Decided to go long - but what to choose?

[Olybirder]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

I debated long hard about whether to get the 300mm f4 prime or the 100-400 zoom. In the end I found a good deal for the 300mm so I decided to blow my budget on that. I also liked the idea of using an Olympus lens on an Olympus body, to take full advantage of the dual stabilization.

Since then I haven't regretted my decision and can count on the fingers of one hand the occasions when the prime lens was too long. I have since acquired an MC-14 teleconverter, which has been permanently attached to my camera, as most of the birds I see are small or too far away. However on Friday I came across the somewhat unusual sight of a Jay taking peanuts from a feeder. I went to take some shots from the usual position but discovered that I had to back off quite a way to include the tail. I had the novel experience of backing away from the subject, while everyone else was edging closer. This was the only occasion during the day when the fixed focal length was a problem. The attached image is uncropped vertically but I have taken a chunk off the right-hand side to reduce the file size.





Ron

[art frames]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

Ron, I've only gotten close to Jays on the continent where they are apparently less jumpy, I'm told. So not had that difficulty. I would be tempted to take two shots and stitch them panorama style. It is always a shame to give up detail. But thats a nice shot.

I have adapted my Canon 100-400 to fit to micro fourthirds so am currently not looking at a native lens, the best close focus distance would be a big issue for me so I'd go for the 300 I think. Especially with all of the doubts about the long term servicing of the 100-400 panasonic.

[Melaka]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

I have the 100-400 and the 300+MC14.

The 100-400 is excellent on safari where animals can vary hugely in size and distance. Occasionally even 100 can be too long so I have a second body with the 40-150 or maybe in future the recently acquired 12-100.

The 300+MC14 wins hands down on birds and insects which are seldom close enough to fill the frame and where every millimetre of focal length is useful.

If i could only keep one it would be the zoom.

[paulw]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

I have the 100-400 and the 300+MC14.

The 100-400 is excellent on safari where animals can vary hugely in size and distance. Occasionally even 100 can be too long so I have a second body with the 40-150 or maybe in future the recently acquired 12-100.

The 300+MC14 wins hands down on birds and insects which are seldom close enough to fill the frame and where every millimetre of focal length is useful.

If i could only keep one it would be the zoom.

Got any safari images? As this post seems to both be about the lenses and images taken, I'm happy to let this thread run to see how people are using both the Olympus 300 & 100-400 PanaL.

[MikeOxon]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

........................I have adapted my Canon 100-400 to fit to micro fourthirds so am currently not looking at a native lens, ..................

Do you feel that the adapted Canon lens (I assume, Metabones) is a viable alternative to a native lens?


Now that the latest Olympus/Panasonic bodies have the potential to be very good wildlife/sports cameras, we can, perhaps, hope that Sigma (or others) may fill the gaps in the tele-lens line-up

[art frames]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

Do you feel that the adapted Canon lens (I assume, Metabones) is a viable alternative to a native lens?


Now that the latest Olympus/Panasonic bodies have the potential to be very good wildlife/sports cameras, we can, perhaps, hope that Sigma (or others) may fill the gaps in the tele-lens line-up

Hi Mike

I posted a few examples on another thread here http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showpost...3&postcount=17

I also put an album of a some recent shots with the metabones on Flickr here https://www.flickr.com/photos/131956...57666995345617

[Melaka]

Re: Decided to go long - but what to choose?

Got any safari images? As this post seems to both be about the lenses and images taken, I'm happy to let this thread run to see how people are using both the Olympus 300 & 100-400 PanaL.

There's a selection of pix here http://e-group.uk.net/forum/showthre...ghlight=Kruger