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300mm f4 IS + 1.4 extender problem

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jerste

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I am having problems with image stabilisation on Canon 300mm F4 IS lens when combined with 1.4 extender. I serviced the lens in Canon authorised service in Poland and they replaced the IS module. I noticed that nothing changed and the IS still did not worked properly when coupled with the extender. On my complaint they said that the 300mm f4 IS lens does not support stabilisation nor AF when used with the extender. They even send me the chart that shows the compatibility of Canon lenses with the extender and insisted that the lens is not compatible

Could you confirm if this is true? From the chart I clearly see that there is compatibility (it shows AF compatibility).

I cannot believe that this is claimed by Canon authorised service. What should I do? They just refuse to service the lens. Am I completely wrong?
 
Yes, thats exactly what I got from them, it clearly shows that 300mm F4 IS supports AF. How they can claim that it doesn't?
 
The 300/4IS with 1.4x extender should have working IS and AF with any current Canon DSLR.

Could it be that the TC has a problem if the lens alone works well?

Did you talk to a manager at the sevice center?
 
I assume you're using Canon extender. There is no reason it's not supported. I've been using this combo for almost 5 years now.
 
The problem is quite strange. Extender works great with my 70-200 f4 IS but with 300mm it somehow interferes with stabilisation module when apperture is not fully opened. The lens stabilisation works without the extender and works with the extender at fully opened apperture but it is the movement of apperture that makes the IS to jump when taking the photo so the picures are blurry. But the problem does not occur on bare lens only when used with the extender.
 
Thats why I am shocked. I will try to contact the manager tomorrow, but the service is authorised by Canon and it is not the real Canon service (there is no Canon service in Poland) and my initial impression are that they do not know what to do and are trying to get rid of me. Perhaps I should get in touch with Canon service abroad.
 
jerste said:
I am having problems with image stabilisation on Canon 300mm F4 IS lens when combined with 1.4 extender. I serviced the lens in Canon authorised service in Poland and they replaced the IS module. I noticed that nothing changed and the IS still did not worked properly when coupled with the extender. On my complaint they said that the 300mm f4 IS lens does not support stabilisation nor AF when used with the extender.
Click to expand...
We all know that is nonsense, but it doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem with your lens - after all, it does work correctly without the TC. Can you borrow another TC from somewhere to try with your lens?

Using a TC should never affect the operation of optical image stabilisation, because the stabilisation happens entirely within the lens - i.e. the light passing through the TC is already stabilised. The only thing the TC has to do is pass on the signals from the camera to operate the lens, which includes triggering the IS. I wonder whether your problem is something as simple as a poor contact between the camera and TC or TC and lens?
 
The service center is wrong, I use that combination on a 30D and a 1D3. Canon lists both the 1.4 & 2 x TCs as compatible (with limitations for the 2x TC) with the 300mm f/4 in their Lens Works III book series. Check pages 2 & 3 in the last volume titled DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS & LENS MAPS . These can be downloaded at no charge from their site in Europe.

http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Documents/digital_slr_educational_tools/en/ef_lens_work_iii_en.asp

As Steve said, the TC is only passing signals between the lens & body, it doesn't do any processing. It could be the TC or an intermittent connection, but I suspect the problem is elsewhere. Regardless, it should work. You could point the repair shop to the Lens Works III document. Good luck.

Best regards,
Doug
 
Thank you all for the information. Today i called them today and they insist that 300mm f/4 IS is not compatible with 1.4x tc as far as AF and IS are concerned. They use canon specification as a proof. It is like hitting the wall with my head.

I requested confirmation in e-mail and got it. It is in Polish so I will not quote here. I will try another service and keep you informed on the outcome.
Thanks again.
 
jerste said:
Thank you all for the information. Today i called them today and they insist that 300mm f/4 IS is not compatible with 1.4x tc as far as AF and IS are concerned. They use canon specification as a proof. It is like hitting the wall with my head.
Click to expand...
I thought that level of service in Poland ended in 1989?

AF works if the combined aperture is no slower than f/5.6 - which is exactly what you (and I) have.

IS, on the other hand, works regardless of aperture . You could use all the stacked TCs you could find and IS would still function.
 
jerste said:
The problem is quite strange. Extender works great with my 70-200 f4 IS but with 300mm it somehow interferes with stabilisation module when apperture is not fully opened. The lens stabilisation works without the extender and works with the extender at fully opened apperture but it is the movement of apperture that makes the IS to jump when taking the photo so the picures are blurry. But the problem does not occur on bare lens only when used with the extender.
Click to expand...
I wonder whether the problem described in this thread is related:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=31802632

Perhaps the power required to close the aperture makes the old IS system in the 300/4 jump with your TC...
 
jerste said:
Thank you all for the information. Today i called them today and they insist that 300mm f/4 IS is not compatible with 1.4x tc as far as AF and IS are concerned. They use canon specification as a proof. It is like hitting the wall with my head.

I requested confirmation in e-mail and got it. It is in Polish so I will not quote here. I will try another service and keep you informed on the outcome.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
The repair shop is just being stubborn. Send them the section from Canon's Lens Works III that I referenced, and the URL so they can check it themselves. This clearly illustrates the compatibility of the Canon Mark II 1.4 TC with that lens and the functioning of AF & IS.

Another Canon resource:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=MultiMiscPageAct&key=Lens_Advantage_Acc&fcategoryid=140

Scroll down to the section titled Compatible Accessories . This PDF file specifies the AF functions with this combination, IS is independent from the TC .

There are similar Canon charts and resources available, Google will help if you want to research this further.

Following this, you could contact Canon Europe and request they clarify this with the repair shop.

Best regards,
Doug
 
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