Just how much does one gain by using either the 1.4x or 2x Extender with this zoom lens for general photography? If you are not an EOS-3 (or EOS- 1 v) user, I would recommend using the lens only with the 1.4x Extender since you can't use the AF function with the 2x Extender attached. However, if you are willing to focus the lens manually with the 2x attached, it won't be much of a problem even if the camera used is any other EOS model than the two described above. In most cases, you can get by without even using either Extender. It is only in extreme cases where the use of an Extender is necessary with the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM zoom lens. For another comparison, take a look at the two photos below of the Plaza Pantai off~ce complex in Kuala Lumpur. The photo on the left was shot with the Extender 2x attached (at 400mm) and the other at the 200mm position, without the attachment. Plaza Pantai shot at 400mm (200mm x 2) Plaza Pantai shot at 200mm (without 2x) Malay village, shot at 400mm (200mm x 2) Apartment buildings and suburbs area Both photos are considered okay, depending on how one looks at them. If tight cropping is your preference, the 400mm image is the one to go for. If you want to add some surroundings to the complex, the 200mm image is the one. The photo of the Malay village was shot with the Extender 2x attached, at 400mm. The scene itself is the same area located just below the 200mm photo. The other photo of the suburbs was also shot with the Extender 2x attached. The photo of the parked cars (below), also shot with the 2x Extender attached, shows the zoom lens' ability to faithfully reproduce various colors accurately. And there's no need for me to emphasise further that the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM, like all the EF telephoto zoom lenses available, is also another great lens that can be used to capture excellent candid photos, as attested by these examples below. Colour reproduction is superb Scene at a pirated software stall Engrossed in reading Star-LRT and Petronas Twin Towers On the final image above of Kuala Lumpur's Star-LRT train with the Petronas Twin Towers, it was recorded around dusk just minutes before the sun had disappeared altogether. I had initially planned to shoot it with the 2x Extender but the exposure at f/8 (ISO 100) needed a shutter speed of 1/20 at 400mm! It was recorded at 1/60 sec. at 200mm without the Extender. The focus was aimed at the LRT, not the Twin Towers. Text and photos by Philip Chong. Copyright 2000 by Canon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 .