[knotsbirder]

Other converters which don't need to be taped include the Kenko 1.4x DGX Pro 300 and the Kenko 1.5x convertor. I have the 1.5x on my 100-400mm and I'm very impressed with it!

Sam

[Froggy]

Originally Posted by tjsimonsen

Thanks.

I have no idea what it costs if you have the zoom-lock repaired by Canon for the very simple reason that I "fixed" it myself.
The zoom-lock generally stops working because the soft coating on the inner surface of the zoom-lock ring wears out so you can't increase the friction between the ring and the zoom barrel. Others on these pages have reported how you can stick a small piece of sticky tape on the base of the zoom barrel and thereby at least be able to lock the lens @ 100mm. So I thought that if you put some tape on the base and another piece along the barrel for the entire length of the zoom the lock should be working again. And it is. You can see what I've done in the attached picture: it's taken from the side and I have stuck similar pieces of tape on either side. It may look a little funny, but the lens works perfectly - and that's all I care about.

Thomas

Wow !
I wouldn't be doing any tape fixes to any lens in a hurry !
There are some complex bearing systems in that lens and if any of that tape or adhesive gets in there the bill will only increase greatly !

Send it to Canon and have them fix it for you correctly .
You are only putting off a problem that may get severely worse / more expensive .

All IMHO of course .

[Weekend Birder]

Originally Posted by Bird_Enthusiast

When you tape the converter is it with regular Scotch Tape?

Yes - see http://www.michaelfurtman.com/taping_the_pins.htm

I have heard that some people don't even need to do this to get AF, but my teleconverter seems a bit more reliable taped (or maybe it's just my imagination!)

The whole autofocus with teleconverter at F8 issue is very camera/lens/tc type dependant, with certain tc's working with some camera models and not with others.

[Bird_Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Froggy

Wow !
I wouldn't be doing any tape fixes to any lens in a hurry !
There are some complex bearing systems in that lens and if any of that tape or adhesive gets in there the bill will only increase greatly !

Send it to Canon and have them fix it for you correctly .
You are only putting off a problem that may get severely worse / more expensive .

All IMHO of course .

That's a good point.

I think I'm going to go for the 100-400mm when I get the money. It seems to be one of the best options I have.

I'm still a bit confused about these teleconverters though.

[Froggy]

I think you will be happy with either of the Canons .
I wouldn't worry about teleconverters , get used to using the 100-400 and playing the ISO/aperture/shutterspeed balance to combat camera shake and subject motion blur .

Only had my 400mm for a couple of week and only used it once in anger , but I did find that with care I could approach birds close enough to get a shot .
Found that hikers were more of a problem than reach !


I also have my own tele adapter ....
Meindl Fox :

[Bird_Enthusiast]

I also found the Tamron 200-500mm.
Does anyone have any experience with this particular lens?
Thoughts and comments?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...6_3_Di_LD.html

[Bird_Enthusiast]

I found the Sigma 50-500mm to be the only real competitor to the 100-400mm.
The Tamron seems nice, but a little too weak for me; the sigma 150-500mm seems better than the Tamron.

Can anyone compare/contrast the Sigma 50-500mm to the Canon 100-400mm?

[Froggy]

Originally Posted by Bird_Enthusiast

Can anyone compare/contrast the Sigma 50-500mm to the Canon 100-400mm?

Here is a comparison site : both at 400 mm .
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=0&APIComp=0

Here's the 100-400 v the 400 prime :
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=0&APIComp=0

[Bird_Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Froggy

Here is a comparison site : both at 400 mm .
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=0&APIComp=0

Here's the 100-400 v the 400 prime :
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=0&APIComp=0

Thanks for the links.