400 5.6 + 1.4 TC

Has anyone here used this combo? If so what are your thoughts on the results?

I should be able to use with my MK3 and still achieve AF correct?

Not used it but I've seen good results with it. You will still get AF but it will only be the centre point. If I was in your situation I'd get the Sigma 500mm.

Neil

da_nige wrote in post #5650757
Not used it but I've seen good results with it. You will still get AF but it will only be the centre point. If I was in your situation I'd get the Sigma 500mm.

Neil

The Sigma I was looking at is the EX HSM APO version not the DG so I'm rethinking that decision.

Personally (and I have nothing at all to back this up) I think that DG lenses are just a gimmick by Sigma to use as an excuse to bump the prices up. I want a 500mm lens and the Sigma non-DG will probably be what I get when I can afford it as the price for a used one is quite attractive.

I have used a non-DG lens on a digital body and I have never seen ghosting which is supposedly why they brought out DG lenses.

da_nige wrote in post #5650810
Personally (and I have nothing at all to back this up) I think that DG lenses are just a gimmick by Sigma to use as an excuse to bump the prices up. I want a 500mm lens and the Sigma non-DG will probably be what I get when I can afford it as the price for a used one is quite attractive.

I have used a non-DG lens on a digital body and I have never seen ghosting which is supposedly why they brought out DG lenses.

Thanks,

I talked to Sigma today and they said that the difference on the DG was coatings on the glass for the digital bodies. he told me that with the super telephoto lens there shouldn't be an issue due to the rear element being so far away from the body.

Just left me with doubt between the non DG and the DG version and he couldn't pinpoint the date as i gave them a serial # and said was produced between 98-05 after 05 the DG was introduced.

Here is a test shot I took this afternoon with the 400 f5.6, 40D and Stacked 1.4 tc's. Still some detail there. The EXIF does not show a tc because the Canon one next to the lens was taped.
With just one 1.4tc I have had some fairly good results but to get AF on my 30D/40D I have to tape the pins on the tc of course. I find it best to stop down to f8 when using a tc with this lens.

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Roy,
The stack....is that one by Canon and the other a Kenko?

tomd wrote in post #5651254
Roy,
The stack....is that one by Canon and the other a Kenko?

Yep, Canon 1.4 and Kenko Pro 300 1.4.

You can get some very good results if you have a super steady platform to work from, so either beanbag, tripod or possibly a monopod. I did some tests with the 2.0x a while back and good results. You do have to get everything right and you're dependant on quality of light, but same with any shot ... just more so IMO. The 1.4x AF's Ok on a 1D the 2.0x you need MF. I don't do the tape trick.

[1] 400mm

Gliderparentntn wrote in post #5650858
Just left me with doubt between the non DG and the DG version and he couldn't pinpoint the date as i gave them a serial # and said was produced between 98-05 after 05 the DG was introduced.

Serial number isn't necessary for ID if you have a photo of the lens. DG version of the 500 has black nameplate with all gold lettering and "EX DG" imprinted on it. Non-DG has black nameplate with white lettering, a red line separator and "EX HSM" imprinted on it.

I have that combo, and have used it. Of course, with the 5D I lose AF...but, for birds in flight, f/8 and MF isn't all that bad. Just gotta hope that you have some decent light to keep up the Shutter Speed.

I've used them with very good results.

The Canon 1.4x TC is very high quality. I've used it with a 300 f/4L, 400 f/5.6L and 70-200 f/4L. It's very hard, if possible to tell it is there if you didn't know.

Condy, those are excellent, especially the eagle. Wow.

Roy C wrote in post #5651241
...I find it best to stop down to f8 when using a tc with this lens.[

But with a 1.4x TC this lens is essentially an f/8 - do you mean stopping down to f/11?

Thanks guys for your input and samples.

My initial idea was to sell the lens to help fund a sigma 500 mm 4.5 but it not being a DG lens it has left me skeptical of the lens and the 2000.00 plus price tag with it for IQ and AF speed
Then my delima on the 400 5.6 and a 1.4 is now I'm at f 8 and now I'm gonna need to bump ISO up to get my shutter speed back if needed.

So what do I do? I surely don't know

Any ideas?

It's great:
http://home.earthlink.​net/~ladlueck3/sharp56​0.htm