siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Hi all,
Any one use the Kenko pro 300 dg ?
Would like to know pros and cons ?
And see any photos taken with one on what lens.
Also if any lens DIDNT work with it ?
Graham

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You don't mention camera or lens(es) that the teleconverter will be used upon... nor do you mention whether it's the Pro 300 DG 1.4X or the Pro 300 DG 2X that you're considering.

In general, the Kenko TCs are pretty good. I think the "DG" are a couple generations old now. "DGX" are a newer version, supposedly with improved electronics. I don't know if there were any other differences.

Some time ago I compared the Pro 300 1.4X with the cheaper Kenko MC-4 1.4X and the considerably more expensive Canon 1.4X II Extender.

The Canon was the best of the bunch, with uniform sharpness on the lenses I paired it up with. Unfortunately, though, it has a protruding front element which limits the lenses it can be used upon. Only lenses with large enough diameter for that element to fit inside can be used in conjunction with it. It wasn't a problem for me, though, because it fits and works fine with all the lenses I wanted to use with it. Those included Canon 300mm f/4, 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4. I occasionally have used it on Canon EF 135mm f/2, as well. It works very well on those primes. I did not get good results using it on the original Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS (too much loss of image quality, for my liking), but it works great on the Canon EF 100-400mm "II". I have heard it also works well on the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS "II", but haven't tried it myself.

I also have the Canon 2X II Extender, but only use it on the 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 lenses. There's greater loss of IQ with this stronger teleconverter. I've heard it works pretty well with 70-200mm f/2.8 IS "II", but have never tried it myself.

The Kenko teleconverters do not have a protruding front element, so are usable on more lenses.

The Kenko MC-4 1.4X is at least as sharp as the Canon in the center of the image, but less so in the corners and periphery. HOWEVER, if using it on an APS-C camera, those areas where it's weaker are cropped off anyway, so it's something to consider.

The Kenko Pro 300 1.4X wasn't quite as sharp, though still very good and better in the corners. If I were planning to use on a full frame cameras, between the two Kenko (at that time), the Pro 300 version would be the one I'd have chosen.

But, some "softness" in the corners isn't necessarily a problem, anyway. Images made with large aperture telephotos often aren't sharp in the corners anyway.

I did not test Kenko's 2X teleconverters. And, again, the 1.4X Kenko I compared were the Pro 300 and MC-4 "DG" versions, not the newer "DGX" versions. I don't know if there are any optical changes with the newer versions.

Kenko also is now offering "HD" teleconverters, which are a little more expensive. I have not tested and compared any of those. I know in the Canon mount, the Kenko HD are the only TCs that can be used with Canon's EF-S lenses (not that any of those lenses really lend themselves to use with a TC... maybe the 55-250mm). The Kenko HD appear to use a different optical formula (they have fewer elements than the Pro 300 TCs).

In the Nikon F-mount, I believe the Kenko TCs support all types of autofocus (both "screw drive" and in-lens motors), as well as aperture control and VR. (I don't think that's the case with Nikon's own TCs.) However, you should confirm this, if you'll be using the TC with a Nikon system.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

DON'T.

photomarkz Loc: parma hts,ohio

Canon 300 f4. Kenko pro 1.4. Canon 7d
Shot from endzone. 80 yards away

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I occasionally use a Kenko 1.4 - not sure of the number, but I think there is "Pro" in the name. I can't locate pictures I took with it, but results I posted here when it was new were good. People had to guess which was with and without the filter. It's quite a bit cheaper than a long lens

Nikon D750, Nikon 28-300mm

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

I purchased a 1.4X Kenko Pro 300 several years ago and have used it mainly while traveling with a Canon 70-200mm f/4L lens with good results using a Canon 60D APS-C camera. It stretches this lens from a 320mm FF equivalent to 450mm at f/5.6 and provides better IQ than cropping.

But an added, significant (for me) benefit of this Kenko TC is that it works perfectly with my other travel lens, a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, making it equivalent to a 27 mm f/2.8 with no TC to 112mm f/4 with the TC. With full auto focusing and metering capability, unlike with the Canon TC. Lightroom even recognizes that it is on the camera in the metadata.

Also, it is very easy to put on and take off and fits in a pocket, making it much better than carrying extra lenses to cover the range. Thus for my purposes, it is a very worthwhile product to have with me when I am using my Canon gear.

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Care to say why not ?

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Sorry I forgot to say a Nikon d7100 and as for what lens,well it seems the Kenko 2x proo 300 dg is reported to work on a lot of lens it shouldn't strictly speaking if you read the Kenko paperwork.
I shall be trying it with one such lens Sigma 70-300 f 3.5-5.6 with focal lengths that should,not work,again according to specs,
Time will tell, as will trial and error presumably .
G

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

These look pretty dawn good to my old eyes,the end product meaning more to me than the specs and what might work with it.
G

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I used a Kenko 1.4 TC and liked it. Then I dropped my camera with it on a lens. The Kenko broke apart and separated into pieces. It looked like it was made out of sheet aluminum and plastic. It itself was trashed. But the good news was that my camera and lens were fine. I guess it did a good job in absorbing the shock.

Now, a side note. I bought a very expensive Nikon TC to replace it and that unit is built like a tank. Had that been on my camera when it fell it wouldn't have separated into pieces. I could forsee major damage to the lens and/or camera.

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

As the TC goes between the lens and the camera I don't see how TC can protect the lens. I use a lens Hood with and without a TC and that can protect the lens.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

Excellent results when used on the aps-c format with any prime lens 100mm or more.
I would not recommend it on full frame as the images will be a little soft at the edges.

Canisdirus

I have the Kenko MC4 1.4 DGX variant.
I use it on my Sony A77M2 with a Tokina 300mm 2.8 pro lens (450mm FF equiv.)....which effectively turns it into a 600mm lens.
At the minimum f4, it is on the soft side. But if you have good light (the only time I think they are effective), and can shoot around f8...very sharp. Cannot see the difference unless you pixel peep.
Well worth using in good light.