Review 2 of 7
Price Paid:
$195.00
from A J Purdy Summary: I wanted a professional quality zoom lens that would not only be suitable for wildlife but also general telephoto purposes. I opted for the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS USM instead of the 100-400 f5.6L. When the 70-200 is coupled with this 2x extender it becomes almost theoretically identical to the 100-400 lens. Although you lose 2 stops of light you still retain autofocus and IS with the f2.8 lens. I also have the benefit of using the lens without the extender for closer subjects. I had heard so much bad press about the 2x extender compared to the 1.4x that I was a little worried about its performance.
I am pleasantly surprised with the results after testing it. Yes there is quality loss but if you're expecting no quality loss then you're a complete idiot. Also, if you're expecting it to perform as well as the 1.4x extender then you're also a fool. More magnification means more demand from the optics therefore the 2x will always be inferior to the 1.4x.
The images are more than usable. They are actually very good indeed. What a lot of photographers seem to forget is that atmospherics also affect images. An image from the long end of a 400mm zoom will always struggle to match that of a 200mm purely due to the extra magnification. You not only magnify your subject, you also magnify the hazy atmosphere hence softer images. This is even more apparent on SLRs with APS-C sensors as there is greater magnification.
Remember that this extender only works on L series optics! The front element protrudes too far to be used on the consumer lenses.
I tested the optics by taking a series of shots of chimney pots from the top window of my house. I took some shots without the extender with the zoom set at about 140mm. I then attached the extender and took the same shots with the zoom set at 70mm (effectively 140mm with extender taken into account.) This way, both shots were framed the same, one with extender one without. Yes, you can tell the difference but it isn't really that bad. The shot with the extender is still nice and sharp with decent contrast and if you didn't know you'd used an extender you'd be perfectly happy with it.
I also took a few shots at full zoom with the extender attached. Also, as my camera has the APS-C sensor I was effectively using a focal length of 640mm. Images were defintely softer but we're talking 640mm here! They were still good though which is the main concern. A 640mm f5.6 lens retaining AF and IS is very good going in my book. It's also perfectly hand holdable in most circumstances. Imagine hand holding a 600mm prime lens on an EOS 5D!!! Virtually impossible.
This extender is good on the cheaper APS-C cameras and I bet it's fantastic on the EOS 5D and 1Ds. If you want one, buy one. If you really don't like it then sell it on eBay and you'll get 90% of your money back anyway.
Build quality is the same as the L series telephotos... superb. Metal construction, water resistant and dust proof with rubber seals. Couldn't be better really.
I would question its value on lenses slower than f2.8 as autofocus would be lost. OK for emergencies in those cases. Strengths: Build quality
Fair price
Water resistant and dust proof
Maintains AF and IS on lenses f2.8 and faster
Stackable with 1.4x extender
Optically excellent. Quality loss is inevitable with this product but it is very good.
Secure mounting to camera and lens with no lens sag.
Weaknesses: None. It does exactly as it says on the box.
If you expect the impossible you'll be disappointed. Similar Products Used: Teleplus 2x converter (Whoo... one to avoid at all costs!) Customer Service: Not needed
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