Advice requested re Canon extender: I have a Canon 7D Mk II that I sometimes use with a Canon 70-300 f/4.5-6 II USM for shooting wildlife. I am considering getting a lens with a bit...

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

I have a Canon 7D Mk II that I sometimes use with a Canon 70-300 f/4.5-6 II USM for shooting wildlife. I am considering getting a lens with a bit more reach but would first like to consider an extender before spending a lot on a lens. Is there any real value-add to the extender? If so, any suggestions as to what to purchase?

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

If you do decide to use an extender, purchase a 1.4x. The 2.0x will slow down focusing, and may have trouble focusing at all because they cut our 2 stops of light. You may be better off buying a used 150-600 from someone like KEH. You would be spending a bit more money but get much better results.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

To my knowledge only the latest and greatest Kenko TC will/might work - you will be at 420 f8.......

I think this is the best one that supposedly "works" - https://www.ebay.com/itm/233162734241?hash=item364994faa1:g:qfMAAOSwrUVchZJw
.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

imagemeister wrote:

To my knowledge only the latest and greatest Kenko TC will/might work - you will be at 420 f8.......

I think this is the best one that supposedly "works" - https://www.ebay.com/itm/233162734241?hash=item364994faa1:g:qfMAAOSwrUVchZJw
.

The 70-300L that is the only one that everything works with. The Canon 1.4x III was designed to work with the newer L mk2 lenses above 100mm. Could be the same with this lens.

Here are 3 shots with the 70-300L + Kenko 1.4x MC4 DGX (the one made for Canon lenses).
White crowned sparrow at about 20-25' hand held with my 5DIV.
Male House Finch at 10+' with 90D
White crowned sparrow at 20' with 7DII

However the 100-400L + 1.4x III is a hair better with more reach
and the Tamron 150-600 will do pretty much the same in good conditions with even more reach.

(Download)

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

jimvanells wrote:

If you do decide to use an extender, purchase a 1.4x. The 2.0x will slow down focusing, and may have trouble focusing at all because they cut our 2 stops of light. You may be better off buying a used 150-600 from someone like KEH. You would be spending a bit more money but get much better results.

Good to know the impact on focusing speed with the 2.0X. The 150-600 lenses that I can find all seem to be specifically for FF cameras.

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

robertjerl wrote:

The 70-300L that is the only one that everything w... (show quote)

Not having an L lens or FF camera appear to limit my options.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Canon 70-300 f/4.5-6 II USM is not physically compatible with any the Canon branded extenders. To quote directly from Canon for the EF 1.4x III:

This lens is only compatible with fixed focal length L-series lenses 135mm and over, as well as the EF 70-200/2.8L, EF 70-200/2.8L IS, EF 70-200/4L, and EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L.

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/lenses/ef/extenders/extender-ef-1-4x-iii

Of course, this data is out of data due to the various vII and vIII models of several of the lenses mentioned by Canon as well as the IS-versions of the 70-200 f/4L. But still, never have any of Canon's 70-300 zooms been compatible. There's not room enough on the backend of the lens for the EF extender to physically 'extend into' the rear of the 70-300 zooms.

Third-party extenders / teleconverters might be an option as they're designed differently. Balance that idea against a longer lens at 400mm or longer that is more appropriate for wildlife photography.

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

CHG_CANON wrote:

The Canon 70-300 f/4.5-6 II USM b color=red is n... (show quote)

Thanks for the clarification.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

GeorgeK wrote:

Good to know the impact on focusing speed with the 2.0X. The 150-600 lenses that I can find all seem to be specifically for FF cameras.

FF lenses work fine on APS-C cameras. In fact they are all I buy and I use 5DIV, 7DII, 80D and 90D.

The Canon 100-400L mk2 and Tamron 150-600 G2 are both FF lenses.

1. 7DII with 100-400L mk2 + 1.4x III It subs for a macro lens when needed, this is at about 5'
2. 7DII with Tamron 150-600 G2 at about 35' It also can sub for macro.
3. 7DII with Tamron 150-600 at about 45', I missed getting the third hummer in focus, but 2 hummers and a buzzer ain't bad.

(Download)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

GeorgeK wrote:

Not having an L lens or FF camera appear to limit my options.

L's or non L FF lenses work great on crop sensor, I use them on 7DII, 80D and 90D all the time.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Try the Kenko (above) - only if you can return it . Otherwise, I would be looking at a used Canon 400mm f5.6 prime to go with the excellent 70-300 II nano - I would NOT give up the 70-300 II tho !. I have and use both these....

BTW, the OP does NOT have a 70-300 L ! !
.

GeorgeK Loc: NNJ

robertjerl wrote:

L's or non L FF lenses work great on crop sensor, I use them on 7DII, 80D and 90D all the time.

Thank you, Robert, for the examples. I will probably focus on getting a new lens, excuse the pun.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

imagemeister wrote:

Try the Kenko (above) - only if you can return it . Otherwise, I would be looking at a used Canon 400mm f5.6 prime to go with the excellent 70-300 II nano - I would NOT give up the 70-300 II tho !. I have and use both these....

BTW, the OP does NOT have a 70-300 L ! !
.

I know that, but the 70-300 non L I owned I gave to my daughter a long time ago. Now I only have the L version in 70-300. That non L took images almost as good when I did my part of the job. Just not built like a tank etc.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

GeorgeK wrote:

Thank you, Robert, for the examples. I will probably focus on getting a new lens, excuse the pun.

Eh????? I am a bit hard of seeing did you say "exercise for fun"?

recb

I have a 100-400 mkii which is a great lens, but i was never happy with my results when I paired it with a 1.4x iii on either a 7d mkii or a 5d mk4. However I now have an r5 and have been very pleased with the results of the lens and extender combination.