Canon 50mm f1.4 with 2xTC

Belleforte · 4th April 2005

I was testing out my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens with a Kenko Pro300 2x TC. The images become soft at aperture >f5.6 and became totally hopeless at >f2.0.
Has anyone experienced this?

I am surprised that a pin-sharp lens can deteriorate so much with a TC.

mervlam · 4th April 2005

Originally Posted by Belleforte

I was testing out my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens with a Kenko Pro300 2x TC. The images become soft at aperture >f5.6 and became totally hopeless at >f2.0.
Has anyone experienced this? I am surprised that a pin-sharp lens can deteriorate so much with a TC.

It's a known problem. Teleconverters degrade the image quality, ESPECIALLY when aperture is wide open.

mpenza · 4th April 2005

similar problem with the 50/1.8 on a 2X. it was quite bad with a 1.4x too if I remember correctly.

theITguy · 5th April 2005

Originally Posted by Belleforte

I was testing out my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens with a Kenko Pro300 2x TC. The images become soft at aperture >f5.6 and became totally hopeless at >f2.0.
Has anyone experienced this? I am surprised that a pin-sharp lens can deteriorate so much with a TC.

Get a 100/2.0 USM or 100/2.8 USM Macro, much cheaper, sharper and less problem. A TC is meant normally for longer lens (at least 200mm and above for 135 format). Or you just take a few steps forward to get your 100mm shot, much faster and cheaper.

John Tan · 5th April 2005

Originally Posted by Belleforte

I was testing out my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens with a Kenko Pro300 2x TC. The images become soft at aperture >f5.6 and became totally hopeless at >f2.0.
Has anyone experienced this? I am surprised that a pin-sharp lens can deteriorate so much with a TC.

Unless u can get the original 1.4 TC...must remember...u get only what u paid. If possible, forget about all the 3rd party lens/TC. But for extension tude, u can get 3rd party as there is no cheapo glass in between.

mpenza · 6th April 2005

original 1.4TC won't work with the 50/1.4.

user111 · 6th April 2005

lolz..might as well get EF 100/f2 in the first place

USM · 6th April 2005

Originally Posted by mpenza

original 1.4TC won't work with the 50/1.4.

You have to use Kenko 1.4x TC. It works with all EF lenses.

mpenza · 6th April 2005

yup, I'm using the Kenko Pro off-white TCs

Canon original TCs only work with a few selected lenses.

John Tan · 20th April 2005

Originally Posted by mpenza

yup, I'm using the Kenko Pro off-white TCs Canon original TCs only work with a few selected lenses.

Did u happen to compare these 2 TC results?

4th April 2005	#1
Belleforte Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Central Singapore Posts: 320	Canon 50mm f1.4 with 2xTC I was testing out my Canon 50mm f1.4 lens with a Kenko Pro300 2x TC. The images become soft at aperture >f5.6 and became totally hopeless at >f2.0. Has anyone experienced this? I am surprised that a pin-sharp lens can deteriorate so much with a TC.

4th April 2005	#3
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	similar problem with the 50/1.8 on a 2X. it was quite bad with a 1.4x too if I remember correctly.

6th April 2005	#6
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	original 1.4TC won't work with the 50/1.4.

6th April 2005	#7
user111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,719	lolz..might as well get EF 100/f2 in the first place