Tripod and extender questions

Hello
Tripod question.
I have the following set up mounted on a Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod:
Canon 40D with a Canon 100-400 lens and the Canon EF 1.4x III extender attached.
Lens is attached to tripod using the Canon tripod mount ring.
Using a Acratech 3 inch lens plate and Acratech GP Ballhead.
Everything is secured tight and tripod is level.
What I'm noticing is, with the slightest touch to the camera body , it causes a lot of camera shake. Wind is not a factor as I'm not outside when taking pictures.
Very noticeable when using live view at 10x magnification to focus and it takes at least a couple of seconds for the camera shake to stop after taking my hand off the camera.
I've noticed it with the lens retracted and fully extended.
Is this camera shake to be expected given my set up?
Is this set up too much for the tripod to handle?
If so, what would be a better tripod for this camera/lens combination?
Cost is a factor but, like everything else related to photography, I know a quality tripod will be quite expensive.
I would consider something up to a $800 range but that's at the very top end of what I would want to spend.

Extender question.
I'm renting the 100-400 lens and extender as I'm interested in possibly purchasing both at some point.
Only had both for a day and what I've noticed so far is that due to the lens not being able to auto focus with the extender connected, for me, using this set up handheld, it's basically impossible to get a in focus picture especially at 400mm.
When the extender isn't connected, getting in focus handheld pictures isn't a problem.
Does anyone have any tips to pass along for getting in focus handheld pictures or, would I be limited to having to use a tripod when the extender is used with the lens?

The handheld pictures taken so far have been out an open window but, I'm going out today as it's finally not a grey overcast day and I'll see if the brighter light helps regarding using the extender handheld.
Will keep an eye on the shutter speeds as well.

canongear wrote in post #16935972
Is this camera shake to be expected given my set up?

I would say yes.

canongear wrote in post #16935972
Is this set up too much for the tripod to handle?

Again, I would say yes.

canongear wrote in post #16935972
If so, what would be a better tripod for this camera/lens combination? Cost is a factor but, like everything else related to photography, I know a quality tripod will be quite expensive.
I would consider something up to a $800 range but that's at the very top end of what I would want to spend.

Unfortunately, I have not been in the market for a new tripod for many years. My Bogen/Manfrotto 3051 (which is at least three times the weight of my Manfrotto 3021BPRO) with an appropriate head would probably do the job reasonably well. My 3021BPRO is the equivalent of today's Manfrotto 055 series which is definitely better than the Manfrotto 190 series for rigidity and even the 3021BPRO or 055 series probably isn't sturdy enough for 400mm to 800mm when it's locked down for a still shot.

Unfortunately, I have zero experience with your ball head and thus cannot make any suggestions there.

I use a carbon fibre Manfrotto 055PROB, but without the extending section and I'm also using a Markins M10 ball head. With my 100-400L and the 1.4 converter I see no movement.

I had shake issues with my Manfrotto. The slightest touch would make it buzz.

I have not had that those issues with my new tripod.

Part 2: I would suggest you forgo the 1.4x T-Con.
Or at least, if you do get it, realize it is a weapon of last resort, and use it when you have time for manual focusing.

If you want to shoot hand held @ 560mm (400 x 1.4x) you should look close at the Tamron xx-600mm zoom.

The 100-400mm is a fantastic 100-400mm zoom lens. I love mine, It is not so good as a 560mm zoom lens.

My old Bogen 3221, an aluminum predecessor to the 055 series, wobbled like mad (full height without the column) with a 300mm f/4. I could tap a leg and watch it take several seconds to stop moving. Just like you describe. I upgraded to a Gitzo 3530 carbon fiber and that problem disappeared. I can tap a leg, see it move and settle down immediately. I've had the 3530 in strong winds without noticing any major vibration issues.

I hear the Manfrotto 055 is much improved over my old Bogen, but I have no experience personally.

I suggest a bigger carbon fiber model tripod, regardless of the brand you pick. I think there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to tripods and heads, but there is a practical limit of wallet and weight we'll carry.

I think the Acratech will probably be fine, but it won't matter at all if the legs are shaky.

Now for wildlife, I stopped using a tripod much of the time. Where I go locally for birds has a boardwalk, and it vibrates when anyone walks on it, making a tripod useless. I rely on fast shutter speeds (I try for 1/1000 or higher), good ISO handling, and IS... with the 100-400.

If you often need to add a TC for more reach to the 100-400, then I agree with the advice to consider another lens like the Tamron.

Thanks all for the advice and user experiences.
Although I was able to get some ok hand held images using the extender at shorter focal lengths, I don't see the sense using a extender(based on my limited abilities)if it can only be used for shorter focal lengths hand held with this particular lens.

Really liked the lens though.
Liked the versatility of the focal lengths.

Researched tripods a bit more the past couple of days and I've read user reviews by some people that have spent upwards to $1000 or more on a carbon fibre tripod and still hang some extra weight off the tripod to keep it steady.
Maybe really big lenses being used and extreme conditions are the reason for this?
I've heard of hanging a camera bag or whatever off the tripod for better stability but was kind of surprised that it's done with the high end tripods as well.

It depends on the conditions, even top-end Gitzo and RRS tripods need a helping hand once in a while.

canongear wrote in post #16935972
Extender question.
I'm renting the 100-400 lens and extender as I'm interested in possibly purchasing both at some point.
Only had both for a day and what I've noticed so far is that due to the lens not being able to auto focus with the extender connected, for me, using this set up handheld, it's basically impossible to get a in focus picture especially at 400mm.
When the extender isn't connected, getting in focus handheld pictures isn't a problem.
Does anyone have any tips to pass along for getting in focus handheld pictures or, would I be limited to having to use a tripod when the extender is used with the lens?

The handheld pictures taken so far have been out an open window but, I'm going out today as it's finally not a grey overcast day and I'll see if the brighter light helps regarding using the extender handheld.
Will keep an eye on the shutter speeds as well.

Extenders aren't typically compatible with lenses having a minimum aperture greater than f/4.
As in the case of the 100-400L your lens becomes an f/8 lens at 400mm and your 40D will no longer autofocus. If you want to go longer than 400mm you need a different solution than the 100-400 + 1.4x.
See compatibility chart below
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ts/canon1_4xExt​ender.html