Extenders for Canon 7D
Jan 24, 2015 11:23:56 #
I am loooking at purchasing a 2X externder for my Canon 7D for use with my 70-200 f2.8 IS L lens. ANy thoughts/experince with the Yongnuo vs Canon's extender iii??
Jan 24, 2015 15:54:58 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I would not buy a cheapo teleconverter... in all likelihood, image quality would be crap.
Canon, Kenko, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina... all make TCs with pretty good reputation.
I'm most experienced with Canon 1.4X II and 2X II models. Those are what I use a lot. I've also used modern Kenko a little.
I will on rare occasion use the 1.4X on my 70-200/2.8 IS. It's okay, there is some loss of AF performance and image quality, but not a whole lot. Images are usable, just not as enlargeable. However, I really don't need to use the combo much because I have two 300mm lenses that I normally use instead.
I will not use 2X on that lens. Loss of image quality is too much for my liking.
Kenko Pro 300 DG and DGX teleconverters also get high praise... especially their 1.4X. The DG is an older version that isn't fully "recognized" by the camera, but works fine. The DGX is newer and fully recognized.
A cheaper alternative is the Kenko MC4 teleconverters. Can't say about the 2X, but the latest 1.4X DGX is actually rated as sharper than the more expensive Pro 300 at the center. But the Pro 300 is sharper overall, including the periphery of the images. If using the lens on a crop camera that primarily uses the center of the image area, I might be tempted to try the MC4 and save a little money.
The Canon "Mark III" teleconverters are considerably more expensive and really don't seem much different from the Mark II versions in terms of image quality. One exception, the Mark III 2X TC seems more usable with the 70-200/2.8 IS Mark II, specifically. But I wouldn't spend the extra just to use it with the original version of that lens.
So, in answer to your question, I'd say it depends...
- If your lens is the original version (not the "Mark II" )... forget about using a 2X on it, unless you are willing to accept noticeable loss of image quality and considerable drop in AF performance.
- If your lens is the original version, I'd get a 1.4X at most... Canon Mark II or Kenko Pro 300 DGX are probably the best choices for use on full frame camera (roughly the same price if the Canon Mark II is bought used), maybe Kenko MC4 1.4X DGX if the combo will be used on a crop sensor camera.
(Note: if using a full frame camera, you might consider adding a crop sensor camera to your kit, especially for the "extra reach"... it's a lot like putting a 1.6X teleconverter on your lens, without the usual "light loss penalty". Many crop sensor camera models can be found used for not a whole lot more than the price of some of the teleconverters... especially the more expensive Canon "Mark III" TCs. Image quality of a crop sensor camera will not be quite as good as a full frame camera, but often can be better than a lens + TC on the FF camera.)
- If your lens is the Mark II... then you might be to use a 2X on it and the Canon Mark III is likely the best. I would recommend renting before buying, just to be sure you are okay with the image quality loss. In fact, renting and trying out the combo might be a good idea in any case.
Some folks speak highly of Sigma and Tamron teleconverters, too. I have no experience with modern ones, so can't really advise about them.
The Canon TCs are a bit unique, in that they have a protruding front element that has to fit inside the rear of the lens. This limits the lenses they can be used upon. No problem with any of the 70-200s, though. All Canon primes that are 135mm or longer also can accommodate their TCs. The 100-400 is the only other zoom that can be used with them, technically.
None of the third party TCs do not have protruding front elements, so there's no problem physically fitting them to most lenses. However, this isn't to say that image quality will be worth it or that AF performance won't be seriously impaired or fail completely.
Canon, Kenko, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina... all make TCs with pretty good reputation.
I'm most experienced with Canon 1.4X II and 2X II models. Those are what I use a lot. I've also used modern Kenko a little.
I will on rare occasion use the 1.4X on my 70-200/2.8 IS. It's okay, there is some loss of AF performance and image quality, but not a whole lot. Images are usable, just not as enlargeable. However, I really don't need to use the combo much because I have two 300mm lenses that I normally use instead.
I will not use 2X on that lens. Loss of image quality is too much for my liking.
Kenko Pro 300 DG and DGX teleconverters also get high praise... especially their 1.4X. The DG is an older version that isn't fully "recognized" by the camera, but works fine. The DGX is newer and fully recognized.
A cheaper alternative is the Kenko MC4 teleconverters. Can't say about the 2X, but the latest 1.4X DGX is actually rated as sharper than the more expensive Pro 300 at the center. But the Pro 300 is sharper overall, including the periphery of the images. If using the lens on a crop camera that primarily uses the center of the image area, I might be tempted to try the MC4 and save a little money.
The Canon "Mark III" teleconverters are considerably more expensive and really don't seem much different from the Mark II versions in terms of image quality. One exception, the Mark III 2X TC seems more usable with the 70-200/2.8 IS Mark II, specifically. But I wouldn't spend the extra just to use it with the original version of that lens.
So, in answer to your question, I'd say it depends...
- If your lens is the original version (not the "Mark II" )... forget about using a 2X on it, unless you are willing to accept noticeable loss of image quality and considerable drop in AF performance.
- If your lens is the original version, I'd get a 1.4X at most... Canon Mark II or Kenko Pro 300 DGX are probably the best choices for use on full frame camera (roughly the same price if the Canon Mark II is bought used), maybe Kenko MC4 1.4X DGX if the combo will be used on a crop sensor camera.
(Note: if using a full frame camera, you might consider adding a crop sensor camera to your kit, especially for the "extra reach"... it's a lot like putting a 1.6X teleconverter on your lens, without the usual "light loss penalty". Many crop sensor camera models can be found used for not a whole lot more than the price of some of the teleconverters... especially the more expensive Canon "Mark III" TCs. Image quality of a crop sensor camera will not be quite as good as a full frame camera, but often can be better than a lens + TC on the FF camera.)
- If your lens is the Mark II... then you might be to use a 2X on it and the Canon Mark III is likely the best. I would recommend renting before buying, just to be sure you are okay with the image quality loss. In fact, renting and trying out the combo might be a good idea in any case.
Some folks speak highly of Sigma and Tamron teleconverters, too. I have no experience with modern ones, so can't really advise about them.
The Canon TCs are a bit unique, in that they have a protruding front element that has to fit inside the rear of the lens. This limits the lenses they can be used upon. No problem with any of the 70-200s, though. All Canon primes that are 135mm or longer also can accommodate their TCs. The 100-400 is the only other zoom that can be used with them, technically.
None of the third party TCs do not have protruding front elements, so there's no problem physically fitting them to most lenses. However, this isn't to say that image quality will be worth it or that AF performance won't be seriously impaired or fail completely.
Jan 24, 2015 20:36:20 #
MO2Lfiji wrote:
I am loooking at purchasing a 2X externder for my Canon 7D for use with my 70-200 f2.8 IS L lens. ANy thoughts/experince with the Yongnuo vs Canon's extender iii??
Forgetaboutit!! an extender (TC) on a zoom lens is a waste of money!! They are only good for Primes, and only then at f4 or faster. IN the case of a 2X only good at F2.8 or better.
Jan 25, 2015 09:27:35 #
Agree with the above comments and would not waste money on a 2x extender. The 1.4x Canon is great on prime telephoto lenses and works well on f/2.8 zooms. You lose 1 stop with the 1.4 and 2 stops with the 2x and your 7D will not auto-focus at a wide-open aperture below f/8.
Jan 25, 2015 13:01:13 #
I just got the Yongnuo for my Canon 7D/70-200 2.8 setup and it works great. Check out the reviews for yourself, but I'm happy with it, and you can' beat the price.
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