andrew_branson Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I currently own a 70-300mm 4-5.6 with IS, and would like to know whether I should keep it or not. I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L on the way, and was thinking about just buying a 1.4x to add on to it, to get the longerfocal lengths when necessary. Besides a standpoint of weight, will I benefit from keeping my older 70-300mm? Thanks! Andrewapbstudio.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_king2 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi Andrew The short answer - yes and yes, or at least that's what I did. I have the 70-200 f/2.8 IS and I use it with the 1.4x. I find that combination to be quicker and a tad better IQ at maximum reach than the 70-300, which I also own. I use the L (with and without the 1.4x) when IQ and performance are paramount and the 70-300 when size and weight (or lack thereof) are paramount - I bought the 70-300 for that purpose alone and have not regretted it. I find that the 70-300 stands up well to the the L - though not as good it is not put to shame. My advice - keep the 70-300 for a while to see if you need it, and then make a decision about its future. Cheers, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
images_in_light_north_west Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 A 1.4x on a 70-200 will reduce the IQ of that lens I would not recomend it, I think the 1.4x should only be used on long fast primes. Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyinca Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 You won't have this problem to worry about if you don't buy the 1.4XTC. I also have the three items that you listed.Canon 1.4X TC is the odd one out of the bag. IMO (2 cents), it is better off with 300mm+ tele. I do keep a $50 used Kenko 1.5X in the bag for just in case. It is cheap, light weight, hardly take up space and fits everythings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin_sibson1 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 From my personal experience, the Extender 1.4x works extremely well on the 70~200/4L IS, which is consistent with Bob's comment on his experience with the f/2.8 version. These are probably two of the very few exceptions to the sound general advice that teleconverters/Extenders are best limited to use on long primes. That applies even more to the Extender 2x than the Extender 1.4x. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_osullivan Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 "A 1.4x on a 70-200 will reduce the IQ of that lens I would not recomend it, I think the 1.4x should only be used on long fast primes. Ross" Disagree. Like Bob I have no IQ loss at all with the 1.4tc attached at 200mm. Maybe Tommy has a bad one or calibration is needed somewhere. From your post it appears that you ordered the non-IS version of the 70-200. For that reason alone I would keep the 70-300. Also for the smaller lighter form factor. You'll appreciate that on long shoots in the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_myers Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi, I'm pretty picky, but I'll use the 1.4X on 70-200/2.8 IS when I don't happen to have my 300mm with me. There's a slight loss of IQ with that particular lens and TC combo, however it's very slight. I won't use the 2X on that lens, and don't recommend the combo, due to too much loss of IQ (in my opinion... I know some others use it and are okay with it). I have no problems using the 2X on 300mm and 500mm lenses. Works great on those. In both cases, the TCs I use are Canon Mark II. I've heard some of the third party 1.4X are the equal of the Canon 1.4X in terms of IQ, but I don't have any direct experience with them and don't know if that would be the case with the 70-200 in particular. Over the years using a number of different TCs with various lenses and systems, I've found that sometimes one will work great with a particular lens or a few lenses, but not with others. Canon's are designed primarily for use with the tele primes 135mm and up. But, I consider the 70-200/2.8 + 1.4X II a safe bet, too, simply from my own experience with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torin_olsen Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I too have the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS with a 1.4x II TC. I've been very pleased with the results, but the combo is a bit hefty and I don't use it when just the 70-200 will do... Something no one has mentioned is that you get ~280mm @ f/4 with the combo. Useful when you need the extra speed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendel_leisk Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 FWIW, the ISO target shots at The-Digital-Picture show the f4.0 with1.4x extender slightly sharper than the f2.8 with same extender. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=103&Camera=9&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=3&LensComp=404&CameraComp=9&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyjo Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I use the 1.4X Mk I with good results on the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. If it's just long reach I want I'll use the 300 f/4 IS with or without the 1.4, but if I need the versatility of the zoom, the 1.4 definitely produces acceptable images. It is my understanding that the newer 1.4 is optically identical to the older, it just added weather sealing. Since I shoot with a 50D and 30D, weather sealing doesn't make much of a difference. It's also considerably cheaper on the used market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lad_lueck Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 My 1.4x TC II and 70-200 2.8 IS are *fantastic* together. I can only tell that the 1.4 was mounted by comparing two pics side-by-side. The 2x, on the other hand, was awful on same. My 400 5.6 loves both converters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Either there is a typo in the question, or the thread has headed off on a wrong assumption: Andrew states: ``I have a 70-200mm f/2.8L on the way`` there is no mention of IS. To answer the question, as asked, I suggest keeping the 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS: because it has IS and that will most likely be useful. On the other hand, I have the EF70 to 200F/2.8L and use it regularly with the x1.4MkII and the results are just short of excellent. If you are CERTAIN you not will never need the IS, then I suggest selling the 70 to 300. If indeed you are buying the 70 to 20F2.8L IS, then I suggest selling the 70 to 300 and buying the x1.4MkII. BUT in either case, prudence dictates waiting a few months and using both lenses, as Bob King first suggested, there will be plenty of x1.4MkII to buy in December. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_branson Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 I am sorry, I did mean the 70-200mm f/2.8L w/IS. I have definitely learned how valuable IS is! It definitely sounds like I will get better IQ with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS with a 1.4x added on as opposed to the 70-300mm IS. Thank you all for the great feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_wang10 Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 70-200 f/.8 IS L and 1.4x TC works great. I use the combo as a backup when my primary is either a 400 f/2.8 or 600 f/4. Use this combo as primary when shooting breaking news. Backup is 24-70 L. I think IQ means image quality. Quality not a problem with the combo. Shoot with 1dMkIIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmwalker Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I have used the 70-200L F/2.8 IS with 1.4x TC and IMHO got very acceptable results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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