Canon EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L with 2x extender

[davikokar]

Do you use the 100-400mm in combination with 2x extender ? What do you think about this combination ?

[enriqupg]

I must agree with you on this point, I accidentally discovered this a couple of weeks ago; when I took a video of wildlife. The image was much lighter than an actual picture will ever be. the tripod is a MUST!! otherwise is very shaky and distracting

[enriqupg]

I am still new to both the equipment and photography - two points
a. if you are going to take videos then its worth it - because you can freeze an image and potentially blow it up - I am sure it wont be as clear as a using the very expensive lenses.
b. if you are looking for super sharp images then its going to frustrate you a lot - to that end I am renting the 200 - 400mm prime lens to see the major difference to compare it to the 100 - 400mm and teleconverter. I wish I could upload pictures and videos

[enriqupg]

awesome thank you for reporting back- I am glad its working out for you as well - and more importantly for reporting back

[Rx_Mich]

I don't have tha Canon Extender yet but I did try the the Canon 100-400mm L II with a Kenko 2x (manually focused). As long as the shot can wait for me, focusing manually gives me decent results. As good as the 400 alone... no, but I do get usable images with that combination. Hand held shot @400mm +Kenko 2X. The original image is 18megs but reduced down to 5 megs which is the limit to upload.

What I found that is helpful (for me) in manual focus mode is to rough focus to the distance, press the shutter 1/2 way down to engage image stability and complet the focus while engaged, and complete the shot. I am able to nail the focus repeatedly by doing this.

[Waddizzle]

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@Rx_Mich wrote:

I don't have tha Canon Extender yet but I did try the the Canon 100-400mm L II with a Kenko 2x (manually focused). As long as the shot can wait for me, focusing manually gives me decent results. As good as the 400 alone... no, but I do get usable images with that combination. Hand held shot @400mm +Kenko 2X. The original image is 18megs but reduced down to 5 megs which is the limit to upload.

What I found that is helpful (for me) in manual focus mode is to rough focus to the distance, press the shutter 1/2 way down to engage image stability and complet the focus while engaged, and complete the shot. I am able to nail the focus repeatedly by doing this.

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Does your Kenko 2x actually communicate with the lens?  

What is the camera displaying as an Aperture value when you use it?

If the lens were communicating with the body, then I would have expected a lens error message.

[Rx_Mich]

This was shot at f/11. That seems to be the sweet spot for clarity with or without the Kenko.

[Rx_Mich]

The Kenko passes through all camera commands. (focus, image stability, f/setting, and meta data. The auto focus is just about useless except in very bright conditions. I put the lens in manual focus mode but all other functions are operating properly.

[PhotoGerry]

I picked up the EF 100-400 f/4-5.6L just recently and I'm loving it.  The thought of 2x more reach even with the  aperture/light penalty is apealling.  I have a 5D Mark III, but I'm not sure of its auto focusing ability cranked out to 800.  Likely a stationary target and a tripod for manual focusing is the best bet at this setting.

Taken at 400mm, f/9, 1/1600 sec, iso-100

[Rx_Mich]

The shot I took  was hand held, manual focus. If you engage image stability during focusing is like having it on a tripod.

[ebiggs1]

" If you engage image stability during focusing is like having it on a tripod."

It all depends on what your standards are and what results are pleasing to you. If you are happy with that shot, great. Personally I would not be.