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My Canon 1.4x and 2x Tele-Extender Review
I have both extenders and the 100-400 IS lens. IS does continue to work with either (or both), but AF will not work with your camera. I'm in the same boat because I use an Elan IIe. AF will work only if you use the 1.4x with an EOS-3 or EOS-1V.
Both extenders decrease sharpness and hand-holdability. If you're hand-holding the lens (as I always do) you'll need to use film that's about 2 stops faster than normal with the 1.4x extender to compensate for the longer focal length and smaller aperture. The 2x extender would require 3-4 stops faster film. So, as a rule of thumb, I use ISO100 film when I use the 100-400 alone, and ISO400 film when I use the 1.4x extender. Naturally, the faster film further degrades image quality.
Here's an example photo taken with the 2X extender and the 100-400IS lens (at 400mm), handheld at f/11 and (around) 1/100sec., with 400 speed film. This is typical of the results I see--no visible camera shake, but not sharp. The graininess demonstrates that I had to use a faster film to get an acceptable shutterspeed--you could always use a tripod.
| I would appreciate any more recent experiences with the 100-400 lens/1.4 converter set-up, as I am contemplating purchase. Thanks in advance, Jim in Nor Cal (8/6/2005, 4:03 AM) |
| Good info. I find it funny the world is full of advice to "use a tripod" after Tony clearly states & demonstrates that he well know's the basics of clear image shooting, and if he wanted to, he would "Get a tripod." Why not just say, "Get Closer," or "Get a bigger lense." Anyway Thanks Tony for interesting information and the Photo example! (6/30/2005, 5:15 PM) |
| I have the Canon 1.4 extender and have been using it with the Canon 300mm 4.0L is lens. Find the picture quality to be very disappointing. Have used it handheld for ground to air flying shots. Am going to give it one last chance by shooting raw and 400 to 800 iso. Was using fine Jpeg and 200 iso. Any coments or advice appreciated. Paul at kd6aw@cox.net Hate to give up and have to sell it. Maybe some of the problem is my not so steady hand, is ok with the bare 300mm though. (4/28/2005, 10:54 AM) |
| IS OR Tripod ... NOT BOTH !!!! (9/17/2004, 2:11 PM) |
| if not a tripod, what about a monopod.? Takes seconds to setup and may help to improve any vertical movement in images. (7/1/2003, 2:52 AM) |
| woww! great photo! (5/26/2003, 9:42 PM) |
| I thought IS was supposed to be turned off when using a tripod. Is this what the other commentors are suggesting? (4/5/2003, 4:27 PM) |
| Thanks for your comments. I just bought the 100-400 IS and have had the 1.4 and 2X that I use with my 400 (non zoom) lens. Wasn't sure about using the extenders but very anxious to try. I have always been a tripod user because of my landscape and low light work. This will be a new experience. Best of luck in 03. (1/2/2003, 11:44 PM) |
| Seems pretty obvious. I don't like to carry a tripod or spend the time setting it up. -Tony (5/5/2002, 9:31 AM) |
| Why do you do not use a tripod? It would be sharper! (5/5/2002, 3:46 AM) |