Canon 1.4x vs 2x teleconverters mkI

I have hard time deciding between these two. I would prefer longer reach,
but most of the reviews state that 2x teleconverter does degrade too much
the quality of the 70-200mm lenses. I have EF 70-200mm f/2.8L and will be
very thankful if owners of such teleconverters can share their experience
and probably post some real life shots.

I have used both extensivly with my 70-200 often with good results. The 2x requires good light and technique to get a lot of keepers. I used my 2x much more than my 1.4x. Sure there is a falloff in image quality, but alternative ways of getting to 400mm cost a lot more money. Since getting my 300, I don't use the 2x on my 70-200.

Tapeman: Are you sure you are referring to the "Mk I" version of these (as your signature states you have the MkII version of both?

From what I have heard, the 2.0X had a massive overhaul optically between version I and II.

The "Mk I" 1.4 I believe is optically the same as "Mk II" and I have also used it a lot with my 70-200 2.8 with good results.

Read more about TCs in the sticky thread above in the forum.

i am looking at a 1.4 as well...just not sure what to get!

Kenko, Sigma, Tamron, Canon MK2, etc.....

Thanks guys for the quick response, I realize that 1.4x will give better quality then 2x,
but as Tapeman said there isn´t cheaper alternative to get 400mm covered. That is pretty
much all I needed to know, that the 2x teleconverter gives usable images with 70-200mm.
Is there someone who can post an example with the 2x teleconverter? Thanks again!

I would not recommend the 2X TC with the 70-200mm f 2.8 L Mark I lens. I have occasionally had good results with this combo but more often then not the results are soft. In addition the AF slows down quite a bit. I have had better results weith the 2X TC since I got my Mark II 70-200 but the AF is still slow. The 1.4 TC works well with both versions of the lens.

Sorry, I have the MKII converters now, I did have the MKI converters but that was long enough ago that I don't remember how much of an improvement the MKIIs made. If my memory serves me, there was more of an improvement with the 2x and the advantage of the newer 1.4x was you could stack it on the 2x.