Canon extenders 1.4 & 2x MKIII

[Steve Kaluski]

OK, the question I have is this.

Are both extenders as good as Canon say they are compared to the MKIIs, plus do they function better with the new prime lenses compared to the older versions or does it not matter?

Not that I am in the market to upgrade my prime lenses, buy may consider upgrading the extenders, if others can verify how good they are I would be happy at investing providing the quality is inline with the cost.

Thanks in advance.
Steve

[Fred J. Lord]

The 1.4X TC III seems no sharper than the TC II version when used with the present generation of super-telephoto lenses. Depending upon who tests it, the 2X TC III seems to be either no better or significantly better than the old version with the same lenses.
I now wish that I'd kept my old 2X TC II so that I could directly compare it to the new version.
I can only say I never cared for the 2X II and the 2X III is wonderfully competent. Keep in mind that I never tried the 2X II with my 1D MK IV which camera might be the true reason the new TC works so well.
Sadly, it may come down to trying it yourself as reviews are mixed. I love it and others are cursing it as an overpriced gee-gaw. Take your choice.
Until we can all see what they do with the latest generation of super-telephoto lenses, you may be disappointed. Realistically, they're, at the very least, no worse than the series II versions and may be somewhat better when you cough up the vastly inflated prices for the MK II super lenses.
As in all things, dramatic changes are rare.
Fred

[Peter Hawrylyshyn]

Steve
There's a good review on this question here at BBN
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/78239-1.4x-and-2x-III-vs.-II-Comparison

I did get the new 2x III and agree it is superior to the older version. For now i've kept my old 1.4x II

Now just waiting for the new 500mm and 6000mm telephoto lenses to ship.

[Doug Brown]

Have a look at this thread (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/78239-1.4x-and-2x-III-vs.-II-Comparison) and the link to the actual review.

A quick summary; the new 2x III is definitely worth the extra money, but the 1.4x III doesn't do much for image quality compared to the 1.4x II. BTW none of the new supertelephoto lenses has been released yet, so no one has been able to test out Canon's claims about improved AF accuracy.

Here's another thread (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/79719-Canon-2x-III-in-the-Field) with some images taken in Costa Rica with the new 2x III.

[Fred J. Lord]

RAW image: http://i.pbase.com/o2/09/523509/1/134405812.m8U51lk2._H6H4960RAW.jpg
Slightly sharpened in PSCS5: http://i.pbase.com/o2/09/523509/1/134405813.8hMRvslT._H6H4960Sharpened.jpg

I guess I should add: wide open, f/8 @ 1/800, ISO 320, 6.8 meters distance, 2005-vintage 500L IS f/4, 1D MK IV, Gitzo 1325, Wimberley 101, no flash



Have a look at this thread (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/78239-1.4x-and-2x-III-vs.-II-Comparison) and the link to the actual review.

A quick summary; the new 2x III is definitely worth the extra money, but the 1.4x III doesn't do much for image quality compared to the 1.4x II. BTW none of the new supertelephoto lenses has been released yet, so no one has been able to test out Canon's claims about improved AF accuracy.

Here's another thread (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/79719-Canon-2x-III-in-the-Field) with some images taken in Costa Rica with the new 2x III.

[Arthur Morris]

I have been writing about the new TCs on the blog (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/) for many months. See here: Series III EF Teleconverter Misconceptions... (http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2011/03/12/series-iii-ef-teleconverter-misconceptions/)

There is lots of great new stuff almost daily.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers Artie, wished I had thought about that earlier, will do. :cheers:

Steve

[Arthur Morris]

YAW & good plan!