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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Extending a lens's focal length by a factor of 1.4x, the Extender EF 1.4X III incorporates phenomenal optical performance with minimal chromatic aberration and is a perfect complement to many of Canon super telephoto lenses. It features a built-in microcomputer for seamless communication among camera body, lens and extender; features careful lens placement and coatings to minimize ghosting and flare and even has a new Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum. An integral part of many professional systems, Extender EF 1.4X III maintains high standards not only optically, but also in terms of rugged, dustproof and water resistant construction.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
- Focal Length & Maximum Aperture Magnification: 1.4x
- Lens Construction 7 elements in 3 groups
- Max. Diameter x Length, Wight 2.8 x 1.1 in, 7.9 oz / 72.0 x 27.2mm, 225g
Product Description
Extending a lenses focal length by a factor of 1.4x, Extender EF 1.4X III incorporates phenomenal optical performance with minimal chromatic aberration and is a perfect complement to many of Canon super telephoto lenses. It features a built-in microcomputer for seamless communication among camera body, lens and extender; features careful lens placement and coatings to minimize ghosting and flare and even has a new Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum. An integral part of many professional systems, Extender EF 1.4X III maintains high standards not only optically, but also in terms of rugged, dustproof and water resistant construction.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I am very pleased with my new type III lens extender. It is made for a select group of Canon lenses. Before ordering one for your camera body, consult this list! With my 70-200mm f4L lens this extender works very well. I plan to take this lens set up with me to Alaska this summer. It should have the reach that I need. Keep in mind that with this combination, my lens is now f5.6, one stop slower. I still retain IS and fairly rapid AF. I just don't plan to shoot at late dusk with it. Like my zoom lens, this extender is weather sealed at the connections. The additional cost of this extender for my zoom lens gives me the versatility without the greater cost of purchasing a new 400 or 500mm L series lens. My lens set up now has a length of 7 inches and not much extra weight. Matched with my 40D camera body, I can tote this weight around all day.
135 of 152 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
To work well this requires good light, fast lenses, new processors, little cropping and small prints
July 29, 2012
Two professional views to consider from a photographer and his professional supplier
Non-professional photographers may not be troubled by all these provisos but they are still true:
........................
Firstly the hard facts:
1. This extender loses one stop of light which means that only 1/2 of the normal light from the lens will reach the sensor
2. Only series 1 cameras will only give auto focus at basic f8.0 or wider which means that the slowest lens possible for auto focus will be f5.6
3. Non-series 1 cameras will only give auto focus at basic f5.6 or wider which means that the slowest lens possible for auto focus will be f4.0
4. Both the f4.0 or f5.6 basic apertures with the extender fitted will increasingly be relatively slow to latch on to focus in less than good light
www.the-digital-picture.com gives in-depth reviews of all lenses and full explanations of the above facts.
...............................................
My professional experience
This extender was bought primarily to extend the use of the 300mm F2.8 and the 70-200mm F.8 lenses. I had previously owned the original version of this extender and then the Mark 2. This Mark 3 continues the improvement although it must be said that differences are slight and you need large images to fully see any real change. All three extenders have real matters of compromise to consider and these apply to this latest model too.
The real issue concerns the loss of image quality and performance compared to full-length lenses and whether such losses are acceptable enough for the purchaser's purposes. I am not so sure that the difference between the mark 2 and this mark 3 will be readily apparent except under the most demanding circumstances coupled with cropping. Simply upgrading may not be worthwhile compared to buying this extender for the first time.
The intended advantage of using this extender with lenses constructed with wide enough open apertures is that you get greater magnification with full automatic features but at a much lower total weight (and cost) of buying another lens. The performance, flexibility and ease of use thus gained is supposed to be such that this works out as a useful piece of kit. The losses to consider are lower shutter speed, image searching and potential loss of image quality in large prints.
Most effective use is rather limited to bright conditions for reasons of speed and focus. Conditions in the USA may therefore be more suitable than in the UK for example and safari holidays may also be suitable uses for the same reason.
As a result I have found that I use it only very rarely and only then in particularly favourable lighting conditions and as a last option. I have never found the final image to be of sufficient quality to be useful professionally. In reality it really only works well enough to be considered professionally with fast F 2.8 lenses. However, professionals would nearly always choose to use a longer lens because the loss of performance with the extender makes images too doubtful for commercial use.
A longer lens will always out-perform this extender coupled with a shorter lens, quite markedly in poor light conditions, and will always be the choice of professionals and very keen amateurs. However longer lenses cost more, are heavier and simply more to carry about so this extender is useful as a fall-back option for occasional extra reach but at some cost of quality and operating performance. It should be noted that this short extender is far more effective than the 2 x extender which is very much more compromised in all the same ways.
...........................................
My professional supplier's opinion
I discussed this extender with my professional supplier on behalf of an enquirer not using my equipment and this was his considered advice:
1. The loss of a stop makes this a slower lens so an 100-400 f4.0-5.6 lens becomes f5.6 - 8.0 for example
2. Autofocus loss or prolonged searching can become an issue with lenses slower than f2.8 especially in low light
3. This loss means that good light becomes very important and a futher limiting factor
4. Cropping will exaggerate loss of sharpness. Large crops do more damage than small crops
5. Large images, especially in print form, will exaggerate loss of sharpness
6. Older camera models with older processors are less able to handle the increase of digital noise
7. Cameras with less than full frame imaging will exaggerate loss of sharpness
8. Lenses without image stabilising will exaggerate loss of sharpness.
..............................................
Essential considerations:
In the supplier's view the best chance of success with this extender therefore would be to have a new model full-frame camera coupled with a USM lens with image stabilising and as fast an F stop as possible (F2.8 is ideal). Avoid cropping and large prints as much as possible and always work in good lighting.
Conclusion:
This extender is therefore cautiously recommended as a good quick fix where an alternative lens without extender is not possible. However it would be wise to consider the pros and cons carefully before purchasing. You may be disappointed otherwise.
.......................................................
A note to the anonymous negative voters:
Goodness only knows what you find to be unhelpful about this review.
Unfortunately your responses do not offer either any considered comment or constructive alternative point of view.
A negative vote without reason is not helpful to anyone. It does not contribute in any useful way to discussion so no-one can learn from you. If you have a different view then share it and have the courage of your convictions by adding your name in the comment option which is the best way to express your views.
Significantly, I know of at least one good reviewer who has finally given up with anonymous negative votes such as has been experienced here and deleted all his reviews. The loss to the whole collecting community is his considerable knowledgeable advice and the gain is his own free time. He cannot be persuaded to return to writing reviews despite my repeated encouragement.
Anonymous negative votes without supporting reasons can have other negative results that you may not have thought of.
Non-professional photographers may not be troubled by all these provisos but they are still true:
........................
Firstly the hard facts:
1. This extender loses one stop of light which means that only 1/2 of the normal light from the lens will reach the sensor
2. Only series 1 cameras will only give auto focus at basic f8.0 or wider which means that the slowest lens possible for auto focus will be f5.6
3. Non-series 1 cameras will only give auto focus at basic f5.6 or wider which means that the slowest lens possible for auto focus will be f4.0
4. Both the f4.0 or f5.6 basic apertures with the extender fitted will increasingly be relatively slow to latch on to focus in less than good light
www.the-digital-picture.com gives in-depth reviews of all lenses and full explanations of the above facts.
...............................................
My professional experience
This extender was bought primarily to extend the use of the 300mm F2.8 and the 70-200mm F.8 lenses. I had previously owned the original version of this extender and then the Mark 2. This Mark 3 continues the improvement although it must be said that differences are slight and you need large images to fully see any real change. All three extenders have real matters of compromise to consider and these apply to this latest model too.
The real issue concerns the loss of image quality and performance compared to full-length lenses and whether such losses are acceptable enough for the purchaser's purposes. I am not so sure that the difference between the mark 2 and this mark 3 will be readily apparent except under the most demanding circumstances coupled with cropping. Simply upgrading may not be worthwhile compared to buying this extender for the first time.
The intended advantage of using this extender with lenses constructed with wide enough open apertures is that you get greater magnification with full automatic features but at a much lower total weight (and cost) of buying another lens. The performance, flexibility and ease of use thus gained is supposed to be such that this works out as a useful piece of kit. The losses to consider are lower shutter speed, image searching and potential loss of image quality in large prints.
Most effective use is rather limited to bright conditions for reasons of speed and focus. Conditions in the USA may therefore be more suitable than in the UK for example and safari holidays may also be suitable uses for the same reason.
As a result I have found that I use it only very rarely and only then in particularly favourable lighting conditions and as a last option. I have never found the final image to be of sufficient quality to be useful professionally. In reality it really only works well enough to be considered professionally with fast F 2.8 lenses. However, professionals would nearly always choose to use a longer lens because the loss of performance with the extender makes images too doubtful for commercial use.
A longer lens will always out-perform this extender coupled with a shorter lens, quite markedly in poor light conditions, and will always be the choice of professionals and very keen amateurs. However longer lenses cost more, are heavier and simply more to carry about so this extender is useful as a fall-back option for occasional extra reach but at some cost of quality and operating performance. It should be noted that this short extender is far more effective than the 2 x extender which is very much more compromised in all the same ways.
...........................................
My professional supplier's opinion
I discussed this extender with my professional supplier on behalf of an enquirer not using my equipment and this was his considered advice:
1. The loss of a stop makes this a slower lens so an 100-400 f4.0-5.6 lens becomes f5.6 - 8.0 for example
2. Autofocus loss or prolonged searching can become an issue with lenses slower than f2.8 especially in low light
3. This loss means that good light becomes very important and a futher limiting factor
4. Cropping will exaggerate loss of sharpness. Large crops do more damage than small crops
5. Large images, especially in print form, will exaggerate loss of sharpness
6. Older camera models with older processors are less able to handle the increase of digital noise
7. Cameras with less than full frame imaging will exaggerate loss of sharpness
8. Lenses without image stabilising will exaggerate loss of sharpness.
..............................................
Essential considerations:
In the supplier's view the best chance of success with this extender therefore would be to have a new model full-frame camera coupled with a USM lens with image stabilising and as fast an F stop as possible (F2.8 is ideal). Avoid cropping and large prints as much as possible and always work in good lighting.
Conclusion:
This extender is therefore cautiously recommended as a good quick fix where an alternative lens without extender is not possible. However it would be wise to consider the pros and cons carefully before purchasing. You may be disappointed otherwise.
.......................................................
A note to the anonymous negative voters:
Goodness only knows what you find to be unhelpful about this review.
Unfortunately your responses do not offer either any considered comment or constructive alternative point of view.
A negative vote without reason is not helpful to anyone. It does not contribute in any useful way to discussion so no-one can learn from you. If you have a different view then share it and have the courage of your convictions by adding your name in the comment option which is the best way to express your views.
Significantly, I know of at least one good reviewer who has finally given up with anonymous negative votes such as has been experienced here and deleted all his reviews. The loss to the whole collecting community is his considerable knowledgeable advice and the gain is his own free time. He cannot be persuaded to return to writing reviews despite my repeated encouragement.
Anonymous negative votes without supporting reasons can have other negative results that you may not have thought of.
41 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I shoot alot of sports photography, mostly my duaghter's teams, but am very proud of the pictures I get. I have a 50D body and am waiting for the new 7D body in 2012 to upgrade. I buy all "L" lenses for the quality and frankly they last...great investment. I was a bit skeptical of telephoto extenders...why not just buy a larger focal length lens??? Well, a friend has this and really swears by it. So I bit the bullet and got it. I have to say it is awesome. They quality is superb, have seen no issues in my photos and the reduction in one stop has not been a big issue especially in my outdoor photography where light is not an issue. Inside coudl be an issue, but I doubt I would use this. Need it to get the extra distance on the soccer field. Woudl recommend this to anyone...great job Canon!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Canon EF 1.4X III Telephoto Extender for Canon Super Telephoto Lenses
works perfectly with the lens i purchased it for.
i would recommend it for anyone wanting a bit more from their lens.
i would recommend it for anyone wanting a bit more from their lens.
Published 6 days ago by Kathryn Simms
5.0 out of 5 stars
canon ef 1.4 x 111
I had used one that a friend had one day when we were taking photos and loved it. I came home and ordered one for myself and it came in two days and I love it. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Patricia M. Keil
5.0 out of 5 stars
1.4 extender
works perfectly with no distortion or loss of photo sharpness. Lens needed to shoot wildlife out in the field or other places.
Published 16 days ago by D. Robert Naismith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does what it promises: increases the magnification, decreases...
Did exactly what I had known it to do. Not sure what else to say. One star off to impress that not all is rosy, sharpness suffers a little bit.
Published 19 days ago by A. Kozubov
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Extender for use with Canon L lenses
I currently use this on my Canon 70-200 f4 L IS with an EOS 7D. I chose the 70-200 f4 IS over the f2.8 primarily because of IS and the weight. With the teleconverter at f5. Read more
Published 20 days ago by T. Ellison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
I purchased this product to extend the range of my 70-200 f4. I was initially worried about deterioration in image quality and/or autofocus, but I was relieved when I experienced... Read more
Published 27 days ago by David Miko
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent extender... Sharper than previous model but with one flaw
I upgraded from my 1.4x II to use on my 70-200 f/2.8 II lens and have been impressed with it, minus one optical flaw... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Invertalon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great addition
If you have heard any bad news about this product you can disregaurd. I've owned it for about three months and shot perhaps 400 pictures thru it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Drumluver
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUCH better than I anticipated!
I had read that use of an extender would degrade image quality. But, I thought I'd take a chance anyway. When I received this extender, I attached this 1. Read more
Published 2 months ago by G. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything I expected from this lens, and one thing I did not expect...
Everything I expected from this lens, and one thing I did not expect zero loss of image quality. You lose an fstop and gain 40% zoom range. I use it with a Canon L 300 mm F4. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rick
