Surf photography and telephoto extenders... help please.

[Ryguyinlj]

I currently shoot with a digital rebel and a 70-300 f4 sigma lens. On some of the bigger days I get results like this:

I want some more zoom, and for me getting a better lens right now is not an option, so I am considering a teleconverter. So my question is such: would I be better off with a 1.4 or a 2 times converter? I know that the 2x converter cuts down the max light by two stops, so does the 1.4x cut down any less?

[another view]

A 1.4x converter will cost you one stop, so you'll have an f5.6 lens. This is usually the limit of what an AF system can handle and you'll probably have to be in bright light for it to work. A 2x converter will lose two stops so you'll be at f8. AF may work a little but it will be unreliable and/or slow.

There was a recent thread in Viewfinder about zooms and TC's: 400mm f5.6L vs 70-200 f2.8L+2x TC tests

[Ryguyinlj]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Usually when I shoot surfing from that far away I am using a manual focus anyway, but the AF can really come in handy at times, especially if I am shooting more than one peak at a time. This shot was shot in manual focus if I remember correctly.

[Outdoorsman]

I shoot surfing, also with a 70-300 Sigma lens. I use a 2X converter because you won't see pros or those in the know shooting surfing at 300mm unless they're right on top of the action. You need a wave that breaks right on the beach for that. Most pros start with a 600mm and then add a converter. Since people like us can't afford a 600, we have to cheat. I have rarely shot surfing without a converter. I used to have a 70-210 F/4 and that got me 420mm with the 2X, now I have 600mm with my 70-300.
The light loss is pretty bad with a 2X, but my zoom is an F/4-5.6 so I can zoom out a bit to get a bigger lens opening. I find myself doing this a lot these days just to make the AF work better. This is the major danger with the converter--- AF operation will suffer. Not in all situations with your f/4 lens, but look out. If your lens allows manual focus override (FTM for Canon) this might help in some cases.
I'm soooo happy to finally encounter someone here who shoots surfing as well--- keep on posting, maybe we can help each other learn!!

[Outdoorsman]

Just real quick: I was looking for your lens on the net and I can't seem to find it. Sigma doesn't list a 70-300 F/4 lens in their current lineup and all my searches show only the F/4-5.6 lenses. Maybe post a pic of it? I'd like to get that lens if it's an AF lens. The constant F/4 aperture would be very helpful. Thanks!

[Ryguyinlj]

I also shoot a lot of skimboarding. For that, my lens works perfectly.

Today the swell of the winter is going to start to fill in here in la jolla, and you can bet I'm going to be all over it. In general how it works for me is that when its small to medium sized I surf or skim or shoot skimboarding, and when it gets big I shoot surfing.

I actually shoot for an online skimboarding publication called www.foreverskimthemag.com ]Forever Skim[/URL]. I must apologise for the poor quality of the photos, all of my shots that have been used so far were all taken with an old Canon FT. In the february edition there will be some of my new digital works.

I am trying to get into surf photography as well. Either of private clients that are paying my to shoot certain subjects (like themselves) or surf publications, which is a long shot. Do you have any advice for presenting surf photos to a potential magazine? (as obviously they are on a much higher level than an online skimboarding publication)

[paulnj]

never heard of a constant F4 70-300 sigma but... they make a 100-300F4

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=217722&is=REG