Canon 1.4 tc v Kenko Pro 300 1.4 tc

[Roy C]

I have a Canon 1.4 tc which I use with my 400mm f5.6 prime. From what I have been reading on other sites it seems like the Kenko Pro is less inclined to 'hunt' than the Canon when Auto Focusing (pins taped) . anyone using the 400mm f5.6 and the Kenko Pro (pins taped) or better still has anyone compared the two converters with this lens?
Cheers
Roy C.

[matt_xyz]

I use the Kenko with my 400mm Roy and the AF hunts a lot, although I've never tried the Canon converter. It needs a very contrasty subject and a bit of patience. I must admit I've never read that it hunts less than the Canon.

Matt

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I use the Kenko with my 400mm Roy and the AF hunts a lot, although I've never tried the Canon converter. It needs a very contrasty subject and a bit of patience. I must admit I've never read that it hunts less than the Canon.

Matt

Thanks for that Matt. Which body are you using? only I have found that the 30D is much better than my 350D for focusing with a tc on board. Must admit that I get on quite well with the Canon tc (pin taped) and 30D but I struggle a bit with birds-in-flight.

[matt_xyz]

I use mine with a 400D Roy , it's interesting to hear that the Canon works better with your 30D. That might explain why some people seem to get on better with converters than others even when they're using the same lens - perhaps they have different bodies.

Matt

[Ollie]

I have the Kenko Pro 1.4 converter that I have used with a Canon 400D body and the Canon 400mm f5.6 lens but I have only used it on manual focus with acceptable results. Never tried it on auto focus with the pins taped. Mainly because I aren't sure which pins to tape. If someone could explain in idiot proof language which pins to tape I would give it a go.
Roger

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Ollie

I have the Kenko Pro 1.4 converter that I have used with a Canon 400D body and the Canon 400mm f5.6 lens but I have only used it on manual focus with acceptable results. Never tried it on auto focus with the pins taped. Mainly because I aren't sure which pins to tape. If someone could explain in idiot proof language which pins to tape I would give it a go.
Roger

Try here Roger:

Taping The Pins on 1.4x tele-extender to restore autofocus in Canon cameras

Shows quite nicely which ones to do.

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Try here Roger:

Taping The Pins on 1.4x tele-extender to restore autofocus in Canon cameras

Shows quite nicely which ones to do.

Yep, that's the ones Roger - I use bog standard Sellotape with no problems whatsoever (I have had a piece on for over 6 months).

[Ollie]

Thanks for the link Graham think even I can manage that. Will give it a go next time I'm out with the 400mm.

Thanks for the sellotape tip Roy will try it.

Roger

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Roy C

I have a Canon 1.4 tc which I use with my 400mm f5.6 prime. From what I have been reading on other sites it seems like the Kenko Pro is less inclined to 'hunt' than the Canon when Auto Focusing (pins taped) . anyone using the 400mm f5.6 and the Kenko Pro (pins taped) or better still has anyone compared the two converters with this lens?
Cheers
Roy C.

Roy
I have become rather blinkered and perhaps biased. My view is if you buy canon (in particular L series) you do not have to even consider if the quality is good........... because it is - simple!
Is it the best value? Probably not, in my opinion canon kit is built to a standard and you are probably also paying for the name but at least you know you have quality.
I would not for one minute say kenko or other marques are no good, in fact it could just be that certain other marques are as good e.g. sigma 150mm macro. But I think that in the end I always ask myself is the other marque as good as canon, rather than vice versa, so now I have decided that I will buy canon. I fully appreciate some folk will say certain independent lenses are in fact superior to canon, in certain cases this may be true, but if I buy canon I know or at least I have peace of mind and I don't look any further, and there are no compatibility issues. Neither do I look at prices because it is always tempting to look at something that appears to be as good because it is cheaper. The way I look at it is the lens will not wear out it will last for a long time so even if there is a price difference I would still go for canon, I convince myself that over a few years it is inconsequential.
Jon

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by Jon

Roy
I have become rather blinkered and perhaps biased. My view is if you buy canon (in particular L series) you do not have to even consider if the quality is good........... because it is - simple!
Is it the best value? Probably not, in my opinion canon kit is built to a standard and you are probably also paying for the name but at least you know you have quality.
I would not for one minute say kenko or other marques are no good, in fact it could just be that certain other marques are as good e.g. sigma 150mm macro. But I think that in the end I always ask myself is the other marque as good as canon, rather than vice versa, so now I have decided that I will buy canon. I fully appreciate some folk will say certain independent lenses are in fact superior to canon, in certain cases this may be true, but if I buy canon I know or at least I have peace of mind and I don't look any further, and there are no compatibility issues. Neither do I look at prices because it is always tempting to look at something that appears to be as good because it is cheaper. The way I look at it is the lens will not wear out it will last for a long time so even if there is a price difference I would still go for canon, I convince myself that over a few years it is inconsequential.
Jon

Take your point Jon which is why I bought a Canon tc in the first place, you are preaching to the converted, but you have missed the entire point of the thread. - I am not concerned about the price at all. I am not talking of IQ, build quality or value for money here, I am talking of the way the two converters function with the pins taped. Most people who do this report 'hunting' as the lens tries to AF (yes I know this is to be expected as you are trying to do something that your Camera was not built to do e.g. AF at f8). I use the Canon 1.4 tc with the pins taped to good effect with my 30D and 400mm f5.6 and providing there is reasonable contrast I get very little problem with AF BUT I have had little success with Bird in flight. I have read several threads on other sites where users have had little success with the Canon tc when taping the pins and have then found that the Kenko pro works far better, this is probably something to do with the electronics and what info is sent to the camera with the pins taped. All I am asking for is if someone with my set-up has tried the Kenko.