What _NOT_ to do when shooting birds. (and question about TC

[vvizard]

I wen't out today for the first time to try shooting birds in flight with my 70-200mm EX. That's the first time I've tried AI Servo for anything usefull. First off, I was truly impressed by the AI-servo. It worked actually. In all the exitement over the AI-servo, I forgot to shoot with the sun from behind me, but rather shot in the same direction as it was. Got some decent pictures of the horizon, but almost everybody was ruined by this big (pitch) black flying dot ;)

So if there's any other shooters out her as newbie as I am, take this tip, don't face the sun while shooting birds =) At least not if you wan't some details in it ;)

And yeah.. 200mm is quite short for this kind of photography I found out :/ Will the EX-converters help me here? Will I loose to much detail with the 2X? At least that would bump me up to 400mm.

And what about the TC's. Can I use Canon's on sigma lenses and vice versa? Or do I have to buy one from Sigma and one from Canon, to suit all lenses?

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have used the Sigma 2X converter on the 70-200mm no problem,...

you do lose a little quality,. but it is actually not a bad combo at all... mostly you loose speed.. (f/5.6 with the 2X converter)

I hear that the Sigma lens WILL work with a Canon t-con... but I have no first hand experience.

I personally would recomend you go for the dedicated converters in all cases... with the Sigma only costing about $150.00 it is a reasonable expense.

Also,.. seriously consider getting the 1.4X as well,.. if not first.

Although it won't give you 400mm out of the box.. it has really fine image quality with your lens,. (no noticeable degradation at all) is much shorter in length,. and only costs you one stop (f/4)

Many would even argue that by using a good 1.4X converter and then cropping and enlarging in photoshop may offer a better result than the 2X.

Lastly,.. allthough your back to the sun is usually a good idea,. I find that under those circumstances on a bright day is when the 10D is most likely to blow out the highlights! So be prepared to underexpose a bit :D

And for bird photography,. although a true spot meter would have been better,. I almost allways keep it set to "partial" metering which is the closest that the 10D comes to a spot meter. (obviously for birds you want the bird exposed correctly over the surroundings,... a very tricky thing to accomplish when they are flying against a bright sky) :)

[sjprg]

If you want to shoot birds, the best answer I've found that is affordable is the Sigma 50-500mm EX. ~$800.00
after that the Sigma 300mm 2.8 EX with the TC2.0X. Takes you to 600mm f/5.6. Several of the birders are using the Sigma 800mm, but thats still pricey.
http://www.pbase.com/image/23089935
Paul

[mebow]

I have used the 70-200MM plus 2X for panning on birds in flight with good results provided you are not that far from the targets.

I have also, with limitations, hand held the 400MM f2.8 which is more difficult but when you nail the shot the end results make it worthwhile.

I have done some modifications to the wimberley head that helps me do panning. SSee this site.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mr1634/

good luck.

Mike