Kenko Telephoto Pro 300 DG 1.4x Extender vs. Kenko 1.5 Teleplus DG AF Conversion Lens

[ddt0725]

I've seen both of these listed on ebay What is the difference in the two other than the obvious .1? Will bothAF with my EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS Lens? I've seen some sites say it will, others state that it won't. Does anyone use either of these? If so, are you pleased with the results?

Any help greatly appreciated!

Denise

[Brendan7]

No, they will not AF.


I know you don't want to hear this, but using a TC on a 100-400 is a bad idea.


Why not use your Canon 1.4x?

[ddt0725]

Why not use your Canon 1.4x?



Because it doesn't AF with the 100-400mm and I am thinking of selling it and my 300mm. One minute I am convinced I should sell and buy something else...then I think maybe I should hang on to it for awhile (thru the summer).

Denise

[Brendan7]

Because it doesn't AF with the 100-400mm


That's because of the aperture, not the TC. No TC will AF with the 100-400.



I am thinking of selling it and my 300mm.


You can sell the 300mm (it's not for everyone) but hang on to the TC. It's compatible with a lot of lenses and it's nice to have one IMO.



One minute I am convinced I should sell and buy something else...then I think maybe I should hang on to it for awhile (thru the summer).


Shoot a lot and figure out what you're missing if anything. A monopod sounds like a good idea :)


brendan

[ddt0725]

That's because of the aperture, not the TC. No TC will AF with the 100-400.



I know it is because of the apeture. Reason for asking the question was that I did not know if the Kenko TC had different apeture requirements.





You can sell the 300mm (it's not for everyone) but hang on to the TC. It's compatible with a lot of lenses and it's nice to have one IMO.



What lens do you recommend it be used with and still get good results?





Shoot a lot and figure out what you're missing if anything. A monopod sounds like a good idea :)



A monopod is at the top of my list now (regardless of sale) since the park I go to regularly now is 4,515 acres, a monopod would really be handy!

Denise

[Brendan7]

What lens do you recommend it be used with and still get good results?



A 70-200 lens, your 300 f/4 (although if you're using the 300 w/ TC exclusively you're missing the point of having a 300 f/4), a 100mm or 180mm macro (for more range at MFD for super closeups).



A monopod is at the top of my list now (regardless of sale) since the park I go to regularly now is 4,515 acres, a monopod would really be handy!



I would recommend a gitzo here, but comparable monopods are about 1/2 the price. Unfortunately Gitzo monopods are a ripoff[8o|][N][8o|]



I know it is because of the apeture. Reason for asking the question was that I did not know if the Kenko TC had different apeture requirements.


If it did, heck, we'd all buy the Kenko! [:D]

[neuroanatomist]

That's because of the aperture, not the TC. No TC will AF with the 100-400.


The Tamron 1.4x TC allows autofocus with the 100-400mm. It works because it doesn't accurately report the aperture to the body. The Kenko and Canon TCs do report the aperture (unless you tape three of the pins). It's similar to how the several Sigma zoom lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/6.3 (at the tele end) still manage to AF on all Canon bodies - they 'trick' the camera into thinking it's got an f/5.6 lens mounted.


Note that there is a difference between will autofocus, and will autofocus well...with the Tamron TC or a taped Canon/Kenko, expect some hunting for focus.

[ddt0725]

Thank, John!

Looks like neither would be a wise choice. Your info has been very helpful! Glad I asked before I went and spent the $150.

Denise

[scalesusa]

A 1 series camera body will AF with a 1.4X and 100-400mm lens. If you tape pins on the TC as some do, most bodies will AF with the TC, my 40D worked great doing this, but AF was a bit slow.


I tried my 70-200mm f4L IS with a 2X TC, it focused very quickly with the 1D. Then I stacked the Canon 2X and 1.4X converters on my 70-200mm and it also autofocused at f11, but it was very slow and not reliable. Still, it beat manual focus by a mile, for a still subject.


Then, I used the 1.4X on my 100-400mm L, and it autofocused fine. Finally, I used the stacked TC on the 100-400mm lens at 400mm. It didn't even try to AF in that configuration.


This leaves me wondering if a 200mm F2.8 is II with 2TC's would do well. I've been considering a 300mm f/2.8 to use with a TC as a handheld alternative to my 100-400mm zoom and my 600mm F/4 non is.


Here are a couple of images taken just a few minutes ago with my 1D MK III using autofocus. They were taken thru a double pane window due to the poor weather, so the sharpness is not optimal, and the 70-200mm image is cropped almost to 1:1.





Canon 70-200mm @200mm+ 1.4X and 2.0X Stacked Autofocuses very slowly= 560mm


http://mt-spokane-photography.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/Canon-Extender-Test/829777089_GahcV-XL.jpg ("http://mt-spokane-photography.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/Canon-Extender-Test/829777239_PkhwG-XL.jpg)





Canon 100-400mm @ 400mm + 1.4X Autofocuses fine = 560mm


http://mt-spokane-photography.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds/Canon-Extender-Test/829777239_PkhwG-L.jpg