2X extender that works with Canon 100L?

[mmuhlenkamp]

I know the Canon extender doesn't work with the 100L (works nicely with my 200L though). Is there a third party brand that works with canon lenses? I've looked at Sigma, but they only seem to work with Sigma lenses. It's hard to figure out what is compatable and what isn't.

I see some really cheap ones (tamron, bower) but I know those will suck. Is this just a pipe dream? Why can't the canon ones work with my 100?!?!?!?!

[zeroendless]

If you can't find a 2x to work, try getting two 1.4x, and one must without that protruding front element, stack 'em

I have two 2x, sigma and canon, and i prefer sigma one, faster AF and can't tell a difference in sharpness.

Also, i recently acquired another 1.4x TC from sigma, that makes four of the 1.4 converters; Tamron standard, Kenko pro, Sigma Ex and Canon II. Again, center sharpness is mostly equal, canon has slight advantage in contrast but slowest in AF. The amount of CA, however, is different from one unit to another.

I would get the Sigma EX series TC if it works for you, it's pretty good.

[kayumangi]

Dumb question here but isn't the Canon 100L 1:1 already? or do you need more magnification?

[zeroendless]

btw, you can work it around having an extension tube in between the body and TC.

[zeroendless]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Dumb question here but isn't the Canon 100L 1:1 already? or do you need more magnification?

1:1 mag is rated at 0.99ft, that means you have to be ~1ft (MFD) from your subject to get 1:1 mag... by increasing the focus length, you gain working distance for timid subjects that are hard to get close.

[kayumangi]

Good idea about the extension tube, definitely an alternative.

Thanks for the explanation on the magnification, I've only shoot macro for inanimate stuff so the focus length was never an issue for me, though I only own the 100mm non-L.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Originally Posted by zeroendless

If you can't find a 2x to work, try getting two 1.4x, and one must without that protruding front element, stack 'em

I have two 2x, sigma and canon, and i prefer sigma one, faster AF and can't tell a difference in sharpness.

Also, i recently acquired another 1.4x TC from sigma, that makes four of the 1.4 converters; Tamron standard, Kenko pro, Sigma Ex and Canon II. Again, center sharpness is mostly equal, canon has slight advantage in contrast but slowest in AF. The amount of CA, however, is different from one unit to another.

I would get the Sigma EX series TC if it works for you, it's pretty good.

So, the Sigma has worked well with canon lenses? I think the sigma sounds the best as well. I'd be happy with the canon version, but it just doesn't work with that many lenses. It would also be fun to use it on my Sigma 150-500 (I know sharpness would really suffer, but 1000mm!).

I may see if there's a camera store that has one and will let me try one and if it works I'll be more than happy to buy it on the spot. Or order from somewhere with a good return policy I guess.

Thanks for the input, Daniel.

[zeroendless]

As long as the brand specifics mounting is made for Canon brand, yes, it will work, but you have to pay attention to the lens not the TC. Some lenses have short inner channel and it won't work on TC with protruding front element.

I would against having a 2x on your 50-500mm, the F6.3 tele-end would extend to F13 after losing 2 stops of light, and to regain sharpness, says to step down a full stop, that's about F18 and approaching diffraction limited. In most cases, you may find image crops from 1.4x is way better than image taken from 2x.

If you are debating to get 1.4x or 2x, go with the former.

[mmuhlenkamp]

Hmm... I've been wanting some extension tubes anyways, maybe I'll finally buy a set of Kenkos then I can borrow my bf's 2x extender and see how well it works. Thanks again for the info.

[ldelacruz]

What are you trying to shoot with the 100 and 2X?

[mmuhlenkamp]

I don't know yet

[Jim Victory]

I have had just the opposite experience with Sigma from what Daniel cited. Every copy of the Sigma I have tried was less sharp than the Tamron or Kenko.

My Tamron 1.4x is just as sharp as my Canon but does lack the contrast of the Canon and is more prone to CA but that can be corrected in post. I compared my Tamron and Canon 1.4x TCs stacked to the Canon 2x and they actually performed better.

[Truckman]

I'm curious, why won't the Canon extenders work with the 100L?......Ben

[mmuhlenkamp]

They don't physically fit together, the extender sticks out and if the rear element of the lens isn't recessed enough it won't fit onto the extender. That's why if an extension tube and then an extender is used it will fit onto the lens because there is enough distance between the rear element of the lens and the front element of the extender. The problem with using an extension tube as well is that infinity focus will be lost.

Hopefully that made sense. Photos would help.

[Truckman]

Got it...A dummy thanks you for the clarification......Ben