wmpark

I have read on some recent topics that good sharp images can be achieved with the 300mm, F2.8 and a 2X converter using proper settings.
Could anyone elaborate on the best settings to use when trying for Birds in Flight. I Know I need about 2000 th. of a second but what is the best F stop to use.
I just got a 5DM4 and want to see how well this combination will work out.
Thanks for looking.
BillP

twowindsbear

Shouldn't be too terribly difficult for YOU to test.

Connect everything together, plant it all on a STURDY tripod, use appropriate shooting techniques, sight in on something 'bird sized' at 'bird shooting distance,' shoot all the lens openings, maybe even in 1/3f intervals, factor in noise & such from higher ISO, and don't forget the IQ changes from the 2xTC, and choose what works best for you!

That's my WAG

Good luck

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Laura Meyers uses a Canon 5d Mk IV, 300mm F2.8 with a 2X hand held - no issues.

http://www.laurameyers.com/

She also does a nice job with that setup with birds in flight.

http://laurameyers.photoshelter.com/index

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

1/800 f8 Canon 50D , 300 2.8 W/2XII from my bodypod .........very difficult to hand hold with 2X @ 600mm ! ! - Bodypod works very well ......

(Download)

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

Nobody can say what settings to use without knowing the amount of light that is available to the lens.
You will lose 2 stops with the 2x making your max aperture of 5.6.

Imagemeister posted a nice heron with his gear.

I got this titmouse when the light was perfect for it.

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Digital Picture suggested f/8 for the combo. I shoot in the f/8 to f/11 range, depending on light and need. Here's two examples to give you a sense of the possible excellent results: (you can click each image and 'click' into the shooting details and the image details on Flickr).


Matt Chapman by Paul Sager, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7768/27357689373_69c43d731c_b.jpg
Chicago area Dragonflies by Paul Sager, on Flickr

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Someone recently posted pictures taken with a Canon tele and a 2x TC. Maybe he'll see this and reply. I don't think his shots were of birds, but they were beautiful.

cthahn

Try it. This is not the film days where it cost money every time you take a picture. Learn the relationship between shutter, lens, and ISO. Also learn a teleconverter looses 2 full stops. Now you slow zoom lens will be between f8 and f11.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

you've seen some great results don't let the naysayers bother you. on a bright sunny day 2 stops is no big deal. if you were using one of the 150-600mm zooms, you'd still have to stop down to f8 or f11 for the best sharpness.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Gorgeous! Heavy lens!!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

I have a Canon 100-400II with a 1.4 on it and not bad to hand hold. I use spot focus, AI-servo and Continuous fire. With a little bit of practice it gets easier. A burst of 3-5 shots will often get one good one.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The combo works fine and makes very high quality images at any f-stop you wish. The largest possible with the combo will be f/5.6 anyway.

1/2000? Is it an older, non-stabilized lens? Even if it is, should be able to hold a high percentage of steady shots at 1/600 or faster (reciprocal of the focal length) and 1/1000 would be plenty fast (though the speed and direction of the bird's movement might dictate a faster shutter speed... or wing movements if it's a hummingbird).

But I don't think I'd often use 300mm + 2X for BIF.... 600mm effective focal length is longer than I'd normally use for that purpose. Too hard to "keep on target" with small, fast moving subjects and weighing in at 6 or 7 lb. plus another 2 lb. for the camera itself, it's too hefty a rig to hand hold for anything longer than a few minutes of shooting. Maybe on a tripod with a gimbal head... but that's still going to be tricky to use for BIF.

Depending upon the exact TC and lens combo (as well as lighting conditions), autofocus may slow and struggle to keep up with fast moving subjects, too.

For BIF (and other hand held uses), I prefer the much smaller, lighter 300mm f/4.... sometimes with 1.4X when needed. Or 100-400mm, wihtout TC.

By the way, that 300/2.8 on any of the recent APS-C cameras would be a useful alternative. Better than using a teleconverter... like a "free 1.6X" TC (i.e., teleconverter effect without the image quality or light-loss "penalties" of an actual teleconverter). That lens alone, without any TC at all, would "act like a 480mm f/2.8" on any of the recent 24MP models such as 80D, 77D, T7i/T6i, etc. or on 20MP 7DII, 70D.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I agree .....but with a 600mm prime (300 + 2X) finding the bird in the VF is challenging ! - and so is the extra 3 lbs weight !

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Thanks suntouched ! .........the bodypod makes it much easier !

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I think , on FF, you would want f8 for DOF - the added higher quality higher ISO of FF would allow higher SS which would be needed in a hand holding scenerio - like 1/1250-2000.