Teleconverter on 100-400?

What would be best, a 1.4 tc on a 100-400 L or buy a Sigma 150-500? I am looking for a little more reach for birding and was wondering how the 1.4 would do on the 100-400? Thanks in advance.

You would lose Autofocus unles a 1D body as it would be f8.

Your image quality will suffer, even if you can get AF.

The Bigma is a very different lens. Much bigger, much heavier.

If you can, rent one first to make sure it is gong to work for you.

As you shooting with support, or handheld?

Nah, the 150-500mm ain't no Bigma. Bigma is 50-500mm. If you shoot with a tripod, then the Bigma is for you. I have successfully captured some nice bird shots at 1/125s at 500mm when the lens is on the tripod. Otherwise i probably need to keep my shutter speed at least 1/1000s at 500mm handheld.

An, yes, my mistake. Does that lens have a nickname?

I know the new 50-500mm with OS, is called Bigmo. But not sure if the 150-500mm has one.

I did not know that about autofocus. I like my autofocus. I do most work handheld. I have seen some nice shots with the 150-500. How about the 400 with a 1.4?

stlouis_26 wrote in post #13722200
I did not know that about autofocus. I like my autofocus. I do most work handheld. I have seen some nice shots with the 150-500. How about the 400 with a 1.4?

you're still going to have Af issues and you'll be at f8 minimum. and you won't have IS. whether the image quality is up to snuff will be your call.

i'd suggest cropping or getting a longer lens.

ed rader

Thanks to all I will look at a longer lens. I am using the 7d for the birds. I am thinking about adding a full frame camera this spring.

Anything faster than f5.6 at 400 or longer is going to be expensive.

Shooting hand held at 500+ will need high ISo, fast lens or good IS along with good technique!

ed rader wrote in post #13722239
you're still going to have Af issues and you'll be at f8 minimum. and you won't have IS. whether the image quality is up to snuff will be your call.

i'd suggest cropping or getting a longer lens.

ed rader

Is the 100-400 any different from the 70-200 F4L?

I have the Kenko 1.4X on it and I am able to autofocus and the lens/camera report a F5.6

RobDickinson wrote in post #13722268
Anything faster than f5.6 at 400 or longer is going to be expensive.

Shooting hand held at 500+ will need high ISo, fast lens or good IS along with good technique!

Yes and it is a hobby for me so I can't drop a bunch for a fast lens, I have to many other hobbies to support as well.

shankarhokie wrote in post #13722514
Is the 100-400 any different from the 70-200 F4L?

I have the Kenko 1.4X on it and I am able to autofocus and the lens/camera report a F5.6

the 100-400 is slower ... f5.6. plus the IQ isn't as good. the 70-200L f4 IS takes a TC very well and still afs very well. the 100-400L not so much. i really like the 100-400L but it's an ancient lens that could use a refresh and even then won't be great with a TC.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #13722603
the 100-400 is slower ... f5.6. plus the IQ isn't as good. the 70-200L f4 IS takes a TC very well and still afs very well. the 100-400L not so much. i really like the 100-400L but it's an ancient lens that could use a refresh and even then won't be great with a TC.

ed rader

Got you.. Thanks! I was thinking about getting the 100-400 and shooting birds with the 1.4 TC, but might wait and get the 150-500 Sigma.

I had the 100-400mm and a Kenko 1.4 telecon and had autofocus with my 1D but needed to make sure I had plenty o' light as the minimum aperture was f8. You might try renting one of the lenses for a weekend to get more familiar with the reach and IQ. Either way your getting a good lens.