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Archive 2022 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.

  
 
SpecFoto
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Starting week 6 of my 2 month trip to Thailand with my EM1.3, 17mm & 45mm f1.2’s, 12-40mm f2.8 and 40-150mm f2.8/MC-14. I decided to bring the Olympus gear & Pro WR lenses instead of my Sony A7RIV and Sony/Zeiss primes with the 100-400mm GM and it has worked out just great, I am not missing the Sony gear at all (except for the 3:2 format which I prefer for landscapes, so I am cropping some EM1.3 photos). The 12-40 and 40-150 f2.8 lenses are such a great travel pair, and this trip has renewed my desire to use them, even though they are 7 - 9 years old. See below for what a 9 year old 12-40 can produce.

When I get home my Sony gear is going up for sale. I will be adding an OM-1 and want to add a premium OMDS telephoto lens, either the 300mm f4 or the 150-400mm f4.5, to replace my 100-400mm f5-6.3. Far as IQ, from the photos I have seen online I can say the IQ is just top notch in either the 300mm f4 or 150-400mm f4.5. For those that have tried both what are your thoughts on any IQ differences?

Travel will be more important to me in the future and I am leaning towards the 300mm f4 for 4 reasons; size-3.25” shorter, weight-400 grams less, price-just a bit more than 1/3 the cost, and now availability. The 150-400mm has the advantage of the wider zoom range, but with the MC-14 that is mitigated somewhat as I tend to shoot with my 100-400 f5-6.3 at the 300-400mm range 90% of the time. Plus with the 300mm f4 I would carry the 40-150mm and both would fit with ease in my GuraGear Kiboko 16L pack along with the 12-40mm and a few primes. Not sure I would carry both the 40-150mm f2.8 and 150-400mm f4.5, except for special circumstances, due to the added weight plus I would likely need a larger size pack as the 150-400 f4.5 would take up just one side of the 16L by itself.

Besides the flexibility of the zoom will I really be missing that much with the 300 f4? Comments appreciated!

Jim









Aug 28, 2022 at 01:45 AM
Richard-BB
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Your intended move to fully adopt OM system not surprising given OM excellent range of lenses. Most Sony lenses somewhat heavy and expensive. On my Sony A7RIII with Voigtlander 35mm f2 as convenient for my amateur photography. Fuji XF zoom lenses also on the heavy side; especially Fuji 50-140mm f2,8. In future to consider OM1 weather-proof camera; after your report and endorsement. Amazing colour contrast of your abandoned fishing-boat as perfectly exposed in testing dynamic range.

Checked on DPR about OM1 availability; don't hold your breathe.



Aug 28, 2022 at 03:16 AM
SpecFoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Richard-BB wrote:
Checked on DPR about OM1 availability; don't hold your breathe.


Actually B&H, who I use almost exclusively, has the OM-1 in stock. And with the Payboo card they pay the 8.75% CA sales tax

GetOlympus, the USA distributor, also has it in stock. This has just occurred in the last few weeks though, as I tried 2 local shops when I was in Bangkok 3 weeks ago who both carry OMDS/Olympus and they both said they expected stock sometime in October.




Aug 28, 2022 at 04:43 AM
flagg
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


For me the question would be whether the 300mm would suffice for reach vs the 500mm available with the 150-400. I do have the latter, and plan to carry it along with the 40-150 (two bodies) next time I go on a wildlife trip (whenever that might be). That's a lot of size and weight for a MFT kit, but so much less than FF.


Aug 28, 2022 at 12:48 PM
Woody Meristem
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Having used primes for 20+ years, I would now never choose a prime over a zoom. When I used primes the available zooms were just terrible in comparison -- that is no longer the case. If the 150-400mm is too big and too expensive, take a look at the Olympus 100-400mm zoom.


Aug 28, 2022 at 12:51 PM
dcisive
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


I've used primes in the past as well as zooms. I've NEVER had a zoom that provides a "one end to the other" level of sharpness as the copy of the Olympus 100-400 f5-f6.3 I bought new over a month ago. it continues to amaze me, both in detail rendered and ability to easily handhold it with stability I have NO desire for anything limited in its focal range adjustability. I for darned sure, after shelling out for 6 of their top Pro lenses need nor want a $7500 wonder lens. I keep it as light as possible after offing my FF setup.


Aug 28, 2022 at 01:41 PM
robert_in_ca
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Having owned pretty much every Pro lens made by Olympus, in my opinion 150-400mm blows away all the pro zoom lenses and the 300mm f4 Pro out of the water. But if you don’t need it you don’t need it.

dcisive wrote:
I've used primes in the past as well as zooms. I've NEVER had a zoom that provides a "one end to the other" level of sharpness as the copy of the Olympus 100-400 f5-f6.3 I bought new over a month ago. it continues to amaze me, both in detail rendered and ability to easily handhold it with stability I have NO desire for anything limited in its focal range adjustability. I for darned sure, after shelling out for 6 of their top Pro lenses need nor want a $7500 wonder lens. I keep it as light as possible after offing
...Show more



Aug 28, 2022 at 02:52 PM
Richard-BB
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Reading my comment...correction: Don't hold your breath; not breathe.

Adopting M43 Olympus / OM compact system under consideration. OM zoom lens range as their ace card. However the company like Fuji under pressure from the big three. Panasonic as the next departure from centre-stage? OM1 battery charger cost; not so funny. Anyway compact OM medium range zoom lens would fill a gap in my camera shooting arcade. Pun intended.



Aug 30, 2022 at 02:10 AM
dcisive
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


robert_in_ca wrote:
Having owned pretty much every Pro lens made by Olympus, in my opinion 150-400mm blows away all the pro zoom lenses and the 300mm f4 Pro out of the water. But if you don’t need it you don’t need it.



Well with due respect I don't need MORE sharpness or definition then this example. Shot at the long 400mm (eq. 800mm) end it's all I personally need. Not selling short the advantages that exist for a 150-400, but some of us simply don't require those advantages to get the results. Some do. If I was a major birder or sports shooter no doubt I'd have one of those big boys. But for the stuff like shown here it's more than meeting the need.





  OM-1     OLYMPUS M.100-400mm F5.0-6.3 lens    400mm    f/6.3    1/1600s    200 ISO    -1.0 EV  




Aug 30, 2022 at 11:19 AM
robert_in_ca
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


dcisive wrote:
Well with due respect I don't need MORE sharpness or definition then this example. Shot at the long 400mm (eq. 800mm) end it's all I personally need. Not selling short the advantages that exist for a 150-400, but some of us simply don't require those advantages to get the results. Some do. If I was a major birder or sports shooter no doubt I'd have one of those big boys. But for the stuff like shown here it's more than meeting the need.


It's not only about sharpness and definition... there's also rendering and fall off the lens that is unique.




  E-M1X    OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 lens    400mm    f/5.0    1/1000s    400 ISO    -1.3 EV  




Aug 30, 2022 at 12:05 PM
SpecFoto
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


robert_in_ca wrote:
It's not only about sharpness and definition... there's also rendering and fall off the lens that is unique.


Agree Robert, question though. Is the rendering and fall off that much different ("unique") than the 300 Pro f4 at approximately the same 300mm FL? The 150-400 has a full stop advantage vs. the 100-400 at 300mm and that is apparent in the rendering. But the 300 f4 has a 1/3 stop advantage over the 150-400 at 300mm and that should help the rendering a bit too...yes?



Edited on Sep 01, 2022 at 12:34 AM · View previous versions



Sep 01, 2022 at 12:13 AM
fadeslayer
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


A friend of mine has both 150-400 and 300f4 and in his opinion no way the 150-400 is sharper than 300mm, quite the contrary. There are other elements favoring the zoom (the zoom convenience, indeed, no need for a Tc to put on and off, bokeh a bit better, reach).

I will never justify 7000€ for a lens, my most expensive kit I had on the whole valued that sum, I bought 300 pro used at 1500€ after a long search (it went <1200 a year ago), I had and sold 100-400 which I and the same friend above find subpar at farther than 4 meters, and too dim aperture to start from.

I sold my 40-150 which had problems, for now I fit with a single long prime, if OM does not release 50-250 soon (or the likes) maybe I will buy one again or a PL 50-200 some day.



Sep 01, 2022 at 12:33 AM
SpecFoto
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


fadeslayer wrote:
A friend of mine has both 150-400 and 300f4 and in his opinion no way the 150-400 is sharper than 300mm, quite the contrary. There are other elements favoring the zoom (the zoom convenience, indeed, no need for a Tc to put on and off, bokeh a bit better, reach).

I will never justify 7000€ for a lens, my most expensive kit I had on the whole valued that sum, I bought 300 pro used at 1500€ after a long search (it went <1200 a year ago), I had and sold 100-400 which I and the same friend above find subpar
...Show more

My 7 year old 40-150 f2.8 Pro has been excellent at all F/L ranges, even with the MC-14. Think you may have had a bad copy, I would certainly give it another try.

Think I am going to wait until I can find a reconditioned copy of the 300mm f4 from Get Olympus, the US distributor. They had a sale last month and it was going for $1,900 with a warranty and a 30 days return policy. That will give me some time to see just how good the lens is.




Sep 01, 2022 at 12:44 AM
palmor
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


SpecFoto wrote:
Think I am going to wait until I can find a reconditioned copy of the 300mm f4 from Get Olympus, the US distributor. They had a sale last month and it was going for $1,900 with a warranty and a 30 days return policy. That will give me some time to see just how good the lens is.



That was me picking that lens up, at least I got one of them that was in the outlet



Sep 01, 2022 at 08:06 AM
SpecFoto
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


palmor wrote:
That was me picking that lens up, at least I got one of them that was in the outlet


Yeah I was in Thailand when that sale hit, still am (see post 1). That was a pretty good price as they are now $500 more at $2,399, but out of stock. Hopefully they will have one when the Nov holiday sale hits.

How has the 300mm worked out for you?



Sep 01, 2022 at 08:18 AM
palmor
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


SpecFoto wrote:
Yeah I was in Thailand when that sale hit, still am (see post 1). That was a pretty good price as they are now $500 more at $2,399, but out of stock. Hopefully they will have one when the Nov holiday sale hits.

How has the 300mm worked out for you?


It's great actually. Sharp, fast to focus, IS is wonderful etc. My only complaint is that it is only 300mm



Sep 01, 2022 at 08:36 AM
anthonysemone
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Sardonic Q here: is the ultimately rendered photograph $6000 more discernibly “better” comparing the 100-400 v the 150-400? Even if I had the $$$$, or an extra kidney/car to sell, I doubt that I would see the difference, save of course for my wallet. But, if ya got the dough, and it’s what ya want? Rock on. Just my .02 left over from my forthcoming 100-400 purchase.


Oct 18, 2022 at 03:51 PM
fadeslayer
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


A good advantage in 150-400 is certainly its capability to add 100mm in focal length without doing anything but a finger push/pull, and that would be killer, for me. For now, no way to shell out 7 grands and a half. As with 300 pro, now price in Italy has rose up 500€ in MRSP for both Pro lenses...

Talking about 100-400, even if my copy was particularly faulted, I don't miss its dim diaphragm, f/6.3 as a wider one is limiting in my opinion.



Oct 19, 2022 at 01:04 AM
Tom Reynolds
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


I think that you need to look at lenses on the OM-1, not an older Olympus body, if the OM-1 is where you ultimately intend to go. The OM-1 autofocus definitely improves sharpness.

My issue with the 150-400 is the size and weight compared to the 100-400. I also have the 300f4.

The problem with the F/6.3 lens compared to a F/4.5 or F/4 lens is that getting subject separation from the background is more difficult. However, neither will compete with a 600F/4 on a Full Frame body so why not specialize on action shots that the lightweight, compact nature of the OM-1 and 100-400 or 300f/4 excel at.

Regards,

Tom



Oct 19, 2022 at 02:25 AM
Wilbus
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · OM-1 40-150 f2.8 and either the 300 f4 OR 150-400 f4.5.


Can't speak for the 150-400 apart from having tested it quickly. I was very impressed with the lightness of it. In no way did it feel heavy or handle heavy, it felt about half the weight of what it is, oddly enough.

The 300mm F4 I used a lot and sold for €1900 (bought for 2400). Now it's up at €2800 in Sweden so quite a hefty price increase, I would say it's still worth those €2800 though as the quality is amazing. Also, while the 150-400 is not large per say, the 300 is easier to fit in a bag and will allow for more lenses to be carried.




Oct 19, 2022 at 04:05 AM
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