Think I'm gonna like this 300 f/2.8 with extender setup!

condyk wrote in post #2118482
Not realistic trying to shoot with a 2x TCon handheld I don't reckon Petkal. Keeper ratio would be very low wouldn't it?

Not neccessarily so with IS turned ON, even at 600mm. However, that also depends on the individual's hand steadiness a bit.

One advantage of a fast telephoto like the 300 f/2.8 IS is that a phisically stronger individual can still hand shoot it even with 2xTC for very good results.

I do shoot the 300 f/4 IS +2XTC relatively effectively handheld, however, two ill effects start to take hold:
(1) the AF becomes very very sluggish....could not AF on a flying pig, never mind anything else. That's the result of f/8, whereas the 300f/2.8 + 2xTC is one full stop faster.
(2) IQ takes a hammer.

OK, my EF 2x II will be here early next week.

I really do not understand the fear of the 2x or stacking... If the light is right do it... Use em if you got em...

Nice Job!

For those of you who wanted to see some hand-held shots with the 2x fitted here you go. These were taken about an hour a go. I'm lucky enough to live right next to the sea so when I looked out my window and saw this little Egret feeding away I grabbed the 300 and hopped onto the sea wall. To further praise the lens there was a strong wind blowing which made it quite difficult to keep things steady. LOVE this lens

f/5.6 - 1/1000th @ 600mm

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looks good to me
about how long do you think you could hold that combo

paulhillion wrote in post #2119306
For those of you who wanted to see some hand-held shots with the 2x fitted here you go. These were taken about an hour a go. I'm lucky enough to live right next to the sea so when I looked out my window and saw this little Egret feeding away I grabbed the 300 and hopped onto the sea wall. To further praise the lens there was a strong wind blowing which made it quite difficult to keep things steady. LOVE this lens

f/5.6 - 1/1000th @ 600mm
f/5.6 - 1/640th @ 600mm

You seem to have every reason to. The IQ appears excellent !
It could be your skilled/steady hand and/or a particularly good lens copy you've got.
Thank you for posting these shots.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #2119326
looks good to me
about how long do you think you could hold that combo

Well with the lens strap attached and with it hanging round my neck I reckon I could walk a fair old while with it like that. As for holding it up to the eye, probably a few minutes before I'd have to let my neck muscles take the strain again

LOL....Paul, I just ordered my 300....

congrats. its a great lens. but you sold your 400 to get it i thought about doing the same thing, but i decided to keep it around.

Yes, But I will get another down the road. I just wanted to make sure not to hurt the budget too much for this large purchase. I am selling it to a friend for a good price so maybe he will get bored with it....LOL

I just emailed a full one of this to reewik from when we were out shooting yesterday. This is a crop of a shot with the 300 2.8 + 2XTC in great light at high shutter. Guess who's getting that 400

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Love the pics!
I have the 70-200 + the 2x but I'm having trouble with the slow autofocus. I take lots of action shots and I'm debating if I should return it. somebody recommended to me that the 1.4x might work better for action.

Any comments?

the 1.4 works very well with the 70-200. its not as fast as without. but still very capable.

I recently picked up a 2x II TC for the ol' 70-200mm f/2.8L IS and so far, I'm pretty happy with it. I haven't shot much with the combo yet but so far at least, the IQ doesn't disappoint at all and handholdability seems very good. It's certainly better than I was expecting, considering all the bad press on the 2x II TC. We'll have to see how it works out in action shots and bird tracking... Though it is mounted to a 1D2N so I don't forsee too much issue.

The 1.4x II TC just didn't make sense on the 70-200mm, it's just not enough.

I look at it this way - I didn't have to spend more on the 100-400mm and carry around yet another lens, and I can use the $1,400 towards the 400mm f/2.8L IS.

Thanks for the advice
I'm heading up north to do some birding too - raptor migration by duluth.
Maybe if the birds don't move, it would be okay :<

so return the 2x for a 1.4x OR save for a 400mm
that is the questions...