Sigma 150-600 C with MC-21 on CL

[Marac]

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I have a sigma 100-400 L mount on loan from Sigma and it's amazing, except at longer distances, infinity at 400mm etc. I need more pull and quality at longer distance, we have a pair of mating Kingfishers in our town and I'd really like to get decent shots of my favourite birds.

I have read good things about the Sigma 150-600 (and 60-600) but I would need to use their MC-21 adapter, maybe for Canon.

I shoot with a CL nowadays and was wandering if anyone here has some first hand info regarding this type of set up, by using a completely different AF lens via an adapter.

focus issues AF speed etc.

 

Thanks in advance.

[michali]

12 minutes ago, Marac said:

I have a sigma 100-400 L mount on loan from Sigma and it's amazing, except at longer distances, infinity at 400mm etc. I need more pull and quality at longer distance, we have a pair of mating Kingfishers in our town and I'd really like to get decent shots of my favourite birds.

I have read good things about the Sigma 150-600 (and 60-600) but I would need to use their MC-21 adapter, maybe for Canon.

I shoot with a CL nowadays and was wandering if anyone here has some first hand info regarding this type of set up, by using a completely different AF lens via an adapter.

focus issues AF speed etc.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Marac- The MC-21 will not work on the CL. You get the following message:  "Lens firmware not supported Please update firmware".

It's a nonsensical message because there's no FW update that will make it work.  The only way it works is to blank out the electrical contacts on the adapter with masking tape and then you can use the lens in full manual mode  with no AF. If the lens has no aperture ring, you can only use it wide open.

Your best option for the CL is to use the Sigma 100-400mm with the 1.4x TC. There's virtually no loss in IQ.

Also for best IQ you should use the electronic shutter, as there's shutter slap with the CL, which BYTW also happens on the SL2.

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by michali

[Marac]

Oh no, this is not good news, I thought they had sorted this issue out.

[michali]

31 minutes ago, Marac said:

Oh no, this is not good news, I thought they had sorted this issue out.

They've not sorted it out and it doesn't look like they will as far as the CL goes. I use my Canon 400mm f4 DO USMll with the MC-21 on the SL2 with excellent results, only AFS no AFC. 

Ask Sigma to loan you the 1.4x tele converter; coupled with the 100-400mm L it will give you an equivalent focal length of 840mm on the long end (400mm x 1.5 APSC crop factor = 600mm x 1.4 TC =840mm). Your widest aperture will be f7.1 with the 1.4x TC attached.  I think you'll have too much IQ loss with the 2x TC.

Edited March 11, 2021 by michali

[Marac]

That idea to use a 1.4x is great, I will certainly try that option.

My man at Sigma is away until 15th so I cannot do anything yet. I was led to believe that although the MC-21 will not work on CL with 'Canon' lenses, it would function with 'Sigma' brand lenses, (SA or EF) maybe I missunderstood what they said.

The option to use the 1.4x is good, I do not mind the f7.1 as I use it at f8 now.

[michali]

 

11 minutes ago, Marac said:

................I was led to believe that although the MC-21 will not work on CL with 'Canon' lenses, it would function with 'Sigma' brand lenses, (SA or EF) maybe I missunderstood what they said.

The option to use the 1.4x is good, I do not mind the f7.1 as I use it at f8 now.

Possibly it may work with Sigma lenses, however I doubt it,  because when I turn on the CL with just the MC-21 mounted & no lens attached, I still get that same stupid message.   

Just remember to use the electronic shutter it makes a big difference. Kingfishers are also my favourite birds, look forward to seeing the results.

[Marac]

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5 minutes ago, michali said:

 

Just remember to use the electronic shutter it makes a big difference. Kingfishers are also my favourite birds, look forward to seeing the results.

Yes I already learnt about the electronic shutter, way better results.

Well, I will visit Sigma UK after the 15th and have a play with various options and report back my findings.

 

Kingfishers are so timid and so fast that I think this will be an all day mission with some kind of camoflauge going on. I'd better take some sarnies.

I'm very new to this kind of photography and still need to do a lot of research regarding their habbits.

Thanks for your help