Canon 300 f4 IS

[Robert Campbell]

I use a 1.4x ext sometimes with a 300 f4 lens, and the results seem ok - using either 1D-MkIII or 50D. has anyone got experience of the 2x ext coupled with the 300 f4? If so, are the results nice? Would you recommend this combination? I can't bring myself to lash out on a big lens yet (I'm only 63 - give me time!), and thought that the 2x ext would give me a bit more reach. probably not ideal, but on the other hand, probably better resolution than the 100-400 + 1.4 ext (which I have).

Thanks,

Robert

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I've never tried a 2x TC on my 300f/4 but I know quite a few people who use it regularly on a 300f/2.8 with good results. My best guess is if you stop down to f/11 you might get acceptable results but focus acquisition will be slower than with a 1.4x TC.

[Malcolm Benn]

I've used a 2x on my 300 f2.8 with good results but if memory serves me using it on the 300 f4 will not allow AF on the 50D but I think it still might on the 1DMIII.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I occasionally use the 2x with the 300/4 with reasonable results. No AF with 50D though or my 30D. Thanks canon. I tape the pins on the 2x, focus manually (must have SLOW subjects or STATIONARY) and I do get the focus lock beep.

All in all, I rarely use it, only when I really get desperate. :(

[Jeni Williams]

HI, the 2x extender only works on full-frame cameras if you want AF. I use it a lot, most of my images in avian are taken with this combo and a 1Dmk 11 BUT here's the crunch, as Akos says, the subject must be stationary or slow- moving; BIF has the Af searching continuously.:(

[Markus Jais]

I've just ordered the 2x for my 4/500 and will also try it with the 4/300L IS. The quality of the 2x is not bad. If you search through the Bulletins on Art Morris' website you will find many images taken with a 4/500 and a 2x.
The 4/300 Canon lenses (with and without IS) are very sharp so a 2x should give you good results.
You will probably mostly use it with your 1D Mk II as this allows AF at least with the central sensor.

Manual focus with a 50D will also work. But the viewfinder will get darker and this makes focusing more difficult. I made tests with my 4/500 + 1.4x with manual focusing and AF and I was able to get the same results with and without AF. That's why I decided to buy the 2x (I have only a EOS 40D at the moment). It will be harder to manual focus than with the 1.4x but I am confident that I can get sharp results.

Keep in mind that with two f stops less light and twice the focal lens it will be harder to get sharp pictures so be sure to use a sturdy tripod (IS does not work on a tripod with the 4/300L as this lens has the first IS generation) or short shutter speeds. It is definitely possible to get sharp results even with a long shutter speed like a 1/30 or 1/60 but be sure to use proper technique. In doubt make tests shots. I learned a lot about long lens technique with test shots of simple sings like road signs or a sheet of newspaper.

The 4/300 + 2x will be a good combination. Of course you won't get the same sharpness as with a 4/600L IS but you save a lot of money and have a very light lens.
Maybe you know a photographer who has the 2x and you can borrow it for a few ours. Try that and make test shots and see if you can get good results and if you like the combination.



Markus

[Magnus Thornberg]

I've just ordered the 2x for my 4/500 and will also try it with the 4/300L IS. The quality of the 2x is not bad. If you search through the Bulletins on Art Morris' website you will find many images taken with a 4/500 and a 2x.
The 4/300 Canon lenses (with and without IS) are very sharp so a 2x should give you good results.
You will probably mostly use it with your 1D Mk II as this allows AF at least with the central sensor.

Manual focus with a 50D will also work. But the viewfinder will get darker and this makes focusing more difficult. I made tests with my 4/500 + 1.4x with manual focusing and AF and I was able to get the same results with and without AF. That's why I decided to buy the 2x (I have only a EOS 40D at the moment). It will be harder to manual focus than with the 1.4x but I am confident that I can get sharp results.

Keep in mind that with two f stops less light and twice the focal lens it will be harder to get sharp pictures so be sure to use a sturdy tripod (IS does not work on a tripod with the 4/300L as this lens has the first IS generation) or short shutter speeds. It is definitely possible to get sharp results even with a long shutter speed like a 1/30 or 1/60 but be sure to use proper technique. In doubt make tests shots. I learned a lot about long lens technique with test shots of simple sings like road signs or a sheet of newspaper.

The 4/300 + 2x will be a good combination. Of course you won't get the same sharpness as with a 4/600L IS but you save a lot of money and have a very light lens.
Maybe you know a photographer who has the 2x and you can borrow it for a few ours. Try that and make test shots and see if you can get good results and if you like the combination.



Markus

300/4 + 2x is not a good combination! 300/2.8L IS USM with 2x is good combination!!!

[Robert Campbell]

Thank you, everyone, for all your advice. Very useful - your opinions and experiences are worth a lot.

The lack of AF on the 50D is a pain, so I'll probably take a rain-check on the 2x extender.

By the way, HOW does one know if one is buying an L lens with 'old generation' or 'new generation' IS mechanism? I have the 70-200 f4 IS L, the 70-200 f2.8 IS L, the 24-105 f4 IS L, the 300 f4 IS L, and the 100-400 IS L.

Thanks again for your responses and good advice - much appreciated.

Robert

[Markus Jais]

Check out this bulletin by Art Morris on whether a lens support tripod IS or not:

http://www.birdsasart.com/bn169.htm

Markus

[Alfred Forns]

Lots of questionable information in this thread.

The 300 f4.0 will produce sharp images with the converters. Are they as sharp as without? ... no but results are more enough for publishing. AF will suffer with the 2X being close to unusable and will only work with pro body cameras.

If you want to know if it works and how good just set up a target and try it. Going out and shooting birds is not the way to go about it. Keep in mind any time you put a tele converter on the lens is a mater of need and always best to be without it. I rely on converters and make full use of them.

btw I remember reading a while back a person (high end) saying the 100-400 was poor with the 1.4X and it is not so. Sent him a PM and asked ... the reply was interesting .. I actually never tried that combination but always read it was not any good.

[Robert Campbell]

Thank you, Markus - thank you, Alfred.

I must say, I had quite good results in Africa last year using a 100-400 with 1.4 ext, and the flexibility is super-useful. Sometimes, close up to elephants, even 100mm was too close, so with a fixed lens, I'd have been snookered.

All the best - Robert

[Kevin Hall]

A lot of people will say that this is not a good combination. I live with it, use it within it's limitations and make it work for me. But then there are people that believe what I am producing is not good either. : )

I am thin skinned so that stings but I am also hard headed so I keep going back to hit the wall - one day that wall will be rubble.

Good or bad, you are welcomed to look and judge for yourself what I've done with this combination here.

I stop it down to f11 but not for the reason always given, this combination gives me a 600 f8 that close focuses to just 4.9 feet away with the limiter off and 9.8 feet with it on. I am usually shooting small woodland birds at a distance of 10 to 12 feet. I need that f11 for the depth of field - and I still get soft tails at times.

I use this combination for much of my work on a 1D mkII and with fill flash.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Kevin Thanks for posting the sample For these in order to judge you need to see at 100%

I have found one of the problems dealing with lack of sharpness has to do with shutter speed. At max zoom with a 1.4X and crop factor camera you are at around 800 mm That is a lot of magnification and not something you would casually hand hold. Best to place on tripod !!!

btw another comment on the lens is regarding the AF being slow. I have no problem nailing purple martins in flight !!!

[Kevin Hall]

Hi Alfred, no problem at all.

The original sized images at the link I posted, while not 100%, are large enough that you should be able to get a better idea than what is postable here on BPN.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I just posted an image captured with the 300/2x here. Check it out. Attached a 100% crop straight from RAW.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

I have tried many times to use the 2X with the 300 f/4 with my !D MKIII and HATE the results, BUT I hand hold only and lean toward BIF at which it is next to useless.

I Now use my 400 f/5.6 with my 5D MKII for slow BIF with wonderful results and my 300 f/4 on its own with the 1D MK III for fast moving and wider shots with superb results and only now use my 1X4 extenders for static shots, still hand held.