Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG HSM

Reed Goodwin wrote in post #3640780
I do. I'll try to post some tomorrow. You can also search for threads by me in the Bird forum since most of those are taken with the 100-300mm.
Reed

Some very nice work .

[QUOTE=photobitz;36532​01]I guess not quite hand-held... I was sitting on the ground and resting the lens on my knee. It's a super lens and I am definitely impressed with it although I can now appreciate why people love IS at long focal lengths. Weight is a bit of an issue if you are shooting for long periods of time so a monopod would be beneficial (next on my to-buy list )

If Sigma stuck OS in this lens it would be killer although that would increase the price at least 50% and make it even heavier.[/quote]

Yes OS would be nice. But it is still a great lens. Add a tc and it still performs great. In the 100-300mm range, or the 70-300 range, it just can't be beat.
Unless you get the EX 120-300mm 2.8.

I tried this lens out today. It did seem to be fast and sharp but it would not auto focus with a kenco 2x teleplus pro 300, this is on a mk2n. It would just not lock on to anything. Which converter do you guys use? and could you also post a few pictures with the converters in action. Below is one of my first shots with this lens.

Thanks

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f1nut wrote in post #3668546
I tried this lens out today. It did seem to be fast and sharp but it would not auto focus with a kenco 2x teleplus pro 300, this is on a mk2n. It would just not lock on to anything. Which converter do you guys use? and could you also post a few pictures with the converters in action. Below is one of my first shots with this lens.

Thanks

I use the Sigma 1.4x and 2x DG EX extenders. It only autofocuses with the 1.4x (f/5.6) on my 30D. The 1.4 works great, the 2x only so-so. I have no hesitation using the 1.4x, but the 2x only if I'm desperate. Heck, I've even put both extenders on, but its FL is not reported correctly (840mm is reported as 552mm). Below is an example (and 100% crop) with both extenders, with Auto Levels adjustment in PSCS3.

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OK, nothing too fancy. Here are four full-frame shots of the same thing at f/11 (except 840mm; see next post) with my Sigma 100-300. Shots are at 300mm (no TC), 420mm (1.4x TC), 600mm (2x TC) and 840mm (2x/1.4x TC stacked).

First two at 300mm and 420mm.

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And at 600mm and 840mm. I think the 840mm lens was probably at f/16 (one stop down) because with both TC on it seems to report the 2x TC (i.e., it's one stop off).

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I think I should mention that the AF does dull down with a TC on. With a 1.4x it will still AF, but I found it a fair bit slower and not as accurate. It tends to hunt around more frequently. For a stationary subject (like the goose I posted previously) it's fine, but I took it out today to shoot some hawks in flight and was a bit disappointed with the tracking speed.

Has anyone else noticed this or do I just need practice?

Thanks guys

I guess that I now need to get my hands on these?

http://www.7dayshop.co​m …h=777_1&product​s_id=99499

http://www.7dayshop.co​m …h=777_1&product​s_id=99553

Are these the right sort of converters that I need and is this the ones you guys use???.

f1nut wrote in post #3671501
Thanks guys

I guess that I now need to get my hands on these?

http://www.7dayshop.co​m …h=777_1&product​s_id=99499

http://www.7dayshop.co​m …h=777_1&product​s_id=99553

Are these the right sort of converters that I need and is this the ones you guys use???.

Errr... not the second link... that one's for the evil N*k*n!!!

Oh well spotted. I have ordered a x2 from park cameras so that should have me up and running in the next few days

photobitz wrote in post #3671477
I think I should mention that the AF does dull down with a TC on. With a 1.4x it will still AF, but I found it a fair bit slower and not as accurate. It tends to hunt around more frequently. For a stationary subject (like the goose I posted previously) it's fine, but I took it out today to shoot some hawks in flight and was a bit disappointed with the tracking speed.

Has anyone else noticed this or do I just need practice?

What Tc was you using ? I use the Sigma 1.4 and it works fine. I tried a kenco and it seemed to hunt more and slowed it down some. Same thing when I tried it with my EX 50-150mm , so I just use the Sigma Tc.

I haven't tried a 2x Tc. I think thats asking too much, and you loose AF.

CountryBoy wrote in post #3672051
What Tc was you using ? I use the Sigma 1.4 and it works fine. I tried a kenco and it seemed to hunt more and slowed it down some. Same thing when I tried it with my EX 50-150mm , so I just use the Sigma Tc.

I haven't tried a 2x Tc. I think thats asking too much, and you loose AF.

Was with the canon 1.4x... as per my post on the last page.

photobitz wrote in post #3672084
Was with the canon 1.4x... as per my post on the last page.

That's what I get for posting before the first cup of coffee.

I never tried the cannon.

Hmmm... now that I try it without the TC, I think the speed is ok but the accurancy does seem to be off. Me shooting without a pod probably doesn't help with tracking though!

The way I understand it the lens will be a F8 when used with the times 2 converter which I believe will still auto focus with a 1dn11.

Could I get some ppl to post some f/4 pics (with 100% crops too)? Something furry or feathered would be nice so we can see the level of detail.

I'd just like something to compare my shots to...