New Vivitar 2x TC mini review

OK results from my sharpness test using the EF 500/4. Tripod, remote switch, LiveView 10x MF, IS off, distance = 24 feet. I tested the new Vivitar 2x vs Canon 2x II vs 2 Tamron SP 1.4x TCs. Just looked over the center crops so far.

f/4 (wide open): Canon wins easily, then V, then T.
f/5.6: Canon wins by a hair, V, T.
f/8 (2 stops down, where I expect a lot of use perhaps): Vivitar wins, then C, then T.
f/11: V over C by a hair, then T.
f/16: V, C then T.
f/22 (diffraction setting in): VCT in more or less a 3 way tie.

Thanks, gasrocks.

Since losing light with a TC is inevitable I tend to use them with the lens pretty much wide open, so no go for the V. No chance of throwing the Kenko into the mix ?

Anybody willing to test the 1.4's ?

But everyone knows you need to stop down when using any TC to regain some of the lost IQ. Did I say the V 2x was bad wide open? No. I have 3 different 1.4x TCs.

My comment about dismissing the V was a result of your test at f4.. the Canon was easily better.

OK, edge crops. Always the chance that camera was not exactly parallel to target. Using same edge (almost corner) for each. In order of finish, no real ties -

f/4: C,T, V
f/5.6: T, C, V
f/8: V, C, T
f/11: V, C, T
f/16: V, C, T
f/22: V, T, C
Not exactly what I expected.

Curious if the result would be different with another lens, different focal length.

The f5.6 seems a bit weird in context of the other results.

My experience definitely says that the results will be different with each body, TC, lens combo. One reason I wound up with so many TCs. Ask me about any lens I own and any TC combo. Though, of course, I have not tried all the combos. May never get that far. Reason I ran this test with the 500 after I saw that I got AF with the new TC. I'll definitely be using the Vvivtar 2x TC with the 500 for BIF. Now, if it would only warm up outside. Another 7 inches of snow in the forecast.

Example, when I had the EF 300/2.8 IS lens I found the Tamron SP 2x TC to be a wee bit sharper than the Canon 2x II TC. When I sold the EF 300/2.8 IS lens, I also sold the Tamron SP 2x TC as it was not the best on any of my other lenses that I would use a 2x TC on.

For now I'll stick to my newly purchased Kenko 1.4x.

It' not something I expect to use very often. If I do use it, it will be with the 135L and the 300F4IS.

It will work well for you no doubt.

Gasrocks, I know that you rarely recommend a 2X teleconverter. Are you recommending this for the 70-200 F4 IS? I assume that it doesn't come close to a bare 400mm, 100-400m or 150-500m, but is this a viable option for someone on a budget?

Yes. Such a sharp lens to begin with. And, the added advantage of AF is nice. I did notice that the AF (with my 7D) did hesitate under extremely low light conditions. Keep in mind the loss of 2 or more apertures on an f/4 lens. Maybe not for eveyone.

Gasrocks, I appreciate your efforts. I was too intrigued to not order this. I just ordered it from your original eBay link. We'll see how that works out. Thanks!

Edit: Not your original link, but the model you purchased.

http://cgi.ebay.com …enses?hash=item​2a0484a2b4

bohdank wrote in post #9561995
Thanks, gasrocks.

Since losing light with a TC is inevitable I tend to use them with the lens pretty much wide open, so no go for the V. No chance of throwing the Kenko into the mix ?

Anybody willing to test the 1.4's ?

To my knowledge the Kenko and one of the Tamrons is basically the same...

http://www.pbase.com/l​ightrules/2xtcs

Yes, Kenko Pro and Tamron SP, same same optically, just sometimes different colored shell.