Canon 400mm F5.6

[Saphire]

The depth of field is very shallow but it was on its widest, it would be interesting to try stopped down a bit and with the 1.4 on as well. Hopefully looking at the weather for tomorrow it looks like it maybe sunny for a while. I will go and try to take some close focus shots outdoors.

[Christine]

Christine,were you using the Kenko ext tubes?.I have a set of these,bought at the end of the year,and only tried once.I tried with the 400F5.6 and then with the 100-400,but only obtained a pic with the latter.But I was much closer than 6ft,more like 2ft.Did you use any specail settings,and did you use all the tubes.I would love to try this method for butterflies etc,in the summer,as I am unable to crouch down close to the subject,but would find it much easier to be able to shoot from my normal distance.
I did take a couple of shots in low light using the 1x4 on auto focus today,and not bad.When I have re -sized,(it takes ages) will post one.

[Don Hoey]

Originally Posted by Saphire

The depth of field is very shallow but it was on its widest, it would be interesting to try stopped down a bit and with the 1.4 on as well. Hopefully looking at the weather for tomorrow it looks like it maybe sunny for a while. I will go and try to take some close focus shots outdoors.

Christine,

You can really take advantage of the shallow dof to blast distracting backgrounds. If you are lucky enough to have anything in flower yet that would make a good subject as you can make the background disappear.

You have me wanting to join in but not a single thing is out here, hence the desperate measures of a bug hunt.

Don

[Saphire]

Christine. I used all the Jessops ext tubes but could only get as close a 6 ft I have just tried again and took note of the distance, so really only gained about a metre. I would have expected to be able to get closer but couldn't focus, I may do with the 1.4x as well, I will have to wait until tomorrow to try. I will post some shots tomorrow.

[Don Hoey]

Christine,

1.4 on the body followed by tubes then lens will increase magnification. My bug in the flash thread is 55mm + 2 tubes ( I only have 2 ) + 2x converter on the body. Field of view 10mm. Lens + converter then tubes has less magnification effect.

Look forward to your results if the rain holds off. Fingers are crossed for you tomorrow.

Don

[Roy C]

Originally Posted by Christine

Christine,were you using the Kenko ext tubes?.I have a set of these,bought at the end of the year,and only tried once.I tried with the 400F5.6 and then with the 100-400,but only obtained a pic with the latter.But I was much closer than 6ft,more like 2ft.Did you use any specail settings,and did you use all the tubes.I would love to try this method for butterflies etc,in the summer,as I am unable to crouch down close to the subject,but would find it much easier to be able to shoot from my normal distance.
I did take a couple of shots in low light using the 1x4 on auto focus today,and not bad.When I have re -sized,(it takes ages) will post one.

Christine, with the 400mm f5.6 and around 50mm of extension tubes you can still only focus down to about 2 metres (as opposed to 3.5 mtrs without the tubes).
I think you were probably closer then 2 metres when you tried thus focussing was not possible.

[Saphire]

Here are some sample images all taken without flash the first three are with the 1.4, all ext tubes at F8, the last one is with the 1.4, 31mm ext tube at F8. I did take some with flash but found I need to use a diffuser. The closest I could get with both setups was around 6 feet. My Conclusion is that for close-ups the smaller zoom lens and tubes is a better option for getting really close and filling the frame.

[Joe]

You're welcome to try my Tamron 180mm f/2.5 with those extension tubes if you don't mind manual focus LOL!....it's got a B&W protective filter on it but can be taken off for better digi resolution.....and it's no where near as heavy as the 300mm

[Saphire]

Joe, I'll take you up on that, just make sure you don't forget the canon adaptall mount. Anything has got to be lighter than the 300mm what does it weight about 5kg or more.

[Don Hoey]

Well done Christine,

The colours in image 1 are a real spirit lifter on these dull wet days.

Don