Benttree Loc: GA.

danielb59,
I do shoot with Canon 1.4 converter.
Canon price is much more than a second parties, but the quality, at least I believe is better as well. ( YES I'll agree Canon is overpriced on all of Canon accessories).
If you do have a local camera store, you may can test on both of them. - You may fine a bit of problem than you use any converter with you f4, since it is kind of slow glass.
With converter that lens will be only ~ f5- or 6-,.
You'l need good day light able to use that lens with converter.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Well folks, I have been using the 70-200 f4 for about 5 years now. I use Tamron SP 1.4X. The quality is astounding ! I also use 300 2.8 Canon - so I do know what quality images are supposed to look like ! BTW, I also use the Tamron SP 1.4X on the 300 2.8. I have used the standard and SP versions of the 1.4X on the 70-200 and could not tell the difference ! The quality of 1.4X TC's varies by only a very teeny tiny amount - certainly not to justify 2X or 3X monetary costs ! 2X TC's is where the image quality varies more. I do use Canon 2X II on the 300 because of the optimization.

All Canon TC's are opimised for use on Prime lenses 300mm and longer. This means they may NOT be the best option for Zoom lenses less than 300mm !

Go here - http://www.traumflieger.de/objektivtest/open_test/telekonverter/overview.php - to see a TC test done in Germany on the Canon 70-200 f4 lens. Tamron TC's were NOT part of this test ! The winner? - Kenko 4 element ! Use translation as the page is written in German.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I have used, in fact do use, all three manufacturers depending on what lens I am putting it on. I tried to use the same manufacturers, in other words a Canon TC on a Canon lens, Sigma TC on Sigma lens. Unfortunately it's always possible.

In your case you can use the Canon TC's on that lens. See:

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300004653/01/extender-ef-14x-iii-en.pdf

If you cannot afford the Canon TC then I would go with the Tamron but make sure you select the right Tamron TC. Tamron makes two different 1.4 X TC's. Read the description on them and decide which one it is you need. If you have the f4 version of the 70 – 200 mm lens then you don't want to buy the tamron pro. It would be a waste the money. Here are links to both of Tamron's 1.4X TC's.

http://www.adorama.com/TM14XPEOS.html?adver=new&

http://www.adorama.com/TM14XEOS.html?adver=new&

I have used the Tamron TC's with good luck. They are not the quality of the Canon TC's but they're not near the price either.

Jim D

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I use the Kenko teleplus pro 300 DGX 1.4x on my Nikon 300mm f4.0 AF-s D IF prime lens, great result.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I'd only get a matched 1.4x Canon for your specific Canon lens. If they don't make one for it, look to a different Canon lens & extender combination.

One reason I bring this up is Some people can tell or see the use of a tele-extender. A friend of mine who shoots with a Canon 5D mkII sent me a file of a few shots that he took of birds with that camera and a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens with Matched 1.4x or 2x Extender. I thought the images were great, you would too, and they are, but...
... I forwarded the images to a Wildlife pro photographer I know who does not know my friend, telling her only the camera and lens used, nothing about the extender since I did not remember which one he has. She uses the same equipment. The first thing she wrote back was "it is a bit soft, did he use a tele-extender?" I was shocked, she knows the equipment that well that she knows exactly what it can do and how it looks. So I can imagine what she would say had he shot it with an unmatched third party accessory.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If the $450 price tag of the Canon 1.4X III is a problem, you might look for a used Mark II. It's really close in image quality and I think it should work great with that lens. The Mark III TC's electronics have been optimized for use with the Mark II lenses, but your 70-200 is an earlier lens. I don't think there is a lot of difference optically, between 1.4X II and 1.4X III. At least not that you can see in the results.

You can usually find the Canon 1.4X Mk II for around $200 to $250 in top condition.

Some alternatives you might consider are the Kenko 1.4X. Some users think they rival or even surpass the Canon in image quality. There are at least three that may be worth consideration...

Kenko Pro 300 1.4X DG... is an earlier model that's quite good. I don't believe this TC will be "recognized" by the camera, which doesn't effect anything except that it won't show up in the EXIF of the images. If this is the case, it might be an advantage if trying to use it with a slower lens (f5.6), fooling the camera into trying to focus even though it's not supposed to. Actual focus performance in this situation will likely be slower and more inclined to hunt, but that really will depend upon the lighting conditions and contrast at the time.

Kenko Pro 300 1.4X DGX is one of the current models Kenko is offering. This will work the same as the Canon and is selling for $145 new.

Kenko MC-4 1.4X DGX is a less expensive current model, selling for $105 right now. In the center of the image, it actually is a wee bit sharper than the more expensive model. But sharpness drops off, below that of the more expensive models, toward the periphery and corners of the image. If using with crop sensor cameras, this might be a good choice. If used with full frame, the Pro 300 would probably be a better choice.

Tamron and Sigma have also made some excellent, high performance teleconverters. However, both have made many different models... plus there are virtually unlimited possible lens/TC combinations. Even from one manufacturer, some TCs are better than others. And some lens/TC combos work well together, while others don't. When asking for advice about TCs, it's important to know the specific TC model and, if possible, how it works on a specific lens.

Personally I've been using the Canon 1.4X II and 2X II teleconverters with various lenses for eight or ten years now. I have also used the Kenko DG models in the past. And I've used various vintage Tamron, Sigma (and other), but not their more recent or current TCs.

I mostly use the Canon 1.4X II on EF 300/4L IS lens, but occasionally have used it on 135/2L and 70-200/2.8L IS. The 1.4X II works great with all those... very little loss of IQ. The 70-200 shows the most loss, which is predictable, since the optics of a zoom are far more complex than the primes. I've noticed no significant loss of

I simply have not had occasion to use the 1.4X on 70-200/4L IS, though I also have that lens. It may work a little differently, since that lens (and the latest 70-200/2.8L IS Mark II) uses a fluorite element. None of the other Canon 70-200s do. I would expect the "sharper" image from the lens with fluorite would tolerate adding a TC better than a lens without the fluorite.

But, it's hard to say for sure without trying. Not all combos work well. For example, the 400/4 DO IS is a fantastic lens on it's own, but it just doesn't work well with teleconverters. The Mark II version of the lens hugely improves on this.

The Canon 2X II I mostly only use with 300/2.8L IS and, less frequently, 500/4L IS. I will not use the 2X on 70-200... the loss of image quality is just too much.

GLbro Loc: Sacramento County

I have a Kenko Teleplus 1.4 Pro 300 and enjoy the results I get. I do need to make compensations for lighting and focus. One thing to be aware of is that it does NOT attach to all of my lenses. I shoot with Canon and it only works with my Canon 70-300 IS lens. It has to do with the mounting. I now need to be able to use either an EF or an EF-S mount. Look into that part of it and be sure it fits your camera and lens. I purchased mine on-line and I do enjoy the results. It does take some time and practice to learn to attach quickly though, but it is part of the fun. Good luck.

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

Just to clarify something others are saying, I just used a Kenko Pro 300 DG (not DGX) wit the Canon 70-200 mm f/4 L IS and the exif data on both the camera and in Lightroom are correct: f/5.6 instead of f/4 and 280 mm instead of 200 mm. Since even Kenko says the DGX is required for this to happen I wonder why, when clearly it is happening.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No teleconverters will work with Canon EF-S lenses. Only with Canon EF. However, there's little reason to use a TC with any of the EF-S lenses, anyway. Most of them are standard to wide angle or ultrawide, and/or have too slow an aperture (f5.6) at the long end. So EF-s simply aren't good candidates to use with a TC, even if it were possible to mount one. Third party lenses all use EF mount, whether "crop only" or full frame design, so should all allow the TC to mount. But, again, might not be worth it with many of the crop only designs.

Grammieb1 Loc: New Orleans

The Canon 70-200 4 is a fine lens. I would recommend the Canon teleconvertor over third party. The wrong choice would degrade your images. The Canon 1.4 will not diminish you images by very much though their use will slow your af. Bab

Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

Can't comment on Cannon but I shoot Olympus and bought the Oly 1.4x teleconverter... Not cheap but good glass.
My suggestion would be to stick with the Canon glass as it is probably better. Check keh.com to see if you can find it used. :D

Benttree Loc: GA.

danielb59,
One more thing coming to my mine about that Canon 1.4 X converter.
This converter was actually made for Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L IS lens and that is it a combination Canon 1.4x will do really good job.
Yes,your's can used it with other combinations, but not with with a best results.
I had use 1.4X with my canon 100-400mm IS L 4.5-5.6 with not so good
images comes out with that combination.

waapl01

With a 2x teleconverter wouldn't u be only only be able to stop down to a 6.3 if the lens was initially an f4 lens?

danielb59 Loc: The South

Yes, that's correct. However, the original post and question was only concerning a 1.4X.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

No, it is not correct ....an f4 lens becomes an f8 lens with a 2X.