Canon EF 70-200, a mirrorless camera and a 2x extender question: So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work...

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

phil9945 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I put my 100-400 f5.6L together with my M50 - shot some pics of the sun (thru 19 stops of neutral density of course) - it worked just fine - here is a link to a) the rig, and b) one of the shots i took at 800 mm (1260 considering the crop factor)

https://flic.kr/p/2iRd9oN

https://flic.kr/p/2iQYn7Y

cheers
phil

Zooman 1

I have used the R and the M50 with the 1.4 Canon extender with several lenses running from 70-300 up to the Sigma 150-600mm. Two things have been a problem, taking longer to get focused and hunting. Turned off the continuous focus and that took care of the hunting. Practice is improving the slow focusing. I have the 2X but have not used it with the R or M50. Have not been too happy with it when using DSLR's, but will give it a try. Hope this is helpful.

phil9945 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

oops - forgot to add that i used 2 x extender ( :) ) ... Zooman_1 - agree with you on using the 2 x extender with the 100-400 on my 5D Mk2 - was not a happy experience
Phil

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

phil9945 wrote:

oops - forgot to add that i used 2 x extender ( :) ) ... Zooman_1 - agree with you on using the 2 x extender with the 100-400 on my 5D Mk2 - was not a happy experience
Phil

I’d read that they didn’t play nice with a DSLR so I never got one when I have my 5D iv but I was hoping they do better on the mirrorless. Thanks for the pics you posted also.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Doubling an f/2.8 lens gives you an f/5.6 configuration, a configuration that retains autofocus on all EOS DLSR cameras as well as the EOS-R mirrorless bodies. Most users find the results to be excellent from this extremely sharp zoom extended with an extremely sharp 'doubler' to an effective 400mm, comparable to a native 400mm lens.

The 'real interest' is using lens configurations with a maximum aperture smaller than f/8. Canon is expanding f/8 support across the entire EOS line, now into new bodies like even the EOS Rebel T7i. For the mirrorless EOS-R, autofocus is now capable even at f/11, where a lens like the 100-400L II can be 'doubled' to an effective 800mm at f/11. The image quality is acceptable (better than just useful), although the AF performance is 'sluggish', even in the best / brightest light.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

CHG_CANON wrote:

Doubling an f/2.8 lens gives you an f/5.6 configur... (show quote)

Thank you Sir. Now to convince the Wife that another camera Related purchase is necessary.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Resqu2 wrote:

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

I use the 1.4x with that lens and like the combination, the 2x not as much, although its quite good as well - but I use them with a DSLR ( as I do not like mirrorless)!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Resqu2 wrote:

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

The short answer is yes, it will work....

But, and there's always a but, you will go from f/2.8 to f/5.6 and you WILL lose some clarity in your images. In other words, they will not be as sharp, but should be acceptable for the most part.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Resqu2 wrote:

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

The problem is that the EOS R is not a great wildlife camera, the 2X extender will not be as big of a problem as the R is, I say this as an owner of an R who uses my 5DSR and has not let go of my 5DIV simply because the R does not track as well as I think it should.

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

Blurryeyed wrote:

The problem is that the EOS R is not a great wildlife camera, the 2X extender will not be as big of a problem as the R is, I say this as an owner of an R who uses my 5DSR and has not let go of my 5DIV simply because the R does not track as well as I think it should.

I totally agree that it’s not for wildlife or sports which isn’t what I mainly shoot but I like to experiment in these fields on occasion. I’m hoping the R5 will be and I’m hoping it won’t break the bank when it’s released.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Resqu2 wrote:

I totally agree that it’s not for wildlife or sports which isn’t what I mainly shoot but I like to experiment in these fields on occasion. I’m hoping the R5 will be and I’m hoping it won’t break the bank when it’s released.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I use the 2x Extender III and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II with my 1Dx2 and find the results to be quite acceptable. I have even used it with my daughter’s T3i where the focus is not as fast but it gives a narrower FOV. I am not into mirrorless so I can’t comment on that combination. The only thing I can add is that 400mm may be a little short for wildlife shooting. Why not rent the extender and try it out for a few days? Or buy from a place where you have 30 days to return it if you don’t like it like B&H.

Resqu2 wrote:

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Resqu2 wrote:

So I have the Canon EOS R and the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM ii and I’m wondering how the latest Canon 2x extender will work with my camera. I don’t care if I loose some of my f/2.8 but I’m just wondering what are the downsides to this setup? I know there has to be some or Canon wouldn’t need to make a 400mm lens. I tried searching a bit but was hoping someone here has a similar setup. Wanting this for a cheap wildlife lens as my 200mm just isn’t enough most times.

No extender IMPROVES the image. So, there is then only one direction it can go.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Agreed, but if you have a good lens and want a relatively inexpensive way to double the capability it can work well with a good body and better than nothing on even an inexpensive body.

billnikon wrote:

No extender IMPROVES the image. So, there is then only one direction it can go.