New Long Lens Decisions

[Chris_Johnstone]

I've had my eye on the little bigma for a while and I've seen some nice shots with it. However I've just come across the 135-400mm. Could the latter be coupled with a teleconverter (1.4, 1.7) for better results or what?

Was hoping to get this in time for a trip to Gigrin over the Easter vacation.

Chris

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Chris_Johnstone

I've had my eye on the little bigma for a while and I've seen some nice shots with it. However I've just come across the 135-400mm. Could the latter be coupled with a teleconverter (1.4, 1.7) for better results or what?

Was hoping to get this in time for a trip to Gigrin over the Easter vacation.

Chris

i'd forget that route if i was you chris as you will almost certainly loose the auto focus in all but the brightest light.

if you can afford it i would go with the bigma - i actually have a little bigma but now wish i had gone with big brother to start with - little bigma is a good lens but it lacks the hsm foccusing of big bro which is a lot better for nature phtography as it is quicker and quieter

[glsammy]

There's also potential problems, I found this: photo.net Forum: Auto Focus Problem with Sigma 135-400 - photo.net

The user lost AF function after using a third party 1.4X Teleconverter, damaging his lens. Obviously this shouldn't happen if you use the Sigma ones, but you'll definitely have no AF with the converter on.

I tried converters with the Bigma (50-500mm) and couldn't get on with them, I never got an acceptable shot with them.

[peterjclarke]

I've got the Bigma and love it! A friend had the liitle bigma and really found the auto-focus slow and it tended to hunt alot. He has since traded it in for the 500mm F4.5. I would advise saving up the extra and getting the 50-500mm rather than the little bigma.

[eeyore]

i've not found little bigma to be that bad - all my long lens shots are taken with it. but i agree that big bro is definitely the better lens

that said if you go to ebay there isnt that much difference between the price of a bigma and the price of a 100-400 IS (or 80-400VR if you are a nikonite).

[richardkm]

I've got the Canon 100-400 and find it excellent with my 400D. The problem with bird photography is that the birds are never near enough. I'm going to get the 1.4x converter which will still allow auto functions. For greater magnification, I digiscope with a compact digital on my Kowa birding scope, with care it's possible to get some very good pics.

[joekid]

id definately manual focus the lens, the batteries will last longer too,unless the target is moving,