28-300 L with kenko 1.4 ext.

Anyone have experience with using a teleconverter with a canon 28-300 L zoom? I have a Kenko pro 1.4. Going on safari soon and will be picking up a new zoom. Looking at 100-400 or 28-300 (like the thought of not changing lenses in dusty cond,). Already have a 70-300L, and would like more reach.

Thanks

Not sure that the extra reach of 420mm from 300mm is really all that significant, myself. I'd go for the 150-600mm Tamron/Sigma or similar. I would imagine that the results from the Kenko TC would be pretty dire especially with the 28-300L. Will it even fit?

I am reasonably sure that the Kenko 1.4 will fit the 28 to 300L without any physical issue. The Canon Extenders EF will also mount the 28 to 300L, but the rear of the lens will hit the extender when it is at about FL = 80mm. Be prepared to have wonky AF with that combination.

 

IF you're serious about not changing lenses, then you are not gaining much by having a 1.4 permanently on the 28 to 300, (i.e. the kit functionally becoming a 40mm to 420mm, F/5 to F/8) than if you used a 100 to 400, and, importantly with a native 100 to 400 you'd have good AF.

 

If you think that you need the ??mm to 100mm, then get another body and a suitable lens (e.g. 24 to 70?)

 

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All that stated, if I already had a 70 to 300L, then I don't think I would be looking at a 100 to 400 to replace it simply for the (minor) extra 100mm reach: depending upon the type of safari, I'd be looking at hiring a 500/4 IS or 600L, and taking two bodies.

 

WW

The 100-400L was the standard safari lens back in the day when it was the lowest cost way to get good quality 600mm using an APS-C camera. It still is useful today. There are alternatives, and as mentioned the Sigma C or Tamron 150-600 are also low cost ways to get good results on safari. The 500 and 600 primes give IQ better than the zooms and AF is better too but at the expense of versatility and lens changes, not to mention the high cost. If I were doing a safari again I think I would take my 150-600 C and leave the 100-400L at home.

Be aware that the 150-600 zooms are not as easily handled as the 100-400L, and I find they need higher shutter speeds to overcome camera shake (I only use IS when forced to). What ever, you will find that 600mm or there a-bouts is needed, especially in East Africa. 100-400 is useable for Southern Africa where the game parks are more vegetated.

Nothing against Kenko for the occasional extension; but, if I were going to use it all the time, I'd belly up to the bar and get a Canon extender.

 

Make sure that the extender and the lens will work together in autofocus, by the way. Some top-of-the-line camera bodies will do so, but then why don't you ju$t buy a longer lens anyhow?

Thanks for the replies. I've always been curious about the 28-300 for outdoor work and not changing lenses in hostile environments. I already have a 70-200 f4 L / 300L f4 and the 70-300L. Just looking to put together an all-around kit that will complete and as compact as possible from both weight and speed. I learned a lot on my last safari. Since I'll be taking my 5DS and 7D2 I'm probably going to pick up or rent the 100-400. Not sold on the 150-600's, though I should rent one and form my own opinion. Problem with owning one of them is their resale is not so good.

. . . I've always been curious about the 28-300 for outdoor work and not changing lenses in hostile environments. . .

 

I used a EF 35–350mm f/3.5–5.6L USM and one (film) body for an assignment several years ago. The terrain was tough and wet and not having to change lenses was, in one way an advantage. BUT the main reason why I had only one lens and one camera was because that was the limit allowable for Press, when they entered the country.

 

Whilst not changing lenses and having an all-in-one zoom is a great idea in theory, my practice experience dictates that two cameras and three carefully selected lenses, and the willingness to change lenses, is a very powerful kit.

 

The fact that you are using DIGITAL and you are thinking of taking a DUAL FORMAT KIT leverages the power of your camera kit - personally I would chuck out the idea of the 28 to 300 and with it chuck out the idea of not changing lenses and focus your choice of lenses around a Dual Format Kit, prioritizing redundancy and a completeness of FoV coverage. In any case, value Image Stabilization in any lens choice.

 

WW

their resale is not so good.

 

True but they cost much less to buy too.

When I was reading about teleconverters, I was planning on chosing a Canon for reasons of compatibility with my camera bodies and lenses, but hen I found this test by the German site traumflieger.de, where every accessory is tested with Canon equipment. They also make their own accessories, quite professionally. Their test standards are pretty high and reliable. To my amazement, the best choice (and value for money) was a Kenko (the 1,4x MC4 DGX), which I bought subsequently. I am very happy with my choice. In some photos, there is hardly any visible loss of resolution. It works perfectly on my EF 400 mm 5.6, on which the Canon converter doesn't even work well according to the Canon specs. I don't know which Kenko you have, but here is the test I'm referring to: https://www.traumflieger.de/objektivtest/open_test/telekonverter/overview.php

 

However, in general, the use of a teleconverter is not something I would advise you when you have to take action shots of wildlife. What you need is fast autofocus, weight you can handle and general ease of use. All of these criteria are seriously obstructed by the use of a TC. It takes a whole stop of light (which may not seem the biggest problem in Africa), so do realize your maximum shutter speed is halved by it. Hiring a 500 or a 600 mm 4.0 is your best option if you want to take home quality material.

I have the original Canon 1.4 extender and the first version of the 100-400 L and imo I think you'd be disappointed with the tc-28-300 combo. It works, autofocus is reasonably fast in good light but the image quality is less than optimal, plus you have to use a body that supports f/8. The Tamron 150-600 in on my wish list for 2020.