Lens/Teleconverter compatability

[cetrock]

Hi,
I'm just getting myself kitted out with a DSLR for the first time, with bird photography as my no.1 priority. I'm thinking of going for a Canon 450D with their 70-300 f.4-5.6 IS USM lens. Has anyone tried this combination with Canon's 1.4x teleconverter?

[postcardcv]

Hi cetrock and welcome to BirdForum from all the staff.

I've not tried this lens/tc combo myself, but generally you won't get AF with a f5.6 lens and a 1.4x tc. There is a way of tricking the camera so it doesn't 'see' the tc (taping three pins on the tc) it will then try and AF though how effective this is can be very variable.

[QuantumTiger]

This review (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) seems to indicate that it is not compatible with canon's extenders. As also does this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=6793264). You may be better off with a non-canon TC (or get the similarly priced EF 70-200mm f/4L)

[tringbirds]

My wife has the 400d with the Canon lens and gets really good results even when the light is a bit dodgy! However she has a good understanding of the parameters of her camera and works the lens well. Not tried it with a 1.4. As in all these things go for the best lens your budget will allow, which sometimes means spending more than you anticipated on a decent lens. Have a look for a good used 'L' lens,it may well be worth the extra to get those shots you are looking for!!

[russ1610]

The attached Two Photo's were taken on a 350D, fitted with a 70-300 Canon IS lens. This will work with a kenko 1.4 converter although I have never done it myself. The auto focus will not work, unless you Tape the left side 3 pins , when looking at the lens, from the lens mount side, when holding the adaptor with the pins at 12 o'clock. Even then the auto focus may be slow or not work in poor light. I think it was a great lens if lacking in range, My son now owns it along with the 350D. If you can afford it I would go for the 100-400 canon 80-400 sigma (See Mike from Ebbw gallery stunning shots with this lens)

[Roy C]

Hi,
I'm just getting myself kitted out with a DSLR for the first time, with bird photography as my no.1 priority. I'm thinking of going for a Canon 450D with their 70-300 f.4-5.6 IS USM lens. Has anyone tried this combination with Canon's 1.4x teleconverter?
The Canon 1.4tc will not physically fit this lens.

[cetrock]

Thanks very much Guys. Very impressed with the number of responses. It's a good job I asked the question as it looks like I could have made a serious error there. Thanks for the alternative ideas too, I'll go check them all out. Cheers.