Switching back to R5... help needed

GatanoII wrote:

RDM5546 wrote:

GatanoII wrote:

RDM5546 wrote:

I know the RF 100-500 is a magnificent wildlife lens but I use wildlike mainly the EF 100-400mm Mk II with the 1.4X and 2X Canon Mk III TCs that I had before the mirrorless cameras ( 5D Mk IV and 7D mk II). I have the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary with the 1.4X and 2X Sigma TCs as a alternative lens. I like both but the Canon 100-400 II is usually my first choice even though the maximum FL is shorter than the Sigma. The 45MP of the R5 allows for more cropping than my earlier cameras.

I also have the EF 400mmf2.8L IS but is a monster. Do you really have a 200-600/2.8 as this also must be a bigger monster. I have a Sigma 120-300mmf2.8 but use that more for outdoor sports that wildlife because I usually use it with a monopod.

Does the the Sigma 120-300mm works well (resolution/speed) with the 1.4x and 2.x TC and there is any improvement using Canon TC instead of Sigma? I have never seen a comparison of Canon vs Sigma tele converters with this lens.

I am happy with the extra reach over my EF70-200mmf2.8L IS III. The IQ is very good and about the same as 70-200mm. Heavier but can hand hold the SIgma 120-300mm and sometimes use tripod. When I had Canon 1.4X and 2X Mk III TCs then got the Sigma 1.4X & 2X TCs for specific use with the 120-300 and Sigma 150-600. I can not tell significant difference so far between the Canon and the Sigma TCs on these two Sigma telephotos. The Sigma 1.4X is better IQ and faster focus than 2X. The same with the Canon TCs on both. I got the Sigma TCs on sale for a good price so I thought I would give them a try. Now I use Sigma TCs on Sigma teles and Canon on Canon teles. Since they are not obviously worse matching lens with TC seems like it is reasonable. More over the colors of the TCs match the lens colors than way too. Sigma TCs are black.

I have never seen a detailed comparison test either. I am fairly sure the Sigma TCs were designed for the Sigma f2.8 prime tele lenses and not zooms like the 120-300 tele and the Canon for the Canon f2.8 prime tele lenses. With both my Canon and Sigma stopping down one stop for the 1.4X and two stops for the 2X seems to better than wide open but the improvement is small and needs lots of light. I have a EF400mmf2.8L IS and this excellent sharp prime does well with both 1.4X and 2X Canon Mk III TCs wide open. It my heaviest lens at 12 lbs and my most amazing magical image rendering lens.

I usually shoot the 400mmf2.8 using a gimbal on tripod.

I have been buying Canon glass for 39 years and sold on a few that I really did like. Now I have many EF lenses and six RF lenses. Most of my 20+ EF lenses work better on my R and R5 for most cases but will keep my 5D MkIV and 7D2 DSLRs forever.

Interesting, thanks for the detailed explanation of your experience with Sigma TC.

I like my Canon 70-200mmf2.8II, so as the 120-300mm has simialr IQ it seems interesting and if it can keep up with AF speed of the R5 I could be tempted by this lens especially if it can also work well at 600mm using the 2x TC.

How does the 120-300mm + 2X TC compares to the Sigma 150-600mm at 600mm, I see you have both and the 120-300mm with the 2X TC is also 1/3 of a stop faster at 600mm, but does it have similar sharpness and contrast? does the AF and frame rate are impacted with the presence of the TC?

The center of the image (ignoring corners) is sharp using the 120-300 and both TCs. The Sigma 2X is not as good as the 1.4X though. I stop them down if at all possible a little and use noise processing in post.

In comparison with EF70-200mmf2.8L III and TC 2X III for 400mm/f5.6 equivalent I can not guess how that compares with my Sigma 120-300 with Sigma 2X for 600mmf5.6 since i have never tried side by side.  Both combinations are usuable and seem to get better up to 2 stops down from wide open if you have enough light for f16!    Depth of field increases from stopping too and it somes helpful for these longer FLs.

I would strongly recommend renting the Sigma 120-300f2.8 with TCs before you buy them.   This configuration does zoom 2.5X which is nice to find the subject sometimes but I but the EF600mmf4L IS is a overall sharpest and bester lens though expensive.   However, I like the Sigma 120-300mmf2.8 for high school football and I also use the EF70-200mmf2.8L III for high school football to.   Wildlife is a second use for me.  I also use the EF 100-400L IS II for wildlife with the Canon 1.4 and 2.0X III TCs.   It is lighter and gets to 200-800mm equiv.