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Thread: teleconverter problem?

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    Default teleconverter problem?

    Hi everyone -

    I'm wondering if I have a problem w/ my canon 1.4 teleconverter ii.

    I use it conjunction w/ a 1D4 and 500mmm f4 IS version 1.

    A few weeks ago, while processing images of snow geese taken across a field, I noticed that all the images were out of focus, dozens of them. And what would have been the out of focus areas looked strange - very harsh. I chalked it up to atmospheric distortion.

    But then the last couple of outings, Ive had other issues: If I'm near close focus say 10 yards, and try to focus on something let's say 100 yards away, it won't focus; I can hear the stabilizer engaging, but the camera won't come to focus. I can manually focus on the object at 100 yards distance, but then the only way I can achieve close focus is to focus on something with a lot of contrast 80 yards away, then on something 60 yards away until I can focus on something at 10 yards away. And I can reverse the process from near to far...

    With the teleconverter out of the system, in the same lighting situation, the camera focuses fine. I thought maybe the issue had to do w/ low light hunting at f5.6, so I swapped in a 400mm 5.6 lens. No problem - focus is achieved easily and quickly, in the same lighting conditions.

    So, I'm wondering: Can a teleconverter go bad?

    Is it worth it to send the item to Canon for repair, or should I just upgrade to the new v3, which as I understand won't benefit me w/ my current camera and lens, but I'll be upgrading to a newer camera and the 600mm v2 in the next year or two.

    Let me know if you want me to post a pic illustrating the harsh oof areas.

    Thanks for your help,
    gareth

  2. #2
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    Default

    You should have no issues with this combination

    have you checked this C.Fn. : AF search when focus impossible. Make sure it is enabled.

    As for TC "going bad" the MKII TC's do not have any active elements or micro-chip that would affect the AF, the only possibility is contacts having gone bad. Try to clean them, both on the lens and the TC.
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    Hi Arash -

    Thanks for the suggestions. The custom function was enabled. And the combination of 1D4 and the 500 along w/ the tc has been working great for the last couple of years. But now, it's intermittently unable to focus and oof areas are harsh.

    I should already have tried to clean the contacts w/ rubbing alcohol; will do that next.

    I do have a microadjustment in place for the 500 but not w/ the 500 plus tc. Would that be a factor?

    Thanks again - don't want to take up your time since it's clearly the tc and a fix is easy: send it in for repair or replace it w/ a v3.

    cheers,
    gareth

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    Hi Gareth,

    MA is not a factor here, if it doesn't work after cleaning you could send it to Canon but probably not worth to repair, I would get the new one.

    best
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    Thanks again for the advice Arash. Appreciate it, and if cleaning doesn't help, will p/u a v3.

    cheers,
    gareth

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