what extra lens -for nature photography

[tckadventures]

Having problems deciding which lens in the next on the list. I mainly do nature photography which means dragging the equipment around in the bush looking for something that grabs my attention. At the moment my bag contains the canon 70-200L, 90mm tamron and sometimes depending on what I am after the canon 400mmL. I have no extension tubes or telconverters. The question is what piece of equpment should I get next or do I stick with what I have. Its not a bad setup but when chasing those smaller creatures like lizards & drangonflies it is nicer to have a fuller frame of them without having to get right into thier personal space.

I just read up on the 150mm sigma lens and the MTF scale looks great, but is a couple of extension tubes a better way to go for the macro and a 2x extender for the Zoom?
Then had another thought as I have heard any extensions tubes etc. loose light and vignette a bit. Maybe then a 300mm prime lens would be a better choice.

Ohhhh I dont knowwwww!
What are your suggestions?

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[rklepper]

You may want to try the 1.4X TC. I have one and it is great. I have heard the 2X degrades IQ by quite a bit. I use my 1.4 on my 200 f/2.8L with no perceptible degradation of IQ.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Tubes are a good addition to the 400mm which has a relatively LONG min focus distance..
They'll also work well with the 70-200mm. I don't see a noticeable vignette at these focal lenghts,. and as they have no glass in them the impact on exposure is not bad.

A 1.4X will work well with it optically but you'll lose AF on the 300D. (unless you try a 3rd party 1.4X )

[tckadventures]

You may want to try the 1.4X TC. I have one and it is great. I have heard the 2X degrades IQ by quite a bit. I use my 1.4 on my 200 f/2.8L with no perceptible degradation of IQ.

I initially was thinking of the 1.4 x TC but canon says the 2x is made for the L series lens.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Both Canon TCs are made exclusively for L telephotos....

More on TCs can be found in the Sticky FAQ at the top of the EF lens forum.

[tckadventures]

Thanks Cyberdyne I was mis informed. I did read the sticky but ages ago, that must have been why I was considering the 1.4x instead of the 2x. (they both are made for the L but loose more light on the 2).

Are Kenko some of the better brand tubes?

[ScottE]

The Kenko set of three tubes gives you a selection of three different lengths for about the same price as one Canon tube. Since there is no optics they function exactly the same.

I often use Kenko extension tubes on my telephoto lens for subjects like small birds and butterflies.

For actual macro shots, when I compare those taken with extension tubes on my 70-200 with those taken with my macro lens, the macro lens gives much sharper results. That does not mean the 70-200 with extension tubes does not give good results. If the image wasn't sitting beside a similar one taken with the macro lens it would look great. Good macro lenses are extremely sharp at macro distances because that is what they are designed for.

[tckadventures]

Thanks ScottE it looks like I might go and order a set of those Kenko tubes, I had noted that they were soooo much cheaper than the Canon.