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Anyone treid the new Kenko 1.4 X DG TC?

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Hi,

Yes I use the DG version of this converter with a 70-200F4L. I only received it last week and haven't done any formal testing with it yet. However, preliminary results do not show any significant degradation in image quality. The only apparent negative effect is that it reduces the Min aperture to 5.6. Sharpness appears very similar, if not the same at the centre. I have not examined the corners very carefully yet as my subjects have all been central and the corners of my initial shots have been mostly outside the focal plane.

I'm not sure what the DG stands for but I assume that it means that the elements are optimised for use with digital sensors. There is nothing on the box or on the instruction leaflet that attempts to explain the difference between DG and none DG, that I can find! I noticed there were two versions on sale on e-bay when I bought mine: One was cream (ala Canon L Zoom) and the other was black and had DG in the title! Both were the same price. I am impressed with the DG version I have but haven't used the other to compare!

Now if only I could get rid of these atrocious stomach cramps and get out with my camera and catch what's left of our Spring in the UK!

Regards,

Greg
--
Every silver lining has a cloud ;-(
 
Greg,

Would you mind posting some sample shots with the 70-200 F4 with and without the kenko teleconverter? I am trying to choose a TC to go with my 70-200.

Also what are your thoughts on the TC? It's substantially cheaper than the Canon equiv.
Many thanks
Gidon
 
I have the DG version, I can't comment on any performance increase of the DG over the non-DG variant, but since they both appear to be around the same price the choice is pretty easy.

I believe the difference is that the DG version is coated on both sides of the glass to reduce ghosting caused by reflection from the sensor.. something like that..

I did have the cheapest type of Tamron 1.4x before my Kenko and noticed a significant real world improvement with the Kenko DG, but I don't think I'd bother upgrading from a Tamron or Kenko Pro.

I use it with a 70-200 F4 & havn't actually sat down and done controlled tests with and without the converter. But I'll post some unprocessed 100% crops later when I get home if anyone is interested.

In fact I might even do a controlled test, I guess it's something I'm interested in knowing to see If I should be stopping down when out and about.
 
PeaceFrog said:
Do the Tamron or Keno pro TC's communicate with teh camera? I like
the old Tamron because it does not so I can AF with my 400mm f/5.6L
and the 1.4x without taping the pins.
Click to expand...
I can confirm that the Kenko Pro DG does report the missing stop to the camera.

--
Lee Jay
(see profile for equipment)
 
Timmyb said:
I'm very happy with mine.Here are a couple of test shots taken with
a 200L.
Not a very scientific test I'm afraid.
With converter:
* http://www.pbase.com/timbateman/image/45702330/original
Without:
* http://www.pbase.com/timbateman/image/45702832/original
With:
* http://www.pbase.com/timbateman/image/45703150/original
medium sized jpegs with no pp.
Click to expand...
I compared the two images (with and without) in Photoshop. I viewed the "with" at 71.43 % and the "without" at 100% so to be basically the same size and both appear (to me) to be almost identical. In fact, the "with" actually appears to have slightly better contrast especially when looking at the small white line across the brown item by the bucket.

Also, I checked the "with at 100% and the "without" at 140% and this seems to cause some difference in how the "without" looks (which is NOT better) and probably is due to being displayed above 100% causing some visual changes.
It appears to me that you have a VERY good 1.4 converter.

There seems to be individuals that have different results when using the 2.00 Converters (for ANY Brand) and this makes me wonder if anyone has tried a 2.0 version for the same type/brand as your 1.4 converter. Hopefully the 2.00 will be better than normal -- if they offer the 2.0.....

--
Vernon...
http://www.pbase.com/vrain
 
Gidon said:
Greg,
Would you mind posting some sample shots with the 70-200 F4 with
and without the kenko teleconverter? I am trying to choose a TC to
go with my 70-200.
Click to expand...
Hi Gidon,

I've just spotted your request, I'm at work at the minute. When I get home I'll see if I can dig out some of my test shots. as examples for you, although I notice some others have kindly chimed in with some examples too.
Gidon said:
Also what are your thoughts on the TC? It's substantially cheaper
than the Canon equiv.
Click to expand...
This was an importand consideration for me when I bought it. I'd really like to have gone the Canon route but I figure the extra £100 or so is better spent towards other lenses. I only use the really long end of things occassionally; most of my stuff is landscape and street photography. However I do like wildlife and I think I have some images of a Grouse shot both with and without the converter. (Possibly not the same day, though!)

I have the 70-200F4 so that becomes F5.6 with converter on, but it still seems very rapid for focusing to me. It does hunt slightly in lower light, but by then I'm having to usie a tripod anyway!!. I think with the APS crop factor the camera is only using the sweet spot of the lens area available so on this format of camera the Kenko tube offers very little image degradation, leastways I haven't noticed anything significant. I'm not the steadiest of hand holders so I find that at 280mm I'm having to get at least 1/500 before things start to steady out. This is difficult in overcast light conditions we typically have in the UK unless I up the ISO a bit. I find that I use ISO800 and 1600 much more than I'd like with the Tele on. However that'd be the same with the Canon extender I guess. I think this extender would be great with 70-200f2.8IS. Contrast and saturation don't seem to be affected. All in all I'm very pleased with the converter and have no qualms about recomending it. However, coupled with the 70-200F4 it does have it's limitations.

Regards,

Greg

--
Every silver lining has a cloud ;-(
 
Many thanks! Look forward to the samples.
Yep UK weather isn't designed for long lenses and small apertures!
Cheers
Gidon
(PS - where did you get you TC from if you don't mind me asking?)
 
do a search for seller kea-photo. i paid about $150 delivered.

i ordered on sunday from HK and it was delivered to me in california on thusday.

i also ordered my canon 70-200 f4L from B&H that sunday and did not receive the lens until friday :).

ed rader
 
Hi Gidon,

I've popped a few images of the Grouse I mentioned onto my pbase. Unfortunately I only took two without the Converter and they were both a bit soft and hurried. I've processed one of them nonetheless and provided a 100 percent crop of both with and without TC! I think the ones with the converter are better! However, thats more to do with my lack of ability than the lens, I suspect.

I also have one from another day that's much more representative of the clarity I think you should expect from the TC and the 200F4L combined. All were handheld, and as I say my ability in that department is somewhat lacking ;-(

http://www.pbase.com/chromedome/grouse

I bought mine from a Hong Kong distributer - urgalaxy on pbase. It was with me within a few days, and a very smooth transaction. (Mines a black one if that makes any difference!!)

Regards,

Greg

--
Every silver lining has a cloud ;-(
 
ChromeDome said:
Hi Gidon,

I've popped a few images of the Grouse I mentioned onto my pbase.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
ChromeDome said:
Unfortunately I only took two without the Converter and they were
both a bit soft and hurried. I've processed one of them nonetheless
and provided a 100 percent crop of both with and without TC! I
think the ones with the converter are better! However, thats more
to do with my lack of ability than the lens, I suspect.
Click to expand...
They still give me a good idea of how much extra in real life 1.4x gives me.
ChromeDome said:
I also have one from another day that's much more representative of
the clarity I think you should expect from the TC and the 200F4L
combined. All were handheld, and as I say my ability in that
department is somewhat lacking ;-(
Click to expand...
Nice shot!
ChromeDome said:
I bought mine from a Hong Kong distributer - urgalaxy on pbase. It
was with me within a few days, and a very smooth transaction.
(Mines a black one if that makes any difference!!)
Click to expand...
The DG ones appear to be black - not a problem for me. Thanks for the pointer - I had seen hksupplies also have them for £80 inc delivery. Did you get charged import taxes?

Cheers

Gidon
 
Gidon said:
Gidon said:
Hi Gidon,
Click to expand...
The DG ones appear to be black - not a problem for me. Thanks for
the pointer - I had seen hksupplies also have them for £80 inc
delivery. Did you get charged import taxes?

Cheers

Gidon
Click to expand...
Hi Gidon,

I'm glad you found my examples useful for something at least. I used the TC extensively on a recent trip to Scotland. and it performed very well there too. However the weather was overcast and I was on a boat in less than calm conditions. The shots of the Grouse are the only ones I have which give any kind of comparison between a naked 70-200F4 and one with TC.

I had no problems with import duties, however, I did ask for them to mark it as a gift. One other way is to get them to mark it as a warranty repair! I have done that in the past too!

Best of luck,

Greg

--
Every silver lining has a cloud ;-(
 
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