Should I use a teleconverter on a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II for wildlife on APS-C?

Question

I shoot with a Canon APS-C camera and a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II. I’m considering wildlife photography and was originally planning to sell this lens, but I’ve been told it can work well for wildlife. I know APS-C gives a narrower field of view, but not extra focal length.

Would adding a Canon teleconverter/extender be worthwhile to get more reach? I’m mainly considering the Canon 1.4x and 2x extenders. My subjects would ideally be around 5–10 meters away. I’ve heard the 1.4x performs well, while the 2x is often considered weaker. How practical is either option for wildlife in terms of image quality and autofocus?

user15871 · Accepted Answer

There aren't many Canon lenses I would recommend using with a teleconverter/extender for wildlife/action/sports. In fact, aside from Super Telephoto prime lenses, there is only one: The EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II.

When paired with the EF 1.4X III it still has image quality comparable to the EF 300mm f/4 and still performs autofocus fast enough and accurately enough to be usable for action/sports. In fact, even the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II + EF 2X III performs as well as the EF 400mm f/5.6, both optically and in terms of AF.

Comparing the pros and cons of lens + TC versus lens + cropping has so many variables that each specific combination and use case can come to different conclusions regarding which is the best way to go.

For several related questions and answers here at Photography.SE please see:
Does a full frame with a teleconverter perform better than an APS-C without a teleconverter?
Best lens for taking pictures of surfers
Comparing Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and Canon 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 IS II USM with Kenko 1.4x MC4 DGX
Will the Canon 5D MK II with 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 work properly with Kenko 1.4 converter?
For greater telephoto range, should I use 70-200mm + teleconverter or a longer zoom lens?

You can see examples of images taken with the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport (another lens I wouldn't hesitate to use with a high quality TC/Extender) and Canon EF 2X III at Flickr that show that when used properly image quality does not have to suffer terribly using high quality TCs/Extenders with high quality lenses. This Flickr user uses the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport and undesignated 1.4X and 2X TC/Extenders to take some excellent shots.

Because there are so many images at Flickr taken with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II, it is harder to find ones with that lens combined with a 1.4X or 2X Extender, but they are there.

https://flic.kr/p/fpTPQ2
https://flic.kr/p/nRBZmQ
https://flic.kr/p/quv8dW
https://flic.kr/p/21dTshB
https://flic.kr/p/rAWKHp
https://flic.kr/p/bFQasP
https://flic.kr/p/aNMzfc

Should I use a teleconverter on a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II for wildlife on APS-C?

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