Teleconverter for macro and long distance shots
Jan 21, 2014 13:38:46 #
Santa brought me the Canon 100mm f/2.8 L lens for my Canon 7D. I've been having fun shooting macro. Recently we went to Sea World and sat in the back of the stadium for the Shamu show. I shot the show with my macro lens and was absolutely giddy with the colors, tack sharp focus and lightning speed autofocus.
Here's my question, I've been asked to go "birding" and I can't bring myself to shoot with my (much, much) cheaper Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 zoom. I've not been happy with what this lens produces for a long time now and my macro is such a superior lens.
Is it possible to add a 2x teleconverter to my macro for extra reach when shooting faraway objects? I've seen people add a teleconverter for macro work, but I can't seem to find any info on adding a tc to a macro lens for long distance shooting of nature, etc.
Has anyone on here tried it? I understand there will be loss of light, but I'm wondering how much it degrades the image?
I have a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L on my wish list, but I can't afford it right now. I'm hoping using a tc on my macro will hold me over until I can purchase the 70-200.
Thank you!
Here's my question, I've been asked to go "birding" and I can't bring myself to shoot with my (much, much) cheaper Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 zoom. I've not been happy with what this lens produces for a long time now and my macro is such a superior lens.
Is it possible to add a 2x teleconverter to my macro for extra reach when shooting faraway objects? I've seen people add a teleconverter for macro work, but I can't seem to find any info on adding a tc to a macro lens for long distance shooting of nature, etc.
Has anyone on here tried it? I understand there will be loss of light, but I'm wondering how much it degrades the image?
I have a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L on my wish list, but I can't afford it right now. I'm hoping using a tc on my macro will hold me over until I can purchase the 70-200.
Thank you!
Jan 21, 2014 16:01:40 #
First of all, your Canon 100-mm lens is only a macro when set at Minimum Focusing Distance. At any other focal distance, it is a short telephoto lens, and can be used in conjunction with any tele-extenders (aka tele-converters). The higher the quality of the T-E, the better IQ of the captured image.
Your Canon 7D has an APS-C size sensor, so a 100-mm lens captures the field-of-view as a 160-mm lens on a full frame sensor. Adding a 1.4x T-E will yield the equivalent of a 224-mm lens, with a loss of 1-stop of exposure (max f/4). Adding a 2x T-E will yield the equivalent of a 320-mm lens, with a loss of 2-stops of exposure (max f/5.6).
Your Canon 7D has an APS-C size sensor, so a 100-mm lens captures the field-of-view as a 160-mm lens on a full frame sensor. Adding a 1.4x T-E will yield the equivalent of a 224-mm lens, with a loss of 1-stop of exposure (max f/4). Adding a 2x T-E will yield the equivalent of a 320-mm lens, with a loss of 2-stops of exposure (max f/5.6).
Jan 21, 2014 19:52:28 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
When I first got my Canon 100mm macro IS I researched if Canon tele-converters ("Extenders" in Canon lingo) could be used with this lens and the answer is "No." B&H Photo publishes a list of Canon lenses compatible with Canon tele-converters and the 100mm macro is not on it. This list (for the 2X extender) is a great resource for Canon users as it's hard to find anything so clear on the Canon website:At any other focal distance, it is a short telephoto lens, and can be used in conjunction with any tele-extenders (aka tele-converters).
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon2xExtender.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon2xExtender.html
The documentation that comes with lens states: "The EF1.4X II/EF2X extenders cannot be used with this lens."
It is true that the lens is marvelous as a short telephoto. I prefer it to any other lens I've used. Other Canon users rate it as the best Canon lens regardless of price (Bob Atkins Best Canon Lenses).
Jan 21, 2014 20:23:16 #
LiamRowan wrote:
Thanks for the heads-up. Is there a physical reason for non-compatibility, like lens' last element extending past rear lens mount?http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon2xExtender.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/canon2xExtender.html
The documentation that comes with lens states: "The EF1.4X II/EF2X extenders cannot be used with this lens."
The documentation that comes with lens states: "The EF1.4X II/EF2X extenders cannot be used with this lens."
Jan 21, 2014 20:50:27 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I believe that I have read MT Shooter expound on this topic on UHH but don't remember the details. I do remember him stating that hooking a Canon teleconverter up to an incompatible lens can cause serious damage. I might just PM him and ask him to contribute.Thanks for the heads-up. Is there a physical reason for non-compatibility, like lens' last element extending past rear lens mount?
Jan 21, 2014 21:19:33 #
The Canon teleconvertor front lens protrudes too far out to use with the Canon 100mm. You can put the teleconvertor on the camera, then add tubes, then the lens for greater macro magnification but that won't help the OP get telephoto reach out of the lens.
Jan 21, 2014 21:34:00 #
From almost everything I have read, the image quality of a 2x converter is very similar to cropping your image )ie not worth it). I have seen many people recommend 1.4x TCs though. As others mentioned the Canon one will not work, but the Kenko Pro300 DGX should work fine.
I felt exactly the same as you after getting my 150 macro, never used the 55-250 again. I have used the Kenko 1.4 on my macro and generally like the results, but you lose a stop of light, and, at least for my lens, the autofocus is already much slower than the 55-250 adding the TC slows it a little more.
The TC will also let you take higher mag macro pictures :-)
I felt exactly the same as you after getting my 150 macro, never used the 55-250 again. I have used the Kenko 1.4 on my macro and generally like the results, but you lose a stop of light, and, at least for my lens, the autofocus is already much slower than the 55-250 adding the TC slows it a little more.
The TC will also let you take higher mag macro pictures :-)
Jan 22, 2014 10:25:26 #
I have tried to use a Tamron SP 1.4X on a Canon 100 macro IS. It will NOT AF with the TC - and I do not know why ?? There is no physical interferance with the Tamron. However, you can still manually focus and the Tamron 2X would be the same in this regard. So, yes you can physically use Tamron TC's but with no AF !
Jan 22, 2014 11:00:17 #
imagemeister wrote:
Of course, depends on the use, but no AF at those focal lengths would be a deal breaker for me.I have tried to use a Tamron SP 1.4X on a Canon 100 macro IS. It will NOT AF with the TC - and I do not know why ?? There is no physical interferance with the Tamron. However, you can still manually focus and the Tamron 2X would be the same in this regard. So, yes you can physically use Tamron TC's but with no AF!
Jan 22, 2014 13:00:42 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Yes, for me also - That is one reason why I really like the 70-200 F4L with a 2 element close up lens on the front - VERY versatile with great IQ !Of course, depends on the use, but no AF at those focal lengths would be a deal breaker for me.
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