Teleconverter ...expectations too high??

gonzogolf wrote in post #17661878
It would help if your examples weren't so strongly backlit and high contrast. Aim it at something that has a full range of tones and detail across the frame. Test it under normal circumstances before you do extremes.

This is your problem - low light, backlit with no contrast on the subject.

+1 for the 1.4x not causing significant image degradation.

Also, while you (the OP) got better results with +11 MA, you might want to put your setup on a tripod and shoot a target and ruler type setup to adjust the MA ideally to be sure. There is also some possibility that your lens does not need micro adjustment. It could be that your camera was having trouble getting accurate focus on the bird due to lack of contrast, and that your keepers just coincidentally occurred when you had the +11 adjustment active. You'd need to shoot a bunch of shots with both 0 and +11 settings to get a statistically-significant sample for determining if the MA really did improve your keeper rate.

Here is one of the first shots I took when I got my 1.4 TC (mine is the mk II) and used it on my 300/4L IS. I noticed no significant loss of sharpness or addition of CA. Second photo is the 1:1 zoom, both screenshots of how things actually look in Lightroom. The shots aren't 300 f/2.8 level of sharp, but I can see some feather details, and they're what I expect from this affordable telephoto lens.

huntersdad wrote in post #17677007
This is your problem - low light, backlit with no contrast on the subject.

Actually you are wrong.....the problem was that the lens with the teleconverter needed micro adjustment...
I have done it with a proper test chart under good lighting and it has cured my problem.. The combination now performs very well and after a lot of field testing I am very happy with the results..

Micro adjust woukdnt make that shot on thw wire really any better.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17678850
Micro adjust woukdnt make that shot on thw wire really any better.

Wrong again....look back at the 2 shots posted previously ...one with adjustment and one without..not the best subject I admit but a very obvious difference.

The two previous shots have a full ramge of detail, are front lit, amd properly exposed, everything that the sample shot wasnt.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17678867
The two previous shots have a full ramge of detail, are front lit, amd properly exposed, everything that the sample shot wasnt.

Can't you just accept that micro adjustment cured my problem 100%...?
Thanks for your input but problem solved....end of thread....

Can't you accept that micro adjust was just one of !any issues with your original test shots? The reason I returned to the subject, other than your terse reply to huntersdad, is that if you don't appreciate the failings of that first shot you are likely to be revisiting some of the issues there.

Need to adjust mine. Which chart did you get?

IOPNER wrote in post #17678977
Need to adjust mine. Which chart did you get?

I downloaded one called Jeffreys focus test chart..
Make sure you set your camera up nice and square and level with the chart and have the chart taped to a nice flat surface at a 45 degree.
Take 2 or 3 shots at each adjustment setting and use the best of the bunch to determine the amount of adjustment required..
It made the world of difference to my lens/converter combination...... Good luck.