I too shoot wildlife on the 300 f4 and it's a delight. And like you, I sometimes need more reach and flexibility, I bought the 150-300mm (still feeling guilt!) and agree it weights a lot. But it is manageable - and I have to remind myself what my old FF Canon would cost, weigh and handle like at 1200mm. I enjoy your videos both equipment and nature focussed. Many thanks. The Black Guillemot footage was great.
This was a very interesting to me. I am an OM shooter for the last 2-3 years and I primarily photograph birds. Just my hobby these days so I use what I can afford to buy. Like you I do most of my shooting with the 300mm F4 and that lens has spoiled me. I use it with both TCs though the 1.4X is mounted much of the time. I have had no issues with the 2X on mine. It is quite sharp enough for me. I know that recent production has reportedly had better results than earlier copies. I am, of course, very interested in the 150-400 F4.5 Pro but I haven’t yet convinced my wife that I really need one. I do a lot of my shooting at a local lake here in central Texas which , due to its geographic layout, is difficult to get close to some of the more interesting birds. So I sometimes use the 2X TC on the 300. I sometimes miss shots because something will turn up right in front of me and I have to remove/change the TC. I was hoping that the 150-600 might be a good alternative the 2X TC but I do really doubt how much IQ I would be willing to give up for the added flexibility. The current price isn’t too bad so I am still thinking about it.
thanks for the comment Rod. I would think the IQ of the 150-600 is superior or at the very least on par with anything you can get with the 2x, but its whether that's worth the extra outlay for you!
I’ve now got both the 150/600 and the 300 prime. My take on testing both at same focal length and apertures eg 300 + MC20 and 150/600 at F8 is that sharpness stands up reasonably well but the prime has better contrast. Easily sorted in post production. But at 67 years old I find I cannot hold the zoom to the eye for very long. It will be a monopod/tripod lens for me and the prime for wandering about shots
Lovely stuff Mike - both lenses worth a place in your kit bag! Yes I think for a lot of people, a monopod is a worthy investment for this lens. Thanks for the comment
Your situation and take on it is exactly how I was feeling about this lens. I own the 300 and love it. I was not going to buy the new zoom but now they have dropped the price to $2k usd till at least Nov 3 here in the USA and at that price it looks just too good to pass up. I'll use it when day hiking and bring my 300 when going on early mornings or end of day opportunities. The macro capabilities of this new zoom look so good, I think it's going to be my new favorite lens for during the day when there is loads of light to work with...thank you for the all around excellent review of this lens. It actually looks amazing for the price they currently have it at :)
@@marchumphreyphotography Actually I've decided to go for the 150-400. The 150-600 looks very nice for the $$$ but I know it was only a matter of time before I got the big "white lens" so I think better to just go for it now rather than make another purchase in between...
Nice review marc, i bought the 150-600mm and love it, i still use the 300mm f4 , truth is i would like a 300mm f2.8 pro lens even though it would be bigger and more expensive i would buy it at the drop of a hat, Sadly it will not happen but i can dream
I'm somewhat encouraged by your handhold demo. I tried this lens for 10 days, but I was using the push-pull zoom technique which meant I was holding the front of the lens with the lens fully extended. That was exhausting, but possibly using the traditional twist technique for zooming will make the lens more manageable.
Hello Marc, I use the f4.0 300mm and often add the 1.4x extender when the light allows. That combination lets me wander for hours. That formula of weight v results v currency… no better value for me. I am a subscriber to your excellent channel. Thank you for bringing us along.
Hi Marc …. Many thanks for your honest appraisal and review of this lens, providing both the pros and the cons. It is a lens that I have been considering and it clearly has some amazing features. However, I think the main issue for me is the size and weight. I was a birder long before I started photography and part of my birding kit is a telescope and tripod. Therefore, the bulk and weight of my photography kit is a major consideration, especially if a long walk is involved! It is also one of the main reasons why I moved to the OM Systems mirrorless system (currently OM-1 plus 100-400mm, 60mm macro, 12-40mm and 1.4XTC). As you say, cost is always an issue too but maybe OM Systems will have some very good deals for Black Friday? Anyway, good luck with receiving that e-mail from them which starts “Dear Marc. We are delighted to inform you that we would like to offer you the opportunity to keep the 150-600mm lens that you have been testing out ….” 😀
I appreciate the comment, thanks Richard. Yes I can see how the size & weight would be an issue... personally that's not what puts me off, but it should definitely come into play. That's a lovely set of lenses you've got - replace the 100-400 with the 300mm and add the 40-150 f2.8 and it's my exact set up too! Haha - yes I'll be waiting for black friday deals... and even longer for that email 😂
OM have such a good lens selection it's tempting to try an OMii as I'm not sure how this would perform on the G9ii The stiffness of my 100-400 is really limiting even if the mk2 has allegedly fixed that. This lens could solve that issue while giving longer focal length
Hmmm, it would depend on how much of the IS is due to the lens in comparison to any sync IS between the camera. Yes, I've had the panny 100-400mm before - but luckily didn't have that issue. It's a shame both panasonic and OM don't work together more with their lenses & camera bodies
Fits with my thoughts. Atmospherics come into play much more here in Australia, 28-35 degrees gives lots of heat haze to shoot through and sharpness is hard to acheive. I will stick with my 300mm and MC14 for now. Being in my 70's does limit the cash a bit, hard to fund this or my real druther the 150-400mm. Thomas Eisel recommends using f8 with the 150-600 for best results which my mate found to be spot on advice.
Ah I can imagine! Yes, the 300mm + 1.4x is a wonderful combo (and a lot lighter). I do just find myself longing for a good zoom lens, and like you, I can't afford the 150-400! I'm sure f8 would improve this lens, however most of the time in the UK, you need to get as much light as possible haha!
hi, if you want to have flexibility, without spending an eye and at the same time have an image quality comparable to that of the 150-600 I think you could consider the 100-400 which is also lighter than the 300 f4. Naturally the best in terms of flexibility and quality remains the 150-400 f4.5 pro.
Thanks for the comment Michele. I've tried with the 100-400mm however the image stabilisation just doesn't cut it for me unfortunately (would be less of a problem if I only took skills, but there is very noticeable shake when taking video). Yes... I will continue to dream about the big white lens 😂
Very helpful! I also use mostly the 300mm F4. I tried the 100-400mm in search of versatility, but the IQ is so inferior it isn't funny. So I hardly ever use that zoom. The 150-400 PRO lens just seems an outrageous self-indulgence, so I had hopes for this one. Even if it is a re-badged Sigma full frame lens. But you seem to shoot the same kind of subjects I do, and you've made your choice. I am influenced, and will stick with the stellar 300mm F4 for now.
Hi Mark, Great review. Very helpful… could I make a slight constructive technical criticism? Green Screens!! The reflections of your computer drove me mad!
Hi Ian, thanks for the comment! Haha yes I noticed the same, but unfortunately I don't really know a way around not getting reflections in my glasses... any suggestions?
I recently bought the 300/4.0 and thought for a long, long, long time wether the 150-600 wouldn`t have been a better choice.If I could have afforded both I woud have bought the 150-400/4.5 staight away. I bought the 300 because it is sharper and faster and because of the 50fps.
I think you made the right choice Richard! Like I said in the review, if I were to own the 150-600mm it would be alongside the 300mm, not instead of. I think the issue for OM is the 300mm is such a good lens 😂
hi Marc nice and informative video again. I watched some of your videos for comparison, but your 300mmF/4 is significantly sharper than the 150-600. that's a world of difference. Have you ever tested the 150-400? This lens is very good, but also very expensive. Quality has a price. yet another question. Are you familiar with AF problems in difficult lighting conditions of the Om-1 MK II? yours sincerely.
Thank you! I certainly wouldn't say there's a world of difference in the sharpness, a difference yes, but not worlds apart! Now the 150-400, I would be hugely interested in trying that lens - I'll do my best with OM system to give it a go 😂 if I could afford it, I'm sure I wouldn't touch my 300mm again! Having tested the OM-1 mk2 for the last month, I haven't found any real difference between the mk1 and mk2 to be honest
@@marchumphreyphotography hi Marc thanks for your reply. I have another question, have you experienced any problems with the. AF of the Om-1 mkII in difficult lighting conditions?. kind regards👍
Cost is an issue especially when this lens is made by Sigma for other manufacturers at a cost of £1200. A few minor alterations from Olympus and it cost £2400. The 100 400 value for money. Excellent honest review from Mark no question about that.
Thanks Rob! I've never owned the 100-400, but I have tried it out a few times. My issues with it are that from 300mm up it's IQ is worse and the F stop is higher than the 300mm (and you can buy them both for a fairly similar price 2nd hand). The IS of the 100-400 is of no comparison to that of the 300mm and the 150-600mm, which I find very important.
@@thomasreed49 Thank you thomas. Yes, I have to say the price is certainly steep! But having used the 150-600mm sigma on my old canon camera, the IS is far far superior on the OM version which does make a huge difference when shooting at such focal lengths. Let's hope it comes down in price... because I'd love to own it haha!
I haven't owned the 2x converter for a couple of years now, but I really never got on with the combination of the 300 with the 2x. I may have had a bad copy... but the sharpness was just never good enough for me. Plus I've always found being stuck at f8 being rather limiting - I'd rather use the 1.4x and crop in a bit. Thanks for the comment Paul
Obviously never going to use this lens but I can imagine it has the same issues at the Canon 200-800 on a crop body. Fairly heavy, bad lowlight performance and distortion issues once you hit the longer FL.
Having never used the 200-800, I can't comment on that, but yes - the distortion issues are a pain. It would be magical if we could shoot at equivalent 1200mm and there be no issues... but alas, physics is an issue!
I too shoot wildlife on the 300 f4 and it's a delight. And like you, I sometimes need more reach and flexibility, I bought the 150-300mm (still feeling guilt!) and agree it weights a lot. But it is manageable - and I have to remind myself what my old FF Canon would cost, weigh and handle like at 1200mm.
I enjoy your videos both equipment and nature focussed. Many thanks. The Black Guillemot footage was great.
Thanks for the comment michael! Pleased to hear of someone enjoying the lens. Really appreciate the kind words about the black guillemots
Stunning photos, I envy you!
Thank you Catalin 😄
This was a very interesting to me. I am an OM shooter for the last 2-3 years and I primarily photograph birds. Just my hobby these days so I use what I can afford to buy. Like you I do most of my shooting with the 300mm F4 and that lens has spoiled me. I use it with both TCs though the 1.4X is mounted much of the time. I have had no issues with the 2X on mine. It is quite sharp enough for me. I know that recent production has reportedly had better results than earlier copies. I am, of course, very interested in the 150-400 F4.5 Pro but I haven’t yet convinced my wife that I really need one. I do a lot of my shooting at a local lake here in central Texas which , due to its geographic layout, is difficult to get close to some of the more interesting birds. So I sometimes use the 2X TC on the 300. I sometimes miss shots because something will turn up right in front of me and I have to remove/change the TC. I was hoping that the 150-600 might be a good alternative the 2X TC but I do really doubt how much IQ I would be willing to give up for the added flexibility. The current price isn’t too bad so I am still thinking about it.
thanks for the comment Rod. I would think the IQ of the 150-600 is superior or at the very least on par with anything you can get with the 2x, but its whether that's worth the extra outlay for you!
I’ve now got both the 150/600 and the 300 prime. My take on testing both at same focal length and apertures eg 300 + MC20 and 150/600 at F8 is that sharpness stands up reasonably well but the prime has better contrast. Easily sorted in post production. But at 67 years old I find I cannot hold the zoom to the eye for very long. It will be a monopod/tripod lens for me and the prime for wandering about shots
Lovely stuff Mike - both lenses worth a place in your kit bag! Yes I think for a lot of people, a monopod is a worthy investment for this lens. Thanks for the comment
Your situation and take on it is exactly how I was feeling about this lens. I own the 300 and love it. I was not going to buy the new zoom but now they have dropped the price to $2k usd till at least Nov 3 here in the USA and at that price it looks just too good to pass up.
I'll use it when day hiking and bring my 300 when going on early mornings or end of day opportunities. The macro capabilities of this new zoom look so good, I think it's going to be my new favorite lens for during the day when there is loads of light to work with...thank you for the all around excellent review of this lens. It actually looks amazing for the price they currently have it at :)
Only just getting back to using youtube! did you end up buying the lens in the end?
@@marchumphreyphotography Actually I've decided to go for the 150-400. The 150-600 looks very nice for the $$$ but I know it was only a matter of time before I got the big "white lens" so I think better to just go for it now rather than make another purchase in between...
Nice review marc, i bought the 150-600mm and love it, i still use the 300mm f4 , truth is i would like a 300mm f2.8 pro lens even though it would be bigger and more expensive i would buy it at the drop of a hat,
Sadly it will not happen but i can dream
Thanks Stephen! Yes I think a 300 2.8 would be a sweet spot for m43
I'm somewhat encouraged by your handhold demo. I tried this lens for 10 days, but I was using the push-pull zoom technique which meant I was holding the front of the lens with the lens fully extended. That was exhausting, but possibly using the traditional twist technique for zooming will make the lens more manageable.
It does extend quite far, so I can imagine that was quite a pain!
Hello Marc, I use the f4.0 300mm and often add the 1.4x extender when the light allows. That combination lets me wander for hours. That formula of weight v results v currency… no better value for me. I am a subscriber to your excellent channel. Thank you for bringing us along.
Thanks Joe! the 300mm, with or without the 1.4x is simply excellent isn't it. I just long for a zoom at times...
Hi Marc …. Many thanks for your honest appraisal and review of this lens, providing both the pros and the cons.
It is a lens that I have been considering and it clearly has some amazing features. However, I think the main issue for me is the size and weight. I was a birder long before I started photography and part of my birding kit is a telescope and tripod. Therefore, the bulk and weight of my photography kit is a major consideration, especially if a long walk is involved! It is also one of the main reasons why I moved to the OM Systems mirrorless system (currently OM-1 plus 100-400mm, 60mm macro, 12-40mm and 1.4XTC).
As you say, cost is always an issue too but maybe OM Systems will have some very good deals for Black Friday?
Anyway, good luck with receiving that e-mail from them which starts “Dear Marc. We are delighted to inform you that we would like to offer you the opportunity to keep the 150-600mm lens that you have been testing out ….” 😀
I appreciate the comment, thanks Richard. Yes I can see how the size & weight would be an issue... personally that's not what puts me off, but it should definitely come into play.
That's a lovely set of lenses you've got - replace the 100-400 with the 300mm and add the 40-150 f2.8 and it's my exact set up too!
Haha - yes I'll be waiting for black friday deals... and even longer for that email 😂
OM have such a good lens selection it's tempting to try an OMii as I'm not sure how this would perform on the G9ii
The stiffness of my 100-400 is really limiting even if the mk2 has allegedly fixed that. This lens could solve that issue while giving longer focal length
Hmmm, it would depend on how much of the IS is due to the lens in comparison to any sync IS between the camera. Yes, I've had the panny 100-400mm before - but luckily didn't have that issue. It's a shame both panasonic and OM don't work together more with their lenses & camera bodies
@@marchumphreyphotography Yeah it totally wouldn't be hard for them to do and would probably HELP sales for both of them rather than hinder!
Fits with my thoughts. Atmospherics come into play much more here in Australia, 28-35 degrees gives lots of heat haze to shoot through and sharpness is hard to acheive. I will stick with my 300mm and MC14 for now. Being in my 70's does limit the cash a bit, hard to fund this or my real druther the 150-400mm. Thomas Eisel recommends using f8 with the 150-600 for best results which my mate found to be spot on advice.
Ah I can imagine! Yes, the 300mm + 1.4x is a wonderful combo (and a lot lighter). I do just find myself longing for a good zoom lens, and like you, I can't afford the 150-400! I'm sure f8 would improve this lens, however most of the time in the UK, you need to get as much light as possible haha!
hi, if you want to have flexibility, without spending an eye and at the same time have an image quality comparable to that of the 150-600 I think you could consider the 100-400 which is also lighter than the 300 f4. Naturally the best in terms of flexibility and quality remains the 150-400 f4.5 pro.
Thanks for the comment Michele. I've tried with the 100-400mm however the image stabilisation just doesn't cut it for me unfortunately (would be less of a problem if I only took skills, but there is very noticeable shake when taking video). Yes... I will continue to dream about the big white lens 😂
Amazing review
Your phptos are superb!!! Thanks so much for shareing
Subscribed
Thank you Moises!
Very helpful! I also use mostly the 300mm F4. I tried the 100-400mm in search of versatility, but the IQ is so inferior it isn't funny. So I hardly ever use that zoom. The 150-400 PRO lens just seems an outrageous self-indulgence, so I had hopes for this one. Even if it is a re-badged Sigma full frame lens. But you seem to shoot the same kind of subjects I do, and you've made your choice. I am influenced, and will stick with the stellar 300mm F4 for now.
Well I'm glad to have saved you some money nick 😂
Hi Mark,
Great review. Very helpful… could I make a slight constructive technical criticism? Green Screens!! The reflections of your computer drove me mad!
Hi Ian, thanks for the comment! Haha yes I noticed the same, but unfortunately I don't really know a way around not getting reflections in my glasses... any suggestions?
I recently bought the 300/4.0 and thought for a long, long, long time wether the 150-600 wouldn`t have been a better choice.If I could have afforded both I woud have bought the 150-400/4.5 staight away. I bought the 300 because it is sharper and faster and because of the 50fps.
I think you made the right choice Richard! Like I said in the review, if I were to own the 150-600mm it would be alongside the 300mm, not instead of. I think the issue for OM is the 300mm is such a good lens 😂
hi Marc
nice and informative video again. I watched some of your videos for comparison, but your 300mmF/4 is significantly sharper than the 150-600. that's a world of difference. Have you ever tested the 150-400? This lens is very good, but also very expensive. Quality has a price. yet another question. Are you familiar with AF problems in difficult lighting conditions of the Om-1 MK II?
yours sincerely.
Thank you! I certainly wouldn't say there's a world of difference in the sharpness, a difference yes, but not worlds apart! Now the 150-400, I would be hugely interested in trying that lens - I'll do my best with OM system to give it a go 😂 if I could afford it, I'm sure I wouldn't touch my 300mm again! Having tested the OM-1 mk2 for the last month, I haven't found any real difference between the mk1 and mk2 to be honest
@@marchumphreyphotography hi Marc
thanks for your reply. I have another question, have you experienced any problems with the. AF of the Om-1 mkII in difficult lighting conditions?.
kind regards👍
Very informative thanks. I have been considering the 150-600 but as you say weight and cost are an issue. Do you have any experience with the 100-400?
Cost is an issue especially when this lens is made by Sigma for other manufacturers at a cost of £1200. A few minor alterations from Olympus and it cost £2400. The 100 400 value for money. Excellent honest review from Mark no question about that.
Thanks Rob! I've never owned the 100-400, but I have tried it out a few times. My issues with it are that from 300mm up it's IQ is worse and the F stop is higher than the 300mm (and you can buy them both for a fairly similar price 2nd hand). The IS of the 100-400 is of no comparison to that of the 300mm and the 150-600mm, which I find very important.
@@thomasreed49 Thank you thomas. Yes, I have to say the price is certainly steep! But having used the 150-600mm sigma on my old canon camera, the IS is far far superior on the OM version which does make a huge difference when shooting at such focal lengths. Let's hope it comes down in price... because I'd love to own it haha!
How does it compare at 600mm to the 300 & x2 converter?
I haven't owned the 2x converter for a couple of years now, but I really never got on with the combination of the 300 with the 2x. I may have had a bad copy... but the sharpness was just never good enough for me. Plus I've always found being stuck at f8 being rather limiting - I'd rather use the 1.4x and crop in a bit. Thanks for the comment Paul
Obviously never going to use this lens but I can imagine it has the same issues at the Canon 200-800 on a crop body.
Fairly heavy, bad lowlight performance and distortion issues once you hit the longer FL.
Having never used the 200-800, I can't comment on that, but yes - the distortion issues are a pain. It would be magical if we could shoot at equivalent 1200mm and there be no issues... but alas, physics is an issue!
Compromise, Compromise, Compromise. Life is full of compromises. You just have to decide what work for you.
Completely agree!