Using a 2x converter with digital SLR?

[Shellz_Mach1]

I've recently replaced my trusty Canon EOS 300 with a sparkly new 400D and I'm loving it!

One of the gadgets I used to play with on the 300 was a 2x converter but considering the size of the digital pictures and that I could just zoom and crop to get the desired picture, I'm wondering if there's any point in using the converter with the digital?

Any advise gratefully received.

Thanks
Shel

[RobDickinson]

Yes.

Doubles the min apature still, but gets you double the reach.

Remember over F5.6 and AF wont work tho.

so 100mm f2.8, on 400d is 160mm, doubled is 320mm f5.6

[lowdrag]

I use Nikon but the principle is the same. Firstly it depends on the size of file in the first instance (not sure how many pixels the EOS 400 has) but assuming 10mp then you can crop and print up to A4 with ease. Using a teleconverter really depends on the aperture of your lens to start with; I use a 70/200 f2.8 and a 200/400 f4 and use mostly a 1.4X teleconverter. If I try and use the 2X then the aperture is too small and the lens hunts leading to many a blurred or lost shot. With Canon as well as Nikon I guess you have various converters; I have a 1.4X (loss of one stop), 1.7X (loss of 1.5 stops), and 2X (loss of two stops). The 2X is of no use whatsoever, even with professional lenses, for action sport even if I push up the ISO to a high level.

To sum up, if you have a consumer lens which is f4 to f5.6 then don't even bother using the 2X for motor racing. If the reach isn't long enough invest in a smaller teleconverter. Also, if you aren't going to print large size (I use a Canon i9950 which prints at 19x13 ins) you can easily get away with cropping anyway.

[Rednut05]

I've been wondering this of late.

I was looking at the 1.4x's to mate to my Canon 70-300IS f/4-5.6.

Now I've gathered it'll drop the lens by 1 stop? And some times lenses hunt at the long end in auto focus mode.


The bit I had problems answering was if all lenses are compatible with converters/ extenders?

The Canon ones seem expensive for something I don't know if I'll use as much as I think I might. I have herd good reviews for the Kenko Coffee 1.4x's.

David

[VxDuncan]

Interesting...
I'm considering getting a Kenko Pro 300 2x for use with the Nikon 80-200 F2.8, giving F5.6. I'm sure this would be okay in most situations, as the D80 is supposedly good for slightly slower than F5.6. However, you say a 2x is unworkable? Main use would be wildlife and travel photography, so focus speed less critical. Are your main issues with the 2x due to the speed of motorsport?

[RobDickinson]

1.4 * f5.6 will be too dim for AF to work on canons budget bodies, dunno about the flash ones but who uses slow lenses on flash cameras...


IMO f5.6 at 400-600mm gives a good DoF (as DoF is smaller at longer focal distances), but less control, but depending on light could easily be too slow for motorsports.

Also remember max apature defines how bright the viewfinder is too.

I'd be happy with a 1.4 on a f4(70-200) or a 2.0 on a f2.8.

[Gemm]

Generally I wouldn't recommend using any converter for lenses over f5.6 due to reasons already mentioned. I've used 2X converter on my 70-200 f2.8 for motorsport and the result wasn't too bad. AF was still well acceptable, but I tend to stick to 1.4X unless I'm desperate to get more reach.

[Rednut05]

So my f4 lens and a 1.4 would only be workable in bright light days?
Was wanting it for wildlife more than motorsport but would use if for that too if it was required.

I have a 20D body so middle pegging I guess.

[Mr Noble]

Problem is not just the stops down, but what effect that stop or 2 will have on the shutter speed.

Its all well and good whacking a 2 x TC on your lens, but it'll drop the shutter speed down so far that you won't get a sharp shot anyway.

Sometines and in some conditions cropping the shot from the standard lens will give far better results than using a TC.

HTH

G



(still getting a 1.4 x tc for my Nikon 70-200 F2.8 VR though, but I won't bother with the 2 x.)

[RobDickinson]

Yep - as said 2 stops AND double the focal length so your looking at at least 3 stops extra light needed minimum for the same shooting conditions.

So compare 1/200th 200mm f2.8 to f5.6 400mm 1/500th...

[scooby_snax]

Surely a 'loss' in shutter speed can be compensated for by increasing the ISO. Unlike film there isn't much difference between using ISO 100 and 400 on a decent digital SLR.
I was at Lydden at the weekend shooting with a 70-200 f2.8 with a 1.7 converter, so mostly set at an effective 340, used an ISO 400 and effective fstop of 6.3 mostly. No onboard camera sharpening and the images seem fimne to me....if I get time will post a couple tonight

[lowdrag]

To reply to the above posts, shooting wildlife is often a moving shot too and even my 200/400 f4 lens with the 2X hunts like mad. This is f4 throughout the range too. I can get by with the 1.7X but the 2X is gathering dust since even on the 70/200 f2.8 it is virtually useless. I use a Nikon D2X with only the pro lenses so for some of you using the consumer f5.6 lenses it is a complete waste of time to consider a teleconverter unless you are prepared to set the shutter speed to such a slow speed you need a tripod. The f4 and a 1.4X should be workable though.

Kenko converters are highly thought of on most sites I've seen although I use only the Nikon ones myself. Much cheaper too and I'd buy from one of the Hong Kong shops on Ebay - I've never had a problem buying like that and saved a packet in the process.

Re. the question of ISO. Canons are much better at higher ISO ratings than Nikon so perhaps you can get away with it, but it depends if you are shooting for pleasure to look at on the screen and email to friends or to sell and print in large format. It is then that the grain or noise as it is now called is apparent.

In short, you can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear, so using a teleconverter with a consumer lens is a waste of time mainly. Have you even checked to see if one will fit? Many Nikon consumer lenses won't mate to a teleconverter even.

[VxDuncan]

Mine is an older style 80-200 F2.8 Nikkor. God of a lens! It's so sharp it hurts, slow AF though and no VR - might upgrade it when I'm feeling flush. Sounds like I'll go for the 1.4x for now and maybe get a 2x later if it works out. Sorry to hijack the thread, as you were!

[lowdrag]

Not at all. I still have the 80/200 f2.8 lens which I have had for donkey's years and I still love it for portraiture, but be careful before buying a teleconverter for it. There is the TC14E and the TC14E2, the latter I think only for the later lenses. A TC14 will work well with that lens and you'll have a lot of fun with it.

[monkeyhanger]

lowdrag said:

In short, you can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear, so using a teleconverter with a consumer lens is a waste of time mainly.

That pretty much sums it up for me. I use my Sigma 120-300 f2.8 with a 2x TC at almost every race i go to and it turns out some fantastic images....it can also turn out some complete rubbish too

[scooby_snax]

VxDuncan said:

Mine is an older style 80-200 F2.8 Nikkor. God of a lens! It's so sharp it hurts, slow AF though and no VR - might upgrade it when I'm feeling flush. Sounds like I'll go for the 1.4x for now and maybe get a 2x later if it works out. Sorry to hijack the thread, as you were!

If you are looking for a Nikon 2x TC I have one I never use now that I got the 1.7 so open to offers!
S

[Shellz_Mach1]

Thanks guys for a lot of interesting reading here. I originally used the 2x for motor racing with very mixed results and as I now do more slow speed stuff at classic car shows I think the 2x is destined for Ebay.

Shel

[Shellz_Mach1]

Just thought I'd update this post to say that I chose to Ebay my 2x converter. Link here if anyone is after one, although I've only thought to post this here now and the auction ends in just over three hours.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[bramley]

Gemm said:

Generally I wouldn't recommend using any converter for lenses over f5.6 due to reasons already mentioned. I've used 2X converter on my 70-200 f2.8 for motorsport and the result wasn't too bad. AF was still well acceptable, but I tend to stick to 1.4X unless I'm desperate to get more reach.

Agreed. I have a 2x converter and have only used it once at a track day and the compromise it makes, although handy in certain situations, means I will try not to need it if you know what I mean. A lot of feedback on the Canon converters say the 1.4x is much better than the 2x, however 1.4x on a 70-200 is barely worth bothering with imo - I'd prefer to just crop my images afterwards.

[lowdrag]

Cropping is fine if you aren't printing in large format. I print at A3+ for sale and need the reach that the TC and longer lens gives me. A TC20 is great but with a consumer lens mostly useless for anything moving and isn't much use on the pro series lenses.