40D + 300mm F4 + Kenko 1.4x - Help!

[Jaff]

Right folks here's where things stand. I'm selling stuff and moving to Canon.

This is the combo that I had in mind. So far I've got a lens on order second-hand from MPB and now I read with horror on another thread that the 300mm F4 won't AF with a Kenko TC. Does this mean I'll have to save up and get a Canon instead or has anyone any others that might suit. Reading through the thread more carefully I see Pete (Postcardcv) suggests a Sigma TC, anyone used one with this lens and found it o.k.?

Also if my info is correct there should be no problem with a 40D + 300mm F4 and TC (other than the Kenko obviously) unlike with 400mm f5.6's.

Please help a rather nervous photographer!
Jaff

[JohnZ]

I think you need to read the "Dividing by ten" thread. At least that is what I think it is/was called.

[postcardcv]

When I tried the 40D with the 500 f4 and a Kenko 1.4x tc it did not report the TC and the AF hunted and failed to lock on, who knows if you'll get the same problem with the 300 f4. I then tried a friends Sigma which worked fine, AF and IS both work well, even with the TC on the lens is nice and sharp. Ideally I'd have got the Canon and had done, but I couldn't stretch to one so picked up a secondhand Sigma instead.

[Jaff]

Thanks for that info Pete. I do no of someone with a 40D so I'll see if he lets me put the lens (comes on Tuesday) and my brother's Kenko 1.4x on it and see what happens. I think I'll be better off if I just save up for the Canon and be done with it.

Thanks for the help John but I've read that thread and don't see how it affects my situation.
Jaff

[JohnZ]

I think Keith mentions on that thread that the 40D has problems when using the centre point focus with a TC ?
Apparently the TC will work if used with any of the focus points other than the centre.

[Jaff]

I see what your getting at now John but this problem (as per my first post), as I understand it, is only applicaple to 100-400 and 400mm f5.6 lenses with any TC, I think my 300 F4 will be ok so long as I buy one other than Kenko (read Pete's post).

Just to re-cap then, has no-one on here got a 40D with 300mm F4 IS with any TC to let me know if it's kosher.
Jaff

[GYRob]

the 40d SHOULD af with any lens / combo up to f5.6 even a 300f2.8 and a 2x tc as that goes to f5.6
Rob

[GYRob]

the 40d will af with the 70/200 f2.8+2xtc the 300f2.8+2xtc and the 500f4 +1.4tc .
i also tried the 400f5.6 +1.4tc and it would not af with that as exspected. canon tc's by the way.
Rob.

[Jaff]

Thanks for the info Rob. Do you think that a 40D & TC won't work properly with any lens if it exceeds an f5.6 aperture?

[GYRob]

Thanks for the info Rob. Do you think that a 40D & TC won't work properly with any lens if it exceeds an f5.6 aperture?

i do -the 40d is not made to unlike the 1d series that will af down to f8 .
IT can be made to work as others have stated but best for them to answer on how good the tape trick or other tc's not reporting work as i have no exsperiance of that and how much Hunting it will do or poiseble Damage it might do .
Rob.

[bob hastie]

As I mentioned on the other thread, I've got the 300 f4 and it works perfectly well with the kenko 1.4x. The kenko website is incorrect in saying that it won't!
Don't know why they say this, it's been on their site for quite a while that i know of.
By the way I have a 400D and 30D and it works fine on both, the kenko site doesn't mention any particular camera model just that it won't work with this lens.

[Jaff]

Thanks guys. It's just a case of wait and see then. As soon as the lens arrives I'll see how it all performs on my brother's 400D and then get down to Martin Mere and hopefully try it on a 40D/30D depending on who's in the Infocus shop on Tuesday.

Here's hoping everything's fine and I can usurp my brothers TC for the forseeable future. Cheers :t:
Jaff

[baillieswells]

I see what your getting at now John but this problem (as per my first post), as I understand it, is only applicaple to 100-400 and 400mm f5.6 lenses with any TC, I think my 300 F4 will be ok so long as I buy one other than Kenko (read Pete's post).

Just to re-cap then, has no-one on here got a 40D with 300mm F4 IS with any TC to let me know if it's kosher.
Jaff

Yes, I have the Canon 300mm f4 IS, a 1.4 Canon teleconverter and a Canon 40D. The lens/converter combination focuses on all single focus points, including the centre point, and on automatic point selection.

[Jaff]

Yes, I have the Canon 300mm f4 IS, a 1.4 Canon teleconverter and a Canon 40D. The lens/converter combination focuses on all single focus points, including the centre point, and on automatic point selection.

Thanks for that, good to know I've got a backup plan. Can I ask though, does the IS work fine too?

Jaff

[gmax]

Yes, I have the Canon 300mm f4 IS, a 1.4 Canon teleconverter and a Canon 40D. The lens/converter combination focuses on all single focus points, including the centre point, and on automatic point selection.

Well, that sounds like good news to me .. so now I have to understand the ratio why centre point works fine with a 300mm prime and not with a 400mm prime/zoom ...
Thanks for your report
Cheers,
Max

[GYRob]

Well, that sounds like good news to me .. so now I have to understand the ratio why centre point works fine with a 300mm prime and not with a 400mm prime/zoom ...
Thanks for your report
Cheers,
Max
centre point does work fine with a 400 prime or zoom as long as the apeture is f5.6 or larger.
Rob.

[gmax]

centre point does work fine with a 400 prime or zoom as long as the apeture is f5.6 or larger.
Rob.

Well, obviously |:$| I'm too tired I guess ... it's just the little devil in me that keeps reminding me how nicely this camera would fit in my greedy hands ... :C

[Paul Jarvis]

You will still need a camera body and your own TC in the foreseeable future me thinks!

[Tim Taylor]

Well, obviously |:$| I'm too tired I guess ... it's just the little devil in me that keeps reminding me how nicely this camera would fit in my greedy hands ... :C

Max, looking at the size of your hands in your avatar, they aren't big enough tohold a 40D.

Jaff, that sounds like a great combination you've got planned and I'm looking forward to seeing your first posts. Next move perhaps the Sigma 500mm f4.5?

[baillieswells]

Thanks for that, good to know I've got a backup plan. Can I ask though, does the IS work fine too?

Jaff
Yes. I can hear the gyros whirling away when I hand hold with the telecomverter on.

[Jaff]

Well everyone I can categorically state that a 300mm F4 IS USM & a Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4x TC will retain AF and IS when mounted on a 400D and a 30D. Unfortunately I did not have chance to try it on a 40D but I think it will work just the same.
Based on the info being thrown around though, I believe a 40D + 300mm F4 and a 2x conv. (even Canon) would maybe have the same problems as other people have had with 100-400's and 400mm f5.6 primes, not willing to buy one just to find out though! ;)

Anyway, here's a shot on my brother's recent, unexpected, purchase of a 30D with the Kenko on, first time I've shot in RAW too. Cheers for all your help.
Jaff

[gmax]

Well everyone I can categorically state that a 300mm F4 IS USM & a Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4x TC will retain AF and IS when mounted on a 400D and a 30D. Unfortunately I did not have chance to try it on a 40D but I think it will work just the same.
Based on the info being thrown around though, I believe a 40D + 300mm F4 and a 2x conv. (even Canon) would maybe have the same problems as other people have had with 100-400's and 400mm f5.6 primes, not willing to buy one just to find out though! ;)

Anyway, here's a shot on my brother's recent, unexpected, purchase of a 30D with the Kenko on, first time I've shot in RAW too. Cheers for all your help.
Jaff

A good start indeed Jaff, I guess your bro will be soon deprived forever of its new toy ;)