quick Kenko 1.4 VS 1.4 II

So I had purchased a Kenko 1.4 MC4 TC and a Canon 1.4 MK II.

Today I put them both on my 400 5.6 prime and did some test shots.

Now these were not MFA to my body because Focal refused to work. I think it has to do with the new version they made.

I will just get to the results right away... the Kenko proved to be sharper. The canon is very very close behind though. The SOOC Uncropped photos look identical sharpness wise. The Kenko tends to over expose compared to the Canon.

Here are the samples:

canon is on the left and Kenko is on the right

The last one is Kenko on left and canon on right

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/joshlichter/11​875274783/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/joshlichter/11​875266233/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/joshlichter/11​875426314/

I would like to see that Kenko TC against Canon 1.4x mkIII not mk2 and see how it will perform.

Tareq wrote in post #16604243
I would like to see that Kenko TC against Canon 1.4x mkIII not mk2 and see how it will perform.

well If I had one I would do the test. But I don't have money for that. From what I understand the 1.4's are very comparable. So I imagine the results would be very close

Lichter21c wrote in post #16604999
well If I had one I would do the test. But I don't have money for that. From what I understand the 1.4's are very comparable. So I imagine the results would be very close

I can afford either of the TCs, but i don't want to buy 2 same TCs anyway, i still have 1.4x mkII, but wanted to upgrade it to mkIII, so i was thinking if that Kenko is sharper than mkII from your test, is it same quality or as sharp as Canon TC mkIII? If yet then i may go with Kenko because it is cheaper and no need to spend more, but if no then i can go with Canon one and never look back.

Tareq wrote in post #16605008
I can afford either of the TCs, but i don't want to buy 2 same TCs anyway, i still have 1.4x mkII, but wanted to upgrade it to mkIII, so i was thinking if that Kenko is sharper than mkII from your test, is it same quality or as sharp as Canon TC mkIII? If yet then i may go with Kenko because it is cheaper and no need to spend more, but if no then i can go with Canon one and never look back.

I wish I could answer that for you. For me the Kenko performed very very well. In fact the SINGLE reason I went with the canon is the weather sealing.

I just ordered a 2X Kenko. I expect it to perform the same way the 2X II performs. No it will not meet the IQ of the mk III but its also 350 dollars cheaper (used).

I saw there is MC4 version and also Pro 300 as well, what is the difference?

I am not thinking to look less than MKIII for sure, but sometimes we have to reconsider alternatives items if it can serve as expensive ones with cheaper prices.

Tareq wrote in post #16605038
I saw there is MC4 version and also Pro 300 as well, what is the difference?

I am not thinking to look less than MKIII for sure, but sometimes we have to reconsider alternatives items if it can serve as expensive ones with cheaper prices.

for the 1.4, The MC4 is a 4 element group. the Pro 300 is a 7 element group. For the 1.4 the MC4 has better IQ. I ordered the MC4 version of the 2X also. I am not sure if it will exceed the IQ of the PRO 300 version.

Lichter21c wrote in post #16605050
for the 1.4, The MC4 is a 4 element group. the Pro 300 is a 7 element group. For the 1.4 the MC4 has better IQ. I ordered the MC4 version of the 2X also. I am not sure if it will exceed the IQ of the PRO 300 version.

Funny why that Pro 300 is slightly more price than MC4 if it is not better optically or optical design.

Tareq wrote in post #16605057
Funny why that Pro 300 is slightly more price than MC4 if it is not better optically or optical design.

yeah I am not sure. The Kenko I used was the MC4 DGX. and it was simply awesome. I would not hesitate to recommend that TC to anyone

Lichter21c wrote in post #16605064
yeah I am not sure. The Kenko I used was the MC4 DGX. and it was simply awesome. I would not hesitate to recommend that TC to anyone

I checked the specification of Pro300 one on B&H and it says 5/4 for elements and group, MC4 is 4/4, so not that much different, and who knows if one element more does mean less quality.

Anyway, your thread is very good for those who just wanted to start with TC, so Kenko is a good recommendation for sure, i started with Canon very long time ago and not planning to change this brand so easy yet, if Canon didn't produce mkIII then i may think about Sigma or Kenko if they are slightly better, but now Canon fixed it with mkIII.

yeah. but the price of the canon draws a lot of people away. I would love to have the 2X III but I just CANNOT justify the price. If I ever step up to a real telephoto(400,2.8 500,4) I would most definitely purchase the MK III. but with a 400 5.6. the TC is half the price of the lens.

Lichter21c wrote in post #16605078
yeah. but the price of the canon draws a lot of people away. I would love to have the 2X III but I just CANNOT justify the price. If I ever step up to a real telephoto(400,2.8 500,4) I would most definitely purchase the MK III. but with a 400 5.6. the TC is half the price of the lens.

Yes, i understand, no problem there, i also hate Canon increasing the prices of many items they produced, it is like they want to get revenge of the lose or the financial issue happened or if their factories destroyed or they lost some of the markets appealing against Nikon and Sony.

Well, i am very complicated guy where i always look for top quality gear, expensive or not doesn't matter as long i can afford it, i am sure i have issue with my budget, but i always keep waiting long to afford something, i have Hasselblad digital MF and still i can't afford 400 2.8mkII or 500 or 600 new versions, so it is like i wait long to afford one thing or 2 but not many, and i am very worry Canon will kill me when i will save to get one of those new versions of teles and they will discontinue them and produce mkIII with higher prices than current mkII lenses.

I ended up getting a Kenko 2X MC4 also.

the top is the 100% SOOC shot. the one below is a crop.

I am so completely happy with this combo. the Image quality is truly top notch. I feel that the quality loss is very minimal.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/joshlichter/12​035599743/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/joshlichter/12​035586543/