Any Canon 100-400 to Bigma switchers out there?

[Terrence]

I am seriouslly looking at selling my Canon 100-400 L and buying a Bigma to get the extra 100mm reach for the birdies. Are there any switchers here that can comment on their experience? Do you regret it? Did you go back?

[andymillson]

I am seriouslly looking at selling my Canon 100-400 L and buying a Bigma to get the extra 100mm reach for the birdies. Are there any switchers here that can comment on their experience? Do you regret it? Did you go back?

I have not used the 100-400 as yet, and likely will not, as I have the Bigma, but before you replace the canon lens it worth your while to get a 1.4x Teleconverter and try that first. At the long end the Bigma is a f/6.3. Add 1 stop to the f/5.6 of the canon and you will get a 140-560 f/8. 1/2 a stop slower (if my math is right), but it is the Canon L glass. This is the way I woyld go if I were you

Andy

[Terrence]

Thanks for the advice. I have to check, but I think I'll lose AF with a 1.4TX. I have a Rebel XT and I think it's a limitation of that body.

[sirsloop]

The ol tape trick may fool the body...

[andymillson]

Thanks for the advice. I have to check, but I think I'll lose AF with a 1.4TX. I have a Rebel XT and I think it's a limitation of that body.

Good point, you might well lose it at f/8

[pathfinder]

My Tamron SP 200-500 f5.6-6.3 Di LD IF will autofocus with my 20D in good light, so the f5.6 limit for the 20D to AF has a little slack in it. But I am sure the 20D does not AF at f8, even tho is will at f6.3

Lots of folks do use the 1.4TC with Canon's 100-400 lens. But I am not one of them, generally TCs and zooms do not play well together.

[Terrence]

Fair enough. I'll see if I can borrow a TC from someone in my local club to
see what happens.

[sirsloop]

Don't forget the 100-400L has IS, and is VERY handholdable. The Bigma on the other hand, 100mm longer, no IS, and gets quite large.

[Terrence]

More good points. I think I've been talked off the ledge.

[jdryan3]

More good points. I think I've been talked off the ledge.

:thwak

[sirsloop]

lol... I'm just stating the facts :rofl

[kdog]

Thanks for the advice. I have to check, but I think I'll lose AF with a 1.4TX. I have a Rebel XT and I think it's a limitation of that body.
I have the 100-400 and have experimented with both the Canon TC1.4x and the Kenko Pro 300 DG teleconverters. The Canon will not autofocus even with taped pins on the TC. However, the Kenko autofocuses perfectly with taped pins. The cheaper Tamron TC doesn't even need taping, because it doesn't adjust the aperature reporting anyway. However, the image quality of the Kenko is reportedly better. I was quite surprised how good the image quality is with the TC on the 100-400. Very little degradation.

BTW, I really love my 100-400.

Regards,
-joel

[Terrence]

More good advice. Man am I happy I found the Grin!! Thanks all around.

[BigAl]

Liquidstone has found a 100-400 which is as good as a 400 F5.6
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/100_400is