Canon 100-400L II: I recently got the Canon 100-400L II and tried it out on my 7D. To my surprise the AF works with a 2x III converter in live view. Has anyone else tried this? I...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I recently got the Canon 100-400L II and tried it out on my 7D. To my surprise the AF works with a 2x III converter in live view. Has anyone else tried this? I thought AF only worked in this combination with the 7D MII. By the way my old eyes see very little difference if any with the lens or lens with a 2x III converter. Good going Canon.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

That is interesting. Does it work throughout the zoom range or only on the wide end?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Basil wrote:

That is interesting. Does it work throughout the zoom range or only on the wide end?

All through the zoom range.
In fact I was starting out at 800mm when I noticed it starting to focus and came into sharp focus. There were a couple of times I had to get the focus in the ball park as it searched but to me this is wonderful news.

IShootEverything Loc: TN

Wow so you can get a 200-800mm for just $3,000. This sounds very cool. I have been looking for a setup I can afford to take pictures of elk that visit the mountian by my house. Sadly they never come any closer than 350 yards from me. But I still can't afford $3,000.

I have the 7D too and love it its such an amazing camera.

As far as picture quality with the 2x. A friend let me use his 2x MII. I used it with my 70-200mm 1:2.8L II. I didn't notic much picture quality realated. The real difference i noticed was that it took my 1:2.8 to a 1:5.6. Not fun when you are trying to get a picture on a deer at dusk.

Thank you for your info. I will have to start saving those $$$$.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Ishootcanon wrote:

Wow so you can get a 200-800mm for just $3,000. Th... (show quote)

You are welcome.
Look at Canon MTF charts and see the 2x is virtually the same as the lens without it.

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

Architect1776 wrote:

I recently got the Canon 100-400L II and tried it out on my 7D. To my surprise the AF works with a 2x III converter in live view. Has anyone else tried this? I thought AF only worked in this combination with the 7D MII. By the way my old eyes see very little difference if any with the lens or lens with a 2x III converter. Good going Canon.

Live view is a different focusing system. I have used it on my old 7D and old 100-400 with a 1.4 and a 2x stacked to get autofocus. As long as there is an good image on the screen it will obtain a reasonable focus.

But will not work with the normal focus system.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Dan Copeland wrote:

Live view is a different focusing system. I have used it on my old 7D and old 100-400 with a 1.4 and a 2x stacked to get autofocus. As long as there is an good image on the screen it will obtain a reasonable focus.

But will not work with the normal focus system.

Interesting mine would not work.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

The first gen 100-400 is able to AF in LiveView only with a 2x.
The second gen is supposed to AF in and out of LiveView with the 2x.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Architect1776 wrote:

I recently got the Canon 100-400L II and tried it out on my 7D. To my surprise the AF works with a 2x III converter in live view. Has anyone else tried this? I thought AF only worked in this combination with the 7D MII. By the way my old eyes see very little difference if any with the lens or lens with a 2x III converter. Good going Canon.

I have used a 1.4 X and a 2X made by Tamron on the 100 400 mm lens. The trick to it is making sure you have a good bright sunny day. It will not autofocus early in the morning or late in the evening. Also, it may do a lot of "hunting" in order to obtain focus.

If you get the chance to, try it on an overcast day and see what happens. I think you will find it doesn't focus very well. I love this lens but it does have its limitations.

Jim D