This is a discussion on sigma 500 f4.5 ex hsm if dg within the Lenses forums, part of the Photography/Film & Equipment category; There is nothing wrong with my support system I use a gitzo 1349 tripod and manfrotto 393 head. I also ...
There is nothing wrong with my support system I use a gitzo 1349 tripod and manfrotto 393 head. I also have the manfrotto 055 xpro which I have to say I thought was total rubbish, I had 2 leg locks break after 4 months and one of the leg angle adjustments broke. I carried out a test by taping a laser pointer to the lens and making a mark on the wall where it hit and then fired camera (canon 40d) at 6.5 frames per second. On the gitzo the light didnt move but on the manfrotto it jumped about like a jack in the box. I set up the tripods on concrete floor so put it down to resonation through the legs and movement in the centre column in the 055. I always use cable release and most of the time an iso of 400. I dont use mirror lockup as most of my pictures are taken at 6.5 frames per second and the camera only takes one picture with lockup and then you havev to reset it again. I just put the softness in pictures taken with tc's down to being incompatible to my lens.
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Last edited by drumbatter100; 27-07-2009 at 02:34 AM..
Hi drumbatter100, it's very easy to take suggestions the wrong way especially on the internet, I think that Greywolf was only trying to be helpful with what he thought might help you. I might be taking your post the wrong way but I think its coming across as being defensive? If you want to post your kit in the kits section, members will be able to check what equipment you currently use.
I think somewhere along the line we have swerved off course. the original thread was asking if anybody had or had experience of the sigma 500 f4.5 as this is the lens I am interested in, but seemed to have veered into tc's tripods and support systems.
Drumbatter100.
Hi, sorry the drifting away may have been caused by me asking about the tripod you are using and the question of stability.
Anyway, hopefully now back on track, did you give any thought to my suggestion about a series of test shots when only moving the subject/object which could be stood on a pair of stepladders? I have used this idea a few times and in doing so proved problems on a 300F4 IS, and a 100/400 IS lens. both which proved to be out of spec and where re-adjusted/calibrated by Canon.
Best of luck
Keep on Clickin.
John F
Hi John, The problem you discovered with your lenses were they with tc's fitted. As mentioned earlier in this debate I have recently had my lens calibrated to my camera body by sigma uk and I have no issues with the lens. It is only with tc's fitted that the images turn out soft. I use my 1.4 tc with my canon 70-200 f4 L is with very little loss of IQ. I still feel that I have to go down the road of a longer lens and keep my sigma 120-300 f2.8 for closer work.
Hi Alan.
Sorry I didn't pick up on the fact that your problem was only when using an extender.
This obviously tends to point to directly towards this piece of kit of which I recall you trying both a Sigma (which is the obvious choice with a Sigma lens), howabout contacting a Sigma rep "Ray Fitchet" who is a very co-operative guy and I am sure he may be able to shed some light on matters.
If you wish to do this please send me a PM and I will forward his details to you.
Keep on clickin.
John F
Sorry to drag the subject away from the lens and back to the tripod but your comments on the stability of the Gitzo raised my interest level somewhat as I am looking for a stable platform for my 400mm F4. I already have the Wimberly Mk2 head. The terms rock solid - no vibration etc, it sounds to be the tripod I might be looking for! I did look at the 1548 also but that maybe overkill for a 151b lens??
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