Sigmonster Training

[John M. Duff]

Hi, I'm new to this forum that I joined because of who is administrator of this forum namely Romy Ocon, a talented and unselfish photographer who is always willing to help those of us less talented who wish to take better photos.
I bought the every same setup as Romy has in my tripod and long lens selection I allready had the same gimbal head.
I am still learning how difficult this lens is to use however I will post a few photos anyway. I have also had to deal with a tempermental auto focus on my Canon 1D MK III.
We have had a couple feet of snow and o degrees weather so my photos are from last fall. All shot with the Sigmonster and rested on a sandbag through my car window. A few Greater Yellowleg photos and a long billed Dowitcher and a pair of Double Crested Comorants and few Great Blue Herons. The Cormorant was taken with my since sold 100-400L IS lens and I think I had a Tamron 1.4 TC on it as well.
I am not sure if I should limited the number of photos however I am sure the moderator could alter this thread if necessary and hopefully they are not oversized. Pops

[Romy Ocon]

Nice Sigmonster captures, Pops..... your photos add variety to whatever local birds we have here. Would be nice to know where in North America these were taken.... we also have some US and Canada-based members who post interesting NA birds.

No size limit on posted photos yet (at least until we notice our servers slowing down). That said, members who're on dial-up might skip a post if the pics are too large..... I'd say 1000 pixels or less on the longer dimension would be just right, with 1200 pixels ok if some close details need to be shown. ;D

BTW, the Sigmonster + 1.4x TC won't AF with the 1DM2(N) if the TC is seen by the camera. Is this the same situation with the 1DM3?

Romy

[JP Cariño]

wow! nice set

[John M. Duff]

Hi Romy, I am still in the beginners stage with the Sigmonster and haven't had a chance to try a TC on the lens yet. I live in New England USA and the state of Vermont where we have a shorter season than others. In the spring I will try my different TCs on the lens and am actually undecided as to whether to buy Canons TCs or Sigmas.
I recently purchased a 40D but have not used my lens with it as yet however I have followed you posts with your 40D and Live View uses.
As to focusing with TCS on the 1D3 I haven't tried as my camera has been back to Canon 4 times and the latest trip was for the sub mirror work. I was not getting consistantly sharp photos when using AI Servo and shooting one or two frames at a time. I would have 3 in focus and 2 out and even using one shot was inconsistant, ( very frustrating ) but I still like the camera so I am hopeful that the latest fix did the trick.
I'm too old to venture out in "0" degrees weather to test it although I don't mind the cold. Canon wants me to send them photos again but that requires a subject and what's left here are sea gulls so I shall practice on them and see what I get.
I may be too old for all this equipment anyway as I find that lugging the Sigmonster with tripod and Gimbal head a bit of a struggle. I have a heart condition plus sugar and so I don't lug it like you do, matter of fact I am amazed at your ability to haul this setup around and I know you take it up grades as well.
I think I have a sharp lens and I am happy I bought it and thankful for your help when I got it. Pops

Thanks for the kind words JPC

[John M. Duff]

Might upgrade the forecast here as a warm front plus rain has partially arrived and everything is turning to mush. From 0 degrees and below to 46 degrees as I type in the space of a couple days. Pops

[Reyno Rosete]

Good job Pops !!!

[William Lim]

Pops, very nice photos. Hope that lugging the Sigmonster is not dangerous to your health.

william

[Romy Ocon]

Hi Pops,

Regarding the TCs, Canons and Sigmas are equivalent IQ-wise. If you need to preserve weather-sealing (1DM3 + Canon big whites), then get the Canon. Otherwise, the Sigma performs as well at less cost.

Another alternative is the highly acclaimed Kenko Pro 1.4x - similar IQ as the Canon and Sigma, but no protruding front element, and AFs faster at f/8 with 1.6 CF bodies if the pins are taped.

Romy

pops said:

In the spring I will try my different TCs on the lens and am actually undecided as to whether to buy Canons TCs or Sigmas.

[John M. Duff]

Thanks Reyno & William for the kind words.
Romy, I have these TCs now, the Tamron cheapy model in 1.4 and 2.0 as well as the Kenko Pro 300 in 1.4. I am in need of a good 2.0 as I have tried my Tamron 2.0 on other lenses and didn't think it gave good results. While I have tried to keep my 1D3 buys in the water resistant catagory the Sigmonster isn't so if you think the Sigma TCs are equal or better than the Taamron & Kenkos I will buy the pair of them. If the image quality of Canon is a lot better than the Sigma I will buy the Canons and keep my Tamrons for when I need them. I bow to your experience as always because you have tested most items albeit with your cameras.
Pops

[Romy Ocon]

Hi Pops,

Among my 2x TCs, the Canon II is the sharpest, by a hair against the Sigma 2x, so I'd recommend the Canon. If you have a Kenko Pro 1.4x already, I don't think you need any more 1.4x.

Romy

pops said:

Thanks Reyno & William for the kind words.
Romy, I have these TCs now, the Tamron cheapy model in 1.4 and 2.0 as well as the Kenko Pro 300 in 1.4. I am in need of a good 2.0 as I have tried my Tamron 2.0 on other lenses and didn't think it gave good results. While I have tried to keep my 1D3 buys in the water resistant catagory the Sigmonster isn't so if you think the Sigma TCs are equal or better than the Taamron & Kenkos I will buy the pair of them. If the image quality of Canon is a lot better than the Sigma I will buy the Canons and keep my Tamrons for when I need them. I bow to your experience as always because you have tested most items albeit with your cameras.
Pops

[John M. Duff]

Thanks Romy, I'll go for the Canon later this spring which we are having now as the temperaturre went from 9 below zero to 65 degrees in a few days and a cold front a coming. Pops