RF 100-500mm with 2x extender: Hi I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x...

catsanddogs

Hi
I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x extender. This is for birds and wildlife naturally.
My question is does the autofocus work with the extender on either of these lenses? I have gotten mixed information from Canon , B&H and Adromeda. Anyone out there know for sure?
Thanks

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

According to Ken Rockwell, the answer is yes for both the EF and RF configurations. The 1:1 performance should be better with the all RF configuration, both image quality and AF performance (responsiveness).

Keep in mind you're likely going to be limited to good to best light for these doubled effective 800mm to 1000mm. Since you're talking about f/11 and the maximum effective focal length, have you though about the RF 800 prime instead?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

catsanddogs wrote:

Hi
I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x extender. This is for birds and wildlife naturally.
My question is does the autofocus work with the extender on either of these lenses? I have gotten mixed information from Canon , B&H and Adromeda. Anyone out there know for sure?
Thanks

Ef 100-400 becomes an F/11 And the 100-500 becomes an f/14. Will the R6 AF at those apertures? Looked it up, the R6 will AF at f/22 in good light.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

robertjerl wrote:

Ef 100-400 becomes an F/11 And the 100-500 becomes an f/14. Will the R6 AF at those apertures? Looked it up, the R6 will AF at f/22 in good light.

Just text-search "teleconverters" in this link: https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/100-500mm.htm

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I would still proceed with great caution on this matter ...... ! Everyone else's "good" AF may not be mine or yours.....
.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

catsanddogs wrote:

Hi
I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x extender. This is for birds and wildlife naturally.
My question is does the autofocus work with the extender on either of these lenses? I have gotten mixed information from Canon , B&H and Adromeda. Anyone out there know for sure?
Thanks

You will likely be disappointed in - AF performance, very dark viewfinder, and at least a 25% loss of sharpness. Consider your next move very carefully. It would make good sense to rent, just to make sure you don't end up with something you will regret later. Listen to Larry (Imagemeister).

mdoing

I have the R6 and RF100-500 with 1.4X extender. Works great, AF great, f10 at 700mm. Use the extender when I go for birds unless they are big and close. The RF extenders for this lens limit its zoom from 300 to 500 which is a bit of a pain. If birds come close to you, yikes, back up! Won't fit in camera bag is another side effect. Still I love the combo. Not sure how the 2X works unfortunately. I also have the RF800 f11, it is amazingly good. I mostly go with the RF100-500 due to versatility and close focusing capability.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

catsanddogs wrote:

Hi
I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x extender. This is for birds and wildlife naturally.
My question is does the autofocus work with the extender on either of these lenses? I have gotten mixed information from Canon , B&H and Adromeda. Anyone out there know for sure?
Thanks

Overall review by Ken Rockwell: Canon RF 100‑500mm
f/4.5‑7.1L IS USM
Specific recommendations by Ken Rockwell: https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/100-500mm.htm#rex
"The only question is if you already own, or decide instead to get, the also superb 100-400mm L IS II, to which I have a detailed comparison above. If you already own the 100-400mm L IS II, there isn't much point of buying this one because they both work equally well, and if you're buying new, the question is do you prefer lighter weight and 500mm range (this lens), or sturdier build and better compatibility with teleconverters (the 100-400mm L IS II). Of course you need to use an EF-RF adapter with the 100-400mm L IS II, and they still cost less even if you have to buy the adapter."

I hope that this helps as I'm also considering the Canon RF 100‑500mm
f/4.5‑7.1L IS USM

Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Edit:Regarding the Canon RF 1.4× Extender: https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/14x.htm
Regarding the Canon RF 2× Extender: https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/2x.htm

cw5keeler Loc: Michigan

I've used the 100-400 II with the 2.0x III converter on my R5. Yes the focusing is slower. but it does auto-focus. However, your keeper rate will drop.
I figured a used 2.0x converter cost a lot less than the 800mm f11 and I already owned the 100-400. I do like the versatility of an effective 200-800 lens.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I’m generally happy with using my 100-400 ii and 1.4x iii on my R5. Auto focus works fine (?) and keeper rate still good. I’ve tried the 2x iii with the same lens and, honestly, was glad I was borrowing and hadn’t bought. Your results may vary. Just pay heed to the advice of trying before buying. “Lensrentals” is your friend.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

catsanddogs wrote:

Hi
I have a R6 and am looking into either getting an 2x extender for my 100-400mm EF lens (I have the converted) or getting a 100-500mm with the 2x extender. This is for birds and wildlife naturally.
My question is does the autofocus work with the extender on either of these lenses? I have gotten mixed information from Canon , B&H and Adromeda. Anyone out there know for sure?
Thanks

Some food for thought.... A Canon RF 2X teleconverter costs $600. That TC on an adapted EF 100-400mm f/5.6 lens will make for a 200-800mm f/11 combination.

For not a whole lot more money Canon offers the RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens: $1000. There also is the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM for $800.

Most certainly you're R6 will be able to autofocus with the lens + extended... an f/11 combo. After all, it can focus native f/11 lenses made for the camera.

In fact, the camera can focus even dimmer combos... definitely f/16 and supposedly even f/22 equivalents. (For example: 800mm f/11 + 1.4X = f/16.... 800mm f/11 + 2X = f/22. Canon lists both as fully compatible.)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Gene51 wrote:

You will likely be disappointed in - AF performance, very dark viewfinder, and at least a 25% loss of sharpness. Consider your next move very carefully. It would make good sense to rent, just to make sure you don't end up with something you will regret later. Listen to Larry (Imagemeister).

Electronic viewfinder dark?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Architect1776 wrote:

Electronic viewfinder dark?

If you don't adjust your EVF settings, this could be an issue. But, most experienced mirrorless users have their EVF adjusted to show the 'Exposure Simulation' as Canon calls this setting - when set, the EVF brightness closely matches the actual brightness of the exposure.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you don't adjust your EVF settings, this could be an issue. But, most experienced mirrorless users have their EVF adjusted to show the 'Exposure Simulation' as Canon calls this setting - when set, the EVF brightness closely matches the actual brightness of the exposure.

My point.