Disappointed... and also happy!

AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
edited March 8, 2011 in Cameras
I've been running some tests of the Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS MkII with 1.4x Tcon Mk2 attached, and comparing that to the new Canon Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS, shooting on a Canon 7D.

The disappointing news: I had hopes that the awesomeness of the 70-200L would stand up to the 1.4x Tcon (new version) and still give sharp images. This of course would've avoided the need to own the 70-300L! Sadly, I can't get any sharp image whatsoever.

The happy news: I dig the new 70-300L, it's light, compact, and easy to handhold- produces sharp images and the bokeh wide open (even at f/5.6) is more than acceptable.

I'm not giving up the 70-200L but it's nice to have the other lens too, for added reach.

70-200 + 1.4x on the left, 70-300L on the right
20110308-ptduip6s9272ext9cbfee8mnhk.jpg

yeah, my focus was spot on.

Anyhow, just thought you guys might find it interesting. I'm not a lens tester, but I've shot enough test frames with both lens setups to know that I'm never ever ever ever ever in a million years using a Tcon on my 70-200L :D
Andy

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Comments

  • QarikQarik Registered Users Posts: 4,959 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    that is horrible! wtf
    D700, D600
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Qarik wrote: »
    that is horrible! wtf

    The good news is the 70-200 f/2.8L IS is one of those lenses that you'd have to pry from my cold, dead hands. It's that good.
    Andy

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  • QarikQarik Registered Users Posts: 4,959 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    have you tried the TC on other lens? is that particular TC highly regarded?
    D700, D600
    14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
    85 and 50 1.4
    45 PC and sb910 x2
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    It works wonders on the 300 f/2.8L, the 400, 500Ls
    Andy

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  • SimpsonBrothersSimpsonBrothers Registered Users Posts: 1,079 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Amazing difference. Is that the green ring 300?
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    SimpsonBrothers wrote: »
    Amazing difference. Is that the green ring 300?

    No, not the DO. The L.
    http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
    Andy

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  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,129 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    The-Digital-Picture also tested that combination, new 70-200mm, f2.8L II and teleconverter 1.4x II, and they also tested the new 70-200mm, f2.8L II and new and teleconverter 1.4x III and I believe that the teleconverter 1.4x III is marginally better (at least more even edge to edge) but neither is as bad as your combination:

    http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=687&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=687&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=6&APIComp=0
    (mouseover for the latest combination with the MKIII)

    Yes, that new Canon 70-300mmL looks very sweet. thumb.gif
    ziggy53
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  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Andy,

    I don't want to sound insulting, but that's such a huge difference with the 1.4 TC on... did you Micro-Adjust the lens with the 1.4TC on it?

    I have to do that with lenses that I put the 1.4TC on, to make the auto focus correct.

    ne_nau.gif
    Randy
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,962 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    rwells wrote: »
    Andy,

    I don't want to sound insulting, but that's such a huge difference with the 1.4 TC on... did you Micro-Adjust the lens with the 1.4TC on it?
    Good question. The sample looks so bad that's it seems like something must be wrong. ne_nau.gif
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  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Good info...thanks, Andy. :D

    I'm interested in this lens...but I already have the 100-400....so I don't know if it would be worth the expense.

    With the prices on these new lenses....Canon sure has taken the joy out of this hobby.
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    rwells wrote: »
    Andy,

    I don't want to sound insulting, but that's such a huge difference with the 1.4 TC on... did you Micro-Adjust the lens with the 1.4TC on it?

    I have to do that with lenses that I put the 1.4TC on, to make the auto focus correct.

    ne_nau.gif
    Wouldn't that throw the adjustment out on the non-TC case? headscratch.gif
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  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,962 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    Wouldn't that throw the adjustment out on the non-TC case? headscratch.gif
    No. The camera is smart enough to know when you are using a TC and allows for a separate adjustment setting.
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  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    Richard wrote: »
    No. The camera is smart enough to know when you are using a TC and allows for a separate adjustment setting.
    Thanks, Richard. Something new to learn every day. :D
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    Good info...thanks, Andy. :D

    I'm interested in this lens...but I already have the 100-400....so I don't know if it would be worth the expense.

    With the prices on these new lenses....Canon sure has taken the joy out of this hobby.

    I've used the 100-400L quite a bit, and the 70-300 blows it away (except at 400mm lol3.gif )
    Andy

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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    rwells wrote: »
    Andy,

    I don't want to sound insulting, but that's such a huge difference with the 1.4 TC on... did you Micro-Adjust the lens with the 1.4TC on it?

    I have to do that with lenses that I put the 1.4TC on, to make the auto focus correct.

    ne_nau.gif

    Didn't. Where can I find out about this? ear.gif
    Andy

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  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,962 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    Right here on Dgrin: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=116078 :D

    The optics change with a TC attached, so you should treat it as a different lens. On my 50D, the microadjustment settings are different for my 70-200 and 70-200+1.4TC.
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Richard wrote: »
    Right here on Dgrin: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=116078 :D

    Wow. That's waaaaaaaaaay too much work for me to do lol3.gif
    Andy

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  • Dan7312Dan7312 Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Do manual focus using the LCD @ 10X, that takes AF out of the mix.
    Andy wrote: »
    Wow. That's waaaaaaaaaay too much work for me to do lol3.gif
    Dan

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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Dan7312 wrote: »
    Do manual focus using the LCD @ 10X, that takes AF out of the mix.

    That's not the way I'd use that setup :D 70-300L just worked fine outta the box.

    To be clear: I LOVE the 70-200 f/2.8L IS Mark II and I'm never giving it up - I'm just not gonna use a tcon on it.
    Andy

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  • Dan7312Dan7312 Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Right, but if manual focus works then it might be worth your while to figure out how to do the micro-adjustment thing because that would fix it.
    Andy wrote: »
    That's not the way I'd use that setup :D 70-300L just worked fine outta the box.

    To be clear: I LOVE the 70-200 f/2.8L IS Mark II and I'm never giving it up - I'm just not gonna use a tcon on it.
    Dan

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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Dan7312 wrote: »
    Right, but if manual focus works then it might be worth your while to figure out how to do the micro-adjustment thing because that would fix it.

    Not from what I've seen. And, it's way too much trouble for me :D
    Andy

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  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,962 moderator
    edited March 8, 2011
    Microadjustment is not that much work. The first time you do it, it might take you an hour. After you understand it all, it goes much faster.

    Of course, I don't want to undermine your clear and obvious need for the new 200-400+TC. naughty.gif
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    Richard wrote: »
    Microadjustment is not that much work. The first time you do it, it might take you an hour. After you understand it all, it goes much faster.
    Way too much work for me, and honestly, in the thread you linked, I saw plenty of still unsharp photos.

    Of course, I don't want to undermine your clear and obvious need for the new 200-400+TC. naughty.gif
    Heh, sure I'll own this lens, I hope it comes out before I go to Africa at the end of September!
    Andy

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  • MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2011
    I have the Nikon version of the 70-300mm. I wasn't expecting much IQ, but was pleasantly surprised when I used this lens on a cropped body I brought along to Yellowstone this past summer. Makes for a nice, light rig with good reach and decent sharpness even at 300mm. I left my 70-200mm, f2.8 at home.
    Mitch
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