Canon EF 1.4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory
by Canon
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List Price: Our Price: $329.00 You Save: $191.00 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 1.4X II Extender Telephoto Accessory
Customer Review: Economic alternative to a longer lens
Summary: 4 Stars
Let's start with some words of warning:
This extender will only fit certain L-class lenses (see canon website for a list) and it will reduce the maximum f-stop of your lens, so any lens not f/4 or faster to begin with will not work in AF mode (or rather, the camera will not be able to use AF). But you know all that, because you did some research before you considered buying the extender, right?
I bought this extender as an economic (ie cheaper) alternative to a longer lens - I own a 70-200 f/4 and as I only occaionally need a longer lens, I was prepared to make amends with regard to max f-stop and picture quality, trading them for (a lot) less money spent and (even more) less weight to carry.
I used the extender on a recent trip through southern France and I haven't been disappointed. Yes, the pictures with the extender have a slightly degraded quality, but you really have to look very close. Losing one f-stop to f/5.6 has not been much of an issue for me, as there was light aplenty.
The only drawback that was not clear from the beginning - the extender is a bit fiddly to get off the lens again, which you can entirely blame on my lack of dexterity. So not quite 5 stars, but very close.
Customer Review: cuts your lens by 1 f-stop
Summary: 4 Stars
This extender cuts your lens f-stop by 1, so if you have 2.8, it becomes f4, if f4, becomes f5.6 etc.
When i have this one, i usually make a AE +1 compensation and then 1/3 bracketing just to be in the safe said.
This extender will not fit on all Canon lenses, so make sure you double check before buying, i believed that this is only for the "L's".
I tried experimenting with it on my other lenses by putting a 12mm extension tube between the lens and the extender, AF wont work, Depth of Field is very limited to a few inches and is only good to shot flowers or jewelries you want to sell online.
Overall, if you have a 2.8F lens and just want some extra reach every now and then, this is for you, if you shot more telephotos, you might want to buy a real telephoto lens, AF is slowed down, F-stop is slowed by 1 and sharpness is also compromised.
I have this just to give my 70-200mm L IS USM 2.8 some extra reach but the difference is easy to spot between the straight and with the extender.
For avid photographer with limited budget, i will say, this is a must. :)
Customer Review: Extra reach , Helps!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first purchase in Amazon.
The 1.4X II tele converter is a update to Canon's earlier 1.4X TC. The mark II allows this extender to be stacked with another of Canon's extenders without having to separate the two with an extension tube.
The 1.4X II is a great way to extend the reach of compatible lenses.
I have used it with Canon 300mm f4 IS, which turns it into a 420mm.
The extra reach it adds is not tremendous, but it's very welcome when I just need a little more than what the lens alone can give me.
Using the tele converter decreases your lens' widest aperture 'capability' by one stop. I have heard this TC when used with canon 400mm f5.6 L, will loose auto focus capability. Yet to try this combo.
The 1.4X build quality is very good.
If you've already invested on telephoto lenses, the 1.4X II is Highly recommended.
Customer Review: It's Just Not Enough
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this at a photographic store because a professional said you shouldn't go higher than 1.4x. Just keep in mind--1.4x is only "40% better". It worked really well, but didn't increase the zoomage enough. I decided to go with a 2x (that's twice the zoomage) teleconverter by kenko instead. I gave this one to my brother-in-law for Christmas.
You have to think about what you want--I want to get in really close to the birds. I have a 70-300mm zoom lens and 1.4x takes it to 98-420mm. It is an improvement, but not nearly enough! If you want to get twice as close, this isn't going to do it for you. If you want to get half-again-as close, this almost gets you there.
As far as quality, the quality is definitely there. Five stars for quality, 3 for insufficient zoomage.
Customer Review: BETTER THAN MY 2X
Summary: 4 Stars
I have both the 2x and 1.4x. I just received the 1.4x today and tried it out on a cloudy day. It is not as sharp as I would like but may be better on a bright day. I would suspect it needs quite a bit of light on my 300MM f/4 lens that goes to 5.6 with the extender. My 2x has to be tripod mounted on a sunny day to get good results. At least the auto focus does work with this extender. Overall I think it will work good enough for what I intend to use it for.I am very satisfied with the 300MM prime and as I said my first photos have all been taken on a very cloudy day and I do think my results will be better on clear days.
Will update after I have tested it some more.