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Archive 2012 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.

  
 
Lynda
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


I would appreciate seeing how this lens - 300mm f/4 IS performs when using a 2X Extender. I currently have a 500mm and love it. But I am feeling restrained lugging a tripod wherever I go and would like to pick up a used 300mm IS to have for hiking and birding that I could hand hold. At 5'1" and 106 lbs, I cannot hand hold the 500mm. I've seen images taken with the 300mm plus1.4X but worried that I won't have the reach I am used to. Not expecting miracles with this lens.. Just curious to see how well it does with the 2 X. Used/Refurb 300mm f/4 IS lenses are relatively cheap. F/2 is too pricey but of course would be the better alternative. Just not an option for me right now..
Thanks so much!
Lynda



Sep 27, 2012 at 10:35 PM
JimboCin
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Lynda:

While you are waiting for people to post images, you might want to look at this.

Quite a difference in this test image.

It shows the 300mm f/4.0 IS with the 2x Mk III versus the 500mm (you can make changes to compare other versions).

Realize the 500mm is f/4.0 whereas the 300 mm f/4 with the 2X is f/8.0.

Jim



Sep 28, 2012 at 02:05 AM
Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Don't do it Linda. At best rest results are acceptable in good light at low ISO. The 100-400 + 1.4x is much better as is the 400 f/5.6L + 1.4x. Stick to the 1.4x with the 300 f/4. IQ of the 100-400L is as good as the 300 f/4 and zoom is much more practical.

Of course with any lens that is f/8 you'll need a 1 series camera or have to start taping pins.

The only good 300 with a 2x is the 300 f/2.8L IS.



Sep 28, 2012 at 02:13 AM
Eyvind Ness
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


I partly agree with Whayne - you get decent results in decent light. Also, forget things that move much, the AF slows down to a crawl. But for (semi-)static subjects in good light, you might be fine.

Some samples from last fall taken with this combo mounted to my 1DmkIV can be found below.

http://eyvindness.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v35/p740822305-5.jpg
http://eyvindness.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v33/p531883490-5.jpg
http://eyvindness.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v2/p390684082-5.jpg
http://eyvindness.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v32/p194455619-5.jpg
http://eyvindness.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v28/p981688042-5.jpg




Sep 28, 2012 at 05:06 AM
Lynda
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Thanks guys.. I currently have the MarkIIn and Mark III bodies. I have a 500mm and a non-IS 400 f/5.6 plus a 70-200 IS. You confirmed what I suspected. I wish I could spend the money for the f 2.8. I have put the 2X on 500mm and had decent results in really good light, but you don't always get that. But you think it would be OK with the 1.4X? I seriously need an inexpensive walk around lens with IS for birding. Guess there is no such animal I've even thought of getting a BushHawk for the 500mm but figure I would fall forward on my face..lol
Thanks again for your input.
Lynda



Sep 28, 2012 at 06:13 AM
PetKal
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Lynda wrote:
I seriously need an inexpensive walk around lens with IS for birding. Guess there is no such animal Lynda


Well, there is 100-400. Much excellent wildlife photography has been done with it.
The FL of 400mm is too short only if you position yourself too far from your target.



Sep 28, 2012 at 07:35 AM
ChrisRD
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


You might try picking up a 7D to use with your smaller/lighter glass. A 7D + 400/5.6 or 100-400 or 300/4 IS + 1.4X all work well as a 'walk around' birding combo (I have owned and used all of those combos for birds). With its much higher pixel density the 7D will give you more cropping 'reach' with a 400-420mm lens than the 1D2n or 1D3 bodies will with the 500mm. Also, the 'spot focus' feature of the 7D helps with obtaining accurate focus on small/distant targets. The 7D also works well with the 500 and 500 + 1.4X when you need maximum reach.

Edited on Sep 28, 2012 at 08:17 AM · View previous versions



Sep 28, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Lynda
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Thanks PetKal..
I just checked on the 100-400 IS. Not too pricey and may be just what I'm looking for With the 1.4X it would do nicely.
Chris..
I couldn't switch to 7D. I'm too fond of my other bodies.. heavy as they may be.. My friend has one and it won't AF with the 1.4TC.
I'm liking the idea of the 100-400 IS, combined with the 1.4TC
Thanks!!!
Lynda



Sep 28, 2012 at 08:15 AM
surf monkey
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


ChrisRD wrote:
You might try picking up a 7D to use with your smaller/lighter glass. A 7D + 400/5.6 or 100-400 or 300/4 IS + 1.4X


+1

The 7D + 100-400 would make a better combo than:
1D3 + 300f4 + 2x TC
1D3 + 100-400 + 1.4 TC



Sep 28, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Lynda wrote:
Thanks PetKal..
I just checked on the 100-400 IS. Not too pricey and may be just what I'm looking for With the 1.4X it would do nicely.
Chris..
I couldn't switch to 7D. I'm too fond of my other bodies.. heavy as they may be.. My friend has one and it won't AF with the 1.4TC.
I'm liking the idea of the 100-400 IS, combined with the 1.4TC
Thanks!!!
Lynda


It's not that simple. Think about things in a standard format .
You mk2n and mk3 are 1.3 crop (actually the n is slightly less crop) so a 400 with TC gives you an equiv FF mm of 728mm (400x1.3x1.4) . But your down to 1 AF point for that and a min of F8
But on a 7D the 400 will be 640 without any TC @ 5.6
Now of corse there is always the 7D is noisier than x argument. But that gets negated quite a bit by the 1 stop gain of the TC combo . (Also I had the n and found it noisier at high iso than my 7D , and that's at a screen level not comparing at 100%)

Then add to the equation above the extra pixel density of the 18mp sensor. So yo could if needed crop the extra 80-90mm and still leave way more pixels than the combo.

By the way I had until recently the 100-400 on my 7D . It's a good combo . (And af with tapped pins on the tc is ok most of the time)But I will say its not 400mm at normal distances. I compared the FOV of the 100-400 @ 400 against a sigma 300/4 prime with a 1.4 TC and the difference was way more noticeable than the 20mm should have been .
You could test that at 400mm as you have the 400/5.6

So I would say if you want IS for handholding the 300/4 + TC (if needed ) and a 7D would be my choice.

Or if its not too big (or out of budget) how about the 400/4 DO? It's a kilo (ish) more than the 300/4 but seems still manageable



Sep 28, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Imagemaster
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


You are at the most common conundrum that many wildlife photographers face; a lightweight 500mm solution. Unfortunately there is no good solution at the moment. I certainly would not recommend a 1.4 TC on either the 100-400 or 400 f5.6. Sure, they will AF with your 1D's, but you will not be happy with the AF performance or the IQ.

I have no idea why Canon or Sigma does not make a 500 f5.6.

You may want to wait a year or so, because I believe there will be a better 7D coming. As well, AF and IQ are improving on mirrorless cameras. e.g. the Olympus E-M5 weighs only 15 ounces and the Olympus 75-300 lens gives you a 35mm equivalent lens of 150-600mm and only weighs another 15 ounces. These smaller systems will be serious contenders to DSLR's in the near future as they are improved upon, simply because of their size and weight.

By the way, do not consider the 400 f4 DO, as you will also find that too heavy, and over-priced.



Sep 28, 2012 at 09:35 AM
abqnmusa
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


Not the Canon 2X buit I will post for comparision ...

The Kenko C-AF 2X Teleplus Pro 300 TC works with the Canon EF 300mm F4 IS on the 5D III
the focus is fine with the center point and sharpness is good
gives a 600mm F8 with IS
this has been good for small birds & this snake

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/674567-REG/Kenko_PRO3002XDGXC_Teleplus_PRO_300_DG.html






Bull Snake at Rio Grande Nature Center - Albuquerque NM




Sep 28, 2012 at 09:49 AM
abqnmusa
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


photo example with 5D III / 400 5.6L / Kenko TelePlus MC4 AF 1.4X DGX TC






Road Runner at the Rio Grande Nature Center - Albuquerque NM




Sep 28, 2012 at 09:52 AM
jasonpatrick
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Lens decision. Show me your 300mm f/4 IS + 2 X TC images.


I use a 1dIII with a 400mm 5.6 and a Canon 1.4 II teleconverter. To make up for no IS, I use a monopod with a ball head on it. Imagemaster is right. You lose some of the awesome benefits of the 400mm 5.6 - namely lighting quick focus and bitingly sharp IQ. That being said, I use it when I need the reach with acceptable results. This image was taken with the above combo at ISO 800.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7994558123_c76641fb3a_b.jpg



Sep 28, 2012 at 10:12 AM





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