Advantages of the Extender EF 2x III

[Lyndon]

Hi All

I'm interested in getting the new Canon Extender EF 2x III or Extender EF 1.4x III to use with my Canon EF300mm F4L IS USM. I wonder, what are the real benefits of the new models over the old and whether they actually work together (i'm sure they do) as there is no compatability list yet on the Canon site.

Cheers
Lyndon

[Xenedis]

I would expect the mark III versions of the TCs to be the same as their predecessors in terms of compatibility.

I have both of the mark II versions, and use them almost exclusively with my 300/3.8. I've never used the 2x with a 300/4 (I used to own that lens), but the 1.4x pairs well with it.

Bear in mind that with a 2x TC on an f/4 lens, you will lose AF on anything other than a 1-series camera. Don't forget also that your maximum aperture will be f/8 with that combo.

Doing 600mm at f/5.6 or faster is seriously expensive business.

[Lyndon]

Thanks for the reply Xenedis,

I was hoping the tech improvements of the latest generation might leave my autofocus intact.
How bout using either of them on the EOS 3?

[Xenedis]

I'm not familiar with the EOS 3, so I cannot help you there.

[la lumiere]

What about on a D50 with a 70-200mm f2.8 IS II ?

[Xenedis]

What about on a D50 with a 70-200mm f2.8 IS II ?

You wouldn't lose AF on any EOS camera with an f/2.8 lens paired with a 2x TC, as the maximum aperture with that combination is f/5.6.

However, I wouldn't recommend pairing a 2x TC with a 70-200/2.8. I'd expect optical quality to suffer, despite the 70-200/2.8 being a sharp lens.

[la lumiere]

Would it be too optimistic to hope that the new converters III would be hugely better at maintaining image quality as if they are not why would you bother to make a new one? Hmm.. I think I am having an attack of wishful thinking.

[mikspics]

think the new tc's are aimed to pair with the new tele's....? apparentley fitted with a microprocessor to accomadate better communication beween body and lens.
as allready stated by xenedis you need serious coin to get a 600 f/5.6 or better.