Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: wbray1 on April 03, 2006, 10:59:30 pm
-
I have used this combination and I don't know if I have a problem with the lens or not. At close range I get a sharp image say around 20ft. If I try a distant shot and a still image on mode 1 stablization the image ,say a telephone pole, is slightly out of focus. The telephone pole grain is obscured. I'm thinking I might be slightly out of sync with the focus although with the lense by itself appears to be sharp.
-
What camera are you using?
On the long end with most cameras you are going to be losing AF with the teleconverter and at those kind of focal lengths nailing the focus is crucial.
-
What camera are you using?
On the long end with most cameras you are going to be losing AF with the teleconverter and at those kind of focal lengths nailing the focus is crucial.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61748\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
-
What camera are you using?
On the long end with most cameras you are going to be losing AF with the teleconverter and at those kind of focal lengths nailing the focus is crucial.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61748\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the reply. I'm using the canon 20d and I tried focusing on a monopod with is on and also without. I tried to focus very critical. I also have been on a tripod.
-
Thanks for the reply. I'm using the canon 20d and I tried focusing on a monopod with is on and also without. I tried to focus very critical. I also have been on a tripod.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61763\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
As quoted on Canon's website for the 1.4 TC:
Effective aperture is reduced by one f-stop; autofocus is possible on any EOS camera when combined with a lens having an f/4 or faster maximum aperture.
The Canon 100-400 is an F/4.5-5.6... not sure what real impact autofocus in going to have on the short end.
Have you tried manually focusing?
Cheers,
Kelly
-
As quoted on Canon's website for the 1.4 TC:
The Canon 100-400 is an F/4.5-5.6... not sure what real impact autofocus in going to have on the short end.
Have you tried manually focusing?
Cheers,
Kelly
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61782\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
yes I use manual focus because the auto is disabled.
-
I plan on getting a 1.4 TC... when it arrives I'll try it out on my setup and report back. Probably in a week or so.
Kelly
-
I plan on getting a 1.4 TC... when it arrives I'll try it out on my setup and report back. Probably in a week or so.
Kelly
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61821\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the reply I have my 100-400 in the canon repair to see if I do have a problem with it so I hope to have info on it soon. I was trying to see if anybody has had any problems with it meanwhile.
-
Thanks for the reply I have my 100-400 in the canon repair to see if I do have a problem with it so I hope to have info on it soon. I was trying to see if anybody has had any problems with it meanwhile.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61833\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I have not experienced the problem you describe with the 100-400 + 1.4 extender combo. But image quality is degraded, as expected, when the 1.4 extender is attached to the lens. AF (on 1D bodies) becomes slow on only with the central focus point.
Let's see what Canon service has to say about your lens?
Good luck.
-
I have not experienced the problem you describe with the 100-400 + 1.4 extender combo. But image quality is degraded, as expected, when the 1.4 extender is attached to the lens. AF (on 1D bodies) becomes slow on only with the central focus point.
Let's see what Canon service has to say about your lens?
Good luck.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61857\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the reply I just receceived a reply from canon and they said it was going to cost $314 for repairs. I haven't contacted them to see what that involves. I will do that tomorrow as they are closed now.
wbray1
-
Thanks for the reply I just receceived a reply from canon and they said it was going to cost $314 for repairs. I haven't contacted them to see what that involves. I will do that tomorrow as they are closed now.
wbray1
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61968\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I'd be interested to know what problem you lens suffers from.
Keep us posted.
-
You didn't mention what kind of light you are working in.
If you're on the long end, you have effective f/8 aperture and you're focusing manually with a camera not known for a bright viewfinder. Depending on the light and your vision it's going to be a challenge to focus perfectly when you've got a 560mm lens.
I am not knocking you here. I have a mild prescription, but my eyes are corrected to 20/15 and I'm young so I don't have any issues with focusing or with night vision. I have a 5D which has a brighter viewfinder. And shooting with a long lens in certain types of light I will absolutely have to work hard to focus manually and get the correct focus. Even if I use one of my f/1.8 lenses, if I'm in really low light the camera will actually AF better then I can MF.
If you could switch your focusing screen I might suggest trying that, but I don't think you can in the 20D, right?
I think our stock focusing screens really stink for MF and switching might help a lot, the dual prism setup on older cameras is definitely better for this kind of thing.
Since you didn't post your pictures showing a problem I would suggest taking a picture that has a range of objects at evenly spaced distances visible in it, that way you can see if the focus is just off as opposed to a problem with the lens. With long telephoto shots you can easily just get "everything" out of focus enough to make it just look bad.
-
Thanks for the reply I have my 100-400 in the canon repair to see if I do have a problem with it so I hope to have info on it soon. I was trying to see if anybody has had any problems with it meanwhile.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=61833\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Note you will lose AF with the 1.4X
-
Note you will lose AF with the 1.4X
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=62031\")
Not with 1D bodies, but AF becomes really slow and only central focus point...
And for those who want to experiment, they can always try the trick posted on Fred Miranda website ([a href=\"http://www.fredmiranda.com/TipsPage/]here[/url]), it's supposed to work with all bodies.
-
Not with 1D bodies, but AF becomes really slow and only central focus point...
And for those who want to experiment, they can always try the trick posted on Fred Miranda website (here (http://www.fredmiranda.com/TipsPage/)), it's supposed to work with all bodies.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62067\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Well I got the lens back from canon and it seems as though I have the same problem. It is really out of focus with the 1.4x tc. I try it out with the lens by itself and I do notice at the 400mm end it is slightly soft, which that is what people are saying. I think the tc is picking that up and magnifying it. I have a L canon acessory focusing that slides in the view finder and I'm pretty sure I'm in focus. I tried a tripod with the IS on & off and used the mirror lockup and cable release. I don't think I could sell the pictures. So I guess I'm going to give up and see about the 300mm f2.8L.
thanks for all your concerns
-
I'm sorry to hear that Canon couldn't solve your issue.
Now, the 300mm f/2.8 is not in the same class, performance-wise and price-wise. You shouldn't be disappointed, even if you pair it with a 1.4x or 2x entender.
-
I'm sorry to hear that Canon couldn't solve your issue.
Now, the 300mm f/2.8 is not in the same class, performance-wise and price-wise. You shouldn't be disappointed, even if you pair it with a 1.4x or 2x entender.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62143\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Well I got the 300mm f2.8L and I purchased it from B&H photo at quite a savings. $3899. I told my photo dealer what I did and he was concerned about the quality of the lens due to the price. His price was $4700. He thought it was a class 2 lens. I contacted Canon and they said they don't have class 2. Any body have a idea about this? It seems I have a good lense as it is super sharp. I used it with a 2x tele converter and haven't got a real sharp picture yet. I think as everybody has told me I need to so autofocus with a 20d camera as manual is hard to acheive the dead on focus. Any body have an input this?
Thanks, Walt
-
Well I got the 300mm f2.8L and I purchased it from B&H photo at quite a savings. $3899. I told my photo dealer what I did and he was concerned about the quality of the lens due to the price. His price was $4700. He thought it was a class 2 lens. I contacted Canon and they said they don't have class 2. Any body have a idea about this? It seems I have a good lense as it is super sharp. I used it with a 2x tele converter and haven't got a real sharp picture yet. I think as everybody has told me I need to so autofocus with a 20d camera as manual is hard to acheive the dead on focus. Any body have an input this?
Thanks, Walt
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62524\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hi Walt,
Local photo stores are usually more expensive (sometimes much more) then most mail-order places, having to do with volume. Although on a 300 2.8, I'm little surprised at what your local dealer is asking. I kind of thought on the more expensive items there was enough of a margin that most local dealers are close to mail-order. At least that was the case when I bought my 100-400 from a local dealer six years ago; their price was exactly the same as B&H's.
$3900 for the 300 2.8 is what I paid for mine from KEH several months ago and should be considered the "going rate". Canon is telling the truth as far as I know about there not being any "class 2" lenses. I think either your dealer was trying to justify his (much) higher price with misinformation or truely didn't have a clue. The only other possibility I can see is if he meant "refurbished" which Canon does sell. I've never seen a Canon reburished 300 2.8, but that doesn't mean they don't exist and if you did find one, consider it in the same class as sighting Bigfoot. Anyway, if B&H was selling you a refurbished lens, you would see three things: a price considerably lower then $3900, the lens being clearly labeled "Refurbished" on their website, and there being a "Reburbished" label on lens box (and on the rear lens cap).
-
I think lbergman has it exactly right regarding the lens pricing and different classes of lenses.
To add, I don't think the 100-400 holds up well with an extender, I was suprised to read that you get great results at close shots - I guess I have always tried the combo at max range, I'll have to see how it does at 140mm. In fact, I believe that's what led me to purchase the 400 f/5.6, in the hopes that a prime would give better results with the extender - and it did....
Generally, other than the 135 f/2.0, I find the extenders for the most part only really shine when used on the super-telephotos from the 300 f/2.8IS and up - and the 400 f/5.6 is not in that group.
-
I think lbergman has it exactly right regarding the lens pricing and different classes of lenses.
To add, I don't think the 100-400 holds up well with an extender, I was suprised to read that you get great results at close shots - I guess I have always tried the combo at max range, I'll have to see how it does at 140mm. In fact, I believe that's what led me to purchase the 400 f/5.6, in the hopes that a prime would give better results with the extender - and it did....
Generally, other than the 135 f/2.0, I find the extenders for the most part only really shine when used on the super-telephotos from the 300 f/2.8IS and up - and the 400 f/5.6 is not in that group.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62556\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the reply I thought along those lines myself. The price I guess could be it is bought in another country much less than the established price.
-
Thanks for the reply I thought along those lines myself. The price I guess could be it is bought in another country much less than the established price.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62567\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Maybe this is a good time to state I'm assuming you're located in the United States.
You might already know this, but just in case:
If the lens was bought in another country and imported into the U.S. by the merchant (B&H, Adorama, your local dealer, anyone, etc.) rather than the official importer (Canon USA), then that is known as "Grey Market". Like a refurbished lens, a Grey Market lens would be less than $3900, but not by as much - probably by only $50-200 (it is still a new lens). A Grey Market lens usually comes with an international warranty (rather than the "USA" warranty), and it would be clearly stated by B&H that you are buying such a lens. (Caution: not all merchants are so up-front about it.)
If you paid $3900 for your lens from B&H, you have a brand-new lens with a USA warranty that was imported by the official importer. No worries.
-
Maybe this is a good time to state I'm assuming you're located in the United States.
You might already know this, but just in case:
If the lens was bought in another country and imported into the U.S. by the merchant (B&H, Adorama, your local dealer, anyone, etc.) rather than the official importer (Canon USA), then that is known as "Grey Market". Like a refurbished lens, a Grey Market lens would be less than $3900, but not by as much - probably by only $50-200 (it is still a new lens). A Grey Market lens usually comes with an international warranty (rather than the "USA" warranty), and it would be clearly stated by B&H that you are buying such a lens. (Caution: not all merchants are so up-front about it.)
If you paid $3900 for your lens from B&H, you have a brand-new lens with a USA warranty that was imported by the official importer. No worries.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62574\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
I took this shot with the 300mm f2.8L IS. I am very pleased at the sharpness with the 2X extender. I used 20d camera and auto focus in the al servo mode and hand held 1/800 sec f10 ISO 400 600mm. So much for the scare the photo dealer gave me. Also when I ordered the lens I requested usa. So I did get the international and usa warranty.
[attachment=434:attachment]
-
Thanks for the reply I thought along those lines myself. The price I guess could be it is bought in another country much less than the established price.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=62567\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Thanks for the posting. I am currently consider myself seriously about getting a combo of 30D and 100-400. The price of your 300/3.8 is also lower than the normal street price here in Hong Kong. I will look into that to make sure my first move into Canon system won't be too disappointing.
-
I use a Tamron 1.4 with the outer three pins taped and it functions great on my 100-400. I can't discern a difference in sharpness beyond f8 w/ pics of the full moon last night at 1/250 (200ISO) and tripod/remote release/shutter lockup. The ability to autofocus with all focusing points at 560mm on my 5D is wonderful. On my uncle's 30D it becomes a 896mm lens! Autofocus is weak with most lenses in marginal light, but for close subjects, the addition of fill flash TTL will usually fix the focus problem. I also have a flash extender on order for the upcoming Denali trip to light up the subjects a bit when overcast. This will also allow for shooting lower ISO values to see the eyelashes of these critters.
-
I have the Canon 100-400 and both 1.4X and 2X extenders. I've used these on my Canon 10D (no longer own this body) and my current 20D and 1DsMkII bodies.
With the camera properly stabilized (tripod preferred), the 1.4x can produce excellent results when using a mid range f stop. Wide open is soft, but then so is this lens without the extender.
The 2x is less acceptable to me especially if you plan on printing enlargements greater than 8x10.
With the 1.4, no problem using all of the AF points on the 20D. The 2x forces you to use on the center AF point or focus manually.
I use the 100-400+1.4x combo regularly as I can't justify spending $5,000+ for a fixed length 500mm+ Canon lens. I get acceptable results using the 20D to take advantage of the 1.6x multiplication factor with this body.
My 2 cents.
Bud James
North Wales, PA
-
I have been using the 100/400+1.4 for about 2yrs in the wet and dark west coast of Canada.It needs light and the pins taped does allow slow AF. My percentage of keepers is low but so is my budget. 2x is a tripod show most of the time,and I agree that semi-macro is sharper as strange as that may appear.
-
As no one else seems to have mentioned it (and it's happened to me), check that
your dioptric adjustment wheel is set correctly, mine gets knocked all the time,
and has resulted in a lot of blurred manually focussed pics.