Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 EX OS

Pic taken with Canon 1dx & Sigma 120-300 (Sports) lens using a Sigma 2 x convertor. Focal length = 377, iso = 400, aperture = f/7.1 & shutter = 1/100

Now that's an intimidating look!

No sports to shoot so I've been focusing on finding birds.

Hi Jelloneck, every one of these shots is a lovely composition, very strong poses, I really like them. However, also, in every one of these shots the subject birds look a little soft, as if the focus point is off by a bit? Or perhaps it's shutter seed? (though OS would help with that)

EDIT: Went to your flickr page and saw that they are all with 2X, maybe this is the cause?

yeah, there's some inconsistent front and back focussing in amongst this batch. The #2 and #3 both look back focussed (easy to see in #3), #4 looks front focussed and #5 looks like focus hit the stalk somewhere around the bird's feet rather than the head.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #17571831
Hi Jelloneck, every one of these shots is a lovely composition, very strong poses, I really like them. However, also, in every one of these shots the subject birds look a little soft, as if the focus point is off by a bit? Or perhaps it's shutter seed? (though OS would help with that)

EDIT: Went to your flickr page and saw that they are all with 2X, maybe this is the cause?

smythie wrote in post #17572868
yeah, there's some inconsistent front and back focussing in amongst this batch. The #2 and #3 both look back focussed (easy to see in #3), #4 looks front focussed and #5 looks like focus hit the stalk somewhere around the bird's feet rather than the head.

I've noticed the focus issue now that I've been shooting birds. When I was shooting track and field or baseball I didnt see the issue so I'm pretty sure its with the 2x extender. Well that and I know my technique is not perfect with birds. Bird photographers do you typically use single point focus and aim for the eyes? I've been using this lens handheld and with the weight and focal length I typically use single point expanded on my 7dII. That is probably not helping getting perfectly sharp in focus images. Thanks again for the feedback.

I do plan to work on either MA my camera or using the sigma dock to correct the focusing issues. I'll hopefully have time this weekend.

Jelloneck wrote in post #17573787
I've noticed the focus issue now that I've been shooting birds. When I was shooting track and field or baseball I didnt see the issue so I'm pretty sure its with the 2x extender. Well that and I know my technique is not perfect with birds. Bird photographers do you typically use single point focus and aim for the eyes? I've been using this lens handheld and with the weight and focal length I typically use single point expanded on my 7dII. That is probably not helping getting perfectly sharp in focus images. Thanks again for the feedback.

I do plan to work on either MA my camera or using the sigma dock to correct the focusing issues. I'll hopefully have time this weekend.

i definitely use single point focus for all static bird shots...if i am close enough, and the bird is not moving, i will switch out of center point, and aim for the eye...if the bird is farther away, i typically leave it in center, and aim for the eye, as I will typically end up cropping in post anyways, and then i can crop for composition as well...if it's moving, i just aim for something to be in focus

here's some with the 2X as well...

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tiiw​Cy

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tiFq​vP

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tiGE​hV

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/t24D​oC

Jelloneck wrote in post #17573787
....Bird photographers do you typically use single point focus and aim for the eyes? ....

In the past my default has been single point with expansion on.

With the 7D2 and it's new zone controller, I am free to change this at will without taking my eye off the viewfinder, so I find I am using single point, and larger zones much more often than I did with my previous 1D bodies (and 5D3) where making the switch required diving into menus. I still tend to favor single point with expansion to start, but can adjust to the demands of the subject on the fly.

It's quite amazing to go from more than ten years of having a setting that had been "set and forget" to "adjust on the fly"
And it's a very good change!

Jelloneck try stopping down to 6.3 when you use the 2x TC. I think you'll find it will make a big difference. Great job catching the hummers Dre! Nice work on the flowers Jason

Haven't really had the chance to photograph the hummers this year. I caught this guy perching at dusk. F7.1, ISO400, 1/80thsec, 600mm

Wonderful hummingbird shots DreDaze and Pax! I cant wait until they return to my area!

I was having issues getting tact sharp images of birds the other day, although I was shooting wide open with the 2x extender and in less than ideal light. Today since I had better light, I dropped down to f8/f9. I was thinking I was going to have to do some mfa but today has me second guessing that decision. I'll hopefully get out tomorrow to shoot more and I'll see how it performs wide open.

Playing with extension tubes again.

The June Bugs have hatched. F7.1, ISO400, 2x TC, 65mm extension, 1/160, FL 271mm. No crop.

Excellent stuff. The last time I tried mine on my D4 with extension tubes (a Kenko set) the lens or camera refused to lock focus. The lens would continually rack in and out. I ended up giving up and manually focussing

I actually had issues with a Kenko made set as well. (I have since used 2 of those tubes to make adapters for astrophotography)