Sometimes a compromise is needed

[Big V]

Getting ready for the whale shoot and thought might as well give the 2x a try on the 400 2.8, well I am mighty glad to report that it is not too bad and is very useable. Will stop down to f7.1 or more next time, these are all 5.6 Here are a few examples from the Zoo today.

[DJT]

Crikey, I wouldn't be to upset if they were my photos

Good luck with spotting whales too

[aim54x]

I would be very happy to have shot those....that 400 looks very usable with a 2x!

[ian.bertram]

Wow, I want one. I'm assuming you were shooting around 1/800 at 7.1. What was your iso? I don't see any artifacts on my screen so it couldn't be too high. Were you hand holding? I imagine in lower light these converters become a little more problematic, but these shots should be used to sell the product- they're terrific.

[BBJ]

Very nice big fella, seem to be ok as i know sometimes when i use the 2x on the 300 can be a little soft but if you dont crop them up they seem to be ok, but yes very usable and these are great.

Cheers
John
BBJ

[DebT]

Very Very nice,
completely lost that grid wire in the bird cage and the mandrel behind glass looks like he's out in the open - well done
Really hope you get an opportunity to shoot the whales ps remember to enter the comp
DebT

[Alpha_7]

Wow, Big V super impressive. Lens lust majorly here.

[chrisk]

forget the lens...#1 is superb. awesome job.

[gstark]

OMFG!

[biggerry]

Wow, Big V super impressive. Lens lust majorly here

[Greg B]

These shots are outstanding Big V, magnificent.

[craig.rohse]

All the above, they are very very nice.

[Willy wombat]

Some really terrific images there BigV

[fozzie]

Virgs - very usable indeed

Now for the whales, a Canon 600mm f/4 + TCx2...woohoo.

[ATJ]

Um... where's the compromise? I don't see you compromising anything in these shots. They are so sharp and clear.

[darklightphotography]

Very nice Tony. Not sure if I'm more jealous of the lens, even if it is a Canon , or that you get to go to the zoo during the week.

[DaveB]

I'm with Andrew: What compromise?

At this size they look great.

[zafra52]

Now, you are being too modest. They are excellent portraits!

[surenj]

The only compromise I see would be the price and weight of the lens. The pictures are top notch!

[colin_12]

I agree also. A nice lens and great pics out of it. How many keepers vs not so good?
I really like #1

[Big V]

Thanks for the kind words. The lens was on a monopod and most of these shots were at either 640 or 800 ISO. As for the keeper rate, in bright light surprisingly high but it got a little harder in low light, here is an example of what it can do indoors without having a flash on me, this is 3200 ISO f5.6 and now for the best bit...1/40th of a second - the IS on this lens sure works well. Now it might not be the best picture ever taken of a seahorse but this is at 800 mm and 1/40th of a second on a monopd. This combnation really gives you bang for your dollar.

[surenj]

You must have a large (or long) house to test the lens indoors!!

[Big V]

Surenj, this was taken at the Zoo - the minumum focus distance of the 400 is 3m and this does not change when you add the converter.