I need a bit of advice about taping down contacts etc. to get AF on Simga 500mm with 1.4 extender (if it is possible). BTW the way is IQ up to stratch and is the canon 1.4 better than the sigma 1.4?
I'm not familiar with either the Sigma lens or extender but if it's the same procedure as with the Canon extender's, you do the following:
Hold the extender in front of you so you're looking at the end that attaches to the lens.
There are 11 gold coloured pins/contacts. You need to put a piece of tape over the first three pins on the left.
I use a 1cm square bit of sellotape. It's been in place for years and works fine, never moves or becomes dislodged.
Hope that helps.
PS. Can't help with the question regarding the better convertor of the two, having never used the Sigma one.
Posted by Rene de Heer on April 20, 2008 at 9:27 AM
As far as i know AF with the 1.4 converter is sluggish and inconsistant. There is plenty of info available about this subject on the internet. The Sigma 500/4.5 is a fine lens, it is lacking VR or IS but optically it is a very good performer and the AF is also pretty fast.
I recall that the best converter to use with the Sigma 4.5/500 is the the Kenro Pro 300, it seems to work with the Sigma if you tape down the contacts.
The Sigma converter is pretty good as well but i would suspect the Canon to be better.
Rene de Heer
I tried this once and took the tape off. Admittedly it was using a 100-400 on a 300d body but I found it hunted around all over the place. I know people use this but does that mean my issue was unique or are people just happy for this to happen? Can't help much MJ as only use Canon and the issue above
I know people use this but does that mean my issue was unique or are people just happy for this to happen?
Hi Graeme,
It's usable on a 100-400mm in bright,contrasty light with a static subject, but it's anything but quick or consistently relliable, as you've discovered.
Posted by Graeme Lee on April 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Thanks Justin. Was beginning to think you had the sharpest AND FASTEST 100-400
Posted by szekiat chan on April 20, 2008 at 11:40 AM
i think there's another method involving taping just 1 pin to allow the aperture data to be accurately transmitted for the EXIF. Also seems to improve AF tracking. I can't for the life of me remember which one it was though.
Hello Michael,
I've never tried the taping over pins routine yet but I can offer some thoughts on the extenders. I have had a Canon 1.4 (mk1) and the Sigma 1.4 for some time. I used to use the canon on a 300mm f4 prime with good results. However I wanted a 100 -300 range for hide work and eventually sold my Canon 70-200 f4 and 300 f4 lenses and bought the Sigma 100-300 f4 and have never regretted it. I have used this lens with the sigma 1.4 ext and it gives excellent results, though obviously with a slight reduction in speed. Results were indistinguishable from using the canon 1.4 ext. I also have the sigma 500 and I use that with the sigma 1.4. As mentioned I haven't tried taping pins yet so have used the combo in manual focus only. In this configuration the image quality is excellent and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the sigma extender. In fact I have recently sold my Canon 1.4 as there is no discenrable difference between the two and I don't need two. One further comment, I have also used the Canon x2 extender (on the 300 prime) but was very dissapointed with the image quality from it so outed it straight away and haver never used one since (Canon or Sigma) though saying that I have seen some great shots on this forum taken with a x2 so maybe mine was just a 'bad un' .
Robert
Posted by Paul Everett on April 21, 2008 at 7:04 AM
I have used the Canon 1.4x converter with my Sig 500 on many occassions and have been very happy with the IQ. I tend to only use it man focus though so haven't taped up the pins. I have also used the 2x converter and been reasonably happy with the results. For me the thinking was that given the small price differential I want the best t/c I could and as far as I am concerned that is the Canon. It seems a false economy to spend big money on a long lens then economise on the t/c.
Paul
Posted by Paul Inglis on April 21, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Hi Michael,
For my two cents worth;
If I was using a Sigma lens I'd use a Sigma TC, and the same goes for Canon with Canon or Nikon with Nikon!
I shoot with Nikon but the same applies whatever manufacturer you shoot! Now I have used 1.4x, 1.7x and 2.0x TC on many of my lenses over the years such as the 200-400mm, 500mm and 600mm! I have taped the pins and never really found a problem with Image Quality but...
You do need good light to get them auto-focusing properly. I find the 1.4x is flawless, then the 1.7x is awesome and auto-focuses without the need to tape the pins. The 2.0x is quite a challenge but some excellent results can be achieved with it! I have auto-focused with all my TC’s.
You only have to look at some of the posts in the last day or so show that few have been shooting with the 600mm + 2.0x TC with exceptional results. I often see many photographers posting their images on this forum with a 1.4x TC in their techs.
Using TC’s isn’t for everyone and take some getting used to!
Just a word of warning... if you do tape the pins the lens hunts more... i.e. more wear and tear on that USM/HSM motor.....
Phil
Posted by eric weight on April 21, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I have the pins taped on my canon x1.4 and I agree with Phil's warning about excessive wear. Unless the light is very good it hunts around like a mad thing and the image quality is poor. Whether that is because I am using it with a 100-400 or not I am not sure. The lens on its own is more than sharp enouh for me. Eric
Hi,
I have the Sigma 500mm, and sometimes use it with a Kenko Pro 1.4x converter with taped pins. The autofocus actually works quite well. Perhaps you have the wrong pins taped. Which converter are you using?
See: http://www.michaelfurtman.com/taping_the_pins.htm.
Image quality is very good with this combo, but needs more solid support than with the lens alone, so I usually only use the converter when using a tripod.
Discussion
16 repliesHi all,
I need a bit of advice about taping down contacts etc. to get AF on Simga 500mm with 1.4 extender (if it is possible). BTW the way is IQ up to stratch and is the canon 1.4 better than the sigma 1.4?
Cheers MJ
Hold the extender in front of you so you're looking at the end that attaches to the lens.
There are 11 gold coloured pins/contacts. You need to put a piece of tape over the first three pins on the left.
I use a 1cm square bit of sellotape. It's been in place for years and works fine, never moves or becomes dislodged.
Hope that helps.
PS. Can't help with the question regarding the better convertor of the two, having never used the Sigma one.
I recall that the best converter to use with the Sigma 4.5/500 is the the Kenro Pro 300, it seems to work with the Sigma if you tape down the contacts.
The Sigma converter is pretty good as well but i would suspect the Canon to be better.
Rene de Heer
Hi Graeme,
It's usable on a 100-400mm in bright,contrasty light with a static subject, but it's anything but quick or consistently relliable, as you've discovered.
I wish
I've never tried the taping over pins routine yet but I can offer some thoughts on the extenders. I have had a Canon 1.4 (mk1) and the Sigma 1.4 for some time. I used to use the canon on a 300mm f4 prime with good results. However I wanted a 100 -300 range for hide work and eventually sold my Canon 70-200 f4 and 300 f4 lenses and bought the Sigma 100-300 f4 and have never regretted it. I have used this lens with the sigma 1.4 ext and it gives excellent results, though obviously with a slight reduction in speed. Results were indistinguishable from using the canon 1.4 ext. I also have the sigma 500 and I use that with the sigma 1.4. As mentioned I haven't tried taping pins yet so have used the combo in manual focus only. In this configuration the image quality is excellent and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the sigma extender. In fact I have recently sold my Canon 1.4 as there is no discenrable difference between the two and I don't need two. One further comment, I have also used the Canon x2 extender (on the 300 prime) but was very dissapointed with the image quality from it so outed it straight away and haver never used one since (Canon or Sigma) though saying that I have seen some great shots on this forum taken with a x2 so maybe mine was just a 'bad un' .
Robert
Paul
For my two cents worth;
If I was using a Sigma lens I'd use a Sigma TC, and the same goes for Canon with Canon or Nikon with Nikon!
I shoot with Nikon but the same applies whatever manufacturer you shoot! Now I have used 1.4x, 1.7x and 2.0x TC on many of my lenses over the years such as the 200-400mm, 500mm and 600mm! I have taped the pins and never really found a problem with Image Quality but...
You do need good light to get them auto-focusing properly. I find the 1.4x is flawless, then the 1.7x is awesome and auto-focuses without the need to tape the pins. The 2.0x is quite a challenge but some excellent results can be achieved with it! I have auto-focused with all my TC’s.
You only have to look at some of the posts in the last day or so show that few have been shooting with the 600mm + 2.0x TC with exceptional results. I often see many photographers posting their images on this forum with a 1.4x TC in their techs.
Using TC’s isn’t for everyone and take some getting used to!
Good luck!
Just a word of warning... if you do tape the pins the lens hunts more... i.e. more wear and tear on that USM/HSM motor.....
Phil
I have the Sigma 500mm, and sometimes use it with a Kenko Pro 1.4x converter with taped pins. The autofocus actually works quite well. Perhaps you have the wrong pins taped. Which converter are you using?
See: http://www.michaelfurtman.com/taping_the_pins.htm.
Image quality is very good with this combo, but needs more solid support than with the lens alone, so I usually only use the converter when using a tripod.
MJ