Using the Extender EF 2x on the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM telephoto lens (600mm) The EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM, when it was first launched, some critics wondered whether the Image Stabilizing feature was necessary for a lens that weighs at 2.550 kg, making handheld shooting a questionable factor in the first place. Theory will always lose out to practicality in reality as I found the IS feature to be indispensable when the EF 300mm lens was fitted with the Extender EF 2x. This will turn the EF 300mm lens into a 600mm f/5.6 telephoto - when the light is bright and one can still shoot using a shutter speed of at least 1/500 sec handholding the lens at the increased focal length. It is a different matter altogether when the sun has disappeared behind the clouds or when the sky gives an indication that rain is on its way to the circuit. When this happens, the shutter speed usable can drop to as low as 1/60 sec. with an ISO 100 film. Sure, the alternative is to switch to a higher ISO 400 or higher film speed but when you don't have any with you or still have some frames left in the ISO 100 film inside your camera, switching film is not an option. The IS feature can save the day for you when this happens. Australian 250cc rider Anthony West was recorded on film with the EF 300mm IS lens with the Extender EF 2x attached when dark clouds were looming over the horizon. The shutter speed usable then was 1/100 sec. at f/5.6 with an ISO 100 film. Another title contender, Shinya Nakano, was shot with the lens/2x combo when the sun suddenly hid behind the clouds. Anthony West, shot using EF 2x with 300mm lens (600mm) Shinya Nakano, also with EF 2x (600mm)     Daijiro Katoh at 600mm (w/EF 2x) This is how the angle looks like on a 600mm! Another 250cc contender, Daijiro Katoh, the fastest among the trio, was also recorded on an ISO 100 film using the EF 300mm IS lens fitted to the EF 2x when dark clouds were looming. Notice the darker overall atmosphere on the photo of Katoh? The EF 2x was also indispensable when it came to shooting the action from certain angles, like this approaching shot of the group of 250cc riders during the early stages of their race. It was shot with the EF 300mm IS lens/2x combo at 600mm! Just imagine how small this image would be if the lens was used without the EF 2x. Do you need the Extender EF2x? Only if you have invested in one of the EF lenses that could utilize either the 1.4x or the 2x. If you don't have any, then it is not necessary to own one at the moment. Text and photos by Philip Chong. Copyright 2000 by Canon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 .