Autofocus of 50D/7D with 2x III TC and 70-200 2.8 IS II for sports

[dhofmann]

Here are some photos taken with the T2i (similar sensor as the 7D) + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM + 2x TC II (not III). The "original size" is pixel for pixel but cropped.

 

[Richard Lane]

Thanks! That was informative.
I dont want to spend too much money, thats why I would prefer buying a body with TC not a lens is because I want to have a second body (besides my 5D3) just in case.

Did you shot with the TC in the snow? if yes did it had a hard time focusing in almost 0 contrast?

I am looking forward for your samples.

Nate, I just looked through my shots and you're going to be disappointed as they're all with the MKIV and 300 f/2.8L IS +1.4x or 2X, and my 7D shots are with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II +1.4X.

I will tell you that you do lose some IQ with the 2X as previously stated, and it does slow down the AF by 75% according to Canon. I would not recommend it for fast action that will zoom by you, like downhill skiing, slalom or boarder-cross as that would be too aggressive for this combination, however your usage sounds like powder skiing from far away with the subject coming towards you, and not zooming by. That's why I'm saying that I think it could handle it.

Do you already own the 70-200mm II? I would definitely recommend the 7D for a backup crop body for sports. The 100-400mm is a possibility too, especially @400mm. Renting both lenses may also be a good idea. I've seen some great shots of the Blue Angles with the 100-400mm from Air Shows, with a low contrast background and it performs admirably.

The Skiing shots I had were with the 1D-MKIV and bare 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and I didn't have any problem with the low contrast snow because I was able to focus on their ski jacket.

Sorry Nate, as I know that this is not what you're looking for, but all I found were some test shots with the 7D and 70-200mm II and 2X, below.

All with the 7D:
The 1st image is with the bare 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II @200mm f/9
The 2nd image is with 2X @400mm f/9
The 3rd is with 2X @400mm f/5.6
The 4th is with 2X @400mm f/5.6

Rich

 

[bdunbar79]

I have a 7D and 5D3. I think they make a really nice combination (as did the 7D and 5D2). I was always impressed with the 7D for sports. A few months back my 7D broke, and while it was off for repairs, I got a great deal on a slightly used 1D4. It's great, but not so much better than my 7D that I understand the price difference. Now that my 7D is back, my 1D4 will head off to eBay.

There's actually a HUGE difference between the 1D4 and 7D for sports. You have to know the settings. If you do, you'll understand the price difference. Not to mention IQ differences.

 

[Nate]

Nate, I just looked through my shots and you're going to be disappointed as they're all with the MKIV and 300 f/2.8L IS +1.4x or 2X, and my 7D shots are with the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II +1.4X.

I will tell you that you do lose some IQ with the 2X as previously stated, and it does slow down the AF by 75% according to Canon. I would not recommend it for fast action that will zoom by you, like downhill skiing, slalom or boarder-cross as that would be too aggressive for this combination, however your usage sounds like powder skiing from far away with the subject coming towards you, and not zooming by. That's why I'm saying that I think it could handle it.

Do you already own the 70-200mm II? I would definitely recommend the 7D for a backup crop body for sports. The 100-400mm is a possibility too, especially @400mm. Renting both lenses may also be a good idea. I've seen some great shots of the Blue Angles with the 100-400mm from Air Shows, with a low contrast background and it performs admirably.

The Skiing shots I had were with the 1D-MKIV and bare 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II and I didn't have any problem with the low contrast snow because I was able to focus on their ski jacket.

Sorry Nate, as I know that this is not what you're looking for, but all I found were some test shots with the 7D and 70-200mm II and 2X, below.

All with the 7D:
The 1st image is with the bare 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II @200mm f/9
The 2nd image is with 2X @400mm f/9
The 3rd is with 2X @400mm f/5.6
The 4th is with 2X @400mm f/5.6

Rich

Thanks, I was also interested in IQ and at f/9 the IQ is pretty good. I didn't expect it to be as good.

Yes I own the 70-200 and I dont want to buy another zoom lens for the moment. I live in Hungary where I dont have a big variety of lens renting.

So I think I stick to a 2nd body.
1DIV is out of my budget but 1DIII is the same price as the 7D...Is the 1D that much better?
The only problem is, that I carry most of the things with me. Usually 3 lenses 2 flashes 1 tripod and some accessories. The reason is that usually I always need the lens that I left home...So the only thing that I dont like is that the 1D weights twice as much as the 7D.

 

[Skulker]

Can I get a sample with the 7D 70-200 2xTC? I am interested in how bad is the IQ compared to w/o TC

There may be two attached, its the first time I've tried an attachment so maybe not?

I've had to reduce the Jpeg quality to get them on here, but you should see the basic quality I have been achiving with this combination. You may well be able to do better.

Edit

to say the full size files dont really bear pixel peeking, but they are pretty much as shot, I thought this would be what you wanted, and they are 100% crops

and the birdy is 1/125 @ f6.3, iso 1000, 400mm and was used by the BBC on about 7 pages of its website.

The little Badger is 1/640 @ f7.1, iso500 , 400mm and has never been seen in public.

 

[Richard Lane]

Thanks, I was also interested in IQ and at f/9 the IQ is pretty good. I didn't expect it to be as good.

Yes I own the 70-200 and I dont want to buy another zoom lens for the moment. I live in Hungary where I dont have a big variety of lens renting.

So I think I stick to a 2nd body.
1DIV is out of my budget but 1DIII is the same price as the 7D...Is the 1D that much better?
The only problem is, that I carry most of the things with me. Usually 3 lenses 2 flashes 1 tripod and some accessories. The reason is that usually I always need the lens that I left home...So the only thing that I dont like is that the 1D weights twice as much as the 7D.

I don't have the 1DMIII, but some people prefer it over the 7D. I can say that the MKIV is definitely a step up from the 7D.

In my opinion: Lets say that I rated the 1DX to be the best right now with a 10 out of a 10 rating.
The MKIV would equal 9 out of 10.
The MKIII would be an 8 out of 10.
The 7D would be a 7.5 out of 10.

1D-MKIII (1155g): 1.3X crop, only 10MP, 10fps, Pro-body, better weather-sealing, heavier.
7D (820g): 1.6X crop, 18MP, 8fps, Pro-consumer, lighter, Video, pop-up flash

Personally, I would go for the 7D due to the longer crop factor and higher resolution 18MP.

When using the 1.4X extender try to stop-down 1 extra stop if possible to f/5.6
When using the 2X extender try to stop down 2/3 extra-stop if possible to f/7.1
The Diffraction Limited Aperture (DLA) on the 7D is f/7

At 100 meters, your DOF on the 7D @400mm will be 17m, which will be pretty good to keep your skiers in focus.

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Rich

 

[Nate]

Thank you for the replays and thank you guys for the sampels!

I think I will go then with a 7D.

My last question is.
Which has better IQ the 7D+70-200+1.4 TC III or the 5D3+70-200+2 TC III?
How much faster would be the auto focus for the 7D setup?

 

[heptagon]

Which has better IQ the 7D+70-200+1.4 TC III or the 5D3+70-200+2 TC III?
How much faster would be the auto focus for the 7D setup?

The 7D has a higher pixel density and the 1.4 TC has better contrast and higher F-stop, so that would mean sharper pictures. I don't know about noise though but i guess after all it will be better than the 5D setup.

Focusing with the 1.4x should take two times as long as without TC and with the 2x it should take four times as long. (from heresay) I have never seen actual measurements on that though. Both setups still might be fast enough for you. If you can pre-focus it's no big issue but if you need focusing shot for shot in a series it might be just too slow.