The Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 - Would I buy this again?
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
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In ‘Would I buy this again?’ I talk about my personal experience with camera’s, lenses and other photo gear. In this episode I discuss the Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 lens. Curious how I like it and if I’d buy it again? Please watch the video to find out! And share your own thought or questions about the camera in the comments if you like.
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Forgot an important plus of this lens: it takes both the 1.4x and 2x teleconverter from Olympus (which none of the other m43 non-pro telephoto zooms do). So you can get up to 560mm (equivalent of 1120mm on FF) with the 1.4x and up to 800mm (equivalent of 1600mm on FF!) with the 2x teleconverter. I’ve had the 1.4x for a while myself and while I liked the extra reach, it also adds 1.4x to the minimum aperture and that makes the lens even less flexible in less than ideal light.
That and the weather sealing make it quite a bit appealing. Of course the TC is more fun with faster glass. So far I use it only with the 40-150mm f/2.8 pro to get the 300mm reach. But I found out accidentally, that I can use the 2xTC with my adapter for the old om system zuiko lenses!
It makes the zuiko 135mm f/2.8 to be a really small and light 540mm equivalent f/5.6 on my m43 cameras. When I set the focal length of 270mm manually in the menu, even the IBIS works quite decent with that. Of course, focus and aperture are all manual, but the optical quality of the old zuiko lenses is amazing!
Yes, old Zuiko lenses are little a bit heavy comparing to m4/3 lenses but they are sooo good. 12-60mm, 50-200mm SWD or 50mm macro which I have... 💪👌
Dude, talking about the build quality without mentioning the duct tape you have on the lens hood is hysterical!
haha well I dropped that lens hood myself which caused a small crack. All for build quality transparency, but this was on me :).
Been using the lens for about 2 years now. Saved, scrimped bit my tongue and bought the 150-400mm f/4.5 with TC 1.25. Having Sync IS is is another bonus. I still have sticker(price) shock. Will delegate the 100-400 for doing video along with Olympus E-M1x. Have taken many great images with the 100-400 lens. I have owned prime lenses in the past and other than a macro lens, I only have own or would buy zoom lenses. Fixed prime lenses are to limiting for me. I owned the Canon 300 f/2.8 when I used Canon gear. It was a great lens, but too often because it was fixed focal length, I was not able to get the shot I wanted. So many say zoom with your feet. Too often, it is not possible to zoom with your feet.
Hey Bart, that was a nice personal review. Really liked the ending where you talked of selling the 75-300, buying this, buying the 75 again and then this again ! It really fits in to what people need to consider in terms of expectations and features. I also have the 75-300 (for quite a few years) and whilst I do like long zoom photography and the really compact size of the lens, I found that I didnt get many keeper shots (long zoom - close to 250-300) with that lens. I bought the 100-400 and absolutely love the reach, fact that it takes a 1.4 tele AND that if conditions are right, you also get great photos using the 1.4 TC. I use it on a EM-1X and I find the balance to be excellent. I also realised after watching your video that another factor that helps me get more /better keepers with this lens is that I have to "consciously" decide to take it out and (plan to) use it (unlike throw the 75-300 thrown in the camera bag for possible opportunities. Still I feel for its features - it is a remarkable lens for the M43 community - especially those who dont need/afford/justify the pro series 300 or 150-600.
I used to borrow this lens from a friend, but I feel that it is a heavy lens. And finally I chose to use the 75-300mm lens for bird photography and video. Thank you for sharing your experience and review about this lens. I am a new friend here from Singapore. Stay connected.👍🔔
I love this lens, it’s on my camera 99% of the time. In comparison to the 75-300 I would say the photos I get are far superior. The colours are a lot better and the separation a lot better - just my opinion
Would you say the superiority in seperation is because of the longer focal lenght, or do you see better seperation at 300mm in this lens as well?
@@bartjanverhoef it could be & I’ve not done any particular tests to be honest. The 75-300ii used to be my go to lens and I thought it was a brilliant lens however when I got the 100-400 I noticed a definite improvement in the separation and out of focus areas being more pleasing. Sorry I can’t be more specific than that but my photography style hasn’t changed and it’s lots better. When I get the lens back from the repair shop in Portugal (the firmware update failed) I will do some tests
Thank you Bart-Jan, very honest review and helpful.
I have tried to photograph some deer in the forest here with my -200mm zoom lens from Olympus and came to the conclusion it was just not good enough.
Last year in England I was allowed to try out the 75-300 in a store but I still was not impressed so when I found this 100-400 this week for a decent price “as new” at Cameranu I decided to go ahead and just buy it.
That was really earlier this week so I haven’t really had a chance to play with it yet but your review confirms my research and my thoughts when unboxing/trying it. I’m really impressed with the build quality, the weather proofing is a must and if you’re willing to accept slightly higher ISO values it makes impressive shots.
Additional reason for me to buy it was the possibility to further extend the focal distance in the future by getting the teleconverters as you mentioned in the pinned comment.
I’m planning to use this with my OM-D EM-5 iii by the way, and although I haven’t seriously tried it out yet it does not seem like that’s going to be a problem because of the smaller body 🤷🏻♂️
Can’t wait to try it out! Thanks again for your thoughts on this lens, happy that you’re happy with it 😉
I still have the 75-300 lens which is slightly darker (per focal length), but it is a dedicated MFT designed lens, whereas the 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS lens is actually an adapted FF DSLR lens design from Sigma. In fact I believe it was assembled in the Sigma factory in Japan for Olympus.
It is the same optical design as the Sigma DSLR lens, although with the rear elements a little smaller in diameter (comparing the lens diagrams) for a smaller image circle, plus it is longer to equal the distance from the sensor as it was used in a 'flappy mirror' DSLR so adding that extra empty space, which was then physically able to allow the use of the MC14 & MC20 teleconverters. I believe the OIS is also the same as that used in the Sigma DSLR lens, so with all that, it was going to be similar in weight & size to the FF DSLR lens of the same specs. I like & use mine because it was an affordable long zoom for my purposes & also I didn't want a fixed focal length, plus the 300 f4 Pro lens was a fair bit more expensive anyhow. There was no way I could justify buying the 150-400 Pro lens either.
I bought this lens 6 months ago and already had a 2x converter (which I haven't tried with this) I really like it and yes it's heavy. I had been using the 40-150 2.8 pro and with the amazing quality, cropping lost very little detail. I'm fairly new to MFT having come from Nikon APS-C found the size appealing. You're right that it works best on sunny days, but here in Ontario Canada in the winter, most birds are only out when it's sunny anyway. Love your videos! Will see how it works in summer with leaf cover in the woods.
I agree with the comments you made about the weight, That being said the 40-150 mm PRO is no lite weight and with the 2X teleconverter on it still doesn't reach 400mm. So noting perfect.
lol...I'm glad I'm not the only one that goes back and forth with selling and buying back the same lens :)
I had this lens twice, had to sell all my Olympus stuff 3 years ago and I made a slow switch to Sony. I had owned Tamron 150-500mm f 5-6.7 (on Sony a7R II and a7 IV) for 2 years and it was one of my most used lenses (easy to get 750mm reach with one press of 1.5x crop in camera) but it was getting to heavy for me (combos over 2 KGs are quite painful for me) so I moved back to Olympus 2 months ago and the Olympus 100-400mm was one of the first lenses on my mind that I need to get. The only disapointing thing for me about this lens is that Optical Image Stabilization is not great, it could and should have been more capable even just for Olympus' own reputation for it, and it takes quite a bit of time and effort to get it to settle down. Because of this I lean to much into burst shooting or waiting for OIS to calm down before I make the image (I do have a good handling technique, I've been shooting wildlife and telephoto lenses for the last 5 years almost on a daily basis).
I have been thinking about buying this lens or the 40-150f2.8. One thing that inclines me towards the shorter focal length is that I already have the lumix 100-300. On that one, the aperture seems more of a problem to me than the focal length. However, the extra reach would be cool with the teleconverters, it would be way more comfortable than having to get closer to small birds. It’s a pretty hard decision because all of the lenses are expensive 😂
I have the lens and Love it ❤
Thanks for the review. I'm having difficulty choosing between the 100-400 and the 40-150 f2.8 with a tele converter. I have the 12-100 but I lack the reach to take some photos. It's not easy to choose because the 100-400 always seems to leave something to be desired.
I use the 40-150 f2.8 with 2x teleconverter. I'm happy with it, but I wonder how beneficial the image stabilization and extra 100mm on this lens would be. (I think a little bit better for birds and such, but I like being able to take the teleconverter off the 40-150 and use it as perfect focal length for the dog park :) )
I'm considering to by this model, but ... At the time when I made most of my photos, my setup was an E-M10 II and the 14-42R + 40-150 combo. The weight of them was ideal to carry everywhere, and I did, because for me the picture quality was OK. My actual gear is the E-M1 II and 12-40 + 75-300. More weight, less pictures already. Why I bought it? ... Curiosity. Now, if I buy the 100-400 (beacuse I'm still curious), it is possible the question soon would be "Would I use this again?". Perhaps, if the extra reach happens to be useable handheld, especially with the teleconverters, ... 🙂 And the weather sealing ... finally I could have rainy telephoto pictures!
I use it with the E-M1 Mark 2. I get great results. Make sure lens IS priority is enabled. 99% of my images are hand held. With stabilization I can shoot hand held at 400mm 1/100 or lower if I can brace against something. Bracing against something I have been able to do 1/25. Without IBIS the recommendation is 1/focal length. In this case it would be 1/800 due to crop factor.
Any idea will there be a EM-1 Mark 4 coming?
There is, but under the new brand OM System has named it the OM-1. It is however in every way the successor of the E-M1 Mark iii.
I am currently shooting with a bridge camera, but will probably buy a used E-M1 mkii some day. I personally like to photograph birds, but I like to travel LIGHT. I don't know if I will be happy with the size of the 100-400mm. The 75-300 is nice because it's light and inexpensive. Also, it doesn't scream "everyone, look at my expensive camera gear!"
Yeah I understand. That 75-300mm certainly doesn’t scream anything like that, yet it definetely delivers a nice result when conditions are decent. Very suitable for light and discreet travelling.
@@bartjanverhoef I just bought a used E-M1 ii and I went with the Zuiko 100-400. It was a tough choice, but the weather sealing was a factor, also the added reach, pseudo-macro capabilities, and slightly more aperture. It will take some time to get used to the weight. I wish this lens was a little lighter and more bright. If the rumored 50-250 f/4 ever becomes a reality at the same size/weight of the 100-400, I might eventually switch to that.
Perhaps to get the best out of the lens you should consider switching off the IBIS and using the lens IS. I have the Panaleica 100-400 which is 200 grammes lighter and use that with OIS on Olympus cameras.
I enjoyed your review, and great shots. I started with the the 40-150 f2.8 pro with a 2x converter, as I love small bird photography. I was not pleased with the result, coming from Canon full frame and 100-400 mk2 lens. Sadly the 150-450 m zuiko will never be in my price range so I now have the Oly 100-400. I have come to the conclusion that, without very deep pockets, everything is a compromise😭 I was tempted to choose the 300 f4 but know I would struggle to find focus without h the zoom ability.
I hear you! Still tempted to some day get that 300mm, it’s defintely brighter and sharper but also limited. Compromises indeed…
I feel like the 300 F4 would make a lot more sense to me if I were setting up in blinds more often where the lack of zoom would be no issue.
I own the 150-400mm and I still prefer the 100-400mm because of its portability. The difference in quality is also much smaller than the difference in price.
@danielcsavossy8278 Interesting! Still keeping the 150-400mm then though?
@@bartjanverhoefI use it twice a year when going for a week with my friends especially to shoot birds and other images which require such a lens. It is also an icebreaker as people stop to ask me about it. But for my travels to find unexplored places or when I have to travel lighter or bring several other lenses with me, that add to the weight, the 100-400 is by far my favorite.
You forgot to mention enough the weather sealing. Happy to take it any zime to safaris. Don't try that with a non sealed lens. You'll only do that once with the 75-300.
Awesome honest summary! I'll probably stick to my 75-300mm, not to get a taste of this extra reach😂 unless I have too much cash at one point😅
The best wildlife-lens for mFT is the Olympus 150-400 PRO with built in TC - but it's too expensive to me. So I have to decide between the 75-300 II, the 300/4.0 PRO, or this 100-400 F5.0-6.3. Not an easy decision ...
I bought a used 300 f4 pro that I use in conjunction with the 1.4x converter for wildlife. It is a stunning combination with very impressive image quality . Of course you lose a little versatility but that is the price you pay with a prime.
Its unfortunate that this lens is not really up to Olympus standards, but it is effective for the price. Not a patch on the quality of the 40-150 2.8 Pro I have and I'd prefer the 150-400 Pro, but at around 6 times the price it is out of my budget.
I like such honest review ! I own a Sony RX10M4 bridge that is only a 1" sensor but f/4@600mm equiv this is the best bridge you can find on the market whenever it is a few years old model (bridge market seems to be dead) and after a Tanzania safari I was very pleased but now I am looking for something that can go a bit higher ISO with less grain but full frame and APS-C with @600mm may be a bit big and heavy, so MFT is something I am looking for, when
I see such lens I am wondering if a 1" 20MP f4@600 equiv sensor is better or not compared to a 4/3 sensor that would be f6.3@600 equiv especially in bad light condition whene ISO needs to be increased. But anyway thank you for this review.
I have the RX10m4 and have just bought an OM1 to replace it as the Sony bridge market is over. I did some comparisons of the sort you ask about. What I found is that the RX10 always demands a higher ISO for every telephoto shot so when the OM1 is using 200 ISO the RX10 is using 640 ISO with the extra noise. This really becomes noticable when there isn't bright sunshine where the OM1 MFT system performs beautifully against the noisy and slightly unclean RX10 images. There are two probable reasons, 1... the MFT sensor is 20% or so larger and a better sensor and, 2... The OM1 in body stabilisation is much better than the RX10m4 allowing slower shutter speeds when the zoom is used out of sunshine. I love the RX10m4 but I am loving the cleaner images the MFT OM1 system is giving me on less than bright days. MFT is giving a clarity and preciseness I have not seen on the RX10 but I have seen from DSLR photographers in the past. But having said that on sunny days the RX10m4 is such a great all round camera with 24mm to 600mm zoom. Changing lenses is not something I really want to have to do when out walking.
Thanks for this feedback, did you compare ISO like noise ? 800 ISO on RX10M4 is my max but is 800 ISO any good on Olympus ? I saw some side by side lab pictures that indeed show that 800 ISO on Olympus is accetable, but lab test are not real life. 1600 ISO on RX10M4 is too grainy for my taste , what about Olympus @1600 ISO ? But for proxy shots I guess RX10IV may win as you can get much closer with 72cm minimum and the 200-400 Olympus is double
@@SalisburyPlainAviation do you use telephoto lens on the OM-1 ? If yes did you compare @600mm (equiv 35mm)
Nice video! I have not owned/used this lens. I own both the PL 100-400 and the 300mm F4 Pro that I use with my OM-1. I have been thinking that this might be more consistent with the OM-1 than the PL. I also like that it works with the TCs as well. I use the Panasonic lens primarily when I travel because it fits in a small bag that I really like. The bag has had a difficult life and I may be retiring it soon so it might make sense for me to sell the PL and buy this one.
Yeah, I have the 75-300. I'd pass on the 100-400. Maybe, I'd get the Panasonic Leica 100-400. You forgot to mention the tripod mount is a standard arca swiss type- that's positive. The 75-300 is frankly one of the best lenses for its size (and I've been super-critical).
Yeah you’re right, definetely a pro on that tripod mount. I also still think that 75-300mm is great value for both its size and price. Really good lens (if good conditions). I might end up getting that lens again as well at some point, just a a small alternative for when I want to pack really light. But the 100-400mm is staying as well😊
@@bartjanverhoef Cool.
I am gonna sell it now and buy me a used 300 F4 - got some great pictures with it but also a lot bad pictures.
300mm f4 is the best 🎉
The biggest downside of this lens is how slow it is, especially at the far end of the focal length.
Are there a lot of other manufacturers, for say full frame, that have significantly faster apertures for an 800mm lens?
@@JeffreyJohnsonC I don't know, but many full frame sensors have less noise than MFT sensors. A slow lens gets more usable if there is less noise.
Olympus and Panasonic 100-400mm lenses are both underwhelming. I am wanting a lighter kit instead of lugging the Sony A9 and 200-600mm around. I thought of revisiting Micro43 again as I previously used a Panasonic GH4 and 100-300mm lens for travelling. But to get equivalent quality to my current kit means spending about the same or more to get the OM-1 and 300mm F4
Love it: would I buy it again? Yes I would - and infact I have :D
A review doesnt get more honest and authentic than this!
this lens is cheaper than many other pro lens.
I found that the lens stabilization will delay activate if the camera tilt up or down. The delayed time around 1 to 3 seconds, more the tilting angle more the time delay. I went to customer service and got answer that is ture. They don't know can it be fix by FW update. The only solution is turn off the lens IS and use the in-body IS. Sad