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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 8, 2009 5:07:36 GMT
Hi guys, I just got myself a used Kenko Teleplus Pro DG 300 2X and is actually my first time to use a 2X. Didnt realize how hard it is to execute the shot at twice the range of my 400mm considering that it is also a relatively slow lens. The result seems interesting to me though and am quite happy about it. Here are my initial test shots. The pics are a bit soft though but the details are there.  Eurasian Tree Sparrow, QC Canon 50D, EF 400mm f5.6L, Kenko 2XTC, Manfrotto 755XB/Gimbal, 2x2 pounds "rice" bag Shot @ 800mm, f11, 1/60", ISO640, 50% pixels wasted, MF+liveview, remote  Eurasian Tree Sparrow, QC Canon 50D, EF 400mm f5.6L, Kenko 2XTC, Manfrotto 755XB/Gimbal, 2x2 pounds "rice" bag Shot @ 800mm, f11, 1/40", ISO640, 50% pixels wasted, MF+liveview, remote  Eurasian Tree Sparrow, QC Canon 50D, EF 400mm f5.6L, Kenko 2XTC, Manfrotto 755XB/Gimbal, 2x2 pounds "rice" bag Shot @ 800mm, f11, 1/160", ISO640, 50% pixels wasted, MF+liveview, remote Knowing now the difficulty of executing the shot ... I am quite sure there will be a lot of missed shots if ever I go out with a 2X TC. I'd try if the 1.4X is a bit easier. |
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Post by Ely Teehankee on Oct 8, 2009 12:16:42 GMT
Its not easy to use the TC 2X. Everything gets magnified twice the amount and you need a very good light so you can add more speed to your shot. The most difficult part is auto focus will not work for our f5.6 lenses. Even if it does like on the f2.8 lens the auto focus slows down considerably. But it brings the bird closer You got a closer picture of the ETS by using the 2X. Well done Toto. Mabuay.
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 8, 2009 14:18:53 GMT
Thank you sir Ely. When I tested earlier, it was dark and there was a drizzle so I guess it added to the difficultly of executing the shot. I hope to test the 2X in the next few days under favorable light.
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Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Oct 8, 2009 16:43:42 GMT
hi Toto, ever since I used this uncalibrated laptop to PP my shots, i don't trust it anymore.  ISO640 noise was handled really well. I hope it's a raindrop but in the first photo, i see a white downward streak just to the left of the sparrow's tail. I love the eye-contact on the 2nd one. IQ wise, you know my standards toto.. I love them all! |
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 8, 2009 17:51:47 GMT
hi Toto, ever since I used this uncalibrated laptop to PP my shots, i don't trust it anymore. ISO640 noise was handled really well. I hope it's a raindrop but in the first photo, i see a white downward streak just to the left of the sparrow's tail. I love the eye-contact on the 2nd one. IQ wise, you know my standards toto.. I love them all! Thanks edu. I know the 50D had a questionable high ISO noise reputation but I am giving this model high marks in this department. I actually have not been applying noise reduction in my 50D images. I noticed that undesirable noise is almost nil when a shot is right on the dot even in low light scenarios. So far I have used ISO 320 and 640 and I am very satisfied. In some of my shot, 50D has allowed me to just crop and frame the image with no PP whatsoever. Yes you are right on the streak of raindrop. There are a few more streaks of raindrops in the uncropped version of the image. The 2X TC I guess presents a new challenge especially on focusing. It is so difficult. I dunno how others are coping but I can say doing MF at 800mm is a struggle. I can't seem to figure out focus on the VF. It is easier using liveview. However, just turning the focus ring, no matter how light you apply force, creates shake that can be detected by a seismograph halfway around the globe. ;D |
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Post by Teddy Regpala on Oct 8, 2009 18:05:13 GMT
Very useable Toto.
With the 2x TC, you're now focusing @ f/11.
You really need good light to manually focus that combo. And you're doing great at manually focusing it.
My eyes are not that good anymore, so I just really rely on AF.
Regarding the shake, check your support (tripod legs, head, plates, etc). it shouldn't move that much if you have solid support. Try the rig it on a solid surface (like a concrete table, hehehe), and try to manually focus and see if you can still notice some "shake".
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 8, 2009 18:19:39 GMT
Very useable Toto. With the 2x TC, you're now focusing @ f/11. You really need good light to manually focus that combo. And you're doing great at manually focusing it. Thanks Teddy. My eyes are not that good anymore, so I just really rely on AF. Talking about vision, i think my vision has blurred a lot becuase of DSLR photography. When I had my first DSLR in 2007, i believe my vision is topnotch. After a few months into peeping into the viewfinder, things went bad. my eyes' MFD now has become farther than it used to. Now the food on my plate is blurred if I dont move back a bit. I am able to micro calibrate by doing some eye-exercises though then it goes back to ok but after I become lazy with the eye-exercises, it blurs out on me again. With this, I am afraid, I might have problems focusing using liveview as I have to move away from the LCD by like 12-15 inches so I can see how sharpness goes. Regarding the shake, check your support (tripod legs, head, plates, etc). it shouldn't move that much if you have solid support. Try the rig it on a solid surface (like a concrete table, hehehe), and try to manually focus and see if you can still notice some "shake". Hehehe. I was able to reduce the shake by adding another 2 pound "rice" bag. I place the first one near the lens hood and the other near the body. Shake is still there but with the weights, shake is stabilized faster like 1/5 of a second. It is actually like you see in the VF when lens IS does its job. This rice-bag thing really has its usefulness that amazes me. |
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Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Oct 8, 2009 23:28:11 GMT
Toto, I already salute you for being able to find your target using liveview. I can't, for the life of me, find a target with liveview (alone) in time to take a shot and that's on a 400, let alone find focus. I can't seem to be able to imagine myself 12inches away from liveview and reaching out to the focus ring on a long lens which would be another good 12" away. As for MF or AF, I forgot to ask, did the TC kill AF? As for the shake, I think that is expected at 800mm with no IS. Having no shake at 800mm would be pushing the laws of physics The first two pics you posted are at 1/40 and 1/60, and at 800mm of a non-IS lens. I would say your manfrotto has performed exceptionally well wouldn't you? Congrats on the TC! I can tell with these 'test shots' that you will be using it more often than planned. |
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 9, 2009 0:01:39 GMT
I already salute you for being able to find your target using liveview. I can't, for the life of me, find a target with liveview (alone) in time to take a shot and that's on a 400, let alone find focus. I can't seem to be able to imagine myself 12inches away from liveview and reaching out to the focus ring on a long lens which would be another good 12" away. Not that far actually. I just need acclimatize my eyes to the distance and my MFD is being reduced. Though I sometimes end up with a headache hehehe. Here is what I do. I first use the VF while turning the focus ring to acquire the target. Could be difficult when you are starting blurred. I am sure the more often you do this, the more this will become automatic. After the target is clear in the VF, I then switch to liveview to fine tune the focusing. This is the hard part as the shake is so severe you will see it in the LCD but it can be done. Remember though that I was only able to try this inside the house where it is dark and the LCD is so clear. I am sure things get difficult out there in the field if the lights are harsh on the LCD and you had added element like the wind trying to contribute to shake. As for MF or AF, I forgot to ask, did the TC kill AF? Yeah, the 2X TC kills the AF. I also lose the focus confirmation dot in the VF when doing the manual focusing. The first two pics you posted are at 1/40 and 1/60, and at 800mm of a non-IS lens. I would say your manfrotto has performed exceptionally well wouldn't you? Still remains to be seen.  Congrats on the TC! I can tell with these 'test shots' that you will be using it more often than planned. I hope so. |
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Post by Mark Itol on Oct 9, 2009 4:30:30 GMT
Looks good to me, Toto. The details are there. With favorable lighting and practice, I'm sure it'll get better. Are these unprocessed shots? |
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Post by Toto Gamboa on Oct 9, 2009 17:10:21 GMT
Looks good to me, Toto. The details are there. With favorable lighting and practice, I'm sure it'll get better. Are these unprocessed shots? Thanks Mark. Hope you lens have arrived already The pics were cropped, lightly sharpened (USM 250, 3, 10) and framed. |
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Post by gabriel buluran on Oct 15, 2009 5:52:13 GMT
thanks for starting this. i tried 2XTC yesterday at vargas and AF just kept hunting. lens max aperture at 500mm is 6.3. that might be the reason as sir ely mentione above.
had to go manual, but was really a challenge. would have to invest on a good tripod for it to be usable.
great job sir toto!!!
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, AFS 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G , TC 1.4EII, TC 1.7EII, SB-800, Manfrotto 190CXPro3/393(3421), RRS BH-55, Kirk NC300 lens collar
