Canon 300mm F2.8 L lens + 2X converter

[willing to learn]

A friends dad as offered me the use of his Canon 300mm F2.8 L lens + 2X converter. Any one had experience and can it be hand held with good results.
Regards
Colin

[GerryNick2]

Also taking the crop factor of the camera into account you are looking at a 35mm equivalent of 960mm. With this set up you will definately need a good tripod to get any sharp images.

Gerry

[Steve S]

Coin,

I assume that you are thinking of flight shots. With a bit of practice you should be able to get good results using the 300mm only. Once you attach a converter I think that you would be pushing your luck, (I know I would be). Without a doubt I’d then go for a tripod every time.

Steve.

[HowlinWolf]

This lens is capable of being shot wide open and still give results to a professional standard. I don't have the Canon lens, but do use the Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR, and I would suspect that both lenses perform on an equal level. However, a word of caution. Fast super-telephotos, when shot at maximum aperture will exhibit very shallow depth of field, so your focusing must be accurate to get good results (we're talking a few millimetres at close distances, here). I'd be wary of using the x2 converter with the lens, as this much magnification will tend to degrade the image, and not allow the lens to show its strengths. Do some tests with the converter on, so you can assess image quality.
Lenses of this calibre are mostly glass, and therefore heavy. Some sort of support would be a good idea if shooting for extended periods. Don't entertain the idea that you can shoot all day hand held: your arms will tell you otherwise.
Enjoy the lens, but be aware that once you start getting good results with lenses like this, it can spoil you for life if you don't get one of your own!

HW

[Steve S]

I've just noticed that it's the x2 converter that you are talking about.

Personally I wouldn't bother with it. The 300/2.8 is an incredibly sharp lens but I have found the (Canon) x2 converter to be an incredible waste of time.

Steve.

[willing to learn]

I tried it yesterday to get some pics, with the set up all I can say it was heavy and made me sweat It was trying to hold and point a canon. I will try again with a tripod if I can find one to take the weight
Heres a few totally freehand.

[willing to learn]

Not really sure I gained a deal over the 100 -400mm quality wise so I am going to try with out a converter soon. Thanks for the advice and as I said made me sweat its the most exercise I have had in years
Regards
Colin

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by willing to learn

Not really sure I gained a deal over the 100 -400mm quality wise so I am going to try with out a converter soon. Thanks for the advice and as I said made me sweat its the most exercise I have had in years
Regards
Colin

Apart from a few stops of extra light to play with.
Don't discount a mono-pod. This lens is not that heavy, being 2500g, perfectly capable of being supported with a monopod, and in my opinion a far more flexible option than a slow to adjust tripod.