I reviewed this combo with the 1.4x TC on my blog, features a couple of %100 crops of images too. You can read it here. I shall be asking a fellow member shortly if I can borrow the new 2x TC from him ( ) so I can test that on the 200-400 as well.
I like the 1.4x combo personally and used it almost exclusively on many trips to Florida with some excellent results, lots of examples in some of my blog articles here.
Also a 'worst case scenario' test with the 1.7x on my blog as well, so check that out as well.
Hope some of that helps
Posted by Andy Stunell on March 8, 2010 at 9:37 AM
Thanks for the quick reply Richard, i'm off to look at your blog now
The 1.4x works ok with the 200-400, I was not impressed with the 1.7x on that lens and read that the new 2x is good on F2.8 lenses but naff otherwise, I wont be buying one anyways, The 200-400 is a great lens you wont be disappointed
Hi Dave has it pretty much spot-on in my opinion, the only two lenses that really work with all three converters are the 200 f2 vr which I have and the 300f2.8's which have had but now sold all the ones I had.
The 400 F2. 8 although I have had the VR on loan from NPS it still isn't as sharp wide open with the 2x tc as my Sigma 800 is wide open. the same can be said for the afs 400 f2.8's which I have owned all three versions afi afs & afs mk2 none of them really work well wide open with the two times.
I use the nikon's with the cropped chips and the 200 - 400 is the dog's. I occasionally use the 1.4x but normally it stay's in the bag. Possibly on the FX bodies I'd want a 500mm or 600mm.
I still cant make my mind on using TCs with the 200-400. For me its a no go with the 1.7 and I have found that I get a much higher % of keepers if I tweek the lens back from 400 to 360 when using the 1.4, that still gives me 500mm
Discussion
8 repliesIm switching to Nikon and alongside the 400MM f/2.8 i would be interested to hear peoples opinions of the 200-400MM F/4.
I would likely be using it with the new 2.0 TC and maybe the 1.4/1.7 TC on a D3S
Thanks
Andy
I like the 1.4x combo personally and used it almost exclusively on many trips to Florida with some excellent results, lots of examples in some of my blog articles here.
Also a 'worst case scenario' test with the 1.7x on my blog as well, so check that out as well.
Hope some of that helps
Dave
The 400 F2. 8 although I have had the VR on loan from NPS it still isn't as sharp wide open with the 2x tc as my Sigma 800 is wide open. the same can be said for the afs 400 f2.8's which I have owned all three versions afi afs & afs mk2 none of them really work well wide open with the two times.
Phil.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Cheers,
Chris
PS. 200 - 400 mm of equal quality please Canon.
Tony