Extender 1.4 to use with 70D and EF 70-200 f/4 IS. Any compatibility problems?

[Albro]

I am planning to get the Extender 1.4 to use with my EOS 70D and the EF 70-200mm f/4 IS.  Are there any compatibility problems with this combination?

[JonKline]

Assuming you get the Canon 1.4x and the Canon 70-200 lens, they will work perfectly together.

Consider spending the extra for the f/2.8, since you know you'll be using the extender. Losing a stop means your lens will start at f/5.6, which makes it very difficult to use indoors.

[ebiggs1]

"...  they will work perfectly together."

Perfectly may be a stretch but, yes, they will work as well as the combo can.  Anytime you add something like a tele exrender you have to give up something.  In photography you give to get.  There is no free lunch. Fortunately you are starting out with a pretty good lens and can afford to lose an f-stop and some IQ.

[RobertTheFat · Accepted solution]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"...  they will work perfectly together."

Perfectly may be a stretch but, yes, they will work as well as the combo can.  Anytime you add something like a tele exrender you have to give up something.  In photography you give to get.  There is no free lunch. Fortunately you are starting out with a pretty good lens and can afford to lose an f-stop and some IQ.

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Let me pose a slightly different question. Suppose you already have (as many of us do) a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. Suppose you add the 1.4 tele-extender. The combination would result, I believe, in a 98-280mm f/4, a potentially useful lens that doesn't appear in Canon's lineup. So given the cost of the TE and the image quality of the combination, is buying the TE a smart move?

Note that buying the TE does not compromise the 70-200 in any way, since it's still as good as it ever was without the TE. The combination, for the price of the TE, stands or falls on its own.

[ebiggs1]

Bob
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Yes sir, you have a point and hard to not like.  Very hard!  One reason I have several tele extenders.  But, there is always a "but" isn't there?  If you don't have to use one all the better.  With the exception of the ten thousand dollar EF 200-400mm that has a purposely designed extender, all lenses will degrade with their use.  And even that specificly, purpose designed combo has better IQ with out the extender.  Does it not?