400/5.6 + stacked tc's

[Roy C]

Tried the 400/5.6 with stacked 1.4 tc's on the 40D today, This gave 800mm at f11 .I was curious to see what 800mm looked like in the field from a focal length point of view. Must say I was pleasantly surprised at some of the results - nothing startling of course but usable as record shots.
The Spoonbill shot was taken from at least 100 yards so I was particularly pleased that there is still some feather detail.

Note: exif shows 400mm at f5.6 because both tc's were taped. All shots were ISO 1600.

[websurfer]

No. 1+2+3 are impressive, indeed for 800nn and stacked TC's IMO. Two Kenkos or 1 Kenko and 1 Canon TC?

[Vectis Birder]

I know stacked converters aren't ideal, but with a choice between slightly poor photo and no photo at all, I'd certainly use them. I definitely like photo #3, Roy.

Websurfer: I don't think you can join two Canon tc's together, I remember reading somewhere (forget where) that you have to use a third party tc next to the camera body, then the Canon converter between the first converter and the lens.

[Roy C]

Websufer,I used a Kenko Pro and Canon.

[websurfer]

Roy, is your experience, that two 1.4x stacked TC's are better or just as good as one 2x TC?

[QuantumTiger]

That's quite impressive Roy. The only time I ever tried stacking TCs on my 400 was for a moon shot. I'll have to try it for birds.

Interested that you taped the canon - did the AF work? I'd guess it would struggle a bit?

A couple of years ago I read an article which compared stacking TCs to using one TC and up-rezzing by 40% in photoshop. The conclusion there was that photoshop actually did a better job than using the second 1.4x - but judging by your results I'd say that was wrong.

[JohnZ]

Nice one Roy ! Number 4 is not too shabby either. In fact I probably prefer the fourth to the first. Not sure about the last one really.

[Roy C]

Roy, is your experience, that two 1.4x stacked TC's are better or just as good as one 2x TC?
Stacked are better for me but my 2x is a cheaper teleplus (Kenko) so it is not a fair comparison, maybe with a Canon 2x it would be different.
Where the stacked 1.4's would gain is if using on a f4 lens on a xxD body, you would not have to tape the pins, but it would still try to AF because the camera only picks up one of the converters so sees it as f5.6. With a 2x the camera would see it as f8 of course.

[Roy C]

That's quite impressive Roy. The only time I ever tried stacking TCs on my 400 was for a moon shot. I'll have to try it for birds.

Interested that you taped the canon - did the AF work? I'd guess it would struggle a bit?

A couple of years ago I read an article which compared stacking TCs to using one TC and up-rezzing by 40% in photoshop. The conclusion there was that photoshop actually did a better job than using the second 1.4x - but judging by your results I'd say that was wrong.
Hi Ian, This is strictly manual focus territory as you are effectively shooting at f11. The only reason the tc's were taped was because that's how I normally use them when using just one - I was too lazy to take the tape off.

I have also read about up-rezzing and have tried it a few times but I never liked the results.

[Roy C]

Nice one Roy ! Number 4 is not too shabby either. In fact I probably prefer the fourth to the first. Not sure about the last one really.
Yeh, the last one John! The only reason I put it in was because of the extreme distance it was shot from (100 yards +) also it is cropped a lot heavier than the others. As a image it is c##p but to me it is still impressive that you can still see some fine feather detail.

[CCRII]

Roy,

These are great! Did you use a tripod? Thanks.

[Roy C]

Roy,

These are great! Did you use a tripod? Thanks.
Yes, I used a tripod. Not only is it needed for 800mm but it helps manual focusing quite a lot.

[Chrysophylax]

I have got a 30D body coupled with the 400mm f5.6, I do use a converter sometimes, mainly the 1.4 canon and 1.5 Kenko. I also have the 2x kenko pro. In your opinion, which 2 would you use? and in what order? Regards. Neil.

PS: Very impressive photo's.

[Roy C]

I have got a 30D body coupled with the 400mm f5.6, I do use a converter sometimes, mainly the 1.4 canon and 1.5 Kenko. I also have the 2x kenko pro. In your opinion, which 2 would you use? and in what order? Regards. Neil.

PS: Very impressive photo's.
My shots were at 800mm so you have a choice between stacking the 1.4 and 1.5 or just using the 2x.

Either way, if you use the Canon then it will have to be next to the lens because of the protrusion.

[Chrysophylax]

My shots were at 800mm so you have a choice between stacking the 1.4 and 1.5 or just using the 2x.

Either way, if you use the Canon then it will have to be next to the lens because of the protrusion.

Thanks Roy, wouldn't stacking the 1.4 and 1.5 give more than 800mm?
Neil.

[Roy C]

Thanks Roy, wouldn't stacking the 1.4 and 1.5 give more than 800mm?
Neil.
Theoretically it would give 2.1 x so 840mm. You need to try this against the 2x to see which one gives the best IQ.

[Chrysophylax]

Hi Roy, firstly thanks for the info on stacking. I tried the 1.4 Canon and the 1.5 kenko and was quite amazed at the results. It was a perefect afternoon with lot's of sunlight, even at 3pm which is when I took these photo's. I didn't try the 2x at all, but will in the very near future to compare IQ.

The Bullfinch and the Greenfinch are just resized with no crop, taken at around 16 feet away.

The Brambling is only resized as well, but was taken from at least 20yds away.

Opinions guys please. You can be brutal, I can take it.

[christineredgate]

Very good,Chrysophlax,I have received some tips from Roy re the 1x4,and cannot wait to give it a try.

[Roy C]

Hi Roy, firstly thanks for the info on stacking. I tried the 1.4 Canon and the 1.5 kenko and was quite amazed at the results. It was a perefect afternoon with lot's of sunlight, even at 3pm which is when I took these photo's. I didn't try the 2x at all, but will in the very near future to compare IQ.

The Bullfinch and the Greenfinch are just resized with no crop, taken at around 16 feet away.

The Brambling is only resized as well, but was taken from at least 20yds away.

Opinions guys please. You can be brutal, I can take it.
The Bullfinch is a very good shot.

[QuantumTiger]

Opinions guys please. You can be brutal, I can take it.
No need to be brutal I think. Very nice shots. I have so got to try this!

[Vectis Birder]

Opinions guys please. You can be brutal, I can take it.

Right, I am going to be very brutal and frank here...

that Bullfinch, especially, is excellent. I would be very proud of that shot! :t:

[Epsomsalt]

Roy, do you use 'live view' to help you to manually focus or just look through the viewfinder? I wear 'varilux' contact lenses which makes my manual focussing skills on my EOS 400D (no live view) very hit and miss!

Excellent images by all posters in this thread.

Chris

[Chrysophylax]

Thanks for the comments Christine, Quantum and Vectis, they are appreciated. I will do some tests this week providing the light is ok, (I work from 6am to 2.30pm) so I can try the 2x against the 1.4/1.5 stacked for IQ. If I don't have time in the week I will do it this weekend. One thing is for sure, you need very good to perfect light conditions. Thanks again to Roy. Regards. Neil.

[Chrysophylax]

Had a quick go this afternoon with the Kenko 2x C-AF teleplus PRO300DG. The light was not quite as good as yesterday so it's not fair to compare at this stage, the pictures I did take were more softer and grainier looking. Will try again later this week.

[wings]

Here's one of mine, taken with the 400mm/f5.6L with Tamron 1.4x. Exposed at ISO 400 on a bright sunny day.

Photo #1 is a Common Goldeneye taken at about 50-75 ft distance.