I like the 150-600's...but my dilemma.. I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version). I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the...

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version).
I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the 150-600 lens and I've considered letting mine go and get one of those lens for the extended reach.

My questions: Might it make better sense to just get the 1.4 extender to add to my current lens? Would that degrade the picture quality more than just having the 150-600?
Thanks for the help!

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I've got a Sigma 150-500 and you better be in shape or use a monopod or tripod for those bigger lenses. I'm thinking you'll probably lose a stop either way you go. My walking around lens these days is a Sigma 18-300 and I find myself getting sneaker and closer to my subjects and/or cropping and sharpening a little more in Lightroom to compensate. Not sure there is a right answer to your dilemma. Just make sure if you go with an extender that it is compatible with your lens and camera, not worth damaging a nice L series lens. Good luck either way!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

mrova wrote:

I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version).
I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the 150-600 lens and I've considered letting mine go and get one of those lens for the extended reach.

My questions: Might it make better sense to just get the 1.4 extender to add to my current lens? Would that degrade the picture quality more than just having the 150-600?
Thanks for the help!

You will loose AF with an extender. Cropping with well applied pixel enlargement technique is really a good option for you.

The 150-600 are bigger and heavier and require good stabilization/support management to be most effective @600mm. They are also f6.3@400mm, so you loose 1/3 stop of light there.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

mrova wrote:

I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version).
I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the 150-600 lens and I've considered letting mine go and get one of those lens for the extended reach.

My questions: Might it make better sense to just get the 1.4 extender to add to my current lens? Would that degrade the picture quality more than just having the 150-600?
Thanks for the help!

Your 60D and the 100-400 already give you the field of view of a 640 mm. A 1.4X will get you out to 896. Used ones are running 180-250 dollars at B&H right now. That will be a good start and cheaper than going right to the 150-600s. (Just check with Canon to make sure the extender and lens are compatable.) One guy I know who manages a photo shop in this area actually prefers his trombone 100-400 to the new one. He likes to do moon shots with an extender.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

Mr PC wrote:

I've got a Sigma 150-500 and you better be in shap... (show quote)

Thank you PC for commenting. I've heard those lens are a bit hefty.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

imagemeister wrote:

You will loose AF with an extender. Cropping with well applied pixel enlargement technique is really a good option for you.

The 150-600 are bigger and heavier and require good stabilization/support management to be most effective @600mm. They are also f6.3@400mm, so you loose 1/3 stop of light there.

Thanks for commenting! I thought that it would lose a step or so of light. I've got and use a tripod, so no worries about the weight.
I do have a question about something you said...what do you mean by "Cropping with well applied pixel enlargement technique?" I still consider myself a rookie here...

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

robertjerl wrote:

Your 60D and the 100-400 already give you the field of view of a 640 mm. A 1.4X will get you out to 896. Used ones are running 180-250 dollars at B&H right now. That will be a good start and cheaper than going right to the 150-600s. (Just check with Canon to make sure the extender and lens are compatable.) One guy I know who manages a photo shop in this area actually prefers his trombone 100-400 to the new one. He likes to do moon shots with an extender.

Thanks Robert for responding. I think that's what I'm wondering. I was thinking the 1.4 might be the best way to start as since I've already got a big lens, a used extender isn't that big a deal. I think that lens is compatible and would double check that.
I'd guess if your friend is taking moon shots with that lens and extender, then the photos are coming out pretty sharp for that combo.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

mrova wrote:

Thanks Robert for responding. I think that's what I'm wondering. I was thinking the 1.4 might be the best way to start as since I've already got a big lens, a used extender isn't that big a deal. I think that lens is compatible and would double check that.
I'd guess if your friend is taking moon shots with that lens and extender, then the photos are coming out pretty sharp for that combo.

I bought my Tamron from him. I use it on a 6D. He liked my shots of the moon and displayed one of them for a while to show what the Tamron would do. I have never seen one of his prints, but he is still using the combo of the 100-400 and a 7D so he must be happy with the results.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

mrova wrote:

Thanks for commenting! I thought that it would lose a step or so of light. I've got and use a tripod, so no worries about the weight.
I do have a question about something you said...what do you mean by "Cropping with well applied pixel enlargement technique?" I still consider myself a rookie here...

One of the techniques is to use the Adobe default in Elements under "resize", "image size"," resample" "bicubic smoother" and increase the total pixel number total by 10% or less for each enlargement increment. I do 20-30% enlargements regularly but have not gone over 40% yet. Going from 400-600mm is a 50% enlargement. Sony cameras now have a 1.1-2X crop(pixel enlargement) function done in camera called "Clear Image Zoom". Of course, the higher the image quality of your native capture the higher the quality the pixel enlargement will appear.

There are also dedicated programs you can purchase that specialize in pixel interpolated enlargement. Google is your friend.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mrova, yes you do lose AF but you can tape the pins and get it right back.
I've used taped pins sinse I got my 100-400 in about 2009 and it works almost as well as w/I the extended. Don't let the focus issue be a deciding factor. ;-)
SS

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

imagemeister wrote:

One of the techniques is to use the Adobe default ... (show quote)

Thank you for the explanation. I'll check into that!

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

SharpShooter wrote:

Mrova, yes you do lose AF but you can tape the pins and get it right back.
I've used taped pins sinse I got my 100-400 in about 2009 and it works almost as well as w/I the extended. Don't let the focus issue be a deciding factor. ;-)
SS

Thanks SS for that. I wondered about the AF but wasn't too worried about that. But, good to know about taping the pins.
I sounds like since I've already got the 100-400, the addition of the extender might be the way to go for extra reach - at least for now - rather than getting the other lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

mrova wrote:

I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version).
I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the 150-600 lens and I've considered letting mine go and get one of those lens for the extended reach.

My questions: Might it make better sense to just get the 1.4 extender to add to my current lens? Would that degrade the picture quality more than just having the 150-600?
Thanks for the help!

mrova - As SS mentioned, adding the Canon 1.4x extender to the 100-400L loses a stop in that the lens becomes a f/8 maximum aperture. Your 60D will not autofocus this combination. I've heard mention of a work around with this tape idea. Canon's top tier EOS models including the 1D, 5DIII and 7DII will autofocus the combination which may explain why the combination is mentioned frequently. The image quality of the older model with the extender is fine. My experience is the out of focus areas of the image is harsh where the in-focus is fine. The combo also produces a better image at f/11 than the 'wide open' f/8 combination.

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

mrova - As SS mentioned, adding the Canon 1.4x ext... (show quote)

Thank you for that information!

Jim Bob

mrova wrote:

I shoot with a Canon 60d, and I have the Canon 100-400L (push/pull version).
I'm really enjoying seeing what many of you are doing with the 150-600 lens and I've considered letting mine go and get one of those lens for the extended reach.

My questions: Might it make better sense to just get the 1.4 extender to add to my current lens? Would that degrade the picture quality more than just having the 150-600?
Thanks for the help!

I have that same Canon lens (I assume you are referring to version 1) and also the 150-600 Tamron, Nikon mount. The beauty of the Canon is it can produce amazing images while being handheld. So can the Tamron, but unlike Regis, I can not handhold it for any lengthy period without it adversely affecting my photos-I find a tripod (and/or monopod) absolutely necessary. However, even with that proviso, there is a considerable difference between 400 and 600mm. For me, that difference is worth owning the Tamron. Your money, your art. You make the call.