Canon 70-300 DO IS with a converter?

[Martin Thomas]

Unfortunately the BirdForum search engine won't provide results for two character queries so please excuse me if this question has been asked before.

From another forum I gather the Canon 70-300 DO IS will work with a Kenko converter but I wonder whether any users here have any hands on experience and can give their opinion please? If so, which particular converter?

Does anyone know whether a Sigma converter would work as an alternative?

The lens has been regarded as a little contraversial by some but I've found some excellent tips for improving results here (http://www.fovegraphy.com/70_300DO_TipsE.php).

Thanks in advance.

[chewie]

Unfortunately the BirdForum search engine won't provide results for two character queries so please excuse me if this question has been asked before.

From another forum I gather the Canon 70-300 DO IS will work with a Kenko converter but I wonder whether any users here have any hands on experience and can give their opinion please? If so, which particular converter?

Does anyone know whether a Sigma converter would work as an alternative?

The lens has been regarded as a little contraversial by some but I've found some excellent tips for improving results here (http://www.fovegraphy.com/70_300DO_TipsE.php).

Thanks in advance.

i had a 2x kenko converter and was using it with the 70-300mm IS USM. i didnt like it at all, as i found it tended to overexpose, and the AF didnt work!

i find getting closer to subjects (hide/clothing) is a far better alternative.

[JohnZ]

It may be worth a go at getting the Kenko 1.5x converter as it is non reporting ? IanF has said that he uses one so if it is good enough for him then it is good enough for me ! Available at Bristol Cameras I believe.

[Martin Thomas]

Thanks Chewie. Just to clarify, was yours the DO lens?

[chewie]

Thanks Chewie. Just to clarify, was yours the DO lens?


nope. was looking at that one tho, I couldnt understand the technical differences to justify the difference in price!

best thing to do is test one out before buying one, because hindsight is such a wonderful thing!

[Roy C]

Hi Martin, I think this lens itself does not report converters therefore with any 1.4 tc it will try to AF, whether it actually succeeds is another matter as non 1 series cameras are only specked to AF at f5.6 or faster. Using a 1.4 tc with this lens will, in effect, be f8 and a 2x tc will be f11 so no chance at all with a 2x.
As to the IQ with a converter attached you may get some reasonable results with a 1.4 tc but most people are disappointed.
With a 2x tc I am sure you will be very disappointed as the IQ will suffer big time.

[miketoll]

I have the 70-300 DO and the old none DG Kenko 1.4 Pro 300. Focuses fine with my 20D when using all the focusing points but not so reliably when using centre only point. On my 40D it will not auto focus reliably. I find the IQ to be surprisingly good.

[Words]

I've got a 400D and the 70-300 DO and the Kenko Teleplus 1.4x Pro 300 DG teleconverter. It retains AF and reporting even when the pins aren't taped, and seems to work ok, though there's a fair bit of hunting sometimes. Generally I only use the TC in good light, and most often on my 100-400 lens and when I have a stable base to work from. I find with the 400D the IS tends to play up. So a bit of a muted comment. It's not a combination I use a lot, though it does work.

[Roy C]

I've got a 400D and the 70-300 DO and the Kenko Teleplus 1.4x Pro 300 DG teleconverter. It retains AF and reporting even when the pins aren't taped.
This is because the 70-300 does not have the necessary pins to report a tc therefore taping is not necessary. A Canon tc will not even fit on this lens.