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The effective aperture of the lens is increased by one or two stops respectively. Autofocusing does not operate if the effective maximum aperture is greater than f/5.6 (greater than f/8 on the EOS 1V and EOS 3).
The EF 2x II doubles the focal length of any lens it's mounted to, and reduces its effective aperture by two stops
Successors to the EF2x this model offers valuable improvements for further enhanced image quality. This extender allows users to combine practicality and functionality with a new optical system allowing them to extend the master lens focal length by 2x, with minimal loss of lens performance or image quality. With a dust- and moisture-resistant construction this extender has been designed to reinforce the EOS system. Specially designed to work in conjunction with the EOS-1V and IS super telephoto L-series lenses, it makes a highly dust- and water-resistant combination. The EF2x II features improved anti-reflection materials inside the lens-barrel as well as improved Coating around the outer edges of the lenses to reduce flare. All of these improvements will allow professional photographers to capture higher quality images than ever before.
The attachment, which goes between the camera and lens, in this case doubles the focal length. A 200mm lens would now becon a 400mm lens. Two f stops are lost through this process. There is also a 1.4 extender which works in similar fashion. Borh are useful to you, the photograher. The alternative to using extenders is to get the log range lenses which becomes very expensive.
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Must have, Sunday, 09 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
If you need more zoom, this is the item. If you have a lens larger than f2 beware, do some reading. Otherwise must have.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Compatibility, Monday, 20 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
1.0
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
This extender is not compatible with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. The Canon web site and this site leads you to believe that it is compatible. Granted the 18-200 is a new lense, but none of the compatibility charts address this lense/extender combination. I had to return the product.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Autofocus does not work with XTi body!, Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
1.3
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
I did not find any information regarding the incompability between the Extender and my XTi body. According to email received from canon it really do not work. Be careful before you buy it!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Will not work wih Telescope T-ring, Wednesday, 04 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This is not a complaint. But, the Extender will not work as a 'doubler' or Barlow to a telescope like the Meade LX200 series. I can easily attach my Canon Rebel with a T-ring but the Extender seems to require a lens that it is compatable with. You can't go Camear/Extender/T-ring/Scope.
Canon never said or implied that it could so I am not complaining. It works great with all my Canon lens.
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A great accessory., Thursday, 01 May 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
It can allow for outstanding results otherwise unattainable without the really big budget glass. I use it exclusively on my 300mm 2.8L IS and couldn't be happier with the results. I also use that set-up nearly 100% of the time hand held for birds in flight/wildlife.
When all is said and done I'd have to say it comes close to the best $275 I've spent on photo related accessories.
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Very Impressed, Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I was very impressed with this Canon 2x extender. I use it with my Canon 70-200 2.8 IS lens. I previously used a Kenko Pro 300 2x and it was OK but the Canon unit is significantly sharper. Autofocus is fast and accurate - I hardly know the extender is on the lens (other than the length and weight).
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2wice the fun, Friday, 21 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Canon EF 2X II Extender Telephoto Accessory I was completely blow away by the quality of the resultant images. ... Yes, I lost 2 f-stops, but I gained twice the reach of the telephoto, and a doubling of the macro. ... And I liked it. ... My 180 mm 1x macro is now a 360 mm 2x macro. ... Cool!
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Which Canon lenses are compatible with the 2X Mark, Monday, 10 March 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I'd like to elaborate on the review posted by LT Beasimer wherein he said,
"I would imagine that using with an extremely sharp lens like the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto zoom lens would be able to handle the reduction in sharpness with minimal effect. I didn't own this lens when I used the extender, so I cannot say for sure."
I own the Canon f/2.8L 300mm prime lens and use it in conjunction with the Canon 2X Mark II extender. I cannot detect any loss of picture quality when shooting at 600mm. Yes my largest opening is then f/5.6 but I won't tell a soul. If you were to call Canon Tech Support and ask specifically for the extender compatibility chart most of your questions will be answered. It lists all the Canon lenses and the features available and not available when the extender is used.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic add-on, Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
It should be obvious - this extender really needs to be used with a tripod. That alone will increase your image quality. It's also designed for the higher quality Canon lenses - the EF series. 90% of the complaints about this accessory ignore those two facts. The next biggest complaint - autofocus. Again, Canon is clear that you need a lens with an aperture of 2.8 or faster in order for autofocus to work. Basically, so what! If I'm on a tripod shooting my subject, I'm going to pre-focus . The Depth of field is in such a compact area and you're zoomed in so much, autofocus is really not that important. What did people do before autofocus? Skip the photo?
So if you understand what you are purchasing and know how to use it - well, like with any great tool - you'll produce fantastic results. If you don't know how to use it, try and do a hand-held 400mm zoom, or attempt to catch that bird as it swoops past, forget it. This is not a $5,000 lens. It's a $300 add on that extends your current lens.
If you could afford that 10 lb, 800mm telephoto lens - at $12,000 - you would not be looking at this accessory. I'm not trading in my car for a lens any time soon - and this little accessory does the job just fine. I've tried it on action shots freehand - even though I knew better. Forget it. Handheld when it's added on to my 200mm? Almost as bad. On a tripod? Fantastic. Even better if you have the remote trigger.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for an affordable alternative, know how to use it, and are willing to spend the half hour it takes to master this multiplier, you will get great results. If you expect to point and shoot, then buy a point and shoot camera.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
a must have, Friday, 08 February 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This is a must have for most anyone who likes to shoot. It really kicks the lens up when you need that something extra. The cannon quality as always the best!!
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Does what I needed., Saturday, 19 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I purchased this to use with my Canon 300mm f2.8. There is some loss of IQ, but not noticeable enough to off set having a 600mm f5.6. I can't comment on using with other lenses.
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READ THE FINE PRINT, Thursday, 17 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
1.3
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
I recently purchased the canon 100-400mm L series with auto focus and image stabilazation. Amazon had the extender come up as a recommended buy. The problem is that the extender requires a lens with a 2.8 f stop for the auto focus to work. I tried using the extender withou the auto focus and found it almost impossible to get a clear picture. I'm sure the extender would work well with any of the canon $7000-$10,000 professional telephoto lenes, but not with the 100-400 L series zoom.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
A great addition to your bag, Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I recommend this extender but only for occasional and situational use. I use this on occasion with my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8"L" IS USM and Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6"L" IS USM with good results (manual focus on a tripod). Its a nice cost saver over buying more glass for those times you need just a tad more reach. However, If I get the longer prime I am after, I will likely sell this.
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Its OK but with compromises, Tuesday, 25 December 2007
