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  1. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Superb shots. Amazing detail - particularly the Gray Catbird. This is where the Tammy trounces the 400 5.6. In low light situations the IS is crucial. Even if my 550D plus 400+1.4x did AF (and this low light scenario is where it would commonly hunt and fail to AF), I would need 1/1000s to...
  2. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    True it's not perfect, it just works best for me. As I say I can understand the attraction of the Tammy.
  3. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    I use my 400 5.6 without the tc as my default set up. This means I am ready for a quick shot of opportunity for BIF and close birds. If I need to snap a distant wader, gull etc on the ground, I have my tc ready and it just takes a few secs to put on. If I'm worried about missing a shot, I may...
  4. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    It's a Kenko 1.4x teleplus pro 300. I don't think the converter is the important factor with the 400/5.6 + 1.4x. I've used several Kenko versions with success. I think the camera is the key factor. I use the Canon 550d which autofocuses at f8, even though it isn't supposed to. Again I will say...
  5. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

  6. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    A long range shot too. A Yellow-legged Gull at 230m (!) - measured on Google Earth. I don't want to hijack the Tammy thread with pics taken with a Canon lens though. I would be interested in seeing some long range Tammy shots or BIFs.
  7. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Here's a few more from my 550d and 400/5.6 + 1.4x. I've included a flight shot of a tern taken at about 50m, just to show the performance at medium range. I do think these comparisons are of limited value, however. They take no account of differences in range, lighting etc. If you get close...
  8. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    If I am using the 1.4x teleconverter, I use the humble Canon T2i (also known as the 550d). This gives me quite good AF at f8, despite the fact it is only supposed to focus at f5.6! Good enough for BIF in anything other than very poor light, although I mainly use it for long distance ground...
  9. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    I've seen several posts on forums from people who have had experience of both lenses say the same thing. The Tammy is a versatile lens, but the 400/5.6 without a teleconverter is simply the best BIF lens in the world.
  10. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Just to show the detail you can get from a close bird with the 400/5.6 + 1.4x. Range about 12ft, in poor light. ISO 800 only gave 1/500s at f8 - good job I had the lens resting on the hide window. Is the Tammy sharper? This suggests it may be...
  11. Weekend Birder

    Dove/Pigeon - Hyde Park, London

    Oops Mtem just beat me to it!
  12. Weekend Birder

    Dove/Pigeon - Hyde Park, London

    Juvenile Woodpigeon.
  13. Weekend Birder

    First Try With 7D And 400mm f5.6

    Nice light, sharp enough. Nowt wrong there Barry. I don't worry too much about giving the bird space to fly into, maybe just a touch, but not as much as Nick's example. Just personal preference.
  14. Weekend Birder

    BarWit or BlackWit / Dublin

    Yep. Also you can see the black tail on the top bird.
  15. Weekend Birder

    Canon SX50 Bird & Wildlife Gallery Update

    Lovely lighting on your shots Tony. It just goes to show what a capable photographer can do with a superzoom.
  16. Weekend Birder

    Roseate

    It's a Roseate.
  17. Weekend Birder

    Wader UK

    Seconded.
  18. Weekend Birder

    Canon 600d crop advice

    Those Spoonbills really are a long way away. Even with a 600mm lens, you'd only get a record shot.
  19. Weekend Birder

    Canon 600d crop advice

    You automatically get the 1.6x crop - you don't have to turn anything on. This effectively gives you 640mm. It should be much better than your 250mm for birds.
  20. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    On very close frame-filling shots, the FF camera would obviously be best. Where considerable cropping is required, it would be interesting to see some FF vs crop tests. Can any lucky birder with this lens and both a FF and a crop sensor camera oblige?
  21. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Wow - at 600mm wide open, less than 1000 sharpness rating with APS-C vs 1500 sharpness rating with FF. At 600mm f8, 1250 sharpness with APS-C vs 1800+ sharpness rating with FF. That's quite a difference.
  22. Weekend Birder

    Winner Announced; Next Drawing June 10th: Win a Pair of PRIME HD binoculars

    Zen Ray!
  23. Weekend Birder

    Winner Announced; Next Drawing June 10th: Win a Pair of PRIME HD binoculars

    C'mon Zen Ray
  24. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Thanks for the feedback Hor Kee. That's what I've read on a few user reviews. It's the only reason my 400/5.6 isn't on ebay right now. I do like my BIF shots - that's when birds are being birds!
  25. Weekend Birder

    Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 DI IF VC USD

    Yes the AF is very patchy (almost unusable without live view) with the 7D. However normal AF on the centre point is very reliable with the humble 550D - live view is not required. It does occasionally hunt a little in extremely poor light or with a low contrast target but this only occurs on...
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