Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

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Imagemaster
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p.2 #1 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Judging from owners' reviews, the 80-400VR could hardly be called a good lens. Read the reviews:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=115&sort=7&cat=28&page=3

Aug 14, 2012 at 04:03 PM

telyt
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p.2 #2 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Imagemaster wrote:
Pardon my stupid question, but how many, if any, of these lenses will auto-focus when used on the OM-D?

none

Aug 14, 2012 at 04:49 PM

sebboh
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p.2 #3 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Aug 14, 2012 at 04:58 PM

RustyBug
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p.2 #4 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Sigma 100-300/4.0

Gets a little soft @ 300/4.0 in the corners @ full frame (non-issue @ 4/3), so I usually pull it back a touch to 270-ish.

I've owned it in both Nikon mount for my D70s and then bought it again for my Canon's (FF & 1.3X crop).

It doesn't exactly meet the "compact" criteria ... but it is very well balanced for a lens of its size and is regarded as one of Sigma's best. Plays okay with 1.4x TC ... not so much with the 2.0x TC. Goes for around $600 +/- iirc.

Aug 14, 2012 at 05:18 PM

davidearls
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p.2 #5 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

While it's not alt on this forum, it would be alt on your OM-D: the Canon EF 300 f4L. Great lens, fairly light, and you should be able to find a good copy for $5-800 if you stick with the older, non-IS version.

Aug 14, 2012 at 08:32 PM

sebboh
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p.2 #6 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

davidearls wrote:
While it's not alt on this forum, it would be alt on your OM-D: the Canon EF 300 f4L. Great lens, fairly light, and you should be able to find a good copy for $5-800 if you stick with the older, non-IS version.

how do you set aperture on the OM-D? is there an electronic adapter like there is for the NEX?

Aug 14, 2012 at 08:59 PM

Jman13
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p.2 #7 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

There's one I think, but it's rather pricey. Not sure if the EF 300/4L is any better than the FD 300/4L, but it's a lot more expensive.

Aug 14, 2012 at 09:12 PM

rico
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p.2 #8 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

telyt wrote:
Another possibility is the Leitz 280mm f/4.8 Telyt, originally for the Visoflex. The color saturation isn't as rich as most other Leica lenses I've used, but it shows very little if any CA (at least on film, I haven't used it on any digital cameras). The last version (with bayonet mount) is the best one.

I must respectfully disagree. The 280/4.8 has awe-inspiring build quality, and I would buy it again for that reason. However, it does exhibit quite obvious CA, with wide open LCA being objectionable. My copy is the "improved" formula in M mount. The Yashica 300/5.6 has better color control, but I agree with Jordan that UD glass is needed at this FL. Leitz realized this early in the game, and we have many APO-grade options in both mounts. Only problem is the price.

Aug 14, 2012 at 09:31 PM

roboticspro
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p.2 #9 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

formula4speed:

Check your PM's...I have a plan...

Edd

Aug 14, 2012 at 10:31 PM

Cadaver
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p.2 #10 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Since the discussion turned to 300mm 5.6 lenses, I was wondering if anyone had experience with the Tamron Adaptall 300mm 5.6? I read some good things about it.

Aug 16, 2012 at 10:39 AM

roboticspro
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p.2 #11 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Hi,

Cadaver: Send a PM to Peire and jcolwell; they both own them (Tamron 300mm f5.6).

I will post some FD 300 f4L, and EF 300 f4L photos this weekend after I get back to CONUS.

Edd

Aug 16, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.2 #12 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

If you want 300 f/4 I think the choice is mostly between the Pentax k-mount 300 f/4 (you will want the M or A series, which are smaller and seems to be better performers) or the Canon nFD 300 f/4L (note the nFD as is typical is noticably smaller than the FD). The Pentax is significantly smaller (825g vs. 1060g in weight) and (13.2cm vs. 20.7cm in length). The Pentax is also a star series lens which are their top performers and kinda sorta comparable to the L series for Canon. That said the Canon does have 2 UD elements and the Pentax doesn't, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Canon performs a bit better. So both seem like good options. The Pentax is quite a bit smaller, but the Canon L may perform a little better. I would think the Pentax is clearly a better choice than the non-L Canon, however, as it is still much smaller and probably performs at least as well. I hope this helps.

Aug 16, 2012 at 04:05 PM

formula4speed
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p.2 #13 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

That's extremely helpful Steve, thank you. The Pentax sounds like just what I am looking for, I'll have to keep my eyes out for one.

Aug 16, 2012 at 05:58 PM

CalW
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p.2 #14 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

So all this time I'm lookin' for a 600mm equivalent solution for m43, and you say it has been on the next shelf up right along

Um, I forgot one lil' bit about "relatively light and compact." I do gotta admit that it IS possible to focus this beast on the EM-5, but it ain't easy (and if that target had been moving, I think that it wouldn'ta got shot...) Test shot at f/4 handheld (of course

)

DMC-G3 45 mm f/2.8 1/125 sec 1600 ISO 0.0 EV

2013 © CalW

E-M5 1/100 sec 800 ISO 0.0 EV

Aug 16, 2012 at 09:57 PM

roboticspro
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p.2 #15 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Hi,

CalW wrote:
So all this time I'm lookin' for a 600mm equivalent solution for m43, and you say it has been on the next shelf up right along

A cropped field of view certainly, but not focal length, because that never changes; 300mm on a Minox is still 300mm on a Deardorff

. But a 300 on a Minox would be fun...

The FD 300 f4L in the front row will be paired up against the EF 300 f4L IS (not shown). I do not expect a blow-out from the EF over the FD from early tests that I have done. They are both sharp and pretty much CA free.

See you on Saturday with some A-B shots.

Edd

Edited on Sep 20, 2012 at 03:26 PM · View previous versions

Aug 16, 2012 at 11:34 PM

jcolwell
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p.2 #16 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

The SMC Pentax-M* 300/4 and -A* 300/4 are significantly smaller and lighter than any other 300/4 in their class. Here's some images and data on the -M* that I picked up earlier this year. I still don't have a good feeling for how well it works on a DSLR, but that'll change in a few weeks, when I get home and have some time to use it.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/982966/73#10674376
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/982966/74#10681269

Aug 17, 2012 at 04:02 AM

Bifurcator
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p.2 #17 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Lightest Weight, Highest Quality, 300mm, In this case that spells Zuiko.

http://tesselator.gpmod.com/Images/_Auctions/OM_Zuiko_300mm_Auto-T/
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1096474/0#10457162

This image is copyrighted by the owner

All wide open, many 100% crops:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Massive Crop, GH1, WO, 1/640s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% Crop, GH1, WO, 1/1000s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% Crop, GH1, WO, 1/3200s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% Crop, GH1, WO, 1/640s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% Crop, GH1, WO, 1/1250s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% Crop, GH1, WO? - This one may actually be stopped down 1 click tho, 1/4000s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Massive Crop, GH1, WO, 1/500s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Massive Crop, GH1, WO, 1/200s, ISO 400

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Massive Crop, GH1, WO, 1/400s, ISO 400

I have the Canon FDn 4.0L and a bunch of other 300's too. The 300/4.0L has a no CA WO where the Zuiko has some at it's widest aperture. The Zuiko renders colors much richer and more true to the scene than the FDn 300/4.0L though. And of course the Zuiko is very compact and light weight. I think the Zuiko the lightest most compact 300 I own which still has a tripod collar on it. Removing the tripod collar lightens it up even more.

The Zuiko is easily my favorite 300mm - after the FDn 300/2.8L Fluorite of course.

Aug 17, 2012 at 05:55 AM

CalW
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p.2 #18 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

This Zuiko is obviously a great lens, Bif, thanks for sharing this. Now, what I really wish for, is for Olympus to start from this basic design and "miniaturize" it down to micro four thirds diameter, with AF

Aug 17, 2012 at 10:45 AM

roboticspro
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p.2 #19 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

Bif,

Great shots; the OP is fortunate to have so many examples and choices. I second what CalW just posted, as we need some long AF glass from the makers (like Olympus) that set the bar for others many years ago.

Edd

Aug 17, 2012 at 10:51 AM

Bifurcator
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p.2 #20 · Good, compact 300mm f/4 lens?

I'd be kind of afraid tho. So far most µ4/3 native lenses (like 95%) are made to last about 3 to 5 years and then die or fall apart. The build quality on these micro-lenses is simply atrocious!!! Especially compared to something like these FDn's, Zuikos, and Pentaxes we're discussing here. But really even compared to modern pro and semi-pro lenses too. With the description of the new M.Zuiko 75 that was posted recently there may be hope but I'm still scared!

Imagemaster wrote:
Judging from owners' reviews, the 80-400VR could hardly be called a good lens. Read the reviews:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=115&sort=7&cat=28&page=3

sebboh wrote:
most of the complaints about the lens have to do with things like slow inaccurate autofocus and crappy VR, which won't come into play on the OM-D. having said that, i didn't particularly like the lens on 4/3 either. the color, contrast, and bokeh were all subpar imho and the manual focus ring is a joke. however, it was decently sharp over the 4/3 image circle and had much lower CA than most of the older manual focus 300+mm lenses will have.

The Tokina AF AT-X 80-400mm f/4.5~5.6 is also fairly stellar and comes at a MUCH lower price-point. Cosmetically is looks about the same as the nikon although it feels much more solid in the hand than the Nikon.

Not sure if the OP in interested in zooms or not though.

Aug 17, 2012 at 01:33 PM

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