Results have been dismal at best for me even without teleconverters.
Maybe the 100-400 with 5D Mark III is magical.
To be honest, I am skeptical of those claiming this combination works on a regular basis.
I would however agree that occasionally we all get lucky.
If I spend an entire day using nothing but AF, sure I might get one or two images that work as well, this is in no way calling it the normal for the combination. (nobody claimed it to be the "Norm") I do acknowledge this.
Will it autofocus? - probably
Does it autofocus well? - subjective
--Shawn

MakeMeShutter wrote in post #15267450
Are those using auto focus?
I was unable to find exif data supporting that.
If so, kudos!
I have been unable to autofocus on dragonflies using a canon 300 2.8 and a 1D mk iin.
I always photograph them using manual focus.
I prefocus and wait for it to enter the focal plane and then spray and pray.

Both with autofocus; I rarely use manual focus. Sorry about EXIF - I usually post it all but am working solely from the IPad for about six months because my PC is in a shipping container - but I don't think it shows focus mode anyhow.

I had a total brain fart yesterday. After talking with my friend last night who happens to own a 100-400 and 5d mark II, I was quickly made aware of my error in thought. I asked how he focused on small birds at 400mm. He was quick to inform me that he shoots them at the wider focal length of the lens. I have been shooting prime for way too long! The lights turned on and I suddenly realized how focus could be easily obtained. I was not thinking in a zoom lens frame of mind. Hope I can be forgiven.

Thats more a matter of finding them in the frame and less about actually focusing.

Certainly makes it easier to autofocus if you can find them.
Hard to focus on something you can't find!

These topics are all about listening to those who have used the equipment properly and a great deal less about self proclaimed knowitalls who delight in making grand, sweeping statements based on little or no reliable information which are invariably wrong.

sloanbj wrote in post #15273870
These topics are all about listening to those who have used the equipment properly and a great deal less about self proclaimed knowitalls who delight in making grand, sweeping statements based on little or no reliable information which are invariably wrong.

While of course I agree completely, how does one make that selection when theres next to no information to help? Its the nature of the internet that we have a million experts all with different opinions.

I've been doing some research on this myself, and I am contemplating the Kenko MC4 2X extender paired with my 100-400L and my 1D3. Hmm....

I have the mc4 1.4x and have used it with my 100-400.
I do get autofocus but its not great.