Getting a bit more from the 800mm f/11

[Dragon]

While waiting impatiently for the 200-800, I have been fiddling with extension tubes on the 800 f/11. The first set I got was from Vello and they were pretty sloppy. Today I got a set from Meike and they are better. Not wonderful, but definitely usable. the weather has been fairly dark and the shots below were taken in between rain showers at ISO 6400 on the R7. There was enough light for correct exposure at 1/320 s. I used both tubes in tandem for 31mm of extension and now my close focus is in the neighborhood of 14-15 ft, which definitely helps with magnification. So far the results are noticeably better than standing back with the 1.4 TC added to get similar magnification. Here are a few samples slightly cropped and downscaled to 4k to fit the site and they make nice backgrounds for a 4k monitor . Processing was LR enhance followed by a light pass with Topaz Denoise for final cleanup and a bit of sharpening. Other adjustments pretty routine.

 

[danfaz]

Nice shots!

 

[Dragon]

Nice shots!

Thanks. Easy pickings. We have between 50 and 100 very friendly hummingbirds that live here year around. This time of year, they got through almost a gallon a day of sugar water. There is some brush behind the back railing that they like to hang out in while waiting for a shot at the feeders, but I have had to stand back with both the 800 f/11 and the EF 800 f/5.6 due to close focus limitations. With the extension tubes, I am able to get right up to the railing and noticeably more magnification. Outer limit of focus with the 31mm extension is around 35 or 40 ft, so limited applicability and one of the reasons I am waiting for the 200-800 zoom, but the tubes do add versatility to the 800 for very little cost.

 

[danfaz]

Oh, wow! There are a few around my house. Neighbors have a feeder, but I can't get a good view