Improving results with a 2*teleconverter and small birds (1 Viewer)

Well I am out trying for some bird photography and am currently experimenting on the birds in my garden. My longest lens is a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS which is just not long enough to capture shots of small birds as I would like - so out with the teleconverters. I have used a 1.4 a lot in the past with good effect, but small birds needs more range I find - so its out with the more tricky 2*TC.

So far the weather has been cloudy, but a good bright day just went by and I got a few moments out to get some shots. I don't like using the 2*TC in anything but bright weather otherwise it tends to perform badly, even with flash support. For the following shots I used this method:

Kit - Canon 400D, canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS, 2*TC, speedlite 580M2+lumiquest softbox
Manual mode settings - f8, ISO 400, 1/100, flash exposure compensation -2/3

I don't like pushing my ISO above 400 if I can help it because of noise on the 400D; I used the softbox and the exposure compensation on the flash to reduce the chances of overexposing highlights, though next time I might do without the exposure compensation. Infact I have been wondering if a better beamer and flash exposure compensation might be a more suitable alternative than the softbox and no compensation.

Here are the results I got (exif is attached)
1
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/overmind_2000/my works/little birds 1/1000/IMG_0075.jpg

100% crop:
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/...little birds 1/100 percent crops/IMG_0075.jpg

2
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/overmind_2000/my works/little birds 1/1000/IMG_0077.jpg

100% crop
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/...little birds 1/100 percent crops/IMG_0077.jpg

I would be gratefull for any advice on my setup and settings. So far these were shot handheld (with IS on) and I hope to try from a hide with a tripod (hoping for good lighting) at a later date.

I think the shots look very good, especially the first. I was expecting something much worse, based on your question, and based on the bad things I've heard about 2x converters. IMHO, I don't think you can do much better than what you are getting, which, as I said, is pretty fine!

Thanks for the input RAH- the 2*TC is definatly a tricky thing to use right - a really bright day and it can work quite well even with the zoom lens.

I think you've probably hit the practical limit of what that lens and a 2x TC can give you, at least for smaller birds (I too was expecting worse, as I only use 1.4x TC on a 300L IS and 500L, and most bird photographers I know have not had great results with a 2x TC; most I know have gone to the 1.4x and sacrificed some reach for better IQ).

For backyard birding, a 300L f4 IS isn't THAT expensive (especially used, which is how I got mine); coupled with a 1.4x, you'd have 420mm reach - more than the 2x + 200, with less image degradation. The 300L IS is a good handheld lens, and probably would give all the reach you'd need in a backyard (it's also a practical outdoor sports lens).

If a longer lens is out of the question, I'd suggest considering a camera body upgrade - I'm using a 40D, and IQ is usable all the way to ISO 1000-1250 for birding, and I regularly shoot at IS0 800 without even needing noise reduction. A higher ISO would give you much better flexibility in low light conditions.

(I've also had good luck shooting at indoor sports events with the 70-200L f2.8 IS at ISO 1600; after noise reduction in pp, I've been delighted with the results.)

better glass and body are all in the pipe line!
Idealy I want to get my hands on a 300mm f2.8 for its speed and also its ability to take a 2*TC for a decent 600mm lens - course with canon price increases its going to take longer to save for
At the moment I am mostly working on expanding my macro kit (its cheaper) so the 70-200mm is going to be my longest for a a good while.
ITs good to hear that I am getting the best I can out of the combo - with better lighting (lower ISO and faster shutter) and a tripod I suspect I can get a bit more out of the 70-200mm + 2*TC