Canon 300mm f4 with 2x converter?

[thijs broekkamp]

Hi guy's,

I'm photographing with a canon 300mm f4 with canon 1,4 converter. And it works perfect, very sharp picture's. I was wondering if i can get sharp results with a 2x converter? With very nice weather and from a tripod? I know I'll lose autofocus and have a aperature of 8. I can't find any sample pictures.

Thanks

Greets

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Thijs Don't have one of that combination at hand but will be able to make a sharp image. Need a pro body for making the AF work and as you mentioned the tripod a necessity, small package but lots of magnification

Would suggest trying for yourself !!! Also a good thing to do is comparing side by side, no converter, 1.4X then 2.0 There will be difference but standing alone will hold their own.

[Roger Clark]

Thijs,
I do have a 300 f/4 L IS and 1.4x and 2x TCs. The 2x works well on the 300. I take it when I want to travel very light (or hike very light). (I do use it with a 1D body so I do maintain AF.)

At f/8, you may get some softening due to diffraction, especially if you have a body with very small pixels. With that magnification (600 mm) and f/8, you do need to watch your exposure times to keep from blurring the subject.

Roger

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Hi Thijs, I use the 300 f/4L IS with both a 1.4X Canon Con. and a Kenko 2X Con (NEVER a Canon 2X) and on my 1D MKIII good results but not on BIFs, I also find the Kenko2X works better on the 500 f/4L IS than the Canon 2X, having said that the 300 f/4 is a superb lens on its own and I find that zooming with my feet gives incredible results with this wonderful lens, for longer shots hand held I refer to my 400 f/5.6L which is the hand held lens that God uses. :)

[thijs broekkamp]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your message. Maybe you can show some pictures shot with the 300mm with kenko 2x?

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I have a 300 f4 L IS USM lens. At its native focal length and with EF 1.4xII, the results are good. With 2xII TC, I didn't like the results. You may need to test it yourself to see if it suits your requirements.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Ken Watkins]

I have a 300 f4 L IS USM lens. At its native focal length and with EF 1.4xII, the results are good. With 2xII TC, I didn't like the results. You may need to test it yourself to see if it suits your requirements.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

My own experience mirrors that of Sabyasachi, but I only use this lens hand-held. It is certainly the best lens for walking with.

[Alfred Forns]

Thanks for the feedback on the 2X usage Roger, I thought it would work !!

Chris I have never used an Non Canon converter but will test one the first chance I get. Remember when the new converters came out replacing originals quality went up, noticeably. I assumed there would be a easily detectable difference when using off brand converters !!!

[thijs broekkamp]

Thanks for all the comments. I think I'm going to buy a 2x converter, it's the best to try it myself in the field I think. But i'm doubting wich one I should take, the canon or kenko.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Sorry thijs, I have been away.

This image was taken minutes ago with the 300 f/4 + 2X Kenko, hand held in poor light (on my washing line) ISO 1600, 1DMKIII at f/8 is re-sized to 1200 X 800 no sharpening or PP, 1/125 Sec. IS activated.

I have taken good in flight shots with this combo but pre focusing and meticulous tracking is a must (Plus your stars in the right quadrant and a virgin has been sacrificed)

I sold my Canon 2X as the Kenko gives me much better results.