Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM + 2x Extender (II or III)

By request, here's a new thread for this combination. All of my shots are with the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM + 2x Extender III with the 5DIII or 1D X. I haven't had a chance to get much use out of this set, but here are a few samples:

Tallahasee_Museum_20130928_0867_ID-L.jpg


Maclay_Gardens_20131012_1643_ID-L.jpg


St_Marks_NWR_2-16-2014_1268_ID-L.jpg


Backyard_Barred_Owl_3-31-2014_4595_ID-L.jpg


Wakulla_Springs_SP_4-6-20144813_ID-L.jpg


Jacksonville_Zoo_5-18-2014_6165_ID-L.jpg


St_Marks_NWR_5-24-2014_6907_ID-L.jpg


St_Marks_NWR_5-24-2014_6747_ID-L.jpg
 
Those look great. I have the 2x II and have tried to use it on my 200mm f2 among other lenses. I find the 2x II about as useful for taking pictures as a hammer:). Looking at your images, however does spark a bit of interest in the 2x III.

My 1.4x II on the other hand get's quite a bit of use.

I do however get a significant amount of CA on my 1.4x II under harsh mid-day lighting conditions and have considered getting a 1.4x III to see if it's any better.

All in good time...
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
CR Pro
Aug 16, 2012
12,346
22,522
Here are a few bird photos taken at random. 300mm /2.8 II + 2xTCIII on 5DIII. Usually f/5.6 and iso 640
 

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scottkinfw

Wildlife photography is my passion
CR Pro
These are beautiful images by all accounts. I do see slight iq degradation, especially in looking at the fine details in the feathers and hairs of the animals, compared with what the 300 2.8 II can do alone. I don't know how much of this is due to downgrading of the image to get posted.

I would be proud to take these pics, don't get me wrong, but I really love when you can see every hair, or very fine feather quill and vein.

sek
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
CR Pro
Aug 16, 2012
12,346
22,522
scottkinfw said:
These are beautiful images by all accounts. I do see slight iq degradation, especially in looking at the fine details in the feathers and hairs of the animals, compared with what the 300 2.8 II can do alone. I don't know how much of this is due to downgrading of the image to get posted.

I would be proud to take these pics, don't get me wrong, but I really love when you can see every hair, or very fine feather quill and vein.

sek
You would lose even more fine details without the 2xTC. You have to get twice as near without the TC to resolve the same level of detail. I like also to capture every detail of feathers, but you have to get close enough to do so, and the 2xTC lets you do it at twice the distance.
 
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I've only made 3 trips out to the river valley with my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM as I have only had it for a few weeks, got the 2x Extender 111 along with it.These are my first shots with the combo. Taken with a 1DX.
As an aside, I have a healthy respect for anyone who has mastered BIF with a 600mm focal length, be it with an extender or a bare lens, it was a dismal first attempt for me.
Keeping your quarry in the lens field of view requires a steadier hand and a sharper perspective than I ever would have anticipated. Going to take more than a bit of practice.



 
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