Going to Alaska

[Strayz]

ok everyone Need some help here. Everyone chime in even if you just have to say ok or yes or put the crack pipe down..

This summer, end of June, I am off to the great wilds of Alaska for 10 days. Now I am not made of money, but I would like to rent a lens or 2 and keep the kit down to under 3 metric tons of gear.

Yes I shoot a XTi digital rebel so there is the 1.6 crop thing going on.

I am going to have a 17-40mm F4"L", 50mm 1.8.

would like to take along a little more reach. Sooo here are my options.

70-200mm 2.8IS "L" and a 2x teleconverter.

Or

100-400mm 4.5-5.6 "L" and a 1.4x teleconverter (The idea of 650mm is kinda cool.)

Or possably some combonation of the above.

Now I know I have not a lot of choices there, but if you have some other sudgestions please let me know.. I am all about options right now..

I want some reach so that I really can avoid becomeing a tourist treat to some form of wildlife or another.. I really am alergic to being a chew toy to a bear, wolverene, or rabid squirle..

So lets hear the options as I am going to be on foot/ in a car, or way to far to actually be acknowllaged by said wildlife. You will not be getting any 17MM closeup shots of Bears, Moose, or anything else that would take a special permit to cross the road in the lower 48..

[txduggan]

The 100-400 won't autofocus with any of the Canon teleconverters
and the XTi.

IMNSHO, go with the 70-200 and the Canon 2x TC.

Or, rent a Bigma (50-500)....it won't be on par with either of the L lenses, but you'll have the reach in one package.

Or...rent a Canon 300mm f/4 and 1.4x?
Not sure if it will autofocus with the XTi....

Or....if you're going to be in a car, rent the Canon 500mm and use it when you can :)

Just some thoughts...

Tom D

[WorkingClassHero]

I'm also going to Alaska, in August. I was thinking of getting a 70-200 and 2x TC because I want that lens anyway. Otherwise I would probably rent a Bigma.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it works out, and of course let's see some photos when you get back.

[Jon]

Sure the 100-400 won't AF with a TC on the XTi, but a 70-200 with a 2xTC doesn't buy him any extra reach over a 100-400 without TC. So I'd say take the 100-400 and 1.4x TC just in case. If you're willing to take the extra weight, and you have both, take the 70-200 as well for a bit more speed at the wider end. But if you're going to buy one lens and one TC, get the 100-400 and 1.4x.

[Strayz]

Looks like the 100-400 is going to be the choice. so far I am getitng a bit confused if the 1.4x will work with the 100-400 or not for AF, some are saying yes some are saying no. Anyone use one on a XTi?

With that said I am also thinking of takeing along a 10-22 along with the 17-40 for some really WIDE stuff, but I can also do the stitch. for those shots I want to get really wide. :)

[Jon]

With the 100-400 and any good TC that reports its presence you'll need to MF. But you just might fine 560 and MF is better than cropping 400. There are some TCs (check the sticky in the EF lenses forum) that don't identify themselves to the camera so it'll think there's no TC, just a dim image. It may hunt a lot trying to achieve focus then.

[Billginthekeys]

With the 100-400 and any good TC that reports its presence you'll need to MF. But you just might fine 560 and MF is better than cropping 400. There are some TCs (check the sticky in the EF lenses forum) that don't identify themselves to the camera so it'll think there's no TC, just a dim image. It may hunt a lot trying to achieve focus then.
theres also the "tape trick"

i agree that the 100-400 is the best option for you. and agree with jon about the extender.