I was just given a hand-me-down - eos 650 ( currently using Yashica 210 zoom - which I love ) Camera has a 35-135 zoom. I visited a local camera shop & he told me I could get a 135-300 sigma zoom with a doupler that would work on the canon. The price is a lot less then buying a 400MM for the canon ( which is what I'm looking to do - but can't afford ) - Would this be a viable way to go - will I be happy with the quality of the pix with a double - I've nevere used one before -I was told the images aren't as sharp. From what I'm reading the eos is a dynamite camera which I'll find out this weekend when I try it out. Where can I get a manual for the camera?

-- elliott danto (iamell@comcast.net), March 11, 2002

Answers

http://www.eosdoc.com/manuals.asp - has a link to a 650 manual.

Sigma has a 135-400 lens, is that the one you mean?

Using a doubler (2x teleconverter) on a slow zoom like this (f/5.6) will cause the loss of autofocus as well as the loss of a lot of sharpness. I doubt you would be happy with this combination. Teleconverters can work well with prime lenses (non-zoom) and a few very good zoom lenses.

Sigma's 70-200 f/2.8 EX zoom lens works well with Sigma's 2x teleconverter. That would give you a 135-400 f/5.6 lens with decent quality and you would still have autofocus.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), March 11, 2002.

the only way you will get acceptable pictures with a zoom(and most single focal lenghts) is by using them the way they were designed to be used ALONE not by adding 4 to 6 elements of glass and trying to squeeze more focal length.sure there are the $250 canon doublers designed for the L series, but if you want good prints and no future problems don't use sigma use canon and buy the best canon your wallet can afford. joe

-- joe cap (joemocap@yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.