My EC 14 + ZD 50-200

selamatlzh · 29th April 2007

I have own EC14 for the last 1.5 years. I have to confess that I have not really find time to understand how to use it with my 50-200 till the last F1 Sepang trip. Before photos taken with EC14 was never sharp to me and that has put me off using it. But after the last trip and this test, I have better understanding when to use it best.

From Sepang experience, I learn that it is sharp when used with f8 and above @ 200mm.

Below is my "lab" test to conclude my theory.

Pay particular attention to the word R.

F4.9 @ 200mm

F5.6 @ 200mm

F7.1 @ 200mm

F8 @ 200mm

F9 @ 200mm

hhho · 29th April 2007

I used to this combination (50-200mm + EC14) too since day one i own it
It is perfectly normal to all your shots.
you are showing by different f-stop and will get the differnt dof
F4.9 @ 200mm is narrower than F9 @ 200mm
anything wrong?

diCam · 29th April 2007

Originally Posted by hhho

I used to this combination (50-200mm + EC14) too since day one i own it
It is perfectly normal to all your shots.
you are showing by different f-stop and will get the differnt dof
F4.9 @ 200mm is narrower than F9 @ 200mm
anything wrong?

I think there is nothing wrong. Selamatlzh is just sharing his findings and experience that's all.

cjtune · 29th April 2007

I can see the trend of increasing sharpness with larger f-stops just by looking at all the dust on your watch. What a dusty timepiece!
Using the EC14 and with this characteristic, one of the key advantages of the 50-200 is wasted: sharp when even wide open.

Looks like the EC14 is not worth its price?
Would the results be better if you had just taken a photo straight with the 50-200 alone and then upscaled it to the magnification factor an EC14+50-200 would produce?

microcosm · 29th April 2007

Thanks for sharing this.

As with teleconverters, you lose a little detail, contrast and colour saturation and therefore that is why I have been resisting the EC14. But that said, I did see some of the images selamatlzh took at Sepang, and I have to use the word stunning... not only the photographer did a good job, but I was impressed at how little loss it was when the 50-200 was used with the EC14. This is making me look at the converters again.

selamatlzh · 29th April 2007

Field test today at Changi Broadwalk. Shot at f9.

Maybe you can tell me if this worth the price to get. I think is important to know the characteristic of your equipment well.

microcosm · 30th April 2007

Originally Posted by selamatlzh

Field test today at Changi Broadwalk. Shot at f9.

Maybe you can tell me if this worth the price to get. I think is important to know the characteristic of your equipment well.

Under good lighting conditions, the picture quality is pretty good!

selamatlzh · 30th April 2007

Originally Posted by microcosm

Under good lighting conditions, the picture quality is pretty good!

Agree. If it is bright enough to shoot at f9 it would be good.

microcosm · 30th April 2007

Originally Posted by selamatlzh

Agree. If it is bright enough to shoot at f9 it would be good.

One thing that I really notice is that REDs jump out at your with this combination. Remember your F1 car shot?

hhho · 1st May 2007

Originally Posted by cjtune

I can see the trend of increasing sharpness with larger f-stops just by looking at all the dust on your watch. What a dusty timepiece!
Using the EC14 and with this characteristic, one of the key advantages of the 50-200 is wasted: sharp when even wide open.

Looks like the EC14 is not worth its price?
Would the results be better if you had just taken a photo straight with the 50-200 alone and then upscaled it to the magnification factor an EC14+50-200 would produce?

Sometime and somehow you need that extra reach to get that wonderful shot
With the combination of EC14 & 50-200mm, we get focal length at 283mm
and if outdoor lighting condition, we get some good shots of birds or flying insects.
It is not a bad combination (to me) and my application
Cheers,

hhho · 1st May 2007

Originally Posted by selamatlzh

Agree. If it is bright enough to shoot at f9 it would be good.

I would like to share with you some shoots taken with lower f-stop and judge by yourself the sharpness

(this test shot was taken on the day I started using 50-200mm and also rainy day)
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=19533

(This was taken during sunny day at noon)
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=24678

(This was taken during sunny day and high shutter speed )
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=23207

(This was taken in the shade so in camera flash was used)
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=30205

(This moving insect was taken in the shade with high contrast background, higher f-stop is necessary so I raised iso to 400)
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=33535

(This was one of best shots i ever get with this combination by f5)
http://www.myfourthirds.com/document.php?id=33447

I have been using lower f-sop for all the above occasions and for this combination
and the result is satisfactorily (to me).

Cheers,

selamatlzh · 1st May 2007

Well nothing is perfect, I still feel is worth the price to pay for. Maybe you can try F9 too and compare the results.

Imagine how much a 300mm could cost you then again not comparing the f stop.

Personally I like sharp results without USM if possible.

29th April 2007	#1
selamatlzh Gallery Subscriber Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sinagpore Posts: 849	My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 I have own EC14 for the last 1.5 years. I have to confess that I have not really find time to understand how to use it with my 50-200 till the last F1 Sepang trip. Before photos taken with EC14 was never sharp to me and that has put me off using it. But after the last trip and this test, I have better understanding when to use it best. From Sepang experience, I learn that it is sharp when used with f8 and above @ 200mm. Below is my "lab" test to conclude my theory. Pay particular attention to the word R. F4.9 @ 200mm F5.6 @ 200mm F7.1 @ 200mm F8 @ 200mm F9 @ 200mm

29th April 2007	#2
hhho Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Posts: 1,376	Re: My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 I used to this combination (50-200mm + EC14) too since day one i own it It is perfectly normal to all your shots. you are showing by different f-stop and will get the differnt dof F4.9 @ 200mm is narrower than F9 @ 200mm anything wrong?

29th April 2007	#4
cjtune Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,516	Re: My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 I can see the trend of increasing sharpness with larger f-stops just by looking at all the dust on your watch. What a dusty timepiece! Using the EC14 and with this characteristic, one of the key advantages of the 50-200 is wasted: sharp when even wide open. Looks like the EC14 is not worth its price? Would the results be better if you had just taken a photo straight with the 50-200 alone and then upscaled it to the magnification factor an EC14+50-200 would produce?

29th April 2007	#5
microcosm Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7,991	Re: My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 Thanks for sharing this. As with teleconverters, you lose a little detail, contrast and colour saturation and therefore that is why I have been resisting the EC14. But that said, I did see some of the images selamatlzh took at Sepang, and I have to use the word stunning... not only the photographer did a good job, but I was impressed at how little loss it was when the 50-200 was used with the EC14. This is making me look at the converters again.

29th April 2007	#6
selamatlzh Gallery Subscriber Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sinagpore Posts: 849	Re: My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 Field test today at Changi Broadwalk. Shot at f9. Maybe you can tell me if this worth the price to get. I think is important to know the characteristic of your equipment well.

1st May 2007	#12
selamatlzh Gallery Subscriber Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sinagpore Posts: 849	Re: My EC 14 + ZD 50-200 Well nothing is perfect, I still feel is worth the price to pay for. Maybe you can try F9 too and compare the results. Imagine how much a 300mm could cost you then again not comparing the f stop. Personally I like sharp results without USM if possible.