Info. on a Lens

[Reg]

I am considering buying a Sigma OS 150-500 F5-6.3 Lens for my Canon T1i
My question is,   Can anyone tell me if it is compatible with the Sigma AF 1.4 or the 2X Converters

The Sigma AF 1.4X EX DG APO CONVERTER CANON
                        OR
The Sigma 2X EX DG APO TELE CANON

Thanks Reg.

[Michael Tam]

I am not a Canon user, but the general rule of tele-convertor application for most manufacturers limit the AF function to f5.6 as well as optimal performance with the use of prime telephoto lens.  For my Sigma 400 5.6 APO with 1.4x matching convertor, the image degradation was significant whereas the AF continuously hunt to lock focus in good lighting. Please read the links:

For Sigma technical requirement:
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150-500m ... -hsm-sigma
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-500mm ... -hsm-sigma
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/acc/condaitr.htm
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-lens-te ... lity-chart

For Sigma 150-500 & 50-500 OS review:
http://www.stockholmviews.com/sigma_150 ... page1.html
http://www.lenstip.com/244.1-Lens_revie ... S_HSM.html
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00WcFU

Hope it is helpful.  Good birding and photography.

[Kin Lau]

Both TC's will fit, but neither will allow AF. I have both TC's and have used them with my 50-500 in manual focus and video modes (AF doesn't work in video mode anyhow).

[Reg]

Thanks Kin.
Thanks Michael, the links did help a lot.
My other option is the Canon 100-400MM/4.5-5.6L IS USM
but it is much more expensive, however I don't know if it would be a better fit.

Reg.

[Michael Tam]

With regard to the use of a tele-convertor on a zoom, this is an example where this photographer uses a Canon 70-200 f2.8 + 2x with excellent optical performance:

http://www.amoghavarsha.com/

Since budget is always a concern, this thread discussed the choice of a bird photography lens with this consideration in mind:

http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00WIwp

For the Canon lens line-up, one should consider the 300 f4 and 400 f5.6 apart from the choice of 100-400 f4.5-5.6.  Please see the lens review below:

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos

Good birding and photography.

[Kin Lau]

The Canon 100-400 won't work with a 1.4x or 2x TC.

I also have both the EF 300/4IS and EF 400/5.6 as well. I use the EF300/4IS with a 1.4x TC, my wife uses the EF400/5.6 most of the time. AF speed is _very_ good with the EF400/5.6L and EF300/4IS + 1.4x TC is pretty good.

I have a Sigma 70-200/2.8, and with a 2x TC, the AF speed is rather slow for birding, my 50-500 is faster.

I miss the flexibility of the 50-500 sometimes, but the AF speed is a good trade-off. If I'm out and about doing more general shooting, then I still occasionally grab the 50-500.

[Reg]

Thanks Michael for the extra links, there's a lot to think about here.

Reg

[Reg]

Thanks Kin
The 100 -400 say's it's compatible with the 1.4X and 2X extenders.
Does that mean only the Canon extenders, and not the Sigma ones??

Reg

[Michael Tam]

With regard to the use of tele-convertor, the general rule for best optical performance is the use of Matching convertor by the same manufacturer.  It is kind of the same idea of using the same maker's lens on your eye-glasses.

The Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 is a quality optics.  However, one would operate at f8 with 1.4x and f11 with 2x convertors, both without AF.  Consder the crop factor of 1.6x on a Canon sensor, it is already a long reach compared to the film days.  Study the details of the lens review may give clue to its performance with a tele-convertor:

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/204-c ... rt--review

As with price consideration, here are the price listing at my trusted professional store, Downtown Camera.  Always keep in mind the tele-convertor works best with prime lens, including 300 f4 (with AF) and 400 f5.6 (no AF):

http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=2
http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=2
http://www.downtowncamera.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=2

Good birding and photography.

[Kin Lau]

Thanks Kin
The 100 -400 say's it's compatible with the 1.4X and 2X extenders.
Does that mean only the Canon extenders, and not the Sigma ones??

Reg

It'll fit, but you won't have AF. That's the difference btwn "compatible" and "works"

ps. You can actually have AF as well on a 1D or 1Ds series body with a 1.4x TC, but you have a T1i, so that doesn't help.

[Vince]

I have that Sigma lens with a Nikon fit. I also have a Kenko 1.4. It will autofocus but it's slow and lighting must me very good. I seldom use the converter with that lens

[Michael Tam]

This review on the Canon lens line-up for Wildlife Photography may be helpful to your decision:

http://www.wildlife-photography-tips.co ... enses.html

Good birding and photography

[Reg]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I am new to Birding, the lens I am currently using is a 55-250f/4-5.6 IS
I get pretty good shots with it but I have to be fairly close and that is not always
possible, I was thinking that doubling to a 500 lens would give me better shots from
a distance. Maybe I should forget about the TC for now, and go for the lens itself.
Also maybe it would be a good idea to rent one first to try

Thanks again
Reg.

[newfoundlander61]

I shoot Nikon and Canon is a very good line of camera. Sigma lenses are pretty good but a dedicated canon lense would serve you better long term. Regardless which lense you buy the 400-500mm range will be perfect for a carry around lense for birding. I would not buy a TC for now and get the lense, I have never used a TC but its a personal choice.

[lovetobird]

I totally agree with what Paul had to say. I started off with a Rebel XS/ 55-250 combo and moved to the 50D/100-400 about six months ago and at the time was considering the 1.4 extender as well but didn't end up getting it and I never even thought about it again, until now ;-) No matter what lens you get you'll be happy with the upgrade and can get great pictures but I would echo Paul and get a Canon lens, if you can afford it, the 100-400. I'm not at all putting down Sigma, it's just that every photog around me that went with the Sigma 150-500 ended up getting a Canon lens within a year.

Nathan