Kenko Convertor for EF-S

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Have you tried the lens without the Kenko x2?

[drummermouse]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Yes. just checked ... it does exactly the same when fitted direct to the camera

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Is it an older lens? Many Sigma lenses made more than 10 years or so ago don't have the correct firmware to communicate with the camera. I have two Sigma lenses myself that fit into this category, worked fine with film cameras and the very old digital ones, not with later ones. Only useful as paperweights.............. There's nothing practical you can do about it.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Have you tried the Sigma lens without the convertor? I have a Sigma 100-300mm lens which brings up the same err code when attached to either of my two cameras- to rub the contacts etc but even after doing it, I have the same problem. Possibly it will work OK with an older model EOS camera.

This problem is like using an old type flash gun on the newer digital cameras and you can either end up damaging your digital camera or end up giving a private "fireworks" display to your subject/subjects.

[the black fox]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

you have given the game away with stating 75-300 which is a very old film camera design so thats a big NO-NO ,also the 2x tc will lens way over its auto focus capabilities ,you need a minimum lens of f2.8 capability to fit a 2x tc which will then give a slow A/F of f5.6 .apart from macro lenses any others are out of the question .
its simply how the cameras were made to get the extra reach go back to my initial post .the only crop sensorcameras that will auto focus at f8 are the latest 7d2 and 80d and even then with limitations .
there are a host of ideas about using t.c's on u-tube i.e taping pins etc but with limited use .and put it like this i have been using digital cameras since the days of the half a megapixel sensor spent a fortune ten times over on ever better gear ,and yet i have NEVER EVER owned a 2x t.c .please read and absorb that info ,it ain't gonna work

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

the only crop sensor cameras that will auto focus at f8 are the latest 7d2 and 80d and even then with limitations .

Well, I would agree with that in general (and everything else you say is absolutely correct) but I'm intrigued as to how the 55 - 250 mm IS STM lens with the Kenko 1.4 TC gives autofocus even with my old 450d, as well as the 70d and 80d (the last one I'd expect). Effective aperture is f8 and so shouldn't work in theory, should it? Pity the same doesn't apply with the Sigma 150 - 600 .............., not that I could hold it steady anyway, struggle even at 600.

[drummermouse]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Thanks Guys .... these are quite old lenses and work OK with his old EOS300 35mm camera.
I suppose like a lot of people starting out I look at things on Ebay and think " that should fit", how can you tell that a Sigma, or any other lens, is up to date enough to work? Are there certain things to look for or ask?
All I really want is to have a fairly reasonably priced zoom lens I can use in addition to the standard lens whilst I learn.
When I had my old canon A1 I had selection of lenses to use .... even though I knew nothing about why I was using them!

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

My kenko 1.4HD autfocuses at f8 and even beyond that to f11 with my 6D & 760D without any problem. Infact my Kenko is almost permanently attached to the 760D via the 70-300mm L lens which I use for all my wildlife shooting. Of course when travelling the Kenko is attached to the 55-250mm lens with the 760D.

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

The Canon EFS 55 - 250 mm IS STM is presently still available at Amazon for £124, while on-line camera shops seem to have it for £229! I bought mine from Amazon at the low price, it's by far the best value you can get for a tele zoom at present, it's the latest model, autofocus is very fast and quiet, lens is lightweight and gives good results. As Nat and I have noted, it works well with the 1.4 TC as well. It was designed as a lower cost longer zoom to complement the basic kit 18 - 55 zoom.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-55-250-4-5-6-STM/dp/B00EP71ETU/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1472881143&sr=1-2

Make sure you get the IS STM model, it's the current one and a bit better than earlier models.
Unfortunately in this age where cameras are electronic devices as much as optical, things aren't always backward compatible, particularly made by other manufacturers such as Sigma.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

Anyone considering the Kenko HD 1.4 TC is well advised to look at the compatibility chart that Kenko has produced. I would not have bought the Kenko TC without looking at this chart and the cameras I use. I have had no problems since purchase.

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

However, the compatibility chart only includes Canon brand lenses, whereas the converter will work perfectly well with many Sigma and Tamron lenses. It seems Kenko only test with Canon and Nikon lenses.

[the black fox]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

While being a fan of the kenko HD tc ,I found after having to upgrade cameras that it wasn't compatabile with my sigma 150-600 sport when bolted to either the 7D2 or 80D .as this is my main lens I unfortunately had to change back to a canon 1.4 mk2 tc this is the only one I have found that works with those cameras and lens combo. This gives me 840mm focal length and A/F at F9 which albeit a bit slow for b.i.f is fine for static birds

[Richard W]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

With the "C" version of the Sigma 150 - 600, on the 70d it won't focus at the longer focal lengths, as expected. I was surprised that with the 80d I actually get the "Err 01" message and it won't work at all, so a combination to be avoided. But it does turn the Sigma 105 macro into a superb 147 mm f4 macro, so that I'm no longer tempted to splash out on the 150 or 180 macros.
Perhaps the Sigma firmware update will change things, but I struggle enough with the Sigma hand held at 600 mm, so doubt if I could benefit much from the converter as well even if they worked together.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

However, the compatibility chart only includes Canon brand lenses, whereas the converter will work perfectly well with many Sigma and Tamron lenses. It seems Kenko only test with Canon and Nikon lenses.

I agree but when I had the Tamron 70-300mm SP lens for a while I checked with Tamron UK before I bought that lens- now replaced with the Canon 70-300mm L lens. It is always good to check with the manufacturers when using a different brand of TC, rather than blindly buy a lens and expect the Kenko to be compatible. I generally err on the side of caution in these matters.

[the black fox]

Re: Kenko Convertor for EF-S

its the electronics in the newer cameras that are causing the problems and your at a impasse expecting canon/kenko/sigma to work together .even the canon mk3 tc will not work the only one i have found so far that does is the canon mk2 .

richard i am fast approaching 71 and i have no trouble hand holding the sigma sport and camera ,is it to do with the way you carry it .initially i tried conventional support systems and they tired my arms out since changing to a slightly modified black rapid strap theres no strain on my arms till i need to take the shots ???