I got another Canon extender last week – a 2x mk III, so I had to go try it out.  As I already had a 1.4x extender mk III, I read you could stack them to even further increase the range of the lens.  You need a Canon 12mm extension tube to stack the mark III extenders.  So with my 500mm and a tripod I had to have a play at the weekend.

First the mad setup – Canon 5d MkIV -> 1.4x extender -> 12mm extension tube -> 2.0x extender -> Canon 500 L IS USM II.

This gives to my calculations a 1400mm lens.  This is great for viewing the birds far away from shore – it’s as long a reach as my spotting scope – albiet somewhat bigger!

I managed a couple of keepers with this setup.

The hide across Ibsley Water.

And a Pochard a little way from shore.

In truth this is not a setup I would use very often – I think more of a viewing setup, unless some long lens support was added to help stabalise the lens.  As with all long lenses – the bigger the lens the more stability it needs.

I then moved onto the proper try out – the Canon 2x extender mk III with my Canon 500mm L IS II USM Lens.  The results from this were very pleasing – the autofocus works with my Canon 5D mark IV very well.  The lens with this extender added has a minimum aperture of F8.  So autofocus will only work with certain Canon Cameras.

From the same position I took these birds with the setup – these much closer than the Pochard above.

I then went for a walk around the reserve – and was fortunate to spot a Buzzard on a post from another hide.

Then as I walked further round – I spotted it in a distant tree, and managed to quickly shoot it as it exited the scene – having spotted me as well.  This composite image is from its departure.

I saw my final view of it or another buzzard around at the hide I photographed earlier.

As well as photographing the buzzard – I managed to capture a small amount of 4K Video footage.

The final bird of the day for me was a Robin that sat closely for a second or two near the hide.

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