Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

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mxrider641
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p.1 #1 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

With spring and baseball season coming, its time to buy a zoom for the XTi, and I am pretty sure it will be the Canon 70-200 F4. I like the idea of having the f2.8, but just not in the budget at the moment. Has anyone here used the f4 with either the 1.4x or the 2.0x Canon teleconverters? How is the quality? I am thinking the 1.4 but I would be interested in thoughts/opinions on either. Thanks!!

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:12 PM

Hockey man
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p.1 #2 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I am sure that the quality of the lens is better with the 1.4 than the 2.

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:13 PM

Alistair Watson
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p.1 #3 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

Generally the 70-200 f4 will take a 1.4x TC without too much of a problem, though AF speed and image quality will take a drop. As far as a 2x on a zoom goes, forget it. With your XTI you would lose AF for a start. AF tracking speed for anything moving would be terrible as would the resulting image.

If you are considering a zoom lens and already considering using it with a TC then I would say think longer focal length, either something like a 300 f4 prime, the Canon 100-400 or one of the new equivalent Sigma offerings with OS.

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:20 PM

jroy55
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p.1 #4 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I have the 70-200 f4 and it has excellent image quality. Adding a1.4 extender does not degrade the image much at all but you do lose a stop. I agree with Allstair, the 2X costs you more in functionality and image issues than you gain.

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:27 PM

mxrider641
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p.1 #5 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I do believe that the 200 might be a bit short for some things (although it will be 320 on the XTi if my calculations are correct), but I also think that a 300 prime while fun to have, may not get as much use as the zoom. Sounds like the 1.4x would be a nice addition to the lens to get some extra range on nice days and still not break the bank. Thanks for the input, now all I need is those Canon rebates or a good deal on the 70-200!

Mar 28, 2008 at 07:47 PM

Savas K
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p.1 #6 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I will be testing a similar combination today, with a rented 70-200 2.8 L IS and rented 1.4 TC. I will be contrasting that with a rented 100-400. Reading posts was helpful, but I realized I needed to try this out for myself to really know what will be good for my shooting.

Mar 29, 2008 at 11:52 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #7 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

If money is too tight for a $1,000 lens, which it sounds like it is, you might consider a 200 f/2.8L that will take a 1.4X tc very nicely and will even work alright with a 2X. Another way to go is look for a used 300 f/4 (non-IS), these can be had used for around $700 and is a very nice lens if you can find one. For baseball I would think that either of these two lenses would probably be better than the 70-200 f/4L. I hope this helps.

Mar 29, 2008 at 12:10 PM

thumper13021
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p.1 #8 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I have the 70-200 4.0L and a 2x converter. I do not see a quality drop with the extender, but there is the loss of functionality. The loss of auto focus is inconvenient, and I assume will hinder me in the future with missed shots. I wish I had read up more on forums before buying the 2X, and now have a 1.4 on the way. With all of the money I have spent buying and selling lenses, I could have bought a 2.8L with IS and been much happier. - well maybe not

Mar 29, 2008 at 12:25 PM

jimgarvie
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p.1 #9 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I have the 70-200 F4L and use it a lot with my Canon 1.4 TC. Image quality without the TC is outstanding. With it, it is still excellent. In decent light, focusing remains fast and accurate. While this is not a low-light combo, it works great in good light, is relatively light to carry and use and yet is also rugged. It's a great combo.

I would not use the 2.0 TC. Image quality wide open is not great and you lose AF.

Jim

Mar 30, 2008 at 02:42 PM

geir
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p.1 #10 · Canon 70-200L F4 with 1.4x or 2X converter

I would have to agree with most of the other posters. The 70-200/4 with a 1.4x TC should give very good pictures.

One thing that I would worry about is the 1 stop loss of light if you are going to be in less than good lighting. Just make sure you keep the shutter speed up there

2x converters never really worked well for me.

-Geir

Mar 30, 2008 at 04:52 PM


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