canon 40d and 500f4L + 1.4 tc canon help

Dear all,
i am trying my hand on a friends

Canon 40d
500 F4 L
canon 1.4 tc

it seems a good light and perfect angles i am on but still being a nikon user since last 5 years i am not satisfied with the result i am getting.

the detail, focus, IS may be something i am missing.

Please guide me on setting up the camera for best shoot the brids with this kit
will try again next weekend with the settings.

very new to canon and thats why posting to know the best trick and tips to use this gr8 equpments as i've seen some tremendous results on the forum with the same combo people having.

What is your problem? focus? sharpness? Can you post a sample? what software are you using?

as such there is not a major issue except to setup the camera settings i suppose.

focus is not that much fast.
as being a nikon user i need to understand how to setup the canon for bird photography thats it..

also the best aperture to use with 500 prime along with 1.4 etc etc

40D doesn't have that many focus options to set, I recommend using center point only in AI-servo mode, you have to keep the center focus point on the bird at all times or it might jump to BG. If it feels slow then it might be your TC, try with the lens naked. 500 f/4 IS is razor sharp even at f/4, especially on a 40D, you just need to stop down for dof.

Which Nikon body did you come from?

well i am using nikon d300 which i found the best ever fastest machine from nikon.
yet to try hands on d700 :)

Try single point with naked lens, nevertheless 40D AF is not as good as D300. If you are getting a nice lens such as 500 f/4 IS better to plan on getting a 1DMKIII or 7D to use it to its full potential.

Hi Mital

Good advice from Arash regarding setting Would go with AI-Servo and the center point. Focusing wise I would go for a 50D, I'm able to see the difference from the 40D. I went from a Nikon D300/D3 to the Canon a few months ago haven't looked back !!!

Mitel- I use a 50D with this lens and like the results I get. I used to have a 40D and was pleased with that too. Agree with Arash on the AF setup. On a 1.6 crop factor body like this (and your D300- 1.5), you have an equivalent focal length of 1120 mm with the 500 x 1.4. This set-up is unforgiving and requires optimum long-lens technique whether on a tripod or off. This takes time to develop and it is doubtful that you could just pick up the rig and start making images that you are happy with. It is also very sensitive to heat shimmer in the air. Not sure what lenses you shoot with on the "dark side" and apologies if you are used to long lenses and know all this already. If you are used to 300-400 mm with no tc the 500 x 1.4 combo is a significant step up.

I grabbed the wifes 40D when the skimmers were around (over my MKII) and I wanted to fling it into the ocean.. it just wouldn't track. AI Servo, center point. I was better witht eh 300F2.8 but still totally fustrating.

Lou

I have not been to happy with the results using the 40D & TC with that lens it seems to be really slow & inconsistent compared to the 1D MKII

I cant wait to get my hands on the 7D I suspect that problem will be long gone :)