50-500/70-200/400mm's shootout

[Swampy]

Ok. Unscientific as all get out. But a few were interested. I took the 50-500, slapped on a 2x Kenko Pro and set it to about 400mm (800mm). Also took a 70-200mm VR and slapped TWO 2x Kenko Pro's on it and set it to max 200mm (800mm). Also took the 400mm and slapped a 2x Kenko on it (800mm).

So, the VR didn't work, nor the auto focus with 2 kenko's attached to the VR lense. Lost autofocus on the 50-500 with one on as well. The 400, what can I say. Throw it in a ditch and fill it with sand. Think about focusing and it does still. LOL Again, non-scientific here. Used a tripod and used a 10 second self timer to make sure everything was steady. I was thinking about using my daughter, but she'll move. I wanted something that would be exact the whole time, so I chose a tree trunk edge. All were shot at f13 (wide open for the 50-500 with the kenko attached.

First shot, 70-200, second, 400mm, third, 50-500mm.

[Swampy]

Here's the 100% crops. These are actually labeled.

[Swampy]

Now, don't get all skippy happy about the 70-200mm and 2x2x Kenko. You lose all functionality of the lens basically. You have to manual focus, no VR, even use the camera on M mode. Wierd. The shutter and f-stop would keep bouncing around between 8 and 1/30th every half second with both kenko's attached. So I went manual. Each shot was taken at different shutter speeds. If I left it all the same shutter speed, the 400 would be perfect, the 50-500 would have been 2 stops under and the 70-200 would have been a full 7 stops under.

[Igor]

What can I say, 400 is a winner, as expected :)
Thanks for the test Bryan.

[AzRich]

I wonder how this lens would do-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3343&item=3818042524&rd=1

800mm Sigma 5.6 :)

Bryan, which has the most accurate color? I thought the VR lens probably did, but you were there.

[Swampy]

It was in between the 70-200 and 400mm really. But if I were to take a pic, the 70-200mm with 2 Kenko 2x's came out the closest! Amazing. I'll have to give that another try sometime with only 1 2x on the 70-200 and at 400 on the 50-500 and straight with the 400 nikkor though. I know that 400 is the schizzznit.

The 70-200 was acting VERY strange with 2 kenkos back to back though and I think some of the color differences you may be seeing may be due to exposure, the 70-200 being a longer exposure (Full manual) and the 400mm being slightly under exposed (Aperture Priority).

I went with the 400mm because of it's reputation. I throw a 2x kenko and it will kick the snot out of that Sigma 800mm 5.6. But if you don't have the money, believe me, there's nothing wrong with Sigma's prime lenses. :) I still love my 24-70mm 2.8 from Sigma, and, even looking at the 50-500 compared to the 400mm, I still love that one too!

[Igor]

Now imagine what you will get with Sigma 800mm + 2x2x Kenkos! :rockon: 3,200mm !!! This would kick a shoot out of anything :lol:

[Swampy]

Now imagine what you will get with Sigma 800mm + 2x2x Kenkos! :rockon: 3,200mm !!! This would kick a shoot out of anything :lol:

That would get you an f22 lens that would have so much problems with camera shake that it wouldn't be worth using it. :P

[Igor]

I know, I know :) 't was a joke actually ...

[AzRich]

f22.. yeah..

you still want to do it, don't you!!

:)

[Igor]

Me??? :) No way! :)