Has anyone had an extender break?

I'm looking at getting a long telephoto in the next year or so. I'm just waiting on some reviews of the 200-400 before deciding between that and the 300 2.8 or 400 2.8.

I did some research on the new extender and Canon has claimed an improvement in build quality and specifically around the mount, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever had an extender break or physically fail on them.

I have never heard of this happening, I am sure the mounts can wear out at some point or not lock as well, that is probably the improvements they are referring to.

The 200-400 is still not officially announced...

Keyan wrote in post #15134216
I have never heard of this happening, I am sure the mounts can wear out at some point or not lock as well, that is probably the improvements they are referring to.

The 200-400 is still not officially announced...

The wait for the 200-400 has been incredible. I'm afraid I am going to buy the 300mm or 400mm and end up buying the 200-400 as well.

Somehow, I don't feel too bad for you being in such a "tough" situation

The 200-400 has the integrated 1.4x TC, so no worries there about it breaking off.

You do know that expected price of 200-400 is over 10K$ ?

Kirill wrote in post #15136721
You do know that expected price of 200-400 is over 10K$ ?

Yes. I figure both the 400 and 200-400 will be priced similarly. Are suggesting it's not worth it?

SunTsu wrote in post #15137970
Yes. I figure both the 400 and 200-400 will be priced similarly. Are suggesting it's not worth it?

Well, at 10K$ you can break 20 of 500$ extenders.
It's don't think it worth it to me.
May be 400 2.8L II at 11K$ http://www.adorama.com​/CA400282U.html and 70-200 2.8L II and 1.4x and 2x extenders are a better solution.
But I don't shoot sports professionally. And I already own 70-200

The extenders (particularly aftermarket) can break if you use a large lens and tripod tied to the camera instead of the lens. If on a tripod with a large lens using an extender, put the lens on the tripod, not the camera.

I have 1.4x II that in the last week fails to lock on the mount of the lens. It appears that the spring loaded pin that locks it in place no longer is spring loaded. It fails to engage with the lens. On the mount to the body there is no problem. I will be sending into Canon next week

Kirill wrote in post #15138147
Well, at 10K$ you can break 20 of 500$ extenders.
It's don't think it worth it to me.
May be 400 2.8L II at 11K$ http://www.adorama.com​/CA400282U.html and 70-200 2.8L II and 1.4x and 2x extenders are a better solution.
But I don't shoot sports professionally. And I already own 70-200

I don't shoot professionally either which is why I can't justify more than one super telephoto lens. $10K is easy to get away with, but 2x$10K might raise eyebrows from my wife.
It's not the $500 I'm worried about as much as the lens crashing to the ground.

saintz wrote in post #15138718
The extenders (particularly aftermarket) can break if you use a large lens and tripod tied to the camera instead of the lens. If on a tripod with a large lens using an extender, put the lens on the tripod, not the camera.

I plan to do that. I just started looking at the Wimberley head and the Wimberley Sidekick. The Sidekick looks like a good solution, but I don't like all the attachments that are required (gap plates, etc).

swldstn wrote in post #15138795
I have 1.4x II that in the last week fails to lock on the mount of the lens. It appears that the spring loaded pin that locks it in place no longer is spring loaded. It fails to engage with the lens. On the mount to the body there is no problem. I will be sending into Canon next week

Ah-hah. It didn't fail while mounted did it? Was it more it failed one day when you went to grab for it?

As above, with the really big heavy lenses you are likely going to be holding it by the lens mount "handle" when carrying it around and you should be mounting it by that as well. No reason for the extender to be holding more than the weight of your camera.

Even if you were to hold everything by the camera, I'd be as worried about the camera breaking as the extender. Maybe even more so.

Edit: and by all accounts, the 400 2.8 original is no slouch WRT performance. Why not get a used one? Save yourself enough for a trip to Africa to get some wildlife shots with it.

Copidosoma wrote in post #15138939
Edit: and by all accounts, the 400 2.8 original is no slouch WRT performance. Why not get a used one? Save yourself enough for a trip to Africa to get some wildlife shots with it.

I guess I'm just not wired to buy used because of the hassle. I don't really like second best either. . Seriously though, I'm lucky to be able to afford a new one so a used one just never crossed my mind.

I broke my 1.4x II a while back... Damn thing didn't want to come off. Actually one of my flashes has been doing that too, but I've been too stupid to mark it when it happens...