topic Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

RJU — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:15:56 GMT

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Waddizzle — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:26:25 GMT

I don’t know off the top of my head. It’s complicated, anyway. I suggest downloading the full User Guide and searching for “lens group “.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

kvbarkley — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:35:59 GMT

It looks like a max aperture of f/5.6 is required, but it *might* work to f/8:

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Waddizzle — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:50:06 GMT

It’s complicated. The 80D shares a similar AF system used in the 90D and 6D2, which can support up to 27 f/8 AF points. Exactly how many varies from one lens to the next, combined with what version of the Canon teleconverter you are using.
The User Guide has tables to help you determine how many AF points will be enabled, which ones are enabled, and at what sensitivity.

Like I said it’s complicated.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Tronhard — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:53:26 GMT

I used the 80D with the EF 100-400L MkII and the MkIII 1.4x extender. It did autofocus and I got it to work at f/8 aperture function, but you must be precise about the version of the extender and the lens. As Bill (@Widdizzle) commented, it's complicated because of the variations of bodies, lenses and extenders and performance varies widely.

Check out this compatibility chart: Canon EF Extenders - Teleconverters (eflens.com)

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

p4pictures — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:08:44 GMT

You need to be precise with the lens model and extender model.

If you have EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and EF Extender 1.4x III then you will have cross type AF points with the central 9 AF points, plus horizontal line sensitive AF points in the blocks of 9 points either side of the centre group. In the manual this is group G.

For any other models of extender and the mark 1 "push-pull" lens then only the 1 AF point at the centre will be able to focus, this is Group H in the manual.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Waddizzle — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:15:02 GMT

Correct! It is complicated and confusing at first. But you still need to reference the charts.
I believe your Mark II lens will allow the full complement of 27 f/8 AF points to be enabled, but only with the Mark III version of the Canon 1.4x teleconverter. I believe the enabled points lose their “cross type “ behavior.

Performance with the original lens release just may be reduced to only the center AF point functioning in a degraded mode no matter which Canon teleconverter you use.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

RJU — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 21:37:03 GMT

Thanks. I have two 80d’s and a 1.4X v1. I was hoping to sell my Sigma 150-600mm C, and get a used 100-400mm markII, and use a 1.4X to achieve 560mm, but I was concerned that my 1.4 was too old to work with the center group of cross sensors. I’ll have to decided if I can afford to buy an additional 1.4X in the mark III version, as part of my plan. I wasn’t allowed to explain this all in the question format. Your answer is spot on. Thanks again.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

JHTibbets — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 21:47:57 GMT

As a second actual test, I attached the 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L to my old 60D that I keep around as a backup. I presume the AF system is not as advanced as the one on your 80D, but your 80D is unlikely to focus at as low of light as the mirrorless can.

The combination of the 100-400 and 1.4x does not work at all, even in bright light. if it doesn't function on the 80D in real world conditions, I am sure others would like to know. It may also be time to upgrade the body, but you can use EF lenses with an EF to R adapter. I have found all Canon EF and the Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron lenses I have all work at least as well as on the 60D. The bonus was that the 1.4x works on lens combinations that were previously not recommended on any Canon DSLR body I tried mounting them on.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Waddizzle — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 22:01:45 GMT

Great answer. But this barely scratches the surface. You still need to see the illustrations in the full User Guide to understand the bigger picture.

He referred to @Group H”. Download the manual and search for “lens group “.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

p4pictures — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 22:14:35 GMT

Your EOS 60D needs the lens and extender combination to be f/5.6 for it to focus. One of the steps forward with the EOS 80D was the ability of the central AF points to focus at f/8. Similar f/8 focus ability was also in the EOS 5D Mark IV and EOS 7D Mark II, but for reasonable tracking only the Mk III extender on the Mk lens was supported.

I recall in the past trying a Mk III 2x extender on the EF 100-400mm Mk2 lens on my EOS 7D Mark II. No AF was possible using the viewfinder as the aperture combination is f/11, however the camera could focus in live view. Mirrorless cameras are better able to focus with smaller apertures than DSLRs, which is how Canon was able to introduce the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses and allow them to work with the RF 2x extender making AF at f/22.

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

johnrmoyer — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 15:26:37 GMT

In live view, it will even focus with the 2x extender. In bright sunlight, with the my EOS 80D will autofocus at F/11 with a Kenko 2x extender because the Kenko does not report its presence to the camera even though it does report the increased focal length. With the Canon 2x, the EOS 80D will refuse to auto focus except in live view mode because the wide open aperture is F/11.

https://www.rsok.com/~jrm/2019Mar08_birds_and_cats/2019mar06_duck_IMG_6403c.html

Northern shovelers (Spatula clypeata) were swimming near ice in a marsh at Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, United States on March 6, 2019 ; EOS 80D ; EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM + Kenko 2x ; F/14 ; 1/1024 ; ISO 1600 ; distance about 100 meters

Re: Can the EOS 80D autofocus when using the EF 100-400mm IS L, and the 1.4x ?

Tronhard — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 21:48:31 GMT

As I mentioned in my first post, the choice of models of camera, lens and extender are all critical. I had the 60D and, being quite an older body, it was less capable in dealing with extenders.

As regards your comment: "The combination of the 100-400 and 1.4x does not work at all, even in bright light. if it doesn't function on the 80D in real world conditions, I am sure others would like to know." I am not sure if the first sentence actually applies to the 60D or the 80D, but as regards the second sentence, I shall let the following image be judged for itself.
First the image
80D, EF 100-400LII+1.4MkIII@463mm, f/8, 1/100sec, ISO-200

Image with File Info.

My point still remains. One cannot make comments on the use of extenders or teleconverters without being absolutely precise about the models in question as the potential and results will vary widely.

All that said, I have long since abandoned teleconverters and now prefer to get an optic designed for the focal range I need. The flexibility, convenience and results are, to me, worth the extra investment.

In this case, the OP is considering selling the Sigma 150-600c and replacing it with a EF 100-400LII + 1.4III TC. In all honestly, to get the full flexibility of the camera's focusing and aperture systems to work, I would stick to the Sigma or consider the even better Sigma 60-600s, which is a stunning lens.