odonnellake

Can you recommend pixel enhancement software? At this point I’m using Lightroom for my post processing but I’ve run not a couple of cropped pictures I’d love to be able to print.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

In general, 2X converters are not a great idea 1.4X work much better. Any TC used MUST be compatible with the intended lens or both may be damaged. I do own a 2X converter that I use rarely and only with my 400/2.8. The 1.4X I use regularly. Best of luck.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Agree that a 1.4x is more useful. I’ve been using a 1.4x on my 135 f2L instead of my 70-200 f2.8L a lot recently to save weight for those long days, and it’s a great combo.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Frank 2012 Loc: Olathe, Kansas

I can answer part of your question by showing some pictures when I was using my Canon EF 70-200 mm zoom lens, 1:2.8L IS II USM connected to the Canon EF 2X III extender (TC). Pictures taken hand held while standing on the top deck of a moving cruise ship near Alaska. Camera used: Canon 70D. Pictures taken on bright sunny afternoon.
1st picture: 140mm, f 8, 1/500, ISO 100. 2nd picture: 140mm, f 7.1, 1/320, ISO 100. 3rd pic. 400mm, f8, 1/500, ISO 160.

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gessman Loc: Colorado

Since you're new here and may not know the people or the character of the forum, I'd like to characterize what you've seen here in case some of it has confused you. There is little comparative merit to a lot of what has been said. You have people offering you their subjective opinions based solely on their experience and there is no way to hang a value on what they say because each individual has his/her own expectations of what is "acceptable" to them and it may vary widely from one person to the next and even more so from what you expect. In all due respect, you really haven't been given a definitive answer here because many of those who have told you they demand perfection never post any images so we can see exactly what that means and without examples of what is top quality to them, we are left to draw our own conclusion of what they are saying and that often leads to some pretty fuzzy impressions. To check the images posted by the various members, click on their name in the left column and it will take you to their profile where you need to click on their "number of topics created." Clicking on that will open a list of threads they've started and look for ones in the "Photo Gallery" where they have posted their images and see what those look like to determine what their relative qualifications are for passing out advice. Many on here read stuff and regurgitate it as though they have practical knowledge when in reality they only know what they've read. We all do it some and it can have some merit but looking at people's images will give you an idea who is a "talker" and who is a "walker."

Saying you are a hobbyist signals to me that on a good day you might accept a little less actual photographic perfection in a truly exceptional subject than a pro who lives by selling images might expect, and you might like to keep some semblance of balance between the economics and production ratio without breaking the bank. Once the "big boys" cross over the line to making money and spending tons of money for their tools which they "write off," their expectations often become pretty unrealistic when compared to what those of us do who aren't in their class and they often lose sight of what is a good day out for a hobbyist. We each have our own expectations and yours may differ drastically from mine but I have the 70-200 f/2.8L II IS and use a 1.4x on it with great satisfaction for me. I would also use a 2x on it if I had one but it happens that I also have the 400mm 5.6L lens which I would use instead. The 400mm f/5.6L isn't even as heavy as the 70-200 f/2.8 II and I often put the 1.4x on it also with great satisfaction for me. I like my 400 so much that I have even bought and adapted a Sony a6500 to it because of the in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) with the crop factor taking the 400 to 600, adding a 1.4x gives me 840mm, and using Sony's Clear Image Zoom that Imagemeister mentioned, I double that to 1680 with loss of only one stop of light and all the while, retaining autofocus. I have shot some images I'm really pretty happy with but haven't put them to the test of what the market might bear because I shoot only for my satisfaction.

I would suggest to you that if you really have a question about whether or not YOU would be happy putting a 2x on your 70-200, rent one from lensrentals.com and see how you like it, or better yet, buy one from B&H and if it doesn't meet your expectations you can return it within 30 days and that way you don't lose the rental fee and don't worry about "costing" B&H. It'll be sold later as a refurb and nobody loses. I haven't done that but several folks on uhh have and do.

Below is a shot of a Heron I got with a Sony a6000, the EF400mm f/5.6L and EF1.4x. I don't know how much quality I lost or how much I would have lost had I used a 2x but as a hobbyist I think I'd be happy with the shot with even a little less image quality (IQ). You can decide if it's good enough for you or not.

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Western Kingbird, Canon 5d2, EF70-200 f/2.8L & EF1.4x


Silver Fox, Canon 5d2, EF70-200 f/2.8L ii IS & EF1.4x

gessman Loc: Colorado

There are several programs, some perhaps even free, but I like these people: http://www.benvista.com/products

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Interesting sermon on the veracity of the sources of advice ...

Rather than the questionable ethics of 'buying' something to use and return with no intention of keeping it, you could rent either a 1.4 or 2x extender from a variety of places including LensRentals.com or BorrowLens.com or possibly a store location in your area. I believe both places will also apply your rental fee toward a purchase if you decide to keep rather than return at the end of the rental period. You could also rent a longer lens for comparison at the same time.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Speaking of "sermons," I read all the comments. Did you? ...and please excuse me, but I first referred the OP to lensrentals and further, I also said "if the 2x from B&H doesn't meet your needs, you can return it." That's a B&H policy, not mine. I said not one thing about "with no intentions of keeping it." Now, I don't have any evidence of the expectations of the OP if he buys a 2x but I got the distinct impression that the OP is prepared to buy a 2x if it suits his needs so there's nothing at all questionable or unethical about that - it is a valid assumption every time a sales of any merchandise is made for a variety of reasons, whatever reason the buyer deems appropriate. Otherwise, if you just want to get all up in my stuff, please point out to me where I misled the OP on anything I said or have a nice day but please feel free keep your judgmental b.s. to yourself, or perhaps I misunderstood your intent?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I use Elements or the in camera Sony Clear Image Zoom. Somewhere in Lightroom, you should be able to find Adobe's default "Bicubic smoother" for enlargement. IMO, it is best to make small increments of 10% or less till you get to where you want to be - but hopefully no larger than what your camera normally delivers in an uncropped shot.

I believe "On One" which used to be Genuine Fractals, is a very good stand alone pixel enlargement software. Google is your friend.

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imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

So eloquently stated ! - And, very GOOD advice ......

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Poppa

I have a 150 to 600 Tamron lens and use a Promaster Spectrum 7 2X and pleased with the results considering I wouldn't get any picture without.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It does seem my eyes glazed over from your presumptious BS before I got to the rental suggestion followed shortly by the suggestion to rip off B&H ...

I'd like to characterize what you've seen here in case some of it has confused you ...

Saying you are a hobbyist signals to me that on a good day you might accept a little less actual photographic perfection ...

gessman Loc: Colorado

LOL. Well, sir, please don't attempt to hold me responsible for any attention deficit disorder you may have.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

After viewing your Canon 2XII Extender, I was curious as to how much it cost. B&H listed only the 2XIII version, not the Canon 2XII . The 2XIII goes for $429..Obviously the current version. However, I stumbled on a Yongnuo Brand 2XIII Extender for Canon EF mount, going new for $170. It looks similar to Canon's newest Extender. I saw one review was 5 Stars out of 5. Are you aware of this Yongnuo Extender? Yongnuo also makes a 1.4X Canon EF Extender for the same price as the 2X. There were none for Nikon DSLRs.