When I had a Canon EF 500/ F4L IS USM (the "500") I didn't notice any difference in image quality when using it with a Canon Mk II 1.4 TC. I used the 500 with a Canon 1D Mk III; and the images were very sharp and the color rendition was excellent. Like the other posters, I think you may need to send your TC in or to try some MAs with your cameras.
Thanks, I hope that is the case. My 1.4tc is 4 years old, used on several lenses and I never checked it before. I will drive this week to Canon/NJ hope that will be not as expensive procedure
PORSCHE917 wrote:
Dear Breitling:
When I had a Canon EF 500/ F4L IS USM (the "500") I didn't notice any difference in image quality when using it with a Canon Mk II 1.4 TC. I used the 500 with a Canon 1D Mk III; and the images were very sharp and the color rendition was excellent. Like the other posters, I think you may need to send your TC in or to try some MAs with your cameras.
Update: I took my 1.4tc to the Canon/NJ and paid $64.00 for replaced mount pin cleaning and adjustments. Will re-test lens soon and update agan.
Question: Could broken 1.4tc mount pin causing such problems? Anyone with same broken pin problem? It seem like tc become easy to brake part when used with large lenses.
I didn't get terrific results with the same combo either, though the bare lens was fine. Not until the AF on my 500 crapped out and had to be replaced. Then the 1.4X worked much much better. Hope you don't have a similar issue.
I didn't get terrific results with the same combo either, though the bare lens was fine. Not until the AF on my 500 crapped out and had to be replaced. Then the 1.4X worked much much better. Hope you don't have a similar issue.
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I will give it more tests and bring it to Canon with my mk III which is actually never been a problem with another lenses.
Here are a few with the 1.4x, I use the combo a lot in my kayak. I notice a bit of AF speeds are a bit slower but the results to me are worth using the 1.4x. You want to send them both in.
I use 1.4xTC on 500 f/4 on stationary/slow moving targets only when there is no other way to get a half-decent shot.....which happens rather seldom to me. Not only that my combo takes an IQ hit compared to the bare lens, it also becomes as AF sluggish as 100-400. I have other better alternatives for BIF photography.
As an example of the combo application, these little Buffalo Ducks keep their distance from the shore at present, and even 700mm is insufficient. However, if I only wait a couple of months, the ice formation will push them closer to the shore so I will be able to get good shots even with a 300mm FL lens.
p.2 #14 · 500L owners, lens performance with 1.4tc
I like all of them because the crops have not been pushed too far and they also include beautiful background, accurate exposure and tasteful processing.
The difficult waxwings show some feather detail which is a good sign for the overall resolving power.
p.2 #15 · 500L owners, lens performance with 1.4tc
PetKal wrote:
I like all of them because the crops have not been pushed too far and they also include beautiful background, accurate exposure and tasteful processing.
The difficult waxwings show some feather detail which is a good sign for the overall resolving power.
Thanks, I guess I am good to shot with my 500L and 1.4tc. It is for sure great lens, one thing I noticed is that I have to be more cariful with exposure and lights. Possibly because of huge focal I never use before or some other lens specifics. In another word it is more sensative to the bad/good light than my other lenses.
p.2 #16 · 500L owners, lens performance with 1.4tc
Interesting.......I have not noticed any exposure peculiarities with the lens.
The other day I was photographing the same Buffalo Duck scene with the bare 500 f/4. Obviously didn't have quite as much of a reach, however, the colours and bokeh were first class even though there was no sunlight. Well, I sure know what I like better.
Here are three samples, bare 500 f/4....same location as the above shots with the 1.4xTC, just less light.
p.2 #18 · 500L owners, lens performance with 1.4tc
PetKal wrote:
Interesting.......I have not noticed any exposure peculiarities with the lens.
The other day I was photographing the same Buffalo Duck scene with the bare 500 f/4. Obviously didn't have quite as much of a reach, however, the colours and bokeh were first class even though there was no sunlight. Well, I sure know what I like better.
Here are three samples, bare 500 f/4....same location as the above shots with the 1.4xTC, just less light.
Please try one day to shot against of sun light, I am interesting in results. Great ducks BTW, I am impressed how many types you have in your shots collection.
p.2 #19 · 500L owners, lens performance with 1.4tc
OP's observations match mine. A few years ago I tested a number of supertelephotos with and without 1.4 and 2.0 TCs. There is no question that you get more CA and other artifacts when you add a TC. As noted, the 300 f2.8 was least affected. And had the best performance with 2.0 TCs.
In my case, I bought the 500 and was frustrated by the slowed down AF on birds in flight. So I bought the 600 and that has been a welcome improvement in being able to shoot with the "naked" lens far more often than with the 500.
When using 2.0 TC, I always try to stop down if the background is clean and I have enough light. One or two stops makes a large difference.
