Canon Life EXT EF 1.4x II Lens

Alright, you own a Canon “L” series Professional telephoto lens and you need a longer model, but another L pro lens is not within your budget. That was my dilemma too. My solution; the Canon EF Extender 1.4X II, coupled with the excellent lens that I already own. My problem was solved for a fraction of the cost of a new lens.

Recently, I noticed that I was in serious need of a longer focal length for bird watching and nature shots. I found myself in a quandary. I really wanted the reach of a 300mm range, but with pro-level performance and that "silky smooth" action of my EF 70-200mm f/4L. The fact is, I was addicted to "L"! Canon had tempted me in with the affordable “good stuff”, knowing that I would get “hooked” and be driven by the need for more of that “L”, just to make the shakes go away. I almost wished that I had never known the pleasures and performance of that big off-white lens.

Thankfully, I found a very reasonable compromise. I purchased the Canon Extender EF 1.4X II Professional Telephoto Lens Adapter. Now I have my longer lens, with the feel and image quality that I was jonesin’ for, and I still have the peace of mind to enjoy it, without the heaping dose of guilt that would have certainly accompanied a new Pro lens.

I have been comparing photos taken with my EF 100-300mm USM lens to the same subjects taken at the same time with the EF 70-200mm lens, "boosted" with the new extender. I have to say; the image quality results definitely fall in favour of the "L" combo every time. The 20mm difference in range is there, but at 6.33% shorter reach, it is a much smaller difference than I had imagined it might be.

Then, there are the unexpected advantages. My camera bag (the largest that Canon offers) is getting crowded. There is no way that I could have squeezed another long telephoto lens in there, and I do NOT want to get a bigger bag. My shoulder already gets sore enough as it is. The Extender EF fits very neatly into my bag, with plenty of room to spare! As things stand now, the total weight of my photo kit has only gained 8 ounces. Compare that to the 2 pounds of extra weight that the additional lens would have added!

This handy gadget is small, light and I have found that it’s just as easy to mount between the camera and lens, as it would be to completely change lenses. Another advantage is that I can stick it in my cargo pants pocket whenever I think that I might need it. Let's see you do that with a 300mm telephoto lens! Who knows, a jaunt back to the gadget bag to get a different lens might have cost me my best shot of the day.

This is truly an "L" class product in every respect. It is equipped with the same weather & dust seals as the main lens. Both mounts are “heavy-duty” stainless steel and the optical quality is absolutely beyond reproach. For anyone who owns an "L" class telephoto lens (provided that is included on Canon's compatible lens list), this thing is a "no brainer". Who wouldn't want to convert a 300mm lens into a 420mm professional monster, for less than £180.00? A 400mm lens becomes a 560mm model and a 500mm tele is stretched out to become a 700mm SUPER SNOOPER lens. (You can calculate the rest of the available focal lengths yourself by simply multiplying your lens’s maximum focal length times 1.4.)

Now my problem is solved. My wife still loves me and I can even afford to eat real food this month. I feel no guilt at all as I focus in on that elusive red-tailed hawk.

Copyright 2007