300mm with 2x converter - my first attempts

Tobyh · #1 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 08:54 PM

Hi all,

I'm sure many of you have been through exactly the same thought process on the road to getting a 500mm prime. Why don't I try a 300mm with either a 1.4 or 2x converter - much cheaper than a 500mm and with plenty of reach. Well, I took the plunge back in the summer and decided it was time to share my views. This I hope is a work in progress and this is just my views and opinions, take from it what you will.

Firstly I use a Nikon D300 with a Sigma 300mm for the majority of my bird shots. I rarely shoot without the 1.4 TC attached and have to say I'm very happy. Lovely and sharp with some super shots in low light still. I haven't regretted paying out at all.

Now to the main point - the 2x converter. Anyone that has spent any time looking into this will know that the Sigma converters are "optimised" for the Sigma 300mm 2.8 and should retain fast Auto Focus (AF).

My first shots were, to put it bluntly, awful. I was not happy at all, in fact I wrote to Sigma who asked me to do some tests which I finally got round to doing this weekend. Admittedly they arent exactly scientific but bear with me. I set up my tripod at my back window to shoot birds at my feeders. The first thing I notice is that when using AF even the view through the viewfinder didn't look sharp. Not even close. I then realised that it wasn't actually focusing where it should be, it was slightly out. Hmm good start. Switched to manual focus and took some shots.

Apart from the obvious technical considerations for shooting with what is effectively a 900mm lense, remember that all the 2x is doing is magnifying the detail that the lense can already pick up meaning that if your subject is a fair way off, although you may get a larger shot of it, the detail is not exactly going to be stunning. I also found that unless the subjects were really close my images would not be suitable for blowing right up - at A4 size they would put out a good picture - perhaps even a little larger but none of my first batch are exactly poster quality.

All pictures best viewed at their full size - click them then click again!

Here's a few first examples - taken at around 20 feet.

following these I then shot the female blackbird at around 40 feet and was still relatively happy with the detail -

This squirrel was around 20 feet too - first shot is totally unedited and is %100 to show how much detail was obtained pre process. The second shot is my 2 minute process and I think it's not too bad. Ignore composition etc please, I'm just looking at detail here

If you look closely in the portait you can just make out my house.

So what does this mean?

If you manage your expectations then I think the 2x has a place in this type of setup. I'm still learning technique wise and certainly can get better in that respect. Personally I'm just shooting for my own amusement and to share the ones I think people may enjoy and in that respect I'm happy with it. As long as I don't expect to get A3 prints I shouldn't be disappointed.

Happy to discuss further if anyone is interested and hopefully will get a chance to try this out somewhere that the distance / detail issue may be better demonstrated.

Comments welcomed!

Cliffnotes for tl;dr - Bought a 2x converter, thought it was cack, turned out ok for some stuff!

TobyH

Boddie · #2 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 11:34 PM

I'd be chuffed. The detail on the squirrel is as good as you'll get

For once a grey squirrel image that deserves a place in the Gallery

Jim Ford · #3 (**permalink**) 18-01-2010, 11:35 PM

What can I say other than - impressive!

Jim

big bill · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 05:43 PM

Toby fantastic set of pics ,well done focusing spot on as well as exposure well done

Tobyh · #5 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 06:35 PM

Thanks for the encouragement folks. I think I'm a bit excited about the potential of this after having pretty much given up on my 2x.

TobyH

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 08:05 PM

Extremely good well detailed shots. Just goes to show what you can do with a good lens. I'd have been delighted with shots as good as these.

momji1971 · #7 (**permalink**) 19-01-2010, 08:36 PM

Great shots Toby. Interesting you say with the sigma converter it didn't seem to focus in the right place.

I have the 500 and found the same problem. Bought a third party converter and it works as it should. Though I know it's not optimised for my lens (Sigma don't actually recommend it!) But strange its the same problem.

Are your images wide open at different distances tack sharp without the converter? Mines in at Sigma for a focusing problem so they're calibrating the lens to the camera, but adding a converter highlighted the problem as the focusing error was magnified. Could shoot stopped down but way off wide open.

Just a thought. Nice images though manual focusing, well done!

regards.
Stu.

Tobyh · #8 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momji1971

Great shots Toby. Interesting you say with the sigma converter it didn't seem to focus in the right place.

I have the 500 and found the same problem. Bought a third party converter and it works as it should. Though I know it's not optimised for my lens (Sigma don't actually recommend it!) But strange its the same problem.

Are your images wide open at different distances tack sharp without the converter? Mines in at Sigma for a focusing problem so they're calibrating the lens to the camera, but adding a converter highlighted the problem as the focusing error was magnified. Could shoot stopped down but way off wide open.

Just a thought. Nice images though manual focusing, well done!

regards.
Stu.

Hi Stu,

Very weird that we had exact same problem - stranger still only the 2x gives me that issue, the 1.4 is perfect.

I hadn't noticed any issues otherwise but rarely shoot without the 1.4 attached. I'll attempt to test that out sometime.

TobyH

Tobyh · #9 (**permalink**) 20-01-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

Extremely good well detailed shots. Just goes to show what you can do with a good lens. I'd have been delighted with shots as good as these.

Thank you Graham!

TobyH

AndyElliott · #10 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 02:01 PM

TCs sometimes throw the focus off if you use all the points. I'm not familiar with the D300, but try to stick to the centre-most focus points.

Vibration is the real killer for such a long-range combo. So cable-release, mirror lock-up (or self timer/whatever, so there is a delay between mirror up and shutter release) is the order of the day.

Andy