[Hirundapus]

A while back, one or two people mentioned on this forum that they were new users of the Canon 400mm f4 DO and that they were using it with a Canon 1.4 converter. Could anyone comment on how they are getting on using this set up? Is this lens on its own really sharp and is it fully recommendable, or are there any 'issues' with it? And is it still very acceptably sharp when used with the Canon 1.4 converter? Advice much appreciated before forking out!

[Martin"ice man"Smyth]

Originally Posted by Hirundapus

A while back, one or two people mentioned on this forum that they were new users of the Canon 400mm f4 DO and that they were using it with a Canon 1.4 converter. Could anyone comment on how they are getting on using this set up? Is this lens on its own really sharp and is it fully recommendable, or are there any 'issues' with it? And is it still very acceptably sharp when used with the Canon 1.4 converter? Advice much appreciated before forking out!

i have the combo you are asking about,i take loads of pics in raw,setting the settings accordingly,when i get a good pic it is extremely sharp,i have no complaints,but this photography game is such a steep learning curve,the camera i use enables full AF with 1.4 x,and can still get same results.
see attachment

[Michael McKee]

I take virtually all of my photos with a 1.4x extender on my 400mm DO and have no complaints. In fact I'll usually start out with the extender on my lens and only take it off if a bird is too close!

As Martin points out the big advantage with the 400mm DO, over say the 400mm f5.6, is that AF is still enabled and fast.

I've attached a photo taken last weekend using a 1.4x extender with my 400m DO and 20D. (ISO400 1/1600 sec)

[christineredgate]

I use a 1x4 extender with 300f4 and the cam focuses instantly with auto focus.It is an excellent set up.But not with the 2x extender.

[Russ Jones]

I love the DO 1.4x TC combo. All of my pics in this gallery http://russjonesphoto.com/birdsgallery.html were taken with that setup and I highly recommend it.

Cheers,

Russ

[Marise]

Hi, I've been using this combination for 4-5 months now and I must say I'm delighted with it. Like Michael I very rarely remove the converter - I bought it in the first place for the extra length, but any specific tests I have done I have found the TC really does not seem to affect the quality at all. I found it all slightly heavy to start off with but when you get shots you couldn't get before its amazing how it suddenly becomes much lighter!

BTW Russ - love your gallery!

[Hirundapus]

Good news. Many thanks to all. I've just taken the plunge and ordered one.
Cheers. All I need now is some birds....

[Bill Atwood]

Guess I shouldn't resurrect an old thread, but this lens has been a pleasant surprise. Just got back from a birding trip to South Africa where I used it for some point and shoot photos that mainly were incidental to birding. Most of my slides were taken handheld using the 400 with a 2x II and EOS 3. While few slides may be sharp enough for stock photograpy, they are more than sufficient for public birding trip talks.

Even though this lens is only 2 lbs lighter than the 500mm f4.5, there was a world of difference ergonomically. I could lug it around all day using a strap over my shoulder and tucking the tripod foot into my belt. I wish I had a 20d to see how it would work with the 1.6 crop factor and 1.4x teleconverter. This light setup on a Gitzo 1227 would get me out more often for local bird photography.