Yes,Christine ,those shots are good,esp the 1st one,that is very sharp.

Here is a shot taken with the 1x4 in poor light of some Grey Partridges.I could not get too close,as they scare away easily,and I was balanced on lots of mud etc and uneven ground ,so the lens was not steady.But on the whole not bad,for a F5.6 lens

Christine's pictures have really started me longing for a 400 mm f5.6. Currently I am using the 100-400 mm zoom. Will someone kindly let me know which functions, if any, are lost when you tape the pins on a 1.4 x extender? Which is the best tape to use to minimize residue when the tape is removed.

Thank you.

John

John, You do not lose any functions, the only thing it does not show is the increased stop in the exif data but that is irrelevant - so a f5.6 lens with a 1.4 tc will still show as f5.6 and not f8 as the tc is not reporting to the camera that it is there - metering is unaffected.
I personly use sello tape and have been doing so for two years.

John, I have taped the converter not the lens, on the recessed side that attaches to the lens with a bit of sellotape. You don't lose any functions except it can hunt in poor light so I pre focus and touch up with AF.

To Roy and Christine, thank you both for your replies and the informative information.

I've taken the plunge and purchased the Canon 400 mm f5.6. For anyone interested here is my first picture. Can't wait for better lighting but already I see an improvement over my 100/400 zoom. Shooting conditions were:-

1/400 s @ f5.6 with 1.4x converter (therefore f8 really,) 800 ASA, mono-pod, 20D, taken through kitchen window at 20 feet.

I think Christine has started something on the 400mm front. :) :)

Thats a pretty good pic John given that you have taken it through a window.

Don