Chris Willis wrote:
The 300/2.8 is a supreme lens and you will really enjoy it. It is sharper than hell and the AF speed and accuracy has to be experienced to be believed. One tip, though, when using it with TCs, especially a 2x (or in your case maybe stacked 1.4's), use the focus limit switch and stop the lens down one stop from wide open (so at 600/5.6, stop down to f8). The AF on the 40D will tend to hunt with the TCs on and using the focus limit switch will really help out with that, and the sharpness and DOF will be improved if you stop down to f8. Also keep in mind when shooting at 600mm focal length, the whole rig is extremely sensitive to even the slightest movements, so proper support and technique make a big difference in the image quality. This is true for any time you are shooting at a really long focal length.
For photography where you can go with a shorter focal length, either 300 or 420 with the 1.4x, it is a lot less sensitive and just generally easier to handle, and the AF speed is really incredible, as are the sharpness and contrast.
Give some thought to support for it -- some people handhold theirs (like Bonnie for example), but I find it too heavy to do that for very long, so I use a monopod, a Manfrotto 3232 tilt head, and a RRS clamp and plate. Other people use tripods with Wimberley sidekicks.
Will (Trenchmonkey) and Bonnie (Herderdog) use 300/2.8's and post great pictures here all the time, and they have really helped me out with tips on using it. But I can tell you for sure you will never regret the money you spent on that lens -- it is simply superb.
Gerald,
I agree entirely with all that Chris has said above. The 300/2.8mm is a superb lens and a great choice. I don't know if you have looked into the stacking difficulties associated with two 1.4 TC's but I believe there are some that will not work. Check it out. Also, there are two schools of thought as relates to stacked TC's. Some people believe that two 1.4's are best; others swear that a single 2X TC is better. Most seem to agree that the newest Canon versions (II) are better than the original or the aftermarket brands. Like Chris, my keeper rate goes down a lot with the TC's attached, mainly because even the slightest vibration can be seen in the resulting image. One final suggestion, you might want to consider an add on camera L plate (e.g. the Really Right Stuff L plate or Kirk). The L plate helps to give the body a bit more heft and with the bigger glass this is an advantage. I dont't like add on battery grips at all. Looks like you are on the way to a great kit.
Cheers-Red
I only have the Canon 1.4x II, but I have heard the Kenko Pro 300DG one is supposed to be good. I use a Canon 2x II instead of stacking two 1.4's but I know there are people who stack the 1.4's and they seem happy with the results.
Gerald, the Kenko TelePlus Pro 300 1.4x DG is the one to get. Hong Kong vendors will
ship to your door for under $140. I've bought several that way, takes about 10 days and
is worth the $50+ savings all day long!
I don't think anyone can deny that the 40D isn't a capable camera. Of course it is - I love it. The handling is great if one was used to 20D or 30D. But the issue is that those decision makers should have been more generous with the improvements such as ability to focus with 1.4x at F8, more focus points and a more reliable AF system that will not get confused under **certain background** situations and, genuine weather sealing matching that of the Nikon D300. Say if they have done some of that or more, then a upgrade of the 40D to yet another model would not be necessarily for a while. And it would keep lots of working professionals (who use it as a second or even third body) and amateurs happy and, folks don't have to keep forking out money to get new ones to keep up. In other words, Canon should reward their supporters.
