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Archive 2011 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III

  
 
jcolwell
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Canon EF Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. 1.4x Mk III

I'm pleasantly surprised to find that both of the new Canon EF Extenders (1.4x and 2x) are usefully better than their earlier versions. In this case, I tested the new Mk III's against the 1.4x Mk I and 2x Mk II. For IQ, I regard the Kenko Pro 1.4x to be effectively the same as the Canon Mk I (and both are usefully better than the Tamron SP 1.4x). I'll use separate threads for the 1.4x and 2x Extenders. In both cases, I'll start with a summary of resolution tests made using USAF 1951 test targets, and then show a variety of comparison images. In these images, the top left and right panels show 100% crops, with the older extender on the left and the newer Mk III on the right, and the bottom panel shows the PS CS5 Navigator window for the full image.

Comments are most welcome. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Summary: in comparison with the 1.4x Mk I, the 1.4x Mk III:

- is slightly sharper overall, especially in the corners;
- has slightly better contrast; and,
- has less CA in the corners.

Resolution test summary:

USAF 1951 target resolution tests, 1DsIII 70-200/2.8L IS Mk II, ISO 800, yes MLU, no IS, geared head on tripod. Results include both manual focus using LiveView (LV) and autofocus (AF) in One Shot mode with centre AF point active. Results are shown for both wide open and one stop down (i.e. f/4 and f/5.6 for the 1.4x Extender, and f5.6 and f/8 for the 2x Extender).

Set 1, transit sign

1DsIII 500/4L IS wide open, ISO 400, yes AF, no MLU, yes IS, SideKick on tripod.

Set 2, buildings

1DsIII 500/4L IS wide open, ISO 400, yes AF, no MLU, yes IS, SideKick on tripod.

Set 3, painting

1DsIII 200/1.8L at f/5.6 (incl. effect of Extenders), ISO 800, LV manual focus, yes MLU, geared head on tripod.



Apr 23, 2011 at 01:57 PM
galenapass
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Thanks Jim. This is good information. My 1.4 X TC lives on the 500mm as I am almost always needing as much reach as possible. I may have to consider the 1.4X III.


Apr 23, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Jim Victory
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Makes me glad I got the 1.4x MKIII for my 500 f/4L IS.

Jim



Apr 23, 2011 at 02:15 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Jim Victory wrote:
Makes me glad I got the 1.4x MKIII for my 500 f/4L IS.

Jim


Me too.



Apr 23, 2011 at 04:16 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


galenapass wrote:
Thanks Jim. This is good information. My 1.4 X TC lives on the 500mm as I am almost always needing as much reach as possible. I may have to consider the 1.4X III.


Yer welcome.



Apr 23, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Breitling65
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


jcolwell wrote:
Me too.



+1, now wait for skeptical opinions like: What if your mkII extenders are I initially not as good as one they own?



Apr 23, 2011 at 05:50 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


...been there.


Apr 23, 2011 at 06:39 PM
xjetjock
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Thanks for these tests. I have an old 1.4 TC Mark I that sometimes gives me fits with CA on my 400 F5.6. I have the Mark III on my wish list. This info helps me make a purchase decision.

Paul S



Apr 23, 2011 at 08:00 PM
jek-wy
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Thanks for the review! This makes me appreciate that I went with the 1.4 Mark III for my first TC purchase. I figure it's a long term investment... and I'm happy with the shots I've taken so far.

Jim



Apr 23, 2011 at 10:09 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Paul & Jim. Thanks for the kind remarks.


Apr 23, 2011 at 11:02 PM
mMontag
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Jim,

Have you had a chance to try the TC 1.4 III on the 24II T/S or the Mirex?

I used the TC 1.4 II on the 24 - overall sharpness was pretty good - there seemed a bit more CA than I would like to have. I have sold the TC II and hoping the TC III is a little better on that lens.

Thanks - mM



Apr 24, 2011 at 09:16 PM
jamato8
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


On some of the images the I looks sharper and has better contrast than III.


Apr 25, 2011 at 12:10 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


John, I can't say that you're wrong. They're both excellent in the centre. OTOH, the Mk III is consistently better away from the centre, for both sharpness and CA.


Apr 25, 2011 at 05:35 AM
jamato8
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


To me on the very first image, the I seems sharper than the III. On others it seems close and I also see where the III is obviously sharper.


Apr 25, 2011 at 05:37 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Hi nM. No, I haven't yet tried it with TS gear. I will be comparing the TS-E 24/3.5L II + 1.4x III with the M645 C 35/3.5N + Mirex, but I won't have a chance to do this for a month or so. I'll be doing some photography in Utah this summer, and it would be nice to take fewer lenses.


Apr 25, 2011 at 05:39 AM
Breitling65
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


jamato8 wrote:
On some of the images the I looks sharper and has better contrast than III.

135mm f2 L reminds me of Leica
28-135 IS. Dust pump but it is easy
to take off
the front element and clean out the
dust.



Unrelated to the post: never heard about 135L dust pump.

Edited on Apr 25, 2011 at 06:24 AM · View previous versions



Apr 25, 2011 at 05:41 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Breitling65 wrote:
Interesting, never heard about 135L dust pump.


Hey Leonid, it looks like you have some cross-posted content in there, (?).



Apr 25, 2011 at 06:20 AM
Breitling65
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


jcolwell wrote:
Hey Leonid, it looks like you have some cross-posted content in there, (?).


No, that is in poster profile. Means related



Apr 25, 2011 at 06:21 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


I didn't think to look there.


Apr 25, 2011 at 07:04 AM
jamato8
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Extender 1.4x Mk I vs. Mk III


Not to derail but I referred to the 28-135 zoom as a dust pump, not the 135L. The 135L is a beauty as is the 200L f2.




Apr 25, 2011 at 07:31 AM
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