Canon EOS-1D X AF at f/8 with the Kenko 1.4TC

[danski0224]

Might be time to scratch off the 1DX from my wishlist too... cheaper that way anyways.

 

[Loswr]

It seems that firmwares later than 1.02 disable to ability of the 1DX to AF at f/8 with the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF Teleconverter with all the accompanying benefits....

Does anyone know if it possible to save the firmware that is on the camera?

AFAIK, it is not possie to save the currently-installed firmware. It is possible to downgrade/roll back to an earlier firmware, but doing so requires the updater for that version, and the first downloadable 1D X firmware is 1.0.6.

I expect that Canon Service could roll a 1.0.6-updated 1D X back to 1.0.2, whether they would is another question...

Artie, I read the comment about 1.0.6 apparently breaking the f/8 AF with the Kenko 1.4x TC - has that been confirmed by others? If so, that's very unfortunate...

 

[Arthur Morris]

What I know is based on the comments of several others both on my blog and on the BPN post here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/102647-1DX-Canon-800mm-f-5-6L-IS-Kenko-Teleplus-PRO-300-DGX-1-4x-AF-Teleconverter (I believe...)

 

[Loswr]

What I know is based on the comments of several others both on my blog and on the BPN post here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/102647-1DX-Canon-800mm-f-5-6L-IS-Kenko-Teleplus-PRO-300-DGX-1-4x-AF-Teleconverter (I believe...)

Should point out that Phil on BPN stated, "I have a Kenko 1.4X Teleplus Pro 300 sitting in my dry box for years." It's been mentioned in a couple of places that the f/8 AF on the 1D X seems to work only with the newest DGX version of the Kenko 1.4x, not with the older DG version (therefore possibly not with the even older vanilla Pro 300 version).

So, perhaps there's some hope...

 

[Childeric]

Maybe known, but anyway.

A Kenko 1.4 PRO 300 DG won't do the trick on my 7D with 400 5.6. I guess you need a DGX :'(.

Just had a look on the Kenko site. It should not be possible according to them. They state that:

"Most Canon EOS camera bodies are programmed to shut down auto focus if the calculated effective aperture for the lens and teleconverter is smaller than f/5.6, the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 converters work the same way"

Childeric, Not to be a pain but that is not exactly what you wrote. In fact, what you wrote is not at all what I wrote .

Well i didn't say what you quote, Peerke did.

What I wrote here back in July was that my 1dX did AF at f/8 with this kenko pro300 adapter, that's all.

 

[Childeric]

What I know is based on the comments of several others both on my blog and on the BPN post here: http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/102647-1DX-Canon-800mm-f-5-6L-IS-Kenko-Teleplus-PRO-300-DGX-1-4x-AF-Teleconverter (I believe...)

Should point out that Phil on BPN stated, "I have a Kenko 1.4X Teleplus Pro 300 sitting in my dry box for years." It's been mentioned in a couple of places that the f/8 AF on the 1D X seems to work only with the newest DGX version of the Kenko 1.4x, not with the older DG version (therefore possibly not with the even older vanilla Pro 300 version).

So, perhaps there's some hope...

I have just tried again with the Kenko and 70-300 DO on my 1dX, and it still works, with firmware 1.06.

 

[Arthur Morris]

Well, I am confused about who said what .

But when I went to the link it talked about the TC focusing with a Canon 2X or something like that.

 

[Childeric]

Yes. In order to get f/8, I tried two options.
a) 70-200 2,8 + Canon x2 + Kenko 1,4 pro 300
b) 70-300 DO 5,6 + Kenko 1,4 pro 300

Both did AF well, and not only whith the center point.

And the good news is that it still works with firmware 1.06

Unfortunately, I don't have an adequate lens to check whether it would also work at f/11

 

[Arthur Morris]

Should point out that Phil on BPN stated, "I have a Kenko 1.4X Teleplus Pro 300 sitting in my dry box for years." It's been mentioned in a couple of places that the f/8 AF on the 1D X seems to work only with the newest DGX version of the Kenko 1.4x, not with the older DG version (therefore possibly not with the even older vanilla Pro 300 version).

So, perhaps there's some hope...
[/quote]

Not really. Folks with a 1DX with 1.06 who have just purchased the Kenko 1.4 are reporting a no-go--at least that is my best current understanding. Also, on BPN, Martin Lord tested the Kenko 2X Teleplus Pro 300 with the 600 II; the results were dire--nowhere near sharp....

 

[Marsu42]

Does anyone know if it possible to save the firmware that is on the camera?

AFAIK, it is not possie to save the currently-installed firmware.

Indeed - that's why the Magic Lantern devs always have to wait for the first firmware upgrade to get access to the code, they found no way to dump the current firmware out of the camera.

 

[Arthur Morris]

Indeed - that's why the Magic Lantern devs always have to wait for the first firmware upgrade to get access to the code, they found no way to dump the current firmware out of the camera.


Guess that I will not be sending my 1DX to Canon for repair....

 

[sparda79]

Result of test done by The Digital Picture.com
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=3022

Autofocus Performance
Canon EOS 1D X: AF worked and was fast with almost no hunting. However, metering was consistently off by +1 stop.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III: AF worked and was fast with almost no hunting. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II: AF worked and was reasonably fast with a little hunting. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS 7D: AF worked, but the camera had a hard time locking focus. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D: AF worked with a little hunting. Metering worked as expected.

So it does work with 5D3?
I'm a bit confused...

 

[Loswr]

Result of test done by The Digital Picture.com
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=3022

Autofocus Performance
Canon EOS 1D X: AF worked and was fast with almost no hunting. However, metering was consistently off by +1 stop.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III: AF worked and was fast with almost no hunting. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II: AF worked and was reasonably fast with a little hunting. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS 7D: AF worked, but the camera had a hard time locking focus. Metering worked as expected.
Canon EOS Rebel T4i / 650D: AF worked with a little hunting. Metering worked as expected.

So it does work with 5D3?
I'm a bit confused...

His tests were with a 400/5.6L and the camera firmware versions weren't stated - both lens and firmware could affect results.