40d + 1.4 + 400/100-400?

OK, I am hoping the 40D's have been out long enough for someone to try a 1.4 TC on a 40D with a 400 or 100-400. I had a tamron nonreporting TC with my 400 for a while, and it was OK if I had a large contrasty subject in bright sun. However, it would hunt for a while before settling down in less than ideal settings. I am hoping the 40 will perform better, making a 1.4 more usable with my 400.

both will work but I did not notice much difference in the AF speed really unless I was using AI servo then it seemed to be faster and more accurate than on the 20D

timbop wrote in post #3959787
OK, I am hoping the 40D's have been out long enough for someone to try a 1.4 TC on a 40D with a 400 or 100-400. I had a tamron nonreporting TC with my 400 for a while, and it was OK if I had a large contrasty subject in bright sun. However, it would hunt for a while before settling down in less than ideal settings. I am hoping the 40 will perform better, making a 1.4 more usable with my 400.

I have read reports that a non reporting or taped tc is not working as well on the 40D and 100-400 as it did on the 30D. It seems as if the only tc that works with the combo is a Canon. (on the 30D the Kenko pro hunted less than the Canon!).

Can't help with the 400's, but this was from a 300 f/4 IS w/ a non-reporting tcon. I'm pleased with this combo on the 40D.

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MikeI wrote in post #3962164
Can't help with the 400's, but this was from a 300 f/4 IS w/ a non-reporting tcon. I'm pleased with this combo on the 40D.

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The difference is that the 300 is f4 so therefore with a 1.4 tc you are still at f5.6 you are bound to get AF on any Canon DSLR.
Adding a tc to an f5.6 lens means that you are exceeding the limits AF limits of the Camera (unless you have a 1 series) therefore you need to Tape the pins or use a non reporting tc (which amounts to the same thing, both are fooling the camera into not knowing it is there).
Nice shot BTW.

Great shot, but as Roy pointed out the real issue is how well the 40D does beyond the 5.6 limit. It is good to hear from 1 user, but i was hoping others could share actual experience with the combo. The reason I is that I am on the fence with the 40D vs. 1Dm2, and if the 40D could get the extra reach then I think it will be worth saving myself some cash and getting the 40D. That is, the 1dm2 can take a 1.4TC with the 400/5.6 just fine, but gives almost the same FOV as the 40D +400 without the TC - making it a "tie" in terms of reach.

I did some test with my 400mm f5.6 ant Tamron 1.5X TC. The combination work, but as the AF are more sensitive, everything that are between the lens and the intended focus point and don't see in the viewfinder are detected by the AF. This is something the 30D overpass sometimes, with the 40D - very difficult. In open area the AF lock instantly and precisely. Even if the camera doesn't see the TC and remain at 5.6 I have better IQ result at f8.

I've done a fair bit of research and testing on this.

The 40D/100-400/Kenko Pro 1.4x TC is a non-starter, in my experience. It will not lock onto the subject, even with bright light and a high contrast target.

I've subsequently bought a Canon 1.4x and it's better on the 40D, but not great - certainly not nearly as good as the 30D/100-400/Kenko combo, which is brilliant.

I think the question is:-

Will the 40D autofocus with the Canon 1.4x teleconvertor and the 100-400mm L without taping the contacts?

Any answers appreciated please.

Ray.Petri wrote in post #3969911
I think the question is:-

Will the 40D autofocus with the Canon 1.4x teleconvertor and the 100-400mm L without taping the contacts?

Any answers appreciated please.

Most certainly not, All non 1 series bodies only AF up to f5.6 which is why you have to tape the pins to fool the camera into not knowing it is there (f5.6 + 1.4tc = f8 )

40d with 300 2.8 L IS - works well too..

in fact i have to say i have yet to find a fault with my 40d..

better try harder..

i have the 2x (canon) and it works very well on the 40d -

I can confirm that 40D + taped Kenko Pro DG300 x1.4 + Canon 100-400 (Using centre point AF, one shot and AI Servo)

Does NOT work

This really sux as it worked fine on the 30D and the 40D is supposed to have improved AF sensitivity/accuracy.

It feels like the upgrade from 30D to 40D was less of an upgrade than it seemed.
With lower light sensitivity and now this.

IMO the TC 1.4 is really only good for still shots i.e portrait type shots... for BIF there isn't enough light for it to lock focus accurately (using AI Servo) and as a result both lens hunt quite a bit for me. Though I've tested these on a 5D I couldn't see how the 40D would be any better.

Ray.Petri wrote in post #3969911
I think the question is:-

Will the 40D autofocus with the Canon 1.4x teleconvertor and the 100-400mm L without taping the contacts?

That answer to that was "no" before the 40D was even released.

evandavies wrote in post #3970451
Does NOT work

It feels like the upgrade from 30D to 40D was less of an upgrade than it seemed.

It was never supposed to work in the first place.

It was something for nothing, and now it's gone - I don't think we've got any right to get bent out of shape about it.

After all, "you make it art" not the camera..!



FWIW I believe that this situation has arisen specifically because the 40D's AF is more sensitive than the 30D's.

Looks like we can't have it both ways. I've already pointed out that a Canon 1.4x works OK (if not spectacularly): the other alternatives are a 1D body or doing without 560mm for now.