Let’s say that you own a Canon “L” Professional telephoto lens and you also need a longer model, but it is completely beyond your reach, financially. That was my dilemma. My solution: the Canon EF Extender 1.4X II, coupled with the excellent lens that I already have. My problem was solved for a fraction of the cost of a new lens.
Canon presented an incredible "gift" to serious amateur photographers everywhere when they introduced the affordable EF 17-40mm f/4L and the EF 70-200mm f/4L "Luxury" Professional lenses. These sub-thousand dollar models allowed the serious hobbyist shutterbug to gain access to the previously unattainable pro-grade glass of their dreams. Yes, they are a full stop "slower" than the superb f/2.8 models, but the sharpness and quality of construction are identical, a real treat for a poor picture taker like me. I have thoroughly enjoyed using both of these models, but they left my photo gear budget a bit stretched.
Recently, I noticed that I was in serious need of a longer focal length for bird watching and nature shots. I have always been very happy with my trusty old EF 100-300mm f/4-5.6 USM telephoto zoom lens, and for the reasonable price that I paid; I got excellent results with it. However, after comparing photos taken with the USM to the 70-200mm L's results, I was able to see the not-so-subtle differences that the professional grade glass revealed.
I found myself in a quandary. I really wanted the reach of that 300mm range, but with pro-level performance and that "silky smooth" action of the 70-200mm f/4L. The fact is, I was addicted to "L"! Canon had tempted me in with the affordable “good stuff”, knowing that I would get “hooked” and be driven by the need for more of that “L”, just to make the shakes go away. I almost wished that I had never known the pleasures and performance of that big off-white lens.
Then reality grabbed me and slapped me across the face like a cold hand. There was NO WAY that my wife, budget or conscience would allow me to splurge for the 300mm "L" that I felt I needed. Photography is a very important part of my life, but not important enough to justify paying the prohibitive monetary price, causing a strained relationship with my better half, and the guilt that would surely follow. (At least, not for a single prime lens with limited uses.)
Thankfully, I found a very reasonable compromise. I purchased the Canon Extender EF 1.4X II Professional Telephoto Lens Adapter. Now I have my longer lens, with the feel and image quality that I was jonesin’ for, and I still have the peace of mind to enjoy it, without the heaping dose of guilt that would have certainly accompanied a new Pro lens.
Yes, there were a few trade-offs. First, I now have a maximum focal length of 280mm, not quite the 300mm length that I thought I needed. My maximum aperture is f/5.6, not the f/4 that I would have gotten with the expensive prime lens. Fortunately, the razor sharpness, rich contrast and superb resolution that spoiled me in the first place seems to be completely intact.
I have been comparing photos taken with my EF 100-300mm USM lens to the same subjects taken at the same time with the EF 70-200mm Pro lens, "boosted" with the new extender. I have to say; the image quality results definitely fall in favor of the "L" combo every time. The 20mm difference in range is there, but at 6.33% shorter reach, it is a much smaller difference than I had imagined it might be. It is less than the "crop" seen through the viewfinder compared to the full image recorded by my image sensor. It's not insignificant, but it is really not that important, especially considering the huge cost difference.
Then, there are the unexpected advantages. My camera bag (the largest that Canon offers) is getting crowded. There is no way that I could have squeezed another long telephoto lens in there, and I do NOT want to get a bigger bag. My shoulder already gets sore enough as it is. The Extender EF fits very neatly into my bag, with plenty of room to spare! I would have had to supplement my kit with a separate padded lens case, attached to the outside of my bag to accommodate an additional telephoto lens. That would not have been a very safe arrangement on a hike through rough terrain. As things stand now, the total weight of my photo kit has only gained 8 ounces. Compare that to the 2 pounds of extra weight that the additional lens would have added!
This handy gadget is small, light and I have found that it’s just as easy to mount between the camera and lens, as it would be to completely change lenses. Another advantage is that I can stick it in my cargo pants pocket whenever I think that I might need it. Let's see you do that with a 300mm telephoto lens! Who knows, a jaunt back to the gadget bag to get a different lens might have cost me my best shot of the day.
Now I have the entire focal range from 70mm, clear out to 280mm, covered by a very convenient, totally professional, lens combo. I don't have to sacrifice any speed or performance, right up to the native maximum focal range of my 200mm zoom. I only mount the extender when I am pretty sure that I will actually need the 200m to 280mm range. I know that it would be counterproductive to give up even a single f-stop of speed unnecessarily. If I had bought the long prime, I would not have the ability to frame a shot to any focal range wider than 300mm. With wildlife, that could mean a missed picture when the creature unexpectedly decides to come toward me, (unless I wanted a photo of just snout hairs and eyeballs). At least, with the extender, I have the option of zooming all the way back to 100mm, in a pinch. Yes, in that case, I would sacrifice some speed, but at least I would have a good chance to get the shot.
The Canon Extender EF 1.4X II gives me just what I really needed. It is a perfect match with my favorite "L" lens. It even has that beautiful off-white "puss" colored finish. OK, the color isn't really that pretty, but canon says that they chose the color to keep the lens from becoming a "branding iron" in the hot sun, without being so bright as to make it a distraction. I must say, it certainly does stay considerably cooler than the camera body, when shooting in direct sunlight. I usually have to shade the camera with the brim of my hat or a handkerchief, but the lens always "keeps its cool", even in the direct rays of the burning summer sun.
This is truly an "L" class product in every respect. It is equipped with the same weather & dust seals as the main lens. Both mounts are “heavy-duty” stainless steel and the optical quality is absolutely beyond reproach. For anyone who owns an "L" class telephoto lens (provided that is included on the compatible lens list below), this thing is a "no brainer". Who wouldn't want to convert a 300mm lens into a 420mm professional monster, for less than $300.00? A 400mm lens becomes a 560mm model and a 500mm tele is stretched out to become a 700mm SUPER SNOOPER lens. (You can calculate the rest of the available focal lengths yourself by simply multiplying your lens’s maximum length times 1.4.)
For my situation, the degradation of image quality is almost undetectable and the one f-stop reduction in aperture speed is an easily acceptable “price to pay”. Basically, I am thrilled with my “new longer lens”, AND I didn’t have to drain my bank account to get it. (Or lug it around, either!)
Canon states that this tele-extender can be used with all fixed focal length “L” Professional “Prime” lenses from 135mm focal length or longer (except for the 135mm f/2.8 SF Soft-Focus lens). It is also compatible with all of these Professional Zoom models; the EF 70-200 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 70-200 f/4.0L, 70-200mm f/4L IS and the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS. Please note that the IS feature (Image Stabilization) is fully maintained on all of the listed lenses that include this technology.
Now my problem is solved. My wife still loves me and I can even afford to eat real food this month. I feel no guilt at all as I focus in on that elusive red-tailed hawk.
