Canon 2x extender on 100-400mm is it worth it?

Badllarma · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2010, 08:23 AM

I'm about to purchase a 100-400 Canon USM lens and just wondering if the 2x extender(tele converter) is worth getting for bird photography.

I've been up to this point using a Sigma 120-400mm with it's own extender but the results were just too soft does the Canon suffer with the same issue??

slimrbp · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2010, 09:29 AM

Hi,

I have used the 100-400 with the 1.4x extender and the results were pretty good. From what I have read though the 2x isn't such a good idea as you will lose more image quality as well as a lot of light.

I reckon an 800mm f11 lens will need a lot of light especially as you will most likely need to manually focus and a dark viewfinder won't help this.

I am no expert camera/lens tester but if you interested I tried out the 100-400 with the 1.4x and put the results on my blog, the main aim of the test though was to look at the 100-400 as I was considering purchasing one.

Shooting a static target:

Richard Parker's Photography Blog: Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L Static tests

'Field' test

Richard Parker's Photography Blog: Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L Field Test

Badllarma · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2010, 10:38 AM

Hi Richard thanks for the reply field images were very impressive nice work

eeyore · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2010, 12:35 PM

lthough it is entirely correct that you will loose autofocus, there are times that a 2xtc will be useful all be it focussing manually

this for example was taken with my 170-500 and a 2xtc

as was this

the other circumstance in which they are very useful is on a macro lens - which gave me the capability to get this with my tamron 90mm

overall I would say that although a 2xtcv isnt something you are going to use everyday, it is useful enough on occasion to earn a place in the kitbag