1.4x converter or not?

[2sanstef]

I currently own the Canon 70-300 IS f4-f5.6 along with the wonderful 70-200 f4L IS. Now my question is would you keep both or sell the 70-300 and invest in a 1.4x converter instead? This would provide me with a 280mm option at f5.6, so a similar range and aperture to my previous 70-300 but from a single lens and less to carry.

I must admit that the 70-300 is a very good lens for the money and I wonder if the 1.4x converter option would retain that quality at the long end?

Any views?

[Canon-Fodder!]

Re: 1.4x converter or not?

My inclination would be to make the swap... very little point in retaining both (extended) options, and you'll have 'L' glass from 70-280 to boot! I doubt you'll really miss the 281-300 !!!

Until I got my 100-400, I frequently used my 70-200 + 1.4x with great results (and still do when I don't want to lug the 100-400 around!). I'm certainly not aware of any notable image degredation at any focal-length; even at 280mm...

[jhdee]

Re: 1.4x converter or not?

Only down side using the 1.4 X Converter is that is slows the auto focus speed by 1/2 with an electronic signal from the lens to the camera. Point is if you intend to use it for high speed action you may experience some focusing issues. However, it is possible to work around this 1/2 speed focus issue by taping off some of the contacts on the converter.
Using a 2 X converter on your 40D you would loose auto focus all together. HTH.

jhdee

[daniel-obyrne]

Re: 1.4x converter or not?

You would not lose autofocus on the 70-200f4 as the 1.4x would give 1 stop loss so f5.6 so yes Keep this lens and get the 1.4x

[Colin]

Re: 1.4x converter or not?

I use the same lens with a 1.4x and it works fine. It coped fine recently with the F1 test in Valencia and the speed of the cars was pretty quick and I didn't notice any slowness to focus. My advice would be to get it less kit to lug around.

[colin C]

Re: 1.4x converter or not?

In my experience, the 70 - 300mm needs good light to allow you to stop it down a couple of stops to work at it's best; f8 - f11 seems to work best, but you still need reasonably high shutter speeds .

The 70 - 200mm works well under any conditions and is probably the most versatile lens that I own. Used with a converter if I want more reach, extension tubes for close-up and on it's own for formal portraits, or candid shots.

You are unlikely to notice any quality difference when you add a 1.4x extender, but the same can't be said for the 2x extender. In my opinion, I can see no advantage of keeping the 70 - 300mm, when the purchase of a 1.4x extender will give you the extra reach, with a potentially higher quality result.

Colin