Panasonic 100-400

[TimP]

Does this beg the question then (mk 2): assuming you can’t have both and can seemingly choose, which is best, body or lens IS?

[Ross the fiddler]

Originally Posted by TimP

Does this beg the question then (mk 2): assuming you can’t have both and can seemingly choose, which is best, body or lens IS?

This means that if a lens isn't a compatible (Olympus) Sync IS lens (such as 12-100 or 300 Pro) but another such as from Panasonic (that this thread is discussing) then it means it's one or the other IS (IBIS or OIS) as selected in Menu C that works on an Olympus camera (at least since E-M1), not both together.

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by Ross the fiddler

Sorry, but it is in Menu *C for the E-M1, see page 92 (in the original manual), so why haven't you updated the firmware?

I damaged the USB port. Now replaced but haven't got around to it.

Harold

[pdk42]

Originally Posted by TimP

Does this beg the question then (mk 2): assuming you can’t have both and can seemingly choose, which is best, body or lens IS?

At 400mm, I'm pretty sure that lens IS will deliver better stabilisation.

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by TimP

Does this beg the question then (mk 2): assuming you can’t have both and can seemingly choose, which is best, body or lens IS?

Haven't enough comparison to tell.

Harold

[Scottwin]

In my experience the lens IS seems to be more power hungry than in body IS.

[Bengeo]

Originally Posted by pdk42

At 400mm, I'm pretty sure that lens IS will deliver better stabilisation.

In theory it should do, but I've found IBIS to give sharper results in general use with this lens. Note, I'm not using very slow shutter speeds.

[griffljg]

Last night I popped outside to see if the moon was worth photographing. I thought that it was and so I put the P/L 100-400mm onto the E-M1 Mk II and went outside to try my luck:

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II with Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH

1/640s, f/10, ISO:200, FL 400mm. Quite heavily cropped. Hand-held. Lens IS: ON. Body S-IS: OFF.

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by griffljg

Last night I popped outside to see if the moon was worth photographing. I thought that it was and so I put the P/L 100-400mm onto the E-M1 Mk II and went outside to try my luck:

Tonight is supposed to be when the moon is at its very best. The cloud should be minimal late evening.

Harold

[Ross the fiddler]

It looks rather good Larry. I'm torn between saving for the 300 F4 Pro or this lens. I say "saving" because my better half has made it clear I won't be buying anything this year, but I'm hoping I might be able to get the MC20 though.

[Phill D]

I agree Ross it does look good, nicely done Larry. I had a go last night too wth my 40-150 plus 1.4tc posted in the Communal night time photography thread. I was pleased with what I got but it just shows the value of the extra telephoto of the 100-400.

[MJ224]

Lovely photo Larry, did you stack or is that one off photo? (must have held the camera upside down)...

[Tordan58]

Originally Posted by Ross the fiddler

It looks rather good Larry. I'm torn between saving for the 300 F4 Pro or this lens. I say "saving" because my better half has made it clear I won't be buying anything this year, but I'm hoping I might be able to get the MC20 though.

Hi Ross,

I guess you already have the 40-150/F2.8? And also the MC14?

If that is the case then if I were you I would go for the 300/F4, although it is more expensive. My reasoning:
The Zuiko 300/F4 is sharper than the leica 100-400 in the range 300-400mm. Not that the 100-400 is bad, but there is a difference in IQ.
The Zuiko is faster in the same range - you will get nicer bokeh
Dual IS assumes same body/lens manufacturer
The 100-400 would overlap the 40-150
The hood and tripod foot are better designed on the Zuiko than on the Leica.

If I am mistaken in the sense that you do not already have the 40-150 then the 100-400 is an option to be considered (in particular for those that have Panasonic cameras, dual IS).

The 300/F4 is not exactly cheap, but it's a great lens and delivers very nice results.


Above is based on own experience of having used both setups.


BR
Tord

[griffljg]

Originally Posted by MJ224

Lovely photo Larry, did you stack or is that one off photo? (must have held the camera upside down)...

It is a one off, although I took it in raw and used Capture One Pro to add a bit of contrast and to adjust the exposure a bit. The exposure didn't require much adjustment. - One of the great things about EVF!

As for the photo being upside down, remember that I also live in the southern hemisphere. ;-)

[Phill D]

Tord those are very interesting coments as you have both lenses. Especially the bokeh comments. I thought the panasonic had a slightly better bokeh rendering than the Oly 300. I was under the impression the 300 tended towards the nervous bokeh that my 40-150 shows on occasion but the panny was a bit smoother. If you have acomparison it would be great to see.