EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

[Riggers]

Has anyone any experience of using the 2x mark 3 extender with the 300 F4 at F8 on a 1 series or 5D3?

I sold my 2x but am regretting it now as I know this combination of lens and body supports AF.

I know the light might be a struggle on occassion at F8 with a shutter speed high enough for 600mm but I'm thinking the extra one stop of using 2x instead of 1.4x shouldn't be an issue for me as both a 1D3 or 4 and 5D3 are at least one stop better than my 7D so cranking up the ISO a bit on a better body should not be a problem.

I know IQ can be a question mark with the 2x but all my bird pics seem to need a crop between 30 and 60% so surely a 2x will produce better results than cropping?

What does everyone think?

[Neilly]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Hi Riggers,

If you're using a 1D iv or the 5DIII then upping the ISO to help will not be that much of a problem. It's the birds in flight where the x2 T/c may let you down somewhat because it slows the AF down, quite noticeably, compared to the x1.4T/c. That's why I don't use mine for aircraft - you tend to get quite a few soft focus, unless you start using high shutter speeds. This is alright for jets, but not for prop aircraft.

I know what you mean with the cropping, I had a similar problem with model aircraft. the 500mm f4 MkII has sorted that out, but it is an extreme move, I guess, but it depends how desperate you are for the very best pictures.

Cheers,
Neil

[paul linton]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Hi Riggers

I used a 5D mkIII + 300mm (f2.8)and combined with a x2 mkIII converter when i shot the Gannets at Bempton Cliffs.Not the easiest thing to shoot but i still managed to get some good shots despite their fast movement. Can't say how well it would work using 300mm f4 though??

Paul

http://www.eos-magazine-forum.com/sh...?23272-Gannets

[Neilly]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Paul, I used the the 1DX + 300mm f2.8 & x2T/c Mk III for my Gannet shots at Bempton, too.

TTFN,
Neil

[Riggers]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Thanks guys. I know there's only one way to find out but at least my theory seems to be sound judging by what I've read.

I mean we might be talking about the difference between a 420mm shot at f5.6 at ISO 400 which has to be cropped heavily and a 600mm shot at F8 at ISO 800 with no cropping. I mean the latter should be better in my thinking.

Comments noted re BIF so I guess that would need some trial and error on my part.

[Riggers]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Luckily for me when I visited Old Moor yesterday to try out my 5D3 there was a friendly chap sat next to me with a 2x Mark III which he let me borrow to do a few test shots :)

AF-wise I found it surprisingly fast but only if you are within the general range. I was about 8 meters away and when hopping around 1m forwards / backwards the AF was really quick. Refocusing over larger distances was much slower but I think that's true with the 1.4 too.

And the IQ? Well I didn't spend much time playing with it and just took a couple of test shots. Here's one at ISO 3200 uncropped with no noise reduction and just the small standard '25' sharpening on the lightroom slider (usually I would sharpen to around 80ish).


Test shot using a 2x Ext Mark III by Lee Rigby, on Flickr
Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 600 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias +2/3 EV
Lens Model EF300mm f/4L IS USM +2x III

[tesarver]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Nice write up, but not image

Tom

[Riggers]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Nice write up, but not image

Tom

I think the link got broken when I moved it into a different set on Flickr. It's annoying that Flickr breaks any URLs even if you just re-upload a new version of the same picture. Anyway you should be able to see the picture. Obviously I'm not looking for critique on the composition or subject with this one and won't be entering it into any competitions lol

[Neilly]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

Hi Riggers,

I don't think it's only Flickr that changes picture quality - Photobucket is pretty bad for that, too!

One thing I am a little bit surprised about - the background colour noise at ISO3200. It seems far greater than it would be with the 1DX. I usually use the 300mm f2.8, so maybe it's just the difference in the lens performance. Don't get me wrong I find it perfectly acceptable and doesn't detract from the picture, although wood pigeons aren't my most favourite of birds. However, if that's all there is to 'shoot' then beggars can't be choosers, can they?

Cheers,
Neil

[Riggers]

Re: EF 2x III + 300F4 at F8?

I'm not really seeing the colour noise but my eyes aren't the best. I can see a little luminance noise but its small enough to be easily removed. I deliberately didnt do any post on it. I'd say its at least 2 stops better than my 7D was.