Yet another DSLR lens question

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Firstly apologies on this one, I imagine this has been done to death, and for that I am sorry. Please could some users help me with the following. I have narrowed my search down to two lenses the canon IS 100-400 and the Tamron 170-500. I have had a 'go' on both but without having them for a significant period in the field I can't deduce which is best or how they directly compare. So could someone give some indication if they have used both (alas this may go full cycle and back to the proverbial try both and see which you prefer!).

See more specific questions on top;

- Am I right in understanding that some users have had joy using a 1.4 teleconverter with the canon, but the is not feasible with the tamron zoom.
- Does a canon lens perform better on a Canon camera?
- When people say hunting at low light just how dark is it?

Currently have been digiscoping for two years and feel I have learnt sufficent to move on. But good heavens I have so much to learn.

Any guidance will be much appreciated!

[christineredgate]

Jimmy,if you are using a Canon cam,then it has to be the 100-400.A very good versatile lens.You can use the 1x4 converter,with the pins taped and you will be able to auto focus..Just my own view .

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Jimmy,if you are using a Canon cam,then it has to be the 100-400.A very good versatile lens.You can use the 1x4 converter,with the pins taped and you will be able to auto focus..Just my own view .

Thank you Christine. How have you found the pump action on this lens. My feeling having sampled is that it would be less of hinderance for me as its the first move from digiscoping so I've got no bad habits yet! I liked the feel of this lens, and thin k the IS will help (dependant on oddles of field craft of course)

[hollis_f]

- Am I right in understanding that some users have had joy using a 1.4 teleconverter with the canon, but the is not feasible with the tamron zoom.
- Does a canon lens perform better on a Canon camera?
- When people say hunting at low light just how dark is it?

A 1.4x converter is usable with the 100-400, but you do need a decent amount of light. Even then it can slow it down to make flight shots very difficult.

Without a converter the autofocus works well even in poor light. When it starts getting dark enough to affect AF then it's normally too dark to get a good image.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

A 1.4x converter is usable with the 100-400, but you do need a decent amount of light. Even then it can slow it down to make flight shots very difficult.

Without a converter the autofocus works well even in poor light. When it starts getting dark enough to affect AF then it's normally too dark to get a good image.

Thanks. Please can someone advise me on the brand of converter that is most popular.

I am taking the plunge this week!

[postcardcv]

Thanks. Please can someone advise me on the brand of converter that is most popular.

I am taking the plunge this week!

Personally I use a Kenko Pro 300 1.4x tc, it seems to have little or no effect on the image quality and is a lot cheaper that the Canon. In the UK they retail for well over £100, I got mine through ebay and paid ~£65 (inc delivery) for a new one from Hong Kong.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Personally I use a Kenko Pro 300 1.4x tc, it seems to have little or no effect on the image quality and is a lot cheaper that the Canon. In the UK they retail for well over £100, I got mine through ebay and paid ~£65 (inc delivery) for a new one from Hong Kong.

Thank you for your guidance. I have always been impressed with your pictures.

[tjsimonsen]

Thank you for your guidance. I have always been impressed with your pictures.

Hi Jimmy,

Here's another wote for the 100-400. The pump action zoom is a little bit anoying IMO, but it shouldn't be a show stopper, apart from that the lens is a gem.
All the pic in my gallery are shot with it, and though they are not extrodinary (which has nothing to do with the lens), I do think that most of them are pretty decent: http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/38764

Thomas

[rezMole]

I have narrowed my search down to two lenses the canon IS 100-400 and the Tamron 170-500.

Erm - there isn't a Tamron 170-500. Do you mean the Sigma 170-500 or the Tamron 200-500

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Erm - there isn't a Tamron 170-500. Do you mean the Sigma 170-500 or the Tamron 200-500
Yeah sorry Tamron 200-500. I think this is my second choice lens it seems to get excellent write ups. When I had a play it seemd lightwwieght too which must really handy in the field

[paul goode]

Well, with the grand total of 1 1/2 hours use of the lens I'll give the 100-400 my vote. Took the attached image pretty late on yesterday afternoon. ISO 800, 1/250 sec, f5.6 @ 400mm handheld. The AF was fast with no hunting and I can honestly say, first time out its better than I hoped for.

Paul

[postcardcv]

Well, with the grand total of 1 1/2 hours use of the lens I'll give the 100-400 my vote. Took the attached image pretty late on yesterday afternoon. ISO 800, 1/250 sec, f5.6 @ 400mm handheld. The AF was fast with no hunting and I can honestly say, first time out its better than I hoped for.

Paul

Impressive stuff Paul... certainly shows what the lens can do. I've been looking at getting a new lens and had just removed the 100-400IS from eth list of choices, but perhaps I should reconsider it!

[paul goode]

Impressive stuff Paul... certainly shows what the lens can do. I've been looking at getting a new lens and had just removed the 100-400IS from eth list of choices, but perhaps I should reconsider it!

No Peter, what you need is a nice little 70-200 and I just happen to know where there is one ;)

[postcardcv]

No Peter, what you need is a nice little 70-200 and I just happen to know where there is one ;)

I might well be very tempted to it Paul... bring it along to Norfolk so I can have a little play (just don't tell my wife ;) )...

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Firstly apologies on this one, I imagine this has been done to death, and for that I am sorry. Please could some users help me with the following. I have narrowed my search down to two lenses the canon IS 100-400 and the Tamron 170-500. I have had a 'go' on both but without having them for a significant period in the field I can't deduce which is best or how they directly compare. So could someone give some indication if they have used both (alas this may go full cycle and back to the proverbial try both and see which you prefer!).

See more specific questions on top;

- Am I right in understanding that some users have had joy using a 1.4 teleconverter with the canon, but the is not feasible with the tamron zoom.
- Does a canon lens perform better on a Canon camera?
- When people say hunting at low light just how dark is it?

Currently have been digiscoping for two years and feel I have learnt sufficent to move on. But good heavens I have so much to learn.

Any guidance will be much appreciated!

Well I've now saved enough to purchase this lens, and a converter - (working backwards) and have read another recent thread, does anybody else have any advice on which Canon body I should get? I was pretty committed to the 400D, but someone has recently told me this struggles with the converter and I should look at the 30D

[postcardcv]

Well I've now saved enough to purchase this lens, and a converter - (working backwards) and have read another recent thread, does anybody else have any advice on which Canon body I should get? I was pretty committed to the 400D, but someone has recently told me this struggles with the converter and I should look at the 30D

I use a 400D and the 100-400 IS and have problems using it with a tc. When the 1.4x tc is in place the AF works fine, but the IS is very odd, it jumps all over the place so is no use at all. I'm not sure what is actually happening but it doesn't looks like it will do the lens much good, so on the odd occassion that I use a tc with it I turn off the IS. I'm not sure quite why this is a problem with the 400D as it doesn't seem to be with the 30D.

[paul goode]

I use a 400D and the 100-400 IS and have problems using it with a tc. When the 1.4x tc is in place the AF works fine, but the IS is very odd, it jumps all over the place so is no use at all. I'm not sure what is actually happening but it doesn't looks like it will do the lens much good, so on the odd occassion that I use a tc with it I turn off the IS. I'm not sure quite why this is a problem with the 400D as it doesn't seem to be with the 30D.

I have noticed exactly the same problem with the 400d and agree that there is a good chance it won't do the lens any good. The problem doesn't appear with my 20d but a very quick check of the output voltages hasn't proved anything. If I can escape from work I'll have a further mess around.

Paul