canon 400mm prime+1.4 con or bigma

[canonman]

im looking for a bit more reach when birding and cant decide whether to go for the bigma 50-500 or the canon 400 prime with tc if i can raise the extra for the canon.It will be used on a 30d so any thought comments would be most welcome.

[IanF]

I'm mostly a Canon 400mm f5,6 user which I think is just about the perfect walk around lens when you're out birding and wandering around. Adding a teleconverter you do need to use at least a monopod though. If you can manage the size and weight then the 50-500mm is a first rate lens from the results I've seen - but I think it does need some extra support to hold it steady.

I wouldn't rule out the Canon 100-400mm as well - it seems to work particularlay well with the 30D even with teleconverter added and of course you have the advantage of IS as well.

[K-Lex]

Canon 400mm + 1.4x TC would be my choice. Nothing against the Bigma. It is more expensive though. Also look at the Tamron 200-500 and the Sigma 170-500. I love primes, I really do but they do lack the flexibility of zooms. Depends what you value more....

[David Smith]

If your happy to go with the zoom then (as others say) I would put the 100-400 into the equation.
When using the Canon 30D + 100-400+ TC I know you can retain AF (by taping the pins)-can the Bigma do this ? Worth Checking as I think it's an important consideration.

[murgur]

They say on a forum that if you use Tamron 1.4x TC with Canon 400mm f/5.6, you don't need to tape the pins for AF. Most of the bird photographers in Turkey sold their Sigma 50-500 and Canon 100-400 and bought a Canon 400mm f/5.6. It is really sharp and focuses very fast.
www.trakus.org

[stevo]

You will lose AF with a 1.4tc on the Bigma.

Steve.

[Roy C]

The 400mm f5.6 and 30D works well with a taped tc but obviously the AF will be slower at times. BTW taping a tc is no big deal, all you need is a piece of sellotape and 30 seconds of your time. IMO it is far better to use a good quality converter with the pins taped (Canon or Kenko Pro) than a poor quality converter that you do not need to tape.
The 400mm f5.6 is very easy to hand hold by itself but when using with a 1.4tc I would advocate using a mono/ tripod.