I currently have the Lumix version. While it is a very good lens, the zoom ring is very stiff. I am thinking about exchanging it for the Olympus MKII verson. I shoot with Lumix G9II. Has anyone used both, and what are your thoughts?
I probably shouldn't be replying because I haven't used either lens But I have been using the Olympus MK 1 for about two years. The question I would be asking is does the IS of the Lumix version sync with the G9ll ? I'm not sure but I doubt that the Sync IS would work with the Olympus MK ll and the G9. If that's the case, I'd be looking at the MK 1 version of the Olympus if you're still thinking of switching because you'd be paying quite a bit extra for sync IS which would be useless on the G9, so a waste of money. By all accounts the sync IS is the only appreciable difference between the two Olympus lenses. IQ is identical, by all accounts. I thought the MK ll version of the Lumix corrected the stiff zoom issue ?? I may be reading wrong but when you say you have the Lumix version I'm assuming you mean the MK ll version.
Gary
'sum1sgrampa' (Gary) is right on target.
I used to own the Mk1 version of the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm, and used it on my Olympus E-M1 Mkll. I sold it and bought the Olympus 100-400 Mkl because the Panasonic lens did not allow in-camera Focus Stacking, had a much stiffer zoom ring, there was too much free play in the mount, and I felt the Olympus lens was just a tad sharper at 400mm.
As Gary so correctly pointed out, the OM Mkll version will not benefit you anything if you plan to keep using it with your G9ll. As a matter of fact, I have upgraded to the OM Mkll version to use with my OM-1 Mkll mostly for the Synch IS, and have found the zoom ring to be slightly stiffer than my Mkl. As Gary said, optically there is virtually no difference.
I would say, consider finding a clean Mkl copy of the Olympus 100-400mm.
Yes, I do have the MKII version of both the camera and the lens. The zoom ring is stiffer than I would like. I like to shoot surfers. Normally, I zoom out in order to find the surfer, and then oom back i, but I would like to do that quickly.
I had version one of both lenses and version two of neither lens. Overall, I liked the Panasonic on a the G9 body but when I changed to Olympus, traded for the Olympus lens. I really saw no real improvement and liked the handling and lighter weight of the Panasonic better, though it had a bit stiffer zoom.
Why not try the new version of Panasonic? I would think it has advantages working with the G9ii as long as the zoom is not as stiff as the original.
I missed your saying that you had version 2 of the lens. I had read that the version 2 was looser than the original. I had both an early and then a later version 1 and the later one was not as stiff. I really liked how compact and light is was for a 100-400.
But I have been using the Olympus MK 1 for about two years. The question I would be asking is does the IS of the Lumix version sync with the G9ll ? I'm not sure but I doubt that the Sync IS would work with the Olympus MK ll and the G9. If that's the case, I'd be looking at the MK 1 version of the Olympus if you're still thinking of switching because you'd be paying quite a bit extra for sync IS which would be useless on the G9, so a waste of money. By all accounts the sync IS is the only appreciable difference between the two Olympus lenses. IQ is identical, by all accounts. I thought the MK ll version of the Lumix corrected the stiff zoom issue ?? I may be reading wrong but when you say you have the Lumix version I'm assuming you mean the MK ll version.