Anyone have a Kenko 1.5x tele. conv.?

I have read countless threads about the Canon and Kenko 1.4x converters. But what about this one here? What I want to know is how good it is from those who have used it. How does it retain it sharpness? And how does it stack up to the 1.4x's and 2.0x's? I will be using it with a 70-200 2.8 IS.

Thanks!

I don't know about the 1.5 but the 1.4 is great. I just got it and used it at the zoo with my 70-200f4 and was completely satisfied with it.

Eric

I have the 1.5 and it doesnt degrade IQ too much but AF is hampered a bit. I shot soccer with it on my 70-200 2.8 non-IS but not without effort.

I posted this IQ sample awhile back when I first got it.
100% crop:

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i've got one and I love it.

works really well for me and at half the price of the 1.4...its a deal!

How many stops do you lose with the 1.5x? Is it still 1 stop like with the 1.4xTC or 1+1/3rd stops?

1 stop light loss.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2027706
I have the 1.5 and it doesnt degrade IQ too much but AF is hampered a bit. I shot soccer with it on my 70-200 2.8 non-IS but not without effort.

Thanks for the sample shots. I can live with that IQ, it doesn't look too degraded. The AF might be a bigger problem though if it affects AI SERVO too bad, I shoot men's league softball with my 70-200IS, and while I can't afford to use it at night (loss of stop) , day games I would like the extra reach!
I'll give the Kenko 1.5x a go, I can always return it during the return period.

EDIT:
Also, does the camera now correctly show f/4 wide open? Or is f/2.8 actually f/4....and f/4actually f/5.6 etc...?

Heatseeker99 wrote in post #2027930
Also, does the camera now correctly show f/4 wide open? Or is f/2.8 actually f/4....and f/4actually f/5.6 etc...?

This TC does not report "itself" (being the 8-pin and not the 11-pin). So on a 70-200 f2.8 lens, for example, the lens will show f2.8 wide open, even though it is effectively f4.

If someone has this combo they can confirm it for you. But I'm fairly sure it's "invisible." It's a very similar TC to the popular and cheaper black Tamron 1.4x.

I have the 1.5x and can confirm it's not 'visible' to the camera. I occasionally use it on my 70-300 IS USM and find that AF works fine with well-lit, contrasty subjects. Hunting starts if either of those two conditions are missing.

Great value, IMHO.

BradS wrote in post #2030007
I have the 1.5x and can confirm it's not 'visible' to the camera. I occasionally use it on my 70-300 IS USM and find that AF works fine with well-lit, contrasty subjects. Hunting starts if either of those two conditions are missing.

Great value, IMHO.

I have never tried a kenko 1.5x, so cannot say if it will or will not report. However, the 70-300 IS is probably similar to my 70-300 DO. Both probably do not have the extra 3 pins to report presence of a TC.

If you look at the lens, a Canon lens capable of reporting, such as a 70-200 2.8 IS, has 11 pins. A non-reporting lens has only 8 pins, which is what the 70-300 DO has. A reporting TC, such as the Kenko 1.4x Pro 300, has 11 pins on the side facing the lens.

So, even if the TC has 11 pins, if the lens only has 8 pins, there will be no reporting of the TC's presence.

The kenko doesn't report. EXIF on my samples shows f/2.8. If it reported, they'd display f/4. Brad's description of AF is about right. Plenty of light and contrast and it's decent. Not great but decent, even with AI Servo. When the light fades, I take off the TC and shoot with less reach.

I use the Kenko 1.5 with my 100-400 L IS, It still will auto A/F Can get good shot's but on 100-400 L IS will be f8 and needs good light .