Canon artillary (2x convertors)

Also should I get a Sigma or Canon convertor to perform best

Just a quick note. Canon AF teleconverters will only physically fit some lenses, these tend to be the high end L series lens. So I do not think they will fit any independant lens manufacturers products or any of the cheaper Canon lenses.

There is information on this in a Canon lens brochure if you can get one.

If you can stretch to a Canon 100-400mm L series lens, a teleconverter will fit.

Phil

I am considering purchasing the Sigma 50-500 zoom to go on my Canon EOS 30 (non digital) with a view to future proofing for when I go digital. Does anyone know if this combination will work?
Also should I get a Sigma or Canon convertor to perform best.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41922

It seems MF will work on the Bigma (Sigma 50-500mm) using a Sigma TC works on a Canon DSLR, I would assume that being EOS the focusing capabilities will be the same (if not lesser) on an older gen film EOS.

Please note using a TC means that you start with an optically superior lens which will still yield good images even after loosing 1.4 or 2 stops of light due to the TC. If you start with an optically mediocre lens or even a merely satisfactory lens like the Bigma you should expect to see sub par images.

Since we are on AFM (hence aviation photography) I would suggest an EF 100-400mm if you have not already acquired the Bigma. I personally use the 70-200 f/2.8 IS with a 2x TC with “acceptable results”. I dont get too many opportunities to shoot aircrafts so it works fine me and works great when it used at a 70-200 rather 140-400mm.

For further info, I would suggest (much to the dismay of some folks around here) to check out POTN (above), Digital-picture and Fred Miranda.
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I am considering purchasing the Sigma 50-500 zoom.

I purchased one of these lenses with Minolta AF fit for use on a Dynax 7 (film body). With film one could shoot with Fuji Provia 400F and push process by one (800 ISO) or two stops (1600 ISO), one stop best.

The lens has succesfully migrated to a digital Dynax 7D and Sony Alpha cameras.

My experience suggests that the Sigma 50-500mm will autofocus in good light but adding converters makes manual focus operation a must. I have both 1.4x and 2x Sigma converters and if I were you I would go with Sigma if you are purchasing these. Believe me I have found in practice, particularly with digital, that the 1.4x converter is of the most utility.

Manual focus following aircraft around the sky, particularly fast jets requires some practice, and strong arms, with this lens. Adjusting zoom and focus simultaneously with the Sigma whilst doing this is not a realistic proposition IME, choose your shot and focal length and then follow and shoot when right, just like we used to do in the old days with telephoto lenses before good zooms became available, let alone affordable.

I have tried both converters together, one picture being of the moon seen on my website, unfortunately there was a little high very thin cloud drifting in from the north which has muted the definition a little particularly at the top left sector.

It looks like the auto focusing issue is the only one I can find. Just shoot on nice sunny days! Here is what Canon says about it

Teleconverters are not recommended for lenses wider than 50mm, e.g. 28-105mm. However, full AF operation is only possible with lenses with open aperture of f/2.8 or brighter. Please be aware that AF will work properly only if there is enough light and contrast on the subject to activate the camera’s AF sensors. Manual focusing is recommended when using lenses with smaller open f-stop value than those given above.

I don’t see why any EF series lens would not work on a EOS film body. In fact the Canon site says that the EOS30 is compatible with over 50 EF lenses.

It will not be compatible with the EF-S lens series which is designed for the 1.6 crop format digital cameras.

Wardie

Thanks everyone,
Can a dedicated digital spec lens be used on a conventional ( film ) body?
Be lucky
David

When you use a converter it reduces the light available to the camera by either 1 stop for the 1.4x converter or 2 stops for the 2x converter.

I know that on most Canon DSLR cameras they will stop autofocussing reliably over F5.6 so if your lens has a wide open value of F4 and you add a 1.4x converter you may loose the AF function as the lens is now effectively a F5.6. It does not stop you manual focussing the lens but if you are shooting something that requires a constant focus change as you pan with it (airshow shooting) this can be a PITA.

I use the Kenko 2x Pro converter and it does the job well (at least as can be expected). All converters affect the Image Quality in some way.

Wardie

What is the f-stop range on the lens? I know I have seen warnings that the doubler is NOT recomended if the F is too high on the lens, at least with the digital SLR.

Chris,
It is Sigma AF50-500 F4-6.3 APO EX DG HSM and goes out to F22 at minimum.
Hope it helps.
Be lucky
David

Why would you want a converter on the 50-500? You want to check if the moon landing was real or not? Please send me a copy of your shot of the tranquility base, cause I would finally like some definitive proof. 😀

Seriously though, shooting at 500mm by hand is already tough enough. And with analogue you can not just happily shoot away hoping to get that one good shot. I would not put a converter on it.

What is the f-stop range on the lens? I know I have seen warnings that the doubler is NOT recomended if the F is too high on the lens, at least with the digital SLR.