Best for birding

[scnapper]

I'm looking at upgrading my equipment and have been pricing new cameras, I'm not that experienced with cameras but I'm learning more every day. I use a 300D and I'm considering moving on to a 400D or 30D. I intend to use a Kenko or Canon TC 1.4x (advice please) and a 400 5.6L as I only shoot birds. I hope to get a lot of in flight shots and have a extension tube for close ups. Is it worth me getting the 30D or being short of experience would I be better with the 400D. I hope to add a 580EX very soon.

[Juan Zas]

Hi,

I have a 350D and a EF 300 f/4 L IS + 1,4 TC Kenko. It took to me a while to get sharp shoots of birds (big ones: storks, vultures, seaguls) in flight with the AI Servo. Some considerations:

1 - The 7 AF points and the AF system of my 350D was not good enough for that with small birds. So if you tray to shoot small birds; Go for the 30D. It´s a better choice. It has better AF system.

2 - Theoretically, you can not use the x1,4 TC over the 400 f/5.6 if you don´t have a Canon series 1 body. You can trick the thing, taping the pins. But your AF system it´s going to work bad in dim light conditions. And with birds in flight, dificult .... Not advisable

3 - With good light conditions, the combo 300 f/4 + 1,4TC did work very well. With dim light conditions, like sunset for birds in flight, not.

4 - In the other way around, the EF 400 f/5.6 L is considered the best lens for birding.
I did not have the oportunity to test yet.

Anyway, my experience with birds in flight still is short. I hope other coleagues surely gives you more experienced advice

[scnapper]

Thanks Jaun.

I'm just going through some previous threads looking for information.

I mostly shoot manual focus but I also miss a lot so I need to think this through very carefully. I currently use a sigma 50-500 and I'm scared of loosing distance and hoped the TC would be the answer. I'm also in a very isolated area and dont have the option of trying before I buy.

[PacAce]

Thanks Jaun.

I'm just going through some previous threads looking for information.

I mostly shoot manual focus but I also miss a lot so I need to think this through very carefully. I currently use a sigma 50-500 and I'm scared of loosing distance and hoped the TC would be the answer. I'm also in a very isolated area and dont have the option of trying before I buy.

I'm not sure if you're confused or I am. When you say you are scared of losing distance, are you talking about the 50-500 not being able to focus close enough? If that is the case, it's not a TC you need but an extension tube which doesn't have any optical elements like the TC does. Extension tubes come is several flavors. Canon has the 12mm and the 25mm. And Kenko makes even more, from 12mm to 36mm.

[condyk]

I'd keep the bigma and get a 30D. the 400mm is a lovely lens, esp. for birds in flight but if you really practice hard and use the better Af of the 30D there is not reason the Bigma won't do a job. If it doesn't then get the 400mm later.

[scnapper]

I'm not sure if you're confused or I am. When you say you are scared of losing distance, are you talking about the 50-500 not being able to focus close enough? If that is the case, it's not a TC you need but an extension tube which doesn't have any optical elements like the TC does. Extension tubes come is several flavors. Canon has the 12mm and the 25mm. And Kenko makes even more, from 12mm to 36mm.

Sorry I didnt explain that very well.

I'm used of the 500mm but I'm having problems with the bigma, the zoom sleeve has had some scews come out and it slides around. I have tried to fix it but I'm hesitant in pulling it apart in case I damage it. Getting it repaired is difficult because I wouldent even know where to I could get it repaired, I buy all my stuff on the net and I assume I would need to sent it over east for repairs (3000km) unless someone knows of a place in Western Australia.

I hoped by getting the 400 + a TC 1.4x would give me 560mm which would give me the same reach or better than the bigma. I'm prepared to pay for a 30D aswell if It is going to be of benifit.

[CyberDyneSystems]

For Birding 1D MkII is best, but I would likely stick to the AF and controls of the 20D/30D as a higher priority to the pixel density of the 400D.

IE: 30D of the two.

In either case, the 400mm is a perfect choice for lens.
Get the Canon TC if you are happy with manual focus when using the T-Con, get the Tamron or Kenko TC if you want to try and still have AF with the TC, but be advised there is no guarantee that the AF will work in this case either.

[photobitz]

Sorry I didnt explain that very well.

I'm used of the 500mm but I'm having problems with the bigma, the zoom sleeve has had some scews come out and it slides around. I have tried to fix it but I'm hesitant in pulling it apart in case I damage it. Getting it repaired is difficult because I wouldent even know where to I could get it repaired, I buy all my stuff on the net and I assume I would need to sent it over east for repairs (3000km) unless someone knows of a place in Western Australia.

I hoped by getting the 400 + a TC 1.4x would give me 560mm which would give me the same reach or better than the bigma. I'm prepared to pay for a 30D aswell if It is going to be of benifit.

Does that mean you're selling your Bigma?

[GyRob]

i belive the 400d has the same focus system as the 30d .
the 400f5.6 is one of canons best lenses sharp and very fast AF good light help though as it gives a faster shutter speed - been f5.6 than can sometime's be a bit slow.
Rob.

[nitsch]

I'm currently using the 30D with 400 5.6 for in flight bird shots and am happy with the performance of this combo (still wish I had a 1D though!). I wouldn't use the tc for in flight shots due to the adverse affect on AF speed but it's worth having in the bag for those times when you need more reach for more static subjects.

I believe the 400D has the same AF system as the 30D so they should perform equally well in this task, but personally I prefer the handling of the 30D to the 350D/400D body, but it's a matter of personal preference - you could save yourself a bit of money and weight if you opted for the 400D. HTH! :)

[photobitz]

Have you thought about the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8? I haven't heard anything but good comments about it, plus it will also work well with a 1.4x TC. Theoretically should still autofocus with a 2x TC, but I suspect the AF won't be as good. Also, unlike the Bigma it's all internal focus and zoom, so you don't get the huge projection of the barrel out the front.

As far as bodies go...

both the 400D and 30D are fine cameras. If you want to minimise your spending, then take the 400D. If you want a more functional tool, then the 30D. I really don't see the 400D having any major benefits over the 30D - sure there are a few nice features, but they aren't the sort of thing that will help you take better pictures. I'm not sure where in WA you are, but if it's a dusty environment that may be a reason to go with the 400D.