Machine Gunners....can I borrow a Tele-Converter?

Osprey Whisperer

Just a few captures of the gulls from the marina. They were too far from shore for a decent shot. I sure could have used a 400-500mm or one of those evil TCs. Anyone want to give me a Canon 400mm f/2.8 These were cropped heavily..and surely not worth printing (hardly worth posting..either). Just was having posting withdrawl syndrome. Thought I'd put them up for S***s 'n' giggles. High ISO didn't help much either. Hand held 200mm from shore.

Cheers

BMP

windoze

hey, any pic of a gull makes my day! You know what they say about seagulls??

anyway under the circumstances - rather nice catch!!!

troy

jmh

I caught these pelicans with a 500mm Sigma on a Canon EOS 20D from about a quarter mile away and 600 feet up a bluff. I wish I had a 2x converter - it might have turned out better. Location: Torrey Pines State Park, San Diego, CA

Osprey Whisperer

Thanks for looking , folks.

Welcome to Dgrin, JMH. That is a "long" shot indeed. Perhaps a 500mm or longer would have been nice. Watch your step. :uhoh


What do they say about "gulls" ??? Is it that they taste like chicken? Thanks Troy.

BMP

bfjr

Well NO!!
I might not be able to handle the competition :lol4

Does Canon make a TC ???? :lol4 :hide

jmh

Both Canon and Sigma as well as others make 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters which are compatible with the EOS series bodies. The Sigma 50-500 EX series lens I am using has a physical lock to limit it's operation to 100-500 when using a TC, giving a maximum range of 200-1000mm. Not bad for around $1000 for the lens and a converter, and the pictures are pretty good at 500mm even hand held if the light is good.

:

ginger_55

I love all the group shots. I like yours, Birdman, w/o a TC. A TC wouldn't have brought you close enough, and you might have not gotten the groups as nicely.

ginger

Steve Cavigliano

Mike,

Your gulls look just fine

If all you have is 200mm, than that's the best you could have done. At least from a "reach" standpoint. Since you're a prime kinda guy, you really should look into adding at least a 1.4X TC to your bag. I'm pretty happy with the Tamron cheapie ($80). A couple of advantages are that it reports aperture "straight through" (no pin taping required) and that it fits any lens. On a fast lens it doesn't slow the AF down much at all. On a slow lens (like the Bigma) it does

Still, a 1.4X TC will give you an additional 80mm's of reach. Couple that with you 200mm lens and a 1.6X FOV camera and you're out to about 450mm's
Steve

Osprey Whisperer

Thanks folks. Yes Canon makes a couple TCs. I have looked into the 1.4x version. It's about $280....so I thought I might pass on it and apply that towards a 300mm or 400mm instead. I'm sure I'll pick it up sooner or later. It's a nice thing to have. I'm not a big fan of TCs or zooms. Nothing like a sharp prime.


Cheers

BMP

Harryb

Very nice Mike. Good details, sharp, and very well exposed. I have almost always used a 1.4 TC with my primes. I have tried the 1.7 and the 2.0s and was not happy with them. The 1.4s give you that but of extra reach w/o impacting on speed or sharpness.

Osprey Whisperer

Thanks Harry. Yeah...I am leaning towards the 1.4x tele-converter. I would like the reach of the 2X..but have read too many knocks against it. Some swear by the 2X but I've got my doubts. My local camera store is not too helpful when it comes to letting you try out a lens (tc) for a day...and returning it. I've just never liked TCs or zooms. I'd rather do the little bit of cropping in PP if needed. I'll let you all know the minute I step over to the dark side.:uhoh :uhoh :uhoh


Now...aboiut acquiring that Canon 400mm f/2.8. Anyone want to adopt a large kid and spoil me rotten ? :


BMP