(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)

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As documented earlier on this site, I had issues with my 300 F4 IS and teleconverters. Well, it appears both items were at fault. I ordered a new Canon 1.4x II TC which also front focused. Upon realizing this, I sent both my teleconverter and 300 F4 IS back into Canon. The combination came back working perfectly. I ultimately sold the Kenko because Canon tech told me they would not touch it, and I wanted a good working TC/300 F4 IS combo.

Upon recieving the unit back from Irvine, I was blown away at how the IQ turned out. I immediately thought, “so this is how a TC should work!”. Based on my experience, I would spend the extra coin for the Canon 1.4x II so you can have it serviced with the lens you plan to use it on. Plus, I noticed better contrast and colors when using the Canon TC with my 300 F4 IS comapred to third party TC’s. It also seems to have a more robust build quality along with weather sealing. This does add extra weight though.

These examples were taken wide open(f5.6), hand held. No adjustments were done except for a level 3 sharpening in DPP 3.4.1. Speed was only 1/125th! These are very good results for a 420mm lens handheld at 1/125. Please click the images for the proper sizes.

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

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I have to say from the images that the build quality looks too close to the kit lenses. For an estimated retail price of $699, you would except a little better fit and finish.

Canon 18-200 IS

Canon 18-200 IS product page

(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)

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People seem to love their RAW converter comparisons so here we go. Different image this time. All images had *no* adjustments except for 200/ .2 / 0 smart sharpen in Photoshop Elements 5.0. Please click on the images for the full versions.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Some of these look excellent.

(4 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Very interesting news. Supposedly it will be around the $1000 mark.

(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)

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These aren’t exactly the same lenses, but they are popular lenses that have an overlapping focal length. Alot of people are looking at 10-22 and 28-135 IS combos over the traditional 17mm to 18mm starting point - especially those who are buying the 40D kits with recent rebates( the 40D kits comes with a 28-135 IS). While the lens switching would add up, you would have a a very wide range of options from 10mm to 135mm. This test explores the IQ where the two lenses overlap. So for those holding on to 17-40L’s and 18-55’s, you can see if a 28-135 IS and 10-22 combo makes sense.

All images were done in Canon’s Digital Photo Profesisonal with a bump of +1/3rd exposure, standard mode and level 3 sharpening. No other processing was done. Tripod shot.

Please click the images for the large version.

28mm

35mm

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There is talk around the net about an upgrade to the Canon 100-400 IS with improved image stabilization and improved optics. It’s unclear wether or not it will be a push pull design.

Guesstimated price = $1899

(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)

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All of the images were shot using F8, RAW, tripod, remote, mirror lockup using a Rebel XT and a Canon 300 F4 IS L. Each image has had zero color or contrast processing, but they have each had a level 4 sharpening done in DPP.

The Canon is $290 retail, and the Kenko is $190 retail. Please click on the thumbnails for the full images.

The first examples were done using manual focus.

Crops:

Things look pretty even when using manual focus at F8. Let’s check out the autofocus results using one shot AF:

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For those wondering about Lightroom, you can request BETA invites at that forum for your copy of Lightroom 2. I believe the BETA expires August 31st, at which point you will have to buy the program if you like it.