lens advise

[Peter Cook]

Can anybody give me advise on this lens
Canon 100-400 with a 1.4 extender
I have a Canon Eos20 D with these lenses All Canon
10-22
17-85 Is
70-300 DOS Is
Planning to get Canon 100-400 L Is lens
Is this lens good using 1.4 Extenders or not
2X extender ?
I know I loose 1 to 2 stops using them.
Using extenders should I stick to Canon or venture out to other brands.
Will I loose the Auto focus?
is there a extender I could use on my Canon 70-300 DOS Is lens


Peter Cook

[Andy]

Can anybody give me advise on this lens
Canon 100-400 with a 1.4 extender
I have a Canon Eos20 D with these lenses All Canon
10-22
17-85 Is
70-300 DOS Is
Planning to get Canon 100-400 L Is lens
Is this lens good using 1.4 Extenders or not
2X extender ?
I know I loose 1 to 2 stops using them.
Using extenders should I stick to Canon or venture out to other brands.
Will I loose the Auto focus?
is there a extender I could use on my Canon 70-300 DOS Is lens

Peter Cook

Peter - did you get my email? I hope so :D Anyway, a lens I can recommend very highly is Canon's 400 f/5.6L - pair it with the 1.4x extender from Tamron (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=53109&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and it will still autofocus on the 20D. Check out windoze.smugmug.com he uses this lens a lot. Also Daniella T. (www.pbase.com/zylen) uses the 400 5.6L and the Tamron converter for lots of birding.

You cannot use an extender on the 70-300 DO IS lens, to my knowledge.

Best of luck in your quest,

[Peter Cook]

Question,
Since I asked about a Canon 100-400 Lens plus Extenders you gave your opinion I notice that there are no places for other people to give there opinion
on advise that I asked is this the way I get all answers or will others answer .
I noticed before it was moved people had looked but now there is only a - that is all and no placefor others to give there opinion.
This is the problem on the answers I have been given from stores

Peter Cook



Can anybody give me advise on this lens
Canon 100-400 with a 1.4 extender
I have a Canon Eos20 D with these lenses All Canon
10-22
17-85 Is
70-300 DOS Is
Planning to get Canon 100-400 L Is lens
Is this lens good using 1.4 Extenders or not
2X extender ?
I know I loose 1 to 2 stops using them.
Using extenders should I stick to Canon or venture out to other brands.
Will I loose the Auto focus?
is there a extender I could use on my Canon 70-300 DOS Is lens


Peter Cook

[windoze]

you would be wiser to get the 400 f5.6. The 100-400 L is not that sharp at 400.



troy


Can anybody give me advise on this lens
Canon 100-400 with a 1.4 extender
I have a Canon Eos20 D with these lenses All Canon
10-22
17-85 Is
70-300 DOS Is
Planning to get Canon 100-400 L Is lens
Is this lens good using 1.4 Extenders or not
2X extender ?
I know I loose 1 to 2 stops using them.
Using extenders should I stick to Canon or venture out to other brands.
Will I loose the Auto focus?
is there a extender I could use on my Canon 70-300 DOS Is lens


Peter Cook

[Andy]

Question,
Since I asked about a Canon 100-400 Lens plus Extenders you gave your opinion I notice that there are no places for other people to give there opinion
on advise that I asked is this the way I get all answers or will others answer .
I noticed before it was moved people had looked but now there is only a - that is all and no placefor others to give there opinion.
This is the problem on the answers I have been given from stores

Peter Cook

Peter - this post belongs in this forum, that's why I moved it here :D

Anyone who cares to can respond to this thread. In fact, windoze, has, and he's got experience with the 100-400 and the 400 f/5.6L. I recommended the 400 f/5.6L to you because you already have a big zoom, the 100-300...

All the best,

[Andy]

Peter - this post belongs in this forum, that's why I moved it here :D

Anyone who cares to can respond to this thread. In fact, windoze, has, and he's got experience with the 100-400 and the 400 f/5.6L. I recommended the 400 f/5.6L to you because you already have a big zoom, the 100-300...

All the best,

Bump for Peter :)

[pathfinder]

Hi Peter - The Canon 1.4 TC WILL work with the Canon 100-400 IS L zoom. I have used it this way. And Canon says their 1.4 TC II and 2.0 TC II will work with the 100-400 zoom also. The 70-300 DO IS will not allow the optics of the TC room to fit, and Canon does not list it as compatible either.

I do not recommend the 100-400 + TC for two reasons. Like Windoze said, the 100-400 is not as sharp as a good prime lens at 400mm, and will be worse with the TC. Also, flare will increase significantly also. Used without a TC, the 100-400 can give good results in good light.

Here is the link to Canon's site about the 100-400 - I like this lens and use it, but it is not equal to their better primes. - http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=150&modelid=7344

[maddernc]

Howdy Peter

I have the 100-400 L IS and a x2 extender and use the lens regularly. You will lose the autofocus with the x2. With care you can still get a good image with the extender but its no a sure thing. While a prime will usually always be sharper you can still get a good sharp image with the 100-400. Again this can depend on the particular one you get. Always test a couple in the shop if you can.
Admittedly I do not use the extender that much any more as the loss of the 2 stops when shooting wildlife in the magic light of dawn or dusk is a bit of a drawback, even with digital. Also remember that your technique has to be spot on, a 400 is a big lens, add the x2 and the "free" magnification provided by the 20D and you have some serious reach. Which translates to, its bloody hard to keep it still, even with a tripod and IS :):
All up though I am very happy with my 100-400 IS

Cain

[pathfinder]

Howdy Peter

I have the 100-400 L IS and a x2 extender and use the lens regularly. You will lose the autofocus with the x2. With care you can still get a good image with the extender but its no a sure thing. While a prime will usually always be sharper you can still get a good sharp image with the 100-400. Again this can depend on the particular one you get. Always test a couple in the shop if you can.
Admittedly I do not use the extender that much any more as the loss of the 2 stops when shooting wildlife in the magic light of dawn or dusk is a bit of a drawback, even with digital. Also remember that your technique has to be spot on, a 400 is a big lens, add the x2 and the "free" magnification provided by the 20D and you have some serious reach. Which translates to, its bloody hard to keep it still, even with a tripod and IS :):
All up though I am very happy with my 100-400 IS

Cain


I agree wholeheartedly - when you begin to go out past 400mm - particularly with the 1.6 Mag factor bodies - technique REALLY gets critical or things get blurred in a hurry due to camera movement - even with a tripod. Mirror Lock UP really comes into its own out here.

[Bob Bell]

This is a very interesting thread to me because I am learning wildlife / landscape and until I feel I am good enough for a 500/4 IS, I am trying to find a 400mm solution. A lot of people have recommended the 100-400 because it has IS.

I didnt know there was a TC that didnt report itself so I'm wondering how good of light do you need with a 400/5.6 + tamron TC and do you need to make any adjustments when doing this? BTW is there a specific tamron TC?

I have a 70-200 +1.4 that I use for sports. Having this lens would the 400/5.6 be a better fit? I have no problems hauling a tripod and MLU (have shot advertising and product on a tripod and MLU for years).

[gluwater]

Bob - Even though the Tamron TC does not report aperture you still loose light, so you are still effectively shooting at f/8. A 20D will not auto focus with the 400 f/5.6 and the Canon 1.4 TC, but it will still autofocus with the Tamron 1.4 TC as long as there is enough available light. I believe the 1 series bodies will still AF with the 400 and Canon TC though. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Bob Bell]

Bob - Even though the Tamron TC does not report aperture you still loose light, so you are still effectively shooting at f/8. A 20D will not auto focus with the 400 f/5.6 and the Canon 1.4 TC, but it will still autofocus with the Tamron 1.4 TC as long as there is enough available light. I believe the 1 series bodies will still AF with the 400 and Canon TC though. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The diaphram in the lens is still open at 5.6 so the only additional light loss would he what the optics in the TC eat up. A Canon TC doesnt lose 1 full stop of light, the electronics in the lens is doing that. There obviously isnt a diaphram restriction because they work on the 200/1.8.

I dont use lenses slower than 2.8 so I havent tested that only the Center AF point works on a 1DmkII at F8 but either way, I would like to hear 1st hand useability experience. Canon make a 200-400/4 IS :)

BTW, what burb are you in? I grew up in Waukegan and Gurnee (less than a mile from 6 flags)

[Rohirrim]

I have the 100-400 mm lens a 1.4xTC and a 2xTC. I now have the 500 mm L and have become a Prime Lens convert.

Heres some of my thoughts
The zoom is nice, makes it versatile.
The IS is a very nice feature
It can be very sharp, however a prime lens is sharper, especially at 400 mm.
The image quality suffers dramatically with the TC's. I would not recommend using them. It is very difficult to get a good sharp image
You lose autofocus with the 2xTC. I can't remember if it will autofocus with the 1.4
When shooting wildlife I was at 400 mm the vast majority of the time.I know this isn't your question but I agree with the other posters in that since you already have a 70-300 zoom, I would really consider the prime 400 5.6.

Heres a sample image taken with the 100-400mm
http://rohirrim.smugmug.com/photos/41647364-L.jpg
EXIF (http://rohirrim.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=41647364)

While I really like this lens, I still think that the 400 mm 5.6 is better choice if your going for nature/birds.

Regards,

[gluwater]

The diaphram in the lens is still open at 5.6 so the only additional light loss would he what the optics in the TC eat up. A Canon TC doesnt lose 1 full stop of light, the electronics in the lens is doing that. There obviously isnt a diaphram restriction because they work on the 200/1.8.

I dont use lenses slower than 2.8 so I havent tested that only the Center AF point works on a 1DmkII at F8 but either way, I would like to hear 1st hand useability experience. Canon make a 200-400/4 IS :)

BTW, what burb are you in? I grew up in Waukegan and Gurnee (less than a mile from 6 flags)

I agree that the diaphragm would stil be open at 5.6 and that the TC optics would eat up some light but I have also read you loose additional light because the lens is further from the sensor because of the TC. How much actual light is lost, I can't tell you that but you are probably right that it isn't quite as much as being at f/8. I'm sure Andy or Pathfinder could probably be more specific about this.
I'm not completely sure what you mean about the diaphragm restriction and the 200/1.8 though. I wish I only used lenses faster than 2.8, it must be nice, maybe some day.

I'm in Riverside, it's right between Berwyn and Brookfield.

[David_S85]

Anyone considering the 100-400 vs. a 400 prime should read this review of the now decade+ old 400 5.6 L at luminous-landscape.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtml

The 400, as well as the Tamron 1.4x basic TC (don't get their higher end model). The more of you guys and girls that buy one of these, the better chances I'll have of picking up a slightly used one in a month or two. :lol3


I'm in Riverside, it's right between Berwyn and Brookfield.


Ah yes, Riverside. Your old water tower is looking mighty nice these days!
http://www.dgrin.davidwattsphotography.com/riversidetower.jpg

[ginger_55]

Why would they be selling their 400 prime in a month or two, plus the Tamron?

And, I am still trying to find out if the Tamron 1.4 extender slows up the AF on the 400 prime, like a taped (that makes the AF work) 1.4 Canon does.

I have the 400 and the 1.4 Canon. I love the 400, not selling.

ginger

[gluwater]

That's a nice shot David, one of the better one's I've seen of the water tower. It's also good to see a shot from you, you should post them more often. So when you say get the cheaper Tamron you are talking about the normal one, not the SP Pro. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=tamron+1.4+Teleconverter+for+Canon+EOS&image.x=0&image.y=0)
If I read it correctly the Sp Pro acts like the Canon TC and is only meant for lenses 2.8 or faster.

I'm planning on getting the 400 and Tamron 1.4TC combo sometime this week for the Florida trip. I may even be feeling generous and let you test it out David. I know you've been looking into them for a while now.

[David_S85]

I'm planning on getting the 400 and Tamron 1.4TC combo sometime this week for the Florida trip.


Gonna meet Harry and go birding?


That's a nice shot David, one of the better one's I've seen of the water tower.

The shot is from one week ago, and on a very cloudy yuck day, taken in front of The Riverside Garage. (Mother in Law lives in the apt's right behind it). I'm glad they finally got the scaffolding and tarps down and put that thing bach on display again. Now they need to trim those bushes back and update the two control buildings next to it.


So when you say get the cheaper Tamron you are talking about the normal one, not the SP Pro. (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=tamron+1.4+Teleconverter+for+Canon+EOS&image.x=0&image.y=0)


Yes, the cheaper black model, so I hear, doesn't report aperture.


I may even be feeling generous and let you test it out David. I know you've been looking into them for a while now.


Now that's the spirit! I may take you up on that dealy-o. I'm looking to be good to go with a 400 and a TC by the Shootout. Lots of prep needed for that trip still.