Super-telephoto, what is a good lens ?

[saupatel]

Hi,

I was thinking of adding a long telephoto lens to my collection for some photography of a/c in cruise (and maybe some nature/astro shots too). I was wondering which of these is better?

- i already have a 100-400 L IS lens and was thinking about the 2x extender which is around 275 USD.
- i also see a Phoenix lens kit which includes a 650-1300mm f/8-16 Telephoto Lens PLUS a 2x extender for 267 USD.

which one of these is a better alternative ?

thanks in advance for your help.

regards, Saurabh

[BA747-436]

Im not sure an extender works with the 100-400. I seem to remember something about an issue with the contacts screwing up the AF system...?

You may want to consider a prime lens (500/600mm) with a converter attached unless you need the flexability of a zoom.

[saupatel]

Hey, the extender does work with the 100-400 lens but people say there is a certain amount of sharpness degradation. I am trying to look for cheaper alternatives . Currently the 500mm is 5500 USD and 600mm is 7200 USD which is way over my limited financial budget.

[degi]

As far as i know, only 1.4x extender works with the 100-400L. If you'll use the 2.0x extender the autofocus wont work properly.

[saupatel]

aah darn that is not good news . Oh well back to saving money for the 600mm. Should be able to save that money in 10 years

[B7772ADL]

Depends on what body you use regarding autofocus with 100-400 and 1.4x I believe. I think it will only autofocus with 1D bodies and not other bodies. There is a taping trick where you can tape over the contacts but apparently the autofocus isn't very responsive.

[Diezel]

Maybe there is a photoshop close to your home that will rent you one of those super prime lenses. Might be a cheap alternative if you do this a couple of times per year and you will learn how to use such a lens.

Roel.

[Greg Wilson]

............a/c in cruise (and maybe some nature/astro shots too)..........

You don't need the AF on that range of shots.

[Brenden S]

You tape the first 3 contacts to retain auto focus. As for the lens choice I would go the 100-400 and a 2x converter. I have the sigma 50-500mm and a 2x converter and works well. I tried the autofocus and it didnt work to well on my lens, but seen it work well on the 100-400. The only problem that I had photographing aircraft was the heat haze from the ground which affected the shot.

[DAIRD]

For me, 400 mm is the limit. I used a 500mm lens with a 2x converter, and: the quality of pictures taken with a large lens was going down,
the angle of view was going smaller, with the effect the light I needed was reduced due to its longer way through the lens and resulting in longer shutter times. To compense the longer shutter times I had to increase the ISO up to 400 - which made my pictures grainy. And, after all, with that (truely impressive) magnification I got a lot of atmospheric dirt inclusive the heat distortion on long-distance shots (e.g. ground / ground).
This is my experience with super-telephoto-converter-devices. Never again.

Ralf

[turbotraker]

You tape the first 3 contacts to retain auto focus. As for the lens choice I would go the 100-400 and a 2x converter. I have the sigma 50-500mm and a 2x converter and works well. I tried the autofocus and it didnt work to well on my lens, but seen it work well on the 100-400.

Cheers for that Brenden, will try that with my 100-400 with the 2x converter.

[philip]

I would forget both, but especially the second option. These setups wont deliver good quality despite the 100-400mm being a good lens. For this amount of money there simply is no good supertele available unfortunately.

[B7772ADL]

Try a 70-200 with a 1.4x and a 2x stacked haha....shame about the quality!

[philip]

Try a 70-200 with a 1.4x and a 2x stacked haha....shame about the quality!

I don't consider 400mm a 'super'-telephoto lens. Honestly James, you cant compare the use of converters on a 2.8 with a 4.5-5.6 lens!

[B7772ADL]

I don't consider 400mm a 'super'-telephoto lens. Honestly James, you cant compare the use of converters on a 2.8 with a 4.5-5.6 lens!

Sorry, I meant 300mm prime, i've got 70-200 on the brain lol.