It probably won't fit on a Canon 2xII (the front element of the Canon converter protrudes) but it does work with the Sigma EX 2x. Best to avoid 2x converters in general though (very few lenses are sharp enough not to be heavily compromised by a 2x)
I love the Sigma 120-300, but with the 1.4XTC at full tele wide open it is too soft for my taste. Like Steve_t I wouldn't recommend using a 2XTC on any lens.
I just sold my copy of the 120-300, my findings, .....excellent with both sigma and canon 1.4's.....slightly sharper fully open with the canon. Aceeptable results with the 2x canon.....and Excellent results with the 1.4 and 2x stacked.....better than just the 2x....cant explain why this happened.
riokid wrote:
Thanks everybody for the quick reply.
I am still interested in a bit more info with the 2X TC?
Does the AF slow down noticeably? Does it focus accurately or does it hunt a lot?
Thanks again in advance.
dan
You still aren't getting it are you. From what I've seen there's little difference in quality between shooting with a 2x converter or with a 1.4x and interpolating the results up to the same size. At least that way you get 1 stop more light.
steve_t wrote:
It probably won't fit on a Canon 2xII (the front element of the Canon converter protrudes) but it does work with the Sigma EX 2x. Best to avoid 2x converters in general though (very few lenses are sharp enough not to be heavily compromised by a 2x)
It actually does work with Canon TC's, I own one and have used it many times. Sharpness is indeed degraded a good bit. 120-300 is a nice lens but its still a zoom and Id never regulary use a 2x TC on zoom. Even on the best of primes its not really a great idea.
My apologies, Your Highness for being such a stubborn son of a b!tch It felt like I was 3-year old kid being scolded for spilling milk.
Well, in a perfect world, I would carry a 600/4LIS, 400/2.8LIS and a 300/2.8LIS. However I have a special assignment wherein I have to lug around the equipment for a good part of the day for about a couple of weeks. Therefore I was exploring the weight/quality options.
I am more interested in capturing cr@ppy images than not having any images at all
That is why I was aking: Does the AF slow down noticeably? Does it focus accurately or does it hunt a lot?
I thought for a moment I posted this question at dpreview.
Thank you for the info. It is something I can relate to. The other option is to have a 300/4L and 400DO with the 1.4X for my assignment.
Cheers,
dan
The Big Bad wrote:
It actually does work with Canon TC's, I own one and have used it many times. Sharpness is indeed degraded a good bit. 120-300 is a nice lens but its still a zoom and Id never regulary use a 2x TC on zoom. Even on the best of primes its not really a great idea.
I'm sorry you took it that way, but if you'd care to read what I said you'll see I explained how to get the same crappy quality while loosing only one stop rather than two. Seems like a constructive post to me.
riokid wrote:
My apologies, Your Highness for being such a stubborn son of a b!tch It felt like I was 3-year old kid being scolded for spilling milk.
Well, in a perfect world, I would carry a 600/4LIS, 400/2.8LIS and a 300/2.8LIS. However I have a special assignment wherein I have to lug around the equipment for a good part of the day for about a couple of weeks. Therefore I was exploring the weight/quality options.
I am more interested in capturing cr@ppy images than not having any images at all
That is why I was aking: Does the AF slow down noticeably? Does it focus accurately or does it hunt a lot?
I thought for a moment I posted this question at dpreview.
As you would also have read from my post wherein I asked for specific questions and explained further.
Well, from what I have read, I think I am leaning towards a 2-lens combo for this assignment: a 300/4L and a 400DO plus a 1.4X TC. It is an extended shoot and I have to lug my equipment as we chase the action.
Thanks for your input.
dan
steve_t wrote:
I'm sorry you took it that way, but if you'd care to read what I said you'll see I explained how to get the same crappy quality while loosing only one stop rather than two. Seems like a constructive post to me.
There are two other solutions I can think of with that kind of budget. The first is without IS and is kind of heavy but gives you longer range, the Sigma 300-800 f5.6.
The second, modifying your own idea, since the 300+1.4x is so close to 400mm anyway why not go 70-200 f2.8 IS, 400DO and 1.4x TC.
Riokid,
In a perfect world I'd have the same assortment, but I'd probably never use them. Too heavy. I do love the Sigma 120-300 and use it almost exclusively for sports. Great return on investment, and a very competent performer. I used a 2X on a 70-200 IS and hated the results, hence I wouldn't want to use it on the Sigma.
But if getting the shots are more important than quality, the images should clean up well with sharpening as long as you don't intend to enlarge them to some huge size. With the 1.4 there is no noticeable slowdown in AF speed. With a 2X, you may see some on a gray day with low contrast subjects. But I've never seen the lens hunt.
I've used the Sigma at night wide open at 3200 ISO under high school stadium lights on kids wearing black uniforms and it never hunted once under those conditions, so I'm guessing it will do what you need without too much trouble.
kc
kecohen wrote:
Riokid,
In a perfect world I'd have the same assortment, but I'd probably never use them. Too heavy. I do love the Sigma 120-300 and use it almost exclusively for sports. Great return on investment, and a very competent performer. I used a 2X on a 70-200 IS and hated the results, hence I wouldn't want to use it on the Sigma.
But if getting the shots are more important than quality, the images should clean up well with sharpening as long as you don't intend to enlarge them to some huge size. With the 1.4 there is no noticeable slowdown in AF speed. With a 2X, you may see some on a gray day with low contrast subjects. But I've never seen the lens hunt.
I've used the Sigma at night wide open at 3200 ISO under high school stadium lights on kids wearing black uniforms and it never hunted once under those conditions, so I'm guessing it will do what you need without too much trouble.
kc...Show more →
It felt like I was 3-year old kid being scolded for spilling milk.
