Posted by Brian Monk on December 19, 2006 at 1:38 AM
Hi Y'all! I currently shoot with a 75-300 tele-macro f4.0-5.6 Tamron mounted on a Minolta 5D. I'm new, and I like my set-up, and I've managed to take to fantastic macro photos with it. But then I look at the photos on this site. Specifically, the bird photos......Now, I've been a birder for over 20 years, and thought originally that I would be happy simply documenting the more uncommon species I encountered. It has become quickly evident that these images, while practically useful, are artistically hollow and leave me less than satisfied.
Which brings me to the problem of getting closer. I have a 2x converter, but it leaves the images less than clear, let alone tack sharp. I suspect this is in part due to the quality of the teleconverter (Phoenix), but also due to the nature of teleconverters.
I hesitate to indebt myself even more with the purchase of some serious glass (500mm f2.8-type stuff). I'm currently trying to obtain a better 1.4x teleconverter. I've also encountered a 500mm f8 lens from Opteka that is suspiciously cheap. Anyone have any experience with this type of lens?
Lastly, can one rent heavy glass??? Is there such a service that would allow the leasing or short-term rental of such a piece of equipment???
TIA!
Posted by Kent Staubus on December 19, 2006 at 10:48 AM
I highly doubt you are going to find ANY converter that will make you happy. The problem is the lens. Not only was it not designed for use with a TC, but also you're going to be shooting at f8 with such a combo because the 1.4x TC will eat up one stop of light. Your autofocus won't work and it will be very difficult to focus sharp due to the dark viewfinder. Your 70-300mm is a dead end for that.
What you might consider is looking for a used Sigma or Tokina 400mm f5.6 lens on eBay. They are decent, and you can get away with using either a Minolta 1.4x or a quality Tamron SP 1.4x (still no autofocus and it will be dark in the viewfinder on anything less than a sunny day.) The Sigma 400mm f5.6 that takes the 77mm filter is the best of the bunch. Used on eBay, around $500 I think.
If you really want to go nuts, the Sigma 500mm f4.5 is available for Minolta. It costs 4,000-something and is a pretty good deal. A Tamron/Tokina/Sigma 300mm f2.8 with a matching 2x would be also. (The 2x eats up stops so you'd have an f5.6 600mm, which isn't bad.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=9266&A=details&Q=&sku=380704&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
With the Minolta/Sony system you are a little more limited with lens choices than with Nikon or Canon, but there are still lenses out there that will do what you want.
With these kinds of lenses, you will need a REAL tripod and head, too. You might be ahead to just quit looking at the photos from the serious bird photographers on here. Otherwise you will get the same disease they have. You have the early symptoms!
Kent in SD
Posted by Les Barstow on December 19, 2006 at 11:15 AM
It looks like the Opteka is just what you'd expect for the price - read the (single) Amazon review if you're interested; it is a reflex (mirror-based) lens, which limits its application significantly. You're much better off seeing if a better teleconverter (or maybe a better 300mm lens - I don't know how good that particular Tamron is...) would help; there are several available.
The 5D is an APS-C sized sensor, so you're already getting 1.5x effective "magnification" - 450mm in 35mm terms - on the 300mm end of your lens. That's an acceptable length for wildlife, if you're patient, lucky, or pick the right location. Add in a solid teleconverter and a good tripod, and you'll have a decent setup while saving money.
I don't know about renting Sony/Minolta glass, but there are services that rent lenses...
BTW, if you're taking pictures of small birds, there's never enough glass, and never enough money to cover the glass that you'll "need". Pro-level lenses cost a lot, but you get improved sharpness and more incoming light; both of those help when you go to add on the teleconverter...
Posted by Iain Lowson on December 21, 2006 at 1:05 PM
Brian
I have a Sigma 300 f2.8 APO EX HSM DG with a 1.4 matched converter. Good results with Nikon D200 although at wide apertures, DOF is a big problem. I also have a Sigma 400 f5.6 which I have used for a number of years with a variety of Nikon film cameras, currently an F6. I'd definitely recommend a second hand 400 if you can get a decent example. It's great for stalking as it's so light and can be carried over your shoulder in the field for hours. It places little strain on a robust Nikon mount. Not sure if Canon mounts would be robust enough for this treatment. There is no Sigma matched converter for the 400 and I'd be doubtful about using anything that's not matched. I put it and the 300 on a Gitzo 1325 and Kirk Cobra head. Very stable. With practice and good light you can hand hold the 400. The 300 is a serious bit of glass and weighs too much for me to hand hold comfortably. My experience with the 300 is that there is a big DOF trade-off to get the extra shutter speed offered by the wide aperture. Not sure about my long-term use of this lens which I've only had for a couple of months. Images I've taken with the 400 can be seen on Alamy under a search for my name.
Good luck
Iain Lowson
Scotland
Posted by Paul DeCesare on November 17, 2007 at 12:25 AM
Brian, there is a fully stock place that rents Minolta & Sony lenses now:
http://www.alphalensrental.com/index.html
Have at it!
Posted by Greg Frazier on March 3, 2011 at 5:39 AM
Brian, I use a Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G-Series Telephoto Zoom Lens - SAL70400G with a Sony 2.0x G-Series Tele-converter Lens - SAL-20TC mounted on my new Sony a-55 body. Prior to getting the new body (which sports the translucent lens technology allowing for some real perks of shooting) I shot this combo with the a200 Sony. I experimented with several different combinations from a couple of rental house before deciding on this. I have not been disappointed. If you are accustomed to shooting in full auto mode, you will have a learning curve if shooting flying birds, learning to lead them. With the Sony steady shot technology, I have shot quite a few action shots without a tri or monopod.
Discussion
5 repliesWhich brings me to the problem of getting closer. I have a 2x converter, but it leaves the images less than clear, let alone tack sharp. I suspect this is in part due to the quality of the teleconverter (Phoenix), but also due to the nature of teleconverters.
I hesitate to indebt myself even more with the purchase of some serious glass (500mm f2.8-type stuff). I'm currently trying to obtain a better 1.4x teleconverter. I've also encountered a 500mm f8 lens from Opteka that is suspiciously cheap. Anyone have any experience with this type of lens?
Lastly, can one rent heavy glass??? Is there such a service that would allow the leasing or short-term rental of such a piece of equipment???
TIA!
What you might consider is looking for a used Sigma or Tokina 400mm f5.6 lens on eBay. They are decent, and you can get away with using either a Minolta 1.4x or a quality Tamron SP 1.4x (still no autofocus and it will be dark in the viewfinder on anything less than a sunny day.) The Sigma 400mm f5.6 that takes the 77mm filter is the best of the bunch. Used on eBay, around $500 I think.
If you really want to go nuts, the Sigma 500mm f4.5 is available for Minolta. It costs 4,000-something and is a pretty good deal. A Tamron/Tokina/Sigma 300mm f2.8 with a matching 2x would be also. (The 2x eats up stops so you'd have an f5.6 600mm, which isn't bad.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=9266&A=details&Q=&sku=380704&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
With the Minolta/Sony system you are a little more limited with lens choices than with Nikon or Canon, but there are still lenses out there that will do what you want.
With these kinds of lenses, you will need a REAL tripod and head, too. You might be ahead to just quit looking at the photos from the serious bird photographers on here. Otherwise you will get the same disease they have. You have the early symptoms!
Kent in SD
The 5D is an APS-C sized sensor, so you're already getting 1.5x effective "magnification" - 450mm in 35mm terms - on the 300mm end of your lens. That's an acceptable length for wildlife, if you're patient, lucky, or pick the right location. Add in a solid teleconverter and a good tripod, and you'll have a decent setup while saving money.
I don't know about renting Sony/Minolta glass, but there are services that rent lenses...
BTW, if you're taking pictures of small birds, there's never enough glass, and never enough money to cover the glass that you'll "need". Pro-level lenses cost a lot, but you get improved sharpness and more incoming light; both of those help when you go to add on the teleconverter...
I have a Sigma 300 f2.8 APO EX HSM DG with a 1.4 matched converter. Good results with Nikon D200 although at wide apertures, DOF is a big problem. I also have a Sigma 400 f5.6 which I have used for a number of years with a variety of Nikon film cameras, currently an F6. I'd definitely recommend a second hand 400 if you can get a decent example. It's great for stalking as it's so light and can be carried over your shoulder in the field for hours. It places little strain on a robust Nikon mount. Not sure if Canon mounts would be robust enough for this treatment. There is no Sigma matched converter for the 400 and I'd be doubtful about using anything that's not matched. I put it and the 300 on a Gitzo 1325 and Kirk Cobra head. Very stable. With practice and good light you can hand hold the 400. The 300 is a serious bit of glass and weighs too much for me to hand hold comfortably. My experience with the 300 is that there is a big DOF trade-off to get the extra shutter speed offered by the wide aperture. Not sure about my long-term use of this lens which I've only had for a couple of months. Images I've taken with the 400 can be seen on Alamy under a search for my name.
Good luck
Iain Lowson
Scotland
http://www.alphalensrental.com/index.html
Have at it!