Canon lens question

Fred.Hedgehog

Hi

Not sure if I can post a techie question about photography in here? Hope so!

I've got a Canon EOS 500 and mostly use a Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS USM lens.

My main interest is photographing dolphins in the wild, and would like a longer lens, but a. Don't want to lose the close range length so am reluctant to spend £1k on the Canon 400mm, and b. Don't want the weight of the sigma offering.

I've seen mixed reports about Kenco extenders, and bearing in mind I will be following moving objects am concerned about the hunting time...

Can anyone offer any advice or solutions please?

Thanks

DCodd

Are you sure you want an extention tube? They are usually used for closer focusing in Macro photography. Is a teleconverter what you want?

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=teleconverter+for+canon&tbm=shop

Marktheshark

On a f4.5 - 5.6 lens a tele-conveter will be throwing good money away.
Look at the Tokina 150-600 DI VC, it weighs less than the Sigma, costs half as much and matches it pound for pound picture wise and performance.
Seen some real nice stuff come from them.

Sigma re-branded lenses, basically a new paint job and doubled the price.

Or you can ignore the advice, buy a teleconveter and realise the pictures are no better than a cropped out version with it off.

Fred.Hedgehog

DCodd wrote: »

Are you sure you want an extention tube? They are usually used for closer focusing in Macro photography. Is a teleconverter what you want?

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=teleconverter+for+canon&tbm=shop

Sorry, yes I meant teleconverter! ::o

Fred.Hedgehog

Marktheshark wrote: »

On a f4.5 - 5.6 lens a tele-conveter will be throwing good money away.
Look at the Tokina 150-600 DI VC, it weighs less than the Sigma, costs half as much and matches it pound for pound picture wise and performance.
Seen some real nice stuff come from them.

Sigma re-branded lenses, basically a new paint job and doubled the price.

Or you can ignore the advice, buy a teleconveter and realise the pictures are no better than a cropped out version with it off.

Thanks for advice... I want to keep a close focal starting range so the Tokina won't suit.
Certainly not looking to ignore advice, hence my request on here!

Fred.Hedgehog

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

What lens are you planning to pair with an extender?

Unless it's a fast lens you're not going to be able to use automatic focus and you're going to lose at least one stop and severely impact focus speed, both of which are always an issue with wildlife.
I only use extenders on 2.8 lenses, for more or less stationary wildlife. You could use a 1.4x on a f4 but but that's your limit. Anything more than that and you're losing automatic focus or trying to tape the pins to fool the camera - but you've still got slower focus and light issues. I just don't think it's worth it.

I do often use manual focus for wildlife, and I would be tempted to at least try manual focus for something throwing up spray in the sea which will confuse automatic focus. However, although I'm pretty fast at manual focus, I still think using AI servo is your best bet to track a moving animal, even under the sea.

In your shoes, I would either buy the old model 100-400L or I'd hire a lens for the trip. Don't restrict yourself to a fixed length lens for wildlife that isn't always off in the distance. Dolphins are pretty big and at 400 on a tour boat, you're frequently going to get only head shots.

Thanks for this... I'm using a Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS USM. My problem is wanting too much from a lens... I want to have close focal range for when they are bow riding and have already had this problem with my existing lens... Then I want long range for when they are further away.

At least this post is going to save me a few hundred ££ to over £1k so it's good to have feedback... I just need to hope the dolphins play ball (figuratively of course!) and do their thang at the perfect distance :D🐬🐬

Shimrod

Fred.Hedgehog wrote: »

Thanks for this... I'm using a Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS USM. My problem is wanting too much from a lens... I want to have close focal range for when they are bow riding and have already had this problem with my existing lens... Then I want long range for when they are further away.

At least this post is going to save me a few hundred ££ to over £1k so it's good to have feedback... I just need to hope the dolphins play ball (figuratively of course!) and do their thang at the perfect distance :D🐬🐬

Have a look at the Sigma 50-500mm. It can be a bit hit and miss on quality (according to internet gossip), so you might have to search for a good version, but it used to be held in high regard.
If you want to stay with Canon, look for a used 35-350mm. A quick check on ebay shows they sell for around £600.
Both lenses weigh a fair bit though, which I appreciate is something you are trying to avoid. You could consider a harness like this to transfer support to your waist http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MMZ0YGG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00LIT7AL4&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0BVXAQ7VD027QS0EXEC9