Canon 500mm f/4 with the 1.4x II & 2.0x II

[Marty J. Bober]

I would like to hear a few comments on the 500mm (Canon) used with extenders 1.4x II and prticularly the 2.0x II. I belive that the 500mm produces great photos with the 1.4x II, which I have. I am wondering how the 500 behaves paired up with the 2.0x II? Is it worth getting the 2.0x II??? I will have the 500 at the end of the week and it will be used on the 1D-MKIII and the 20D. Any advice and comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Marty...

[Toomas Ili]

I have both the 1.4 and 2.0 with the 500 f4. The 1.4 is practically glued onto the 500. I hardly ever need the 2.0, but when stopped down to f/11, it will give you excellent results, especially when the subject fills the frame or is close to that.

[Alfred Forns]

When I used Canon both were used regularly with excellent results Most of the time wide open We normally shoot in soft light and you don't have the luxury of stopping down

You do need to have the proper technique in order to make sharp pictures. With the MK3 you will do better because of the cleaner ISO btw do remember both you slow down your AF. The 2.0 significantly probably down more than 60%.

[Robert Amoruso]

Either TC works exceptionally well with the 500mm or 600mm Canon lens. I never worry about placing the 2x on and will use both TC's stacked as well.

[Marty J. Bober]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I will be placing an order for the 2.0x II.. I will receive the lens (500) by the end of this week. Can't wait to use it and see what it can do................ Thanks again, Marty............

[Alfred Forns]

..............btw stacking converters seems to work better with the 500 No idea why but have tried them side by side

[Robert Amoruso]

..............btw stacking converters seems to work better with the 500 No idea why but have tried them side by side

Alfred,

My 600 works AOK with stacked converters. The problem is my1D Mark III as it won't focus with them. On the other hand, my 1D Mark IIn works great with stacked converters.

[Robert O'Toole]

the 2.0x II will be used on the 1D-MKIII and the 20D. ...

Hi Marty, just a reminder you will not get AF with the 2.0XII +500/4 and the 20D, and with the MKIII, center point AF only.

The quality is good with the 2X althought not as good as the 1.4x of course.

Robert

[Ed Cordes]

I, too, have been very happy with my 500 and 2 X TC. I do try, when possible, to stop down one stop. However, even wide open (f8) I have still gotten good results with my MK2

[Milan V]

Agree with this! AF with 1.4 TC is slower for, in my opinion, abut 25%, with TC 2.0 50%.
I never try with stacking converters. How it work?, Image quality?

Thanks!



Hi Marty, just a reminder you will not get AF with the 2.0XII +500/4 and the 20D, and with the MKIII, center point AF only.

The quality is good with the 2X althought not as good as the 1.4x of course.

Robert

[Desmond Gunatilaka]

How does stacking 1.4 and 2.0 fair on FF camera with the 500mm lens?
I just got my lens and have both convertors. Need advice on AF and image quality before using combination.
Thanks,
Desmond

[Charles Glatzer]

The reality is the resolution with the 1.4x is very good, the 2x good, and stacking ok. To expect anything different is unrealistic. That said, your mileage may vary depending upon your own standards. I recommend you shoot the converters side by side and compare the images on your own. Moreover, the image sharpness greatly increase if you stop down at least one stop from max aperture (f/4 w/ith 1.4x = f/5.6 shoot @ f/8).


Will they all produce "publishable quality", yes.

Best,

Chas

[mikeojohnson]

I agree with Chas, but also emphasize the point made above that auto focus really slows down as you add the converters. May or may not be important depending on what you photograph.
Mike

[Jonathan Michael Ashton]

When stacking converters does it matter which converter goes where?, e.g. do you place the 2x on the lens and the 1.4x between the 2x and the body or vice versa?
Jon

[Robert O'Toole]

Hi Jon,

They will only go one way, that is:

lens > 2XII > 1.4X 1 or II > body.

The 2XII has a recessed back element, the earlier version forced you to use a 12mm extension tube to mate the 2 extenders.

You can always use 2, 2XIIs.

that is lens > 2XII > 2XII > body. Works great for full frame sunball images.

Robert