I am considering adding a Canon 2x II Extender and use it with my Canon 300 f4 L IS. I would also be using this with a 1D Mark II N. Will the 2x give me decent images with this combination? I have been using a Canon 1.4x II Extender and have been pleased with the results. I want more reach (for birds, zoo, wildlife, etc.) but can’t afford the next step (i.e. 500 or 600 f4). Does anyone use this combination? Any samples to show? Thanks for any help or advice.
Haven't tried that particular combo. Responding to zeytee: with the EOS 1mk2, you will actually have AF (with the center af point) up to f/8. I tried the EF2x with my 70-200/4IS yeasterday (incredible results IQ wise considering its a zoom and a 2x, see my post on https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/530961/2 ). Af for AF performance with that combo, it was surprisingly able to "get it" in low light, but also generally pretty slow. Probably not ideal for birds unless you have VERY good light and contrast.
Although I haven't used a 2x on the 300 f4L, I would be reluctant to use this combo. You'll end up with a 600 f8 which might give you the reach you need, but it would suffer considerably in the AF department, even on the 1D IIN. IQ will take a hit as well...
I am interested in this question as well. While I'm sure that the 300 f/4L IS with 2x II TC will not be as good as one of the super-telephotos, it would make a 600 mm lens with IS in a relatively small package.
Here's a test shot I just took out of my window with a 300/4 L IS and Externder EF 2x on a 20D, ISO 400, f/8 (wide open), 1/500 sec, hald held, IS on, no sharpening. It would be a bit sharper if I had a higher shutter speed, but that's what I got.
...and here's a 100% crop of the roof apex, which is about the only part in focus. The detail is not bad, and looks a lot better with a bit of USM. You can see a bit of image smear on the little bits of stuff at the top left edge of the roof. This may be from the low shutter speed or it may show how some of the IQ is compromised with this setup. OTOH, these parts could be far enough behind the plane of focus that it's simply showing OOF smear.
On second thought, the best focus may be a bit further down the edge of the roof - that's one of the tricky parts with such a shallow DOF and manual focus (in my shaky hands, as well). The shot on the left is the roof edge at 100% and the shot on the right is after a bit of USM (60%, radius 1px, threshold 0)
p.1 #11 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
the 300f4 is wonderful and a SUPER value. However, the flexibility with extenders is what makes the f2.8 a wonderful investment over the f4. Having the ability to have a relatively light and cheap 600/f5.6 with good IQ is priceless. With the f4, your looking at being able to use it with a 1.4 in practical terms.
May 05, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
I have used that combo on the MKII camera before. The image quality is not so good, but ok if you only gonna use it a few times every year. The AF will be very slow and sluggish. The lens has rather slow AF alone for being a Canon tele prime lens, and together with the 2X extender it's slow.
For me it was an unusable combo for real life shooting. You can always get a few descent shots when testing but in real life it's not very usable. Most people with a 600mm lens are shooting sport,wildlife or birds. Moving subjects. And here we have an f/8 lens that's need stopping down at least one stop with very slow AF.
p.1 #13 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
I agree with Lars. The 300/4 L IS with 2x extender is not a good solution, that's why I'm saving my nickels for a 600/4 L IS. I sometimes use the Extender 2x with a Nikkor 400/3.5, and it's very difficult to focus on a 20D, even with a focus-confirmation Nikon to EF adapter and a split-prism focus screen. Also, it has a bit of CA that is not present with the Extender 1.4x. OTOH, it's better than nothing if you need 600mm and you have a 300/4.
p.1 #14 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
I use a 1Ds, 300/4 IS, and 2x tc together sometimes for shots of damselflies and similar large skittish flying insects. Autofocus is atrocious. Image quality is reasonable (not wonderful) if I'm stopped down to f/16 or so. I've not shot with it wide open to speak of. I suspect that at f/16 and more stopped down I'm losing as much to diffraction as I am to the 2x tc.
p.1 #15 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
msuben wrote:
I am considering adding a Canon 2x II Extender and use it with my Canon 300 f4 L IS. I would also be using this with a 1D Mark II N. Will the 2x give me decent images with this combination? I have been using a Canon 1.4x II Extender and have been pleased with the results. I want more reach (for birds, zoo, wildlife, etc.) but can’t afford the next step (i.e. 500 or 600 f4). Does anyone use this combination? Any samples to show? Thanks for any help or advice.
Bennett
It's a very disappointing combo. I've used the 1.4 with the 300 (that was my 'big lens' for about 18 months at one point) and it's a very sharp combo. The 300 with the 2x is another story. Very disappointing.
Which makes the first time you stick the 2x on a 500 or a 600 a VERY nice surprise. It works VERY well--within the limits of slower focusing and reduced f stop.
p.1 #16 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
Ok, I'll bite...just out horsin' around. 30D 300 f4L IS with stacked 1.4's and it's a cloudy day.
AF was slow but accurate, think the IQ's more than acceptable
p.1 #17 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
it seems to me,, that subject distance has a whole lot to do with whether you get decent results with a 2x on any of hte primes,,, atmospher, dust, heat waves, etc on a longer shot will kill a 2x shot,, but if you are only 25 feet or so from bird and use a 2x the resutls can be much better,, like the one of the horse,, I occsaionlly use one on the 600, and most times,, i discard the shot,, just too muddy looking,,,, requiring addl post processing techniqes and eeven then, not good,,,
p.1 #19 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
I agree completely with Kim's comments. There are very few days here in Atlantic Canada when the air is clear enough for good long telephoto shots of subjects more than 100 feet or so away. We're fortunate that the main reasons are humidity, haze and fog (not smog), but the maritime climate is a challenge.
jcw1982 made a good point about tripod use. I generally use the 300/4 L IS hand held, sometimes with a 1.4x TC, and get very good results in good light. The Nikkor 400/3.5 that I use is almost always on a tripod with MLU enabled, but I sometimes use a monopod when I'm moving around a lot, or in confined surroundings, like a hockey rink.
p.1 #20 · Canon 300 F4 L IS & Canon 2x II Extender
I'll agree, long distances will eat up IQ. I'm at some altitude here ~5000' and can get away
with a couple of hundred feet. Here's one with stacked 1.4's and the 300 f4 IS handheld at 100'
...good long lens technique doesn't hurt nor does the tractor sittin' still
