Yes. It can be very good optically, but it's not perfect. It is VERY versatile, though. Having 800mm equivalent in a relatively compact package is really something.
I have to say I am impressed by what I have seen so far from the PL 100-400. The Oly 300/4 is only marginally better ... so when you factor-in the fact that you have a very versatile zoom lens that is smaller and lighter and quite a bit less expensive, it's that much harder for one to pick the Oly lens over the PL lens. If I had not already bought the Oly I would seriously look at the PL version. A couple of my friends own both lenses!
Yes Bobby it may very well be a good alternative although a bit slower compared to the Oly 300.
From the shots I've seen so far the bokeh from the Pana 100-400 looks a bit better then from the Oly 300 which does look nervous in some shots.
Doing some searches on the lens I found this blog and review (one of the first up I believe, I've read it before).
Looks like, oddly enough, the lens has some focusing problems at its longer reach. Actually described as back focusing and fixable via EM-1 lens focus settings.
You are right about the bokeh of the Oly. I do try to make sure there is good separation between the subject and the background. Sync-IS works extremely well and you do get up to 6 stops which is freaking amazing. If you are still thinking about the Olympus lens give it another 6 months or so and I think the price will drop significantly.
Wilbus wrote:
Yes Bobby it may very well be a good alternative although a bit slower compared to the Oly 300.
From the shots I've seen so far the bokeh from the Pana 100-400 looks a bit better then from the Oly 300 which does look nervous in some shots.
Doing some searches on the lens I found this blog and review (one of the first up I believe, I've read it before).
Looks like, oddly enough, the lens has some focusing problems at its longer reach. Actually described as back focusing and fixable via EM-1 lens focus settings.
bobbytan wrote:
You are right about the bokeh of the Oly. I do try to make sure there is good separation between the subject and the background. Sync-IS works extremely well and you do get up to 6 stops which is freaking amazing. If you are still thinking about the Olympus lens give it another 6 months or so and I think the price will drop significantly.
Thanks Bobby, I will give it another 6 months or more I think. I have no real need for it at the moment and I do love my 40-150 Pro. I think I have more use of a kayak in order to be able to get out and about more on the sea/lakes and shoot from there
I get the feeling that Olympus sometimes go all out for very good sharpness, contrast and ca control but don't care much about the bokeh. The 40-150 can have some truly lovely bokeh but it can also be nervous like the 300mm F4.
Wilbus wrote:
Thanks Bobby, I will give it another 6 months or more I think. I have no real need for it at the moment and I do love my 40-150 Pro. I think I have more use of a kayak in order to be able to get out and about more on the sea/lakes and shoot from there
I get the feeling that Olympus sometimes go all out for very good sharpness, contrast and ca control but don't care much about the bokeh. The 40-150 can have some truly lovely bokeh but it can also be nervous like the 300mm F4.
You are probably right. Well, their upcoming f1.2 lenses had better be good on the bokeh or I for one will give them a miss. The Nocticron has absolutely fabulous bokeh and sharpness as these samples show.
Yeah the Nokticron is something really special, sometimes wish I should've gotten that one over the 40-150... horses for courses, will probably have both in due time
I have been enjoying my new toy the PEN F, I used to have the film version of it, so a lot of nostalgia is involved having this little Jewell.
Here are a few shots taken with it from my recent trip to the Eastern Sierras and Mono Lake.
I have been shooting RAW and JPG, these are the JPG pictures SOOC, did not change the colors, all I did some auto contrast on some of them.
Mono Lake Reflections PEN F Lumix 12-35 @18mm f/8
Tufas and Reflections PEN F Lumix 12-35 @17mm f/8
Mono Lake Tufas and Reflections PEN F Lumix 12-35 @16mm f/9
