Which Tele Converters????

saurora

Looking for some input from all of you who know your stuff about lenses and teleconverters. I have made up my mind to purchase the Canon 200mm f/2.8L lens. I want to buy a teleconverter at the same time. I am looking at the Tamron at B&H.

Tamron makes 2 kinds of teleconverters. The NORMAL converter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=53247&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

and the PRO SERIES:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=185156&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

(Yeah, I don't know how to use the "here" shortcuts.....)
I am considering the PRO series as it claims to have a superior quality. I think I am correct in my understanding that it will work on this lens??? I may in the future by a longer lens. If I do, am I correct in understanding that it would have to be a 2.8 in order to use the auto-focus? I could probably never afford a long lens at that aperture, however, would I still be able to use it manually? Am I heading in the wrong direction here? I am not looking to shoot birds or wildlife consistently where I would need or require a long lens. But it would be fun on occasion. I picked the 200 for it's L quality, light weight, and inconspicuosness! I sometimes shoot the surf from a distance and need a little more length than a walk around lens. But still want something not too big (heavy). The 200 seems to fit the best. Any help is appreciated, or if you know a better teleconverter, let me know. I've considered the 70-200 f/2.8, but feel I would like a prime lens. Thanks!

Bob Bell

saurora wrote:

Looking for some input from all of you who know your stuff about lenses and teleconverters. I have made up my mind to purchase the Canon 200mm f/2.8L lens. I want to buy a teleconverter at the same time. I am looking at the Tamron at B&H.

Tamron makes 2 kinds of teleconverters. The NORMAL converter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=53247&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

and the PRO SERIES:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=185156&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

(Yeah, I don't know how to use the "here" shortcuts.....)
I am considering the PRO series as it claims to have a superior quality. I think I am correct in my understanding that it will work on this lens??? I may in the future by a longer lens. If I do, am I correct in understanding that it would have to be a 2.8 in order to use the auto-focus? I could probably never afford a long lens at that aperture, however, would I still be able to use it manually? Am I heading in the wrong direction here? I am not looking to shoot birds or wildlife consistently where I would need or require a long lens. But it would be fun on occasion. I picked the 200 for it's L quality, light weight, and inconspicuosness! I sometimes shoot the surf from a distance and need a little more length than a walk around lens. But still want something not too big (heavy). The 200 seems to fit the best. Any help is appreciated, or if you know a better teleconverter, let me know. I've considered the 70-200 f/2.8, but feel I would like a prime lens. Thanks!

Its better in the long run to match the TC manufacturer to the lens manufacturer. Canon's 1.4x is considered one of the best TC's around and I recommend it. I have a Tamron 1.4x as well and use it on a 400mm for birds because it doesn't report the aperture stop loss but I do lose some fine details, its a trade off. On a 200/2.8 where you don't have to worry about AF issues, buy the Canon.

gluwater

As long as you use a lens of f/2.8 or faster you will not lose AF with any of the TC's. But if you say buy the Canon 300 f/4 in the future you will lose AF with the Canon 2x TC and the Tamron Pro 2x TC. You will retain AF with any of the 1.4x TC's on an f/4 or faster lens but when you get to the f/5.6 lenses, such as the Canon 400 f/5.6 the only TC you retain AF with is the regular Tamron 1.4x TC, not the Pro model.

As for the Canon 200 f/2.8 I have never used one but have only heard great things about it. I believe Bird Man Photographer uses one with TC's so maybe he will chime in here. You should get pretty sharp images from this lens even with the 2x TC's since it is a fast Prime. As for which is better, the Canon or the Tamron Pro, I can't tell you because I have never used the Tamron Pro but I have heard they are pretty similar. Good luck on your purchase and be sure to show us your results.

Mongrel

My personal experience...
is that my Canon 135 f/2.0L and 200 f/2.8L do not get along with my Sigma 1.4X EX TC. While it works fine with my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and 120-300 f/2.8, the CA and 'ghosting' with the Canons makes the images totally unusable.

I have no experience with the Tamrons, but personally, I would not buy a non-Canon TC no matter if I lost AF (or anything else...) or not.

The Canon 200 f/2.8L is one of the finest lenses Canon makes in my opinion, and smokes any other lens I have in that range. I highly recommend it.

saurora

Thanks Mongrel, for your advice. I am glad to hear your high praise of the 200mm lens. I have read nothing but great things about it. I was looking, as you have guessed, to see if there is a way around not losing the autofocus using a tele. But, buying quality L glass, I certainly don't want to use an inferior piece of glass as an accessory, either.

saurora

gluwater wrote:

As long as you use a lens of f/2.8 or faster you will not lose AF with any of the TC's. But if you say buy the Canon 300 f/4 in the future you will lose AF with the Canon 2x TC and the Tamron Pro 2x TC. You will retain AF with any of the 1.4x TC's on an f/4 or faster lens but when you get to the f/5.6 lenses, such as the Canon 400 f/5.6 the only TC you retain AF with is the regular Tamron 1.4x TC, not the Pro model.

As for the Canon 200 f/2.8 I have never used one but have only heard great things about it. I believe Bird Man Photographer uses one with TC's so maybe he will chime in here. You should get pretty sharp images from this lens even with the 2x TC's since it is a fast Prime. As for which is better, the Canon or the Tamron Pro, I can't tell you because I have never used the Tamron Pro but I have heard they are pretty similar. Good luck on your purchase and be sure to show us your results.

Thanks, Nick. That first paragraph gave me more info than I've been able to dig up (or figure out) on my own! Now I understand why more people use the 1/4x than the 2x. Not only an additional f-stop, but retaining AF. Hmmm...wish I understood the technical reasons of these things better!

Osprey Whisperer

Saurora...I agree that 200mm f/2.8 "L" is the bomb!! Great lens. 90% of my digital shooting has been with that lens. Lately I've coupled it with Canon's 1.4x TC. Pretty nice set up IMHO. Most of my recent posts of birds were taken with this combo. I would highly recommend both items.

Good luck and enjoy.

gluwater

saurora wrote:

Thanks, Nick. That first paragraph gave me more info than I've been able to dig up (or figure out) on my own! Now I understand why more people use the 1/4x than the 2x. Not only an additional f-stop, but retaining AF. Hmmm...wish I understood the technical reasons of these things better!

It's actually not as technical as you would think. Canon Digital bodies, 20D, XT and so on, besides the 1 series bodies, cannot AF with a lens that is f/8 or slower. The TC's take away light. The 1.4 TC's take away 1 stop and the 2x take away 2 stops. So with your lens (200 f/2.8) your fastest Aperture with the 1.4x TC is f/4 and with the 2x TC is f/5.6. Once you understand the basics of them they are easier to understand.

saurora wrote:

Now I understand why more people use the 1/4x than the 2x. Not only an additional f-stop, but retaining AF.

That is a good point but people also prefer the 1.4x TC because it does not degrade quality as much. The 2x TC does not give great quality on most lenses. Don't let that deter you though because on an f/2.8 Prime it should still give you acceptable quality.

saurora

Nick thanks a bunch! You are a real asset to Dgrin....you always take so much time and care to explain things....I've noticed it in all your posts...and you do it so well!!!

saurora

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Saurora...I agree that 200mm f/2.8 "L" is the bomb!! Great lens. 90% of my digital shooting has been with that lens. Lately I've coupled it with Canon's 1.4x TC. Pretty nice set up IMHO. Most of my recent posts of birds were taken with this combo. I would highly recommend both items.

Good luck and enjoy.

Mike I am really excited to hear that you use this lens 90% of the time to shoot birds!! I believe you, along with Nick and Mongrel, have steered me towards the Canon 1.4x for now. Maybe I'll try a 2x if I don't get the reach I want....or maybe I'll buy another lens. Thanks again!

Osprey Whisperer

Stick with proper "L" glass progressions. First the 200mm f/2.8

Then the 300mm f/2.8


Then the 400mm f/2.8


Then the 500mm f/4


Then the 600mm f/4


Then the 1200mm f/5.6


followed by filing for bankruptcy. :uhoh

saurora

You're right! I wouldn't want to get ahead of myself too quickly!!!

gluwater

saurora wrote:

Mike I am really excited to hear that you use this lens 90% of the time to shoot birds!! I believe you, along with Nick and Mongrel, have steered me towards the Canon 1.4x for now. Maybe I'll try a 2x if I don't get the reach I want....or maybe I'll buy another lens. Thanks again!

We never get the reach we "want", the animals, especially birds have a radar that knows how long your lens is and move that much further away. Thanks for the kind comment, I appreciate it.

Mike, think if you ordered all of those at once they would at least give you free shipping? It's only $103,200.00 plus tax. Or you could get the Sigma 300-800 for the low low price of $6,200. It has the range of 4 of the lenses you listed for $17,000 cheaper (1200mm is $80,000). It's practically a steal!

Osprey Whisperer

Once you buy an "L" glass...there is really only one way to prevent additional purchases.

saurora

Well I just ordered the lens and the Canon 1.4x.......so break out the chains. (Nick, I'm just gonna have to talk those birds into moving a little closer to the camera....become a bird whisperer, of sorts!)

Osprey Whisperer

Congrats...I'm sure you'll like this combo. Regarding the birds. Always carry fresh fish in your camera bag. It works wonders.