Canon 2X III teleconverter

[chauncey]

Mounted this new puppy from Amazon between my 1Ds3 and a 300mm f/2.8 lens...was not a happy camper.
Sent some images to Canon Customer Support in Va and they agreed that there was a problem with IQ and that it should be returned or fixed under warranty.
Which would you'll do?
Additionally, I've been considering one of these things http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BX3ZXE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BX3ZXE&linkCode=as2&tag=dpsgeneral-20
to help with shutter slap vibrations a lower SS, feasible or a waste of money?

 

[Loswr]

Mounted this new puppy from Amazon between my 1Ds3 and a 300mm f/2.8 lens...was not a happy camper.
Sent some images to Canon Customer Support in Va and they agreed that there was a problem with IQ and that it should be returned or fixed under warranty.

If you're within the return window, I'd just exchange it through Amazon. Since it's defective, they should cover the return shipping.

Additionally, I've been considering one of these things http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BX3ZXE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001BX3ZXE&linkCode=as2&tag=dpsgeneral-20
to help with shutter slap vibrations a lower SS, feasible or a waste of money?

That accessory doesn't seem to make sense for use with a collared lens. I'd skip it. Really Right Stuff has a long lens support solution designed for collared lenses with Arca-Swiss plates or replacement feet, but it's costly. With a 300mm lens, it's a waste of money, IMO - just mount the lens to the tripod head via the lens foot.

FWIW, if your 300/2.8 is the IS version (either one), leave IS turned on when on the tripod - it has a tripod-sensing IS, and a secondary IS mode that damps mirror slap at shutter speeds where that's an issue.

 

[chauncey]

FWIW, if your 300/2.8 is the IS version (either one), leave IS turned on when on the tripod - it has a tripod-sensing IS, and a secondary IS mode that damps mirror slap at shutter speeds where that's an issue.

That's what I thought, but the rep mentioned that sometimes it's functioning is sometimes less than reliable.??
Anyway...will send the TC back to Amazon...thanks!

 

[Arctic Photo]

Hmm, I am just about to pick up one of those. But as it's the first negative experience I've heard of I won't heditate.

I hope you'll get a good one when you get it changed.

 

[Random Orbits]

Hmm, I am just about to pick up one of those. But as it's the first negative experience I've heard of I won't heditate.

I hope you'll get a good one when you get it changed.

+1. Just remember to AFMA when using the TC. Canon bodies store lens and lens+converters separately. My 1.4x changed the AFMA setting minimally, my 2x changed it by 4 or 5 units.

 

[Arctic Photo]

Hmm, I am just about to pick up one of those. But as it's the first negative experience I've heard of I won't heditate.

I hope you'll get a good one when you get it changed.

+1. Just remember to AFMA when using the TC. Canon bodies store lens and lens+converters separately. My 1.4x changed the AFMA setting minimally, my 2x changed it by 4 or 5 units.

Oh, thanks very much for the info. I will look after that.

 

[mackguyver]

+1 on the other advice, particularly the AFMA adjustment and the IS is somewhat mixed on tripods. It's only active between (can't find the exact speeds) between 1/100 and 1s or something like that when it's tripod mounted, so long exposures and some tripods can actually make IS worsen the quality.

The other things to keep in mind are that the DOF at 600mm is much shallower, making focus all the more critical, and stopping down to f/8 with the 2x III makes a noticeable difference with the 300. I'd try locking it down on a solid tripod at f/8, manually focusing at 10x with LiveView and then setting the timer (10s) or using a remote/cable release. If the photos are still unsatisfactory, I'd consider returning it or sending it to Canon for a free fix/calibration.

 

[Canon1]

If you have a version 1 lens then a 2x converter will not "wow" you. The version 1 lens is not good with any version 2x tc. Images are very soft at all apertures IMO. If you have a version 2 lens then the 2x converter is awesome.

 

[privatebydesign]

I have the 1Ds MkIII, the 300 f2.8 IS (MkI) and the 2x TC MkII, the combo is a hunk of junk compared to primes or the 300 MkII IS with TC's.

Indeed the main reason to upgrade from a 300 IS MkI to a MkII seems to be the TC's, and especially the 2X TC, the IQ and focus speeds are noticeably better. However results from the 300 IS MkI and 1.4 TC MkIII that I use are very good.

Don't expect much from any 2xTC on a MkI lens. If you need a 600 then get one, or rent it, or get a 500 and crop, or get a MkII 300. I am supremely happy with my MkI 300 because I wanted a 300, the more than acceptable results with the 1.4TC MkIII are a bonus.

P.S. The Manfrotto thing is junk too, the 300 really doesn't need that as it has a short lens mounted foot giving far better balance and zero droop.

 

[chauncey]

The 300mm f/2.8 lens in question was purchased new in June of 2008...does that fact change anyone's opinion?

 

[privatebydesign]

Can't speak for anybody else, but for me, no, it makes no difference to my answer.

With regards the MkI IS teles it really is a case of get the focal length you need, 2xTC's are not optimal, but 1.4xTC's very acceptable. As far as the MkII IS teles go the rule book has been rewritten, for instance the 600 and 1.4TC returns better figures than the naked 800, the 300 and 2xTC retains most of its very high quality.

If I needed 600 on a more regular basis but not often enough to justify buying a 600 I'd look to upgrade my 300 IS to a MkII, but I really don;t and the IQ from the naked lens and with a 1.4TC is plenty good enough for me.

 

[Arctic Photo]

Just picked up the 2x MkIII together with some otherstuff. I am a happier man than I was this morning. As an enthusiast who only sometimes makes money from my photos I can't justify too high expenses. On the other hand we are talking state of the art within its range so I have to be satisfied. I look forward to the weekend.

 

[Quasimodo]

Hmm, I am just about to pick up one of those. But as it's the first negative experience I've heard of I won't heditate.

I hope you'll get a good one when you get it changed.

I have a 2x III that I bought at Adorama. I have used it on a 5D II, 1Dx, and a 1Ds III, and without any problems at all. Actually, this summer I shot it with the new 300L on a 1Dx, and it worked like a charm. I think the OP just got a bad copy and should get it replaced.