Are extenders worth buying for a crop camera?
Dec 4, 2017 09:14:45 #
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, which I absolutely love (photos below). I own a Canon Rebel T6s. Would it be worth it for me to purchase some extenders for further reach? If so, is there a certain brand you recommend that will work with my camera and this lens? I live out in the country and basically shoot wildlife and birds with this lens. Sad part, it is cold with winter upon us in NW Wisconsin and all my shots during this time of year are through a window. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Dec 4, 2017 09:31:05 #
stenojj wrote:
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, wh... (show quote)
Isn't there a matched 1.4x and / or 2x Canon one specifically for that lens? If so, that should provide the most IQ.
Dec 4, 2017 09:42:00 #
Hi Neighbor; I'm from Northern MN. I bought and use a new/old stock Canon EX1.4 II [$216 from Robert's Used Photo Pro] on my 80d and the 100-400 v.II, and find it to be a great addition. The quality is all you could want and I use it a lot for wild life. I have a Tamron 1.4 that is not satisfactory and is not even recognized by the 80d. I'd stick with Canon for the price. Generally, shooting through the window is placing yourself at a great disadvantage.
Dec 4, 2017 09:44:33 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Isn't there a matched 1.4x and / or 2x Canon one specifically for that lens? If so, that should provide the most IQ.
Thie point about the crop factor is an interesting one, it already increases the magnification by around 1.5 or 1.6 would the the use of a 1.4 cause similar loss of quality as a 2x admittedly there would just be 1 stop loss of light.
if 400mm is giving a field of view of a 600mm then a 2x would be reaching 1200mm maybe that is too much ?
Dec 4, 2017 09:44:48 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Isn't there a matched 1.4x and / or 2x Canon one specifically for that lens? If so, that should provide the most IQ.
I know there is for full frame but not sure for a crop sensor. How much does he need? The 400 on the Rebel will get you about 600 without an extender.
Dec 4, 2017 09:46:50 #
I love your pictures, especially the one of the jay chewing out the other jay. That aside, I've never had really good luck with extenders but I'm shooting Nikon and maybe the Canon is better. Take care & ...
Dec 4, 2017 10:00:45 #
NO and most of the comments I see already are misleading rather than clear in the implications ...
Why, because your camera cannot autofocus the extender and 100-400L combination. Why, because you lose 1-stop of light gathering making the extender and lens combination an f/8 lens when zoomed (f/5.6 + 1-stop = f/8). Your Canon T6s is limited to f/5.6. If you want to turn your 100-400L II into a manual focus lens, add either of the 1.4 or 2.0 extenders. That's a waste of money and time in my book, particularly given the excellent results you're currently achieving as shown already.
I'm a strong supporter of Canon's vIII extenders for both the 1.4 and 2.0 models. You can see this support in my comments and my photography. But, I do not recommend turning your electronic autofocus equipment into manual focus for the extended focal length. Go with a different lens (or brand of lens) if your body cannot autofocus an extended lens combination.
Why, because your camera cannot autofocus the extender and 100-400L combination. Why, because you lose 1-stop of light gathering making the extender and lens combination an f/8 lens when zoomed (f/5.6 + 1-stop = f/8). Your Canon T6s is limited to f/5.6. If you want to turn your 100-400L II into a manual focus lens, add either of the 1.4 or 2.0 extenders. That's a waste of money and time in my book, particularly given the excellent results you're currently achieving as shown already.
I'm a strong supporter of Canon's vIII extenders for both the 1.4 and 2.0 models. You can see this support in my comments and my photography. But, I do not recommend turning your electronic autofocus equipment into manual focus for the extended focal length. Go with a different lens (or brand of lens) if your body cannot autofocus an extended lens combination.
Dec 4, 2017 10:04:06 #
JBruce wrote:
Hi Neighbor; I'm from Northern MN. I bought and use a new/old stock Canon EX1.4 II [$216 from Robert's Used Photo Pro] on my 80d and the 100-400 v.II, and find it to be a great addition. The quality is all you could want and I use it a lot for wild life. I have a Tamron 1.4 that is not satisfactory and is not even recognized by the 80d. I'd stick with Canon for the price. Generally, shooting through the window is placing yourself at a great disadvantage.
Your 80D retains autofocus at f/8 while your suggestion to the OP will turn their 100-400L II into a manual focus lens on their T6s. Both are EOS cropped sensor bodies, but they are different cameras with different technical limitations.
Dec 4, 2017 10:17:13 #
stenojj wrote:
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, wh... (show quote)
I have great experience with the Sony Clear Image Zoom - which is basically cropping with well applied pixel enlargement - on the A77II - a 24 MP crop body. It is astoundingly GOOD with , of course, a GOOD lens and the IQ maximized.
You have a GOOD lens - and a good 24MP crop body - so you can crop very well with pixel enlargement ( if necessary) .......
My recommendation .....in GOOD light and more static subjects and you want to go beyond 600mm - use a 1.4X extender and then CROP ( you WILL need support of some kind). I would use the Kenko pro 1.4X for more static subjects and the Canon 1.4X III for faster action. - SCRATCH THIS - forgot, the T6s does not AF at f8 ! !- unless you want to manually focus !!
In lower light or for very fast action, and not needing to go beyond 600mm, CROP - you will still need support of some kind to maximize your IQ.
In ALL cases, lower ISO is your friend.
There will be some people now who will chime in saying they can hand hold with "good" results - if this is TRUELY so, IT will be quite exceptional and NOT the rule !
Dec 4, 2017 15:10:50 #
When doing birds there is no such thing as "too long".
I use a 1.4X with my 100-400, but my cameras will AF at f/8.0, your T6s will become a manual focus. Fine for sitting subjects where you have time, not so great for moving subjects.
But, people managed to take photos of moving subjects with manual focus long before AF was invented. It just took skill/correct technique, practice and the willingness to accept a certain % of lost shots. Much more serious in the film days than with digital. I have done it, I much prefer AF, but I have done it and could again if needed.
I use a 1.4X with my 100-400, but my cameras will AF at f/8.0, your T6s will become a manual focus. Fine for sitting subjects where you have time, not so great for moving subjects.
But, people managed to take photos of moving subjects with manual focus long before AF was invented. It just took skill/correct technique, practice and the willingness to accept a certain % of lost shots. Much more serious in the film days than with digital. I have done it, I much prefer AF, but I have done it and could again if needed.
Dec 5, 2017 06:18:02 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
stenojj wrote:
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, wh... (show quote)
NO extender is worth the money it costs to buy it. IMHO
Dec 5, 2017 06:42:12 #
billnikon wrote:
NO extender is worth the money it costs to buy it. IMHO
I tend to agree with you there. almost 500.00? You have to ask yourself how often you're going to get to use it. If that's the type of shots you do a lot you HAVE to have it.
Dec 5, 2017 06:52:36 #
stenojj wrote:
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, wh... (show quote)
Certainly! You have a lot of choices. I have a Kenko, but I didn't want to go beyond 1.4.
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=tele+extenders+for+canon&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Atele+extenders+for+canon
Dec 5, 2017 07:04:48 #
billnikon wrote:
NO extender is worth the money it costs to buy it. IMHO
Yep. $400-500. Insane.
Dec 5, 2017 07:06:21 #
stenojj wrote:
I purchased the Canon 100-400 L II IS USM lens, wh... (show quote)
Photos 1 & 3 are nice. 2 is soft. Why bother with an extender if you can get images of this general quality?
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