Canon Extender EF

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The Canon Extender EF 1.4x II.
The Canon Extender EF 1.4x II.

The Extender EF lenses are a group of teleconverter lenses made by Canon Inc.

These lenses are used between any compatible EF type lens, and any of the Canon EOS line of cameras.

When used with a compatible lens, such as the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM they will multiply the focal length of the lens by a factor of either 1.4× or 2.0×. This will result in a focal length of 700mm or 1000mm, respectively.

Four Extender EF lenses have been available.

  • 1.4×
  • 1.4× II[1]
  • 2× II[2]

 

Contents

[edit] Technical information

While the Extender EF lenses are not designated L series lenses, they are of similar professional build quality. They are constructed with metal bayonets, and engineering plastic ends. There are no moving parts, other than the lens latch lock. Two generations of the extenders exist, the older 1.4× and 2×, plus the newer 1.4× II as well as 2× II. The newer II versions have the same optical designs as the previous I design, however Canon added weather-sealing and anti-reflective surfaces inside the extender body. The optical construction of the 1.4× versions are a of five-element design. Both 2× versions use seven elements.

[edit] Compatibility information

The mount of a lens compatible with an Extender EF
The mount of a lens compatible with an Extender EF

These Extender EF lenses can only be used with lenses that have a compatible mount. While all EF lenses have mount designs that can be used with EOS bodies, only lenses with accordant mounts can be used with the extender EF lenses. These lenses must have the clearance to accept the protruding lens on the extender, as well as 10(3 extra) electronic contacts for proper electronic communication with the extender. These extra electronic contacts are used for sending the correct aperture information to the body. When a compatible lens is used with an 1.4× or 2× extender, it will cost the lens a one stop, or two stop decline in aperture size, respectively. Autofocus speed of any used EF lens is also affected. When used with the 1.4× extender, autofocus speed is reduced to a half. When used with the 2× extender, autofocus speed is reduced to a quarter. Image stabilization may not work on lenses that are equipped with one, when used with an extender, and certain EOS bodies.

[edit] List of compatible EF lenses

The following is a list of EF lenses that are compatible with the Extender EF lenses. Their resulting focal lengths, and apertures. Also listed is how the lens will react in terms of AF, and IS. Please look at key at bottom of chart.

Lens Lens with 1.4× AF with 1.4× IS with 1.4× Lens with 2× AF with 2× IS with 2x
135 mm f/2L USM 190 mm f/2.8 Yes 270 mm f/4 Yes
180 mm f/3.5L Macro USM 252 mm f/5 Yes † 360 mm f/7.1 No
200 mm f/1.8L USM 280 mm f/2.5 Yes 400 mm f/3.5 Yes
200 mm f/2.0L IS USM 280 mm f/2.8 Yes Yes 400 mm f/4 Yes Yes
200 mm f/2.8L II USM 280 mm f/4 Yes 400 mm f/5.6 Yes
300 mm f/2.8L USM 420 mm f/4 Yes 600 mm f/5.6 Yes
300 mm f/2.8L IS USM 420 mm f/4 Yes Yes 600 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes
300 mm f/4L USM 420 mm f/5.6 Yes 600 mm f/8 Maybe
300 mm f/4L IS USM 420 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes 600 mm f/8 Maybe Maybe
400 mm f/2.8L USM 560 mm f/4 Yes 800 mm f/5.6 Yes
400 mm f/2.8L II USM 560 mm f/4 Yes 800 mm f/5.6 Yes
400 mm f/2.8 IS USM 560 mm f/4 Yes Yes 800 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes
400 mm f/4L IS DO USM 560 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes 800 mm f/8 Maybe Maybe
400 mm f/5.6L USM 560 mm f/8 Yes 800 mm f/11 No
500 mm f/4L IS USM 700 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes 1000 mm f/8 Maybe Maybe
500 mm f/4.5L USM 700 mm f/6.3 Yes 1000 mm f/9.0 No
600 mm f/4L USM 840 mm f/5.6 Yes 1200 mm f/8 Maybe
600 mm f/4L IS USM 840 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes 1200 mm f/8 Maybe Maybe
800 mm f/5.6L IS USM 1120 mm f/8 Yes Yes 1600 mm f/11 No Maybe
1200 mm f/5.6L USM 1680 mm f/8 Yes 2400 mm f/11 No
70-200 mm f/2.8L IS USM 98-280 mm f/4 Yes Yes 140-400 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes
70-200 mm f/2.8L USM 98-280 mm f/4 Yes ‡ 140-400 mm f/5.6 Yes ‡
70-200 mm f/4L IS USM 98-280 mm f/5.6 Yes Yes 140-400 mm f/8 Maybe Maybe
70-200 mm f/4L USM 98-280 mm f/5.6 Yes 140-400 mm f/8 Maybe
100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM 140-560 mm f/6.3-8 Yes Maybe 200-800 mm f/9-11 No Maybe
Key
Autofocus: Yes - AF works. Maybe - AF works only with EOS bodies that can AF at f/8. No - AF does not work.
Image stabilization: Yes - IS works. Maybe - IS works only with supported EOS bodies.

† - When the Canon 180 mm f/3.5L Macro USM is used with the Extender EF 1.4×, AF will only work from 0.8m - infinity, you must focus manually from 0.48m - 0.8m.

‡ - Will only autofocus with center AF point.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Canon Inc.. Extender EF 1.4X II. Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  2. ^ Canon Inc.. Extender EF 2X II. Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.