Not sure many people actually use these lens, or have much faith in it by the sounds off it. The pro reviews seem mixed.
I got offered a cheap one, in exchange for something I wasn't using, as its the wrong focal length for anything I shoot, where as 400mm prime with the capability to be 800mm is ideal. Was promised the optics where good, and they seem pretty on it, based on that turn above at 50mtrs and seeing his eye detail. My sigma 150-600mm wouldn't have got that, may have got the bird, but not the detail. I know I have been trying.
And done the side by side tests now.
Yeah I hear the reviews say the mk2 is better but was £5K above my price bracket lol
First use
Hardly anyone seems to be telling you anything about the lens!
I don't have one but have used four (three
second hand) and would advise caution. I am not saying not to buy one - just try it thoroughly first!
Of the four that I tried one was disappointing only giving worthwhile images in high contrast light. The other three were much better, but one wasn't that happy with a 1.4 extender and not that good with my 2 x. However the first one that I tried blew my socks off! I only tried it at the camera shop (in poor light) and it significantly out resolved my Canon 600 F4 L IS that I had setup next to it. I was photographing the rear of an oldish BMW about 20 yards away so naturally the 600 gave nice sharp images as you would expect. The 400 DO (at 200mm shorter) showed the lacquer failing on the bumper - the 600 did not. The last one that I tried (brand new on it's first outing) was excellent too but simply didn't perform with my (and a friend's) Canon extenders. In all cases the camera was a 1D4.
Only a very small sample of three used lenses and one new one, but a great deal of variability.
I believe the Mk2 is much better - but I haven't had a play yet.
I did ask the question before getting an exchanged item.
Not sure if thats because no-one knows about it. Here people talking about most other options except for the 400 DO.
Any-way I got the option to swap a lens I never used without an extender, and with the flexibility of the sigma 150-600mm I would properly never use as it wasn't short enough. Almost seemed like a freebie.
Now I have read many professional reviews some good some bad some ok, some saying saying its great just not for the price new so there'd recommend the cheaper 400 f5.6, now I can tell you this one I was offered was cheaper then a new 400 5.6. (missing a tripod ring) not a big deal as the weight would mean I hand hold anyway, doesn't weight much, doesn't feel any heavier then the 400mm f5.6 to hold.
Easily as sharp as a Canon 70-200 f2.8 (the sigma at 150-600 f5.6 I couldn't notice much difference either, except dof) taken side by side.
At 800mm (2x tc) its better then the Sigma (1.4 tc fitted) its in the detail and speed it can auto focus, and track, the sigma wouldn't have got the birds detail above, with the 1.4 tc fitted they come out with black heads, been trying like mad to them lol. Got plenty go sea gulls with eye detail too, but everything yesterday except the duck and kingfisher stayed away from the hide.
Haven't used it with 1.4 tc properly just a couple of test shots, and the focus chart, seems pretty sharp the charts where clear and easy to set up on the 400mm do due to its sharpness tbh.
The lack of contrast I have read about from one review I didn't notice, as others reviews stated, but then again I shoot raw normally, then convert so properly wouldn't notice, as most things look flat until you press the auto convert but lol.
I have read the mk2 is better, but even
second hand prices they where. £5-£6K above my price range.
Fro those that have first hand experience with 300 f2.8 and 400mm f4 and say the 300mm is better or better 600mm then you clearly have mind blowing bits of kit. I expect slight sharper images tonight though with the extender and lens now being 3 steps retuned in the focus department. Pretty happy for very walk around the park type lens.
Going to try some horse jumping later in the week, now it will be interesting what lens gets used there.
Now big question for me is the mk2 extender worth upgrading to mk3 lol.
Now for the time being my small end will be a iPhone XS lol until I get something smaller, was thinking of getting 50mm f1.8 as a first small lens about £50 second hand as its not something id ever use much, but not sure how good they are, until I can afford a proper small lens But that a whole new thread.
(not sure how the quote ended up in the middle of the post.
