 Brad Lambert |
Extension Tubes and Teleconverters I have a canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM. At 300mm it gets me close but not quite close enough. I would really like to buy a bigger lens but I'm a strugeling college student and my student loans have top priority to my future income. I understand the pros and cons about teleconverters but I am wondering about the compatability with my lens. (My camera is an Elan 7) Also I've heard about extension tubes but don't know much about them. Can they get me closer to the wildlife I like to shoot? What are the downsides to using them? Either simple answers or technical explanations, any info would be very useful. Thanks!
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Bob Cammarata |
Hi Brad, My suggestion, is that you check into teleconverters for your zoom rather than extension tubes. Canon makes 1.4 and 2X multipliers which should work well with your equipment. Keep in mind that...with the extra reach, comes the loss of a stop or more of light and a reduced depth of field. This may require the use of a faster film or camera support to maintain image quality. Extension tubes are only beneficial for macro work. They will only reduce the close-focusing distance of your lens.
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Tony Sweet |
Brad, I would avoid the 2x teleconverter with your 4-5.6 lens. Aside from being pretty expensive, it probably won't be sharp. But, I would definitely invest in the 1.4x. Please note that teleconverters darken your image in your finder. Therefore, if you're finder is a little dark at times now, it will be 1 stop darker and 2 stops darker with your teleconverters, making it very difficult to focus. And Bob is right about extension tubes being for close up photography. If you're REALLY into photographing wildlife, start saving your $$$ for a 300 f/2.8 or f/4. Both are brighter to see through, sharper, and will be bright even with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. I only recommend using the 2x teleconverter on f/2.8 lenses. Good luck!
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Brad Lambert |
Thanks Bob and Tony. You gave me the info I needed and more. As a beginning photographer this site is a great resource to me. Thanks to all you pros out there willing to help!
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Michael McCullough |
You can definetly use extension tubes at the 300mm. range of your lens but are only good for around 15 ft. or so,look for an old Kiron teleconverter I picked one up for 20 dollars and it is 7 elements,does a very good job and they are very highly rated!!!
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Ken Henry |
Canon tele-extenders are not compatible to your lens. You will loose "IS" functions if you use tele-converters or extension tubes. Plus lose of light, exposures, and sharpness from tc's. Your lens only has about a 1:4 macro. To bring it up to a 1:2 macro magnification you will need to use a 2X tc plus maybe an extension tube, or a stack of extension tubes. Whew! Canon has a Close-up Lens 500D(58mm filter dia)Has two achromatic elements does not effect optical performance thereby maintaining high quality image. Since it's virtually a must to use a tripod for macro work then my first option would be Sigma's very superb lens 70-300mmf4-5.6 Apo-Macro Super II 1:2 macro. Cost $160.00 Regards, Ken
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
More than not compatable, it won't even connect to it. The converter was made for all there telephoto 2.8 & f/4 lenses.
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Ken Henry |
Thank you Gregory for confirming that the Canon Tele-converters are compatible only to their specified "L" series lenses. I didn't properly convey that Brad can use other brands of converters on his lens. I have the Kenko's Pro 300 1.4X & 2X Converters. The image quality of these two converters are impressive. I've made numerus tests with 8 x 12" and 11 x 16" prints using Fuji Superia 100 film. I use them in my architectural work on my 45mm TSE lens, and 90mm TSE lens also my fun lens 80-400mm Tokina. Regards, Ken
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