wildweasel

Good Morning Folks, I shoot an Olympus EM 1 Mark ll with a Panasonic 100-400 lens for wildlife and birds and some BIF, and although I am generally satisfied with my results, like all of you, I am always looking to improve. Lately I have been considering the Olympus 300mm F/4 prime lens. Do any of the folks here shoot this lens and what are your thoughts as to whether this is a marked improvement over the Panasonic 100-400. Image shot with the Panasonic 100-400. Thanks for your input.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

It is going to be hard to find someone that has experience with both of these lenses.

I've got the 100-400 and was using a "protective filter". Image quality got better when I took it off. I was surprised!

I'm going to a camera store today and am going to at least look at the Olympus 300.

wildweasel

Thank you, let me know what you think. When I bought the Pany 100-400 used, it came with a filter on it, and it wouldn't auto focus with the filter in place. I had never had that happen with a lens before.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

I’m an Olympus 300f4 user and I’ve pared it with Olympus 1.4 converter. I couldn’t be happier!!! I don’t have any shooting experience with the pan 100-400 other than a year ago when I was at the NYNY photo expo, I put it on my OMDem1mk2 and the zoom was so tight, that pushed me to the Olympus 300. Well iq to iq I do think it’s sharper than my Nikkor 600 was and I can hand hold it for BIF. BTW I sold my 600 Nikkor and it’s heavy tripod and gimbal head. I’m walking up right now.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I have only tried the 300 f4 in the store and it is on my wish list. It may get replaced by the hopefully soon to be announced/released 150-400 f4 (300-800 f4 in 35mm terms). Quoting Image Resource, "Given our experience with Olympus' previous Zuiko Pro lenses, we expected great results from this 300mm lens…but we weren't expecting them to be this good. Wide open, the lens is tack sharp across the entire frame." The images that I have taken indicate this is accurate. And the image stabilization is truly incredible with the E-M1 mrII. Easily handholdable at a 1/60 sec. The speed of the subject will be the largest determining factor as to shutter speed for handholding, not the normal lense reciprocal of the lense. As good as the Panasonic 100-400 is, in this "apples to oranges" comparison, the Olympus 300 will be a little sharper and steadier. If you do get the 300, also get the EE-1 viewsight. You will find that it will help immensely with sports and BIF.

wildweasel

Thank you Jeffcs, I have read only good things about the 300 F/4. The zoom on my Pany 100-400 is also tight but I usually set it at a fixed zoom when I am out shooting and it hasn't been an issue.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Some time ago I owned 2 x Olympus EM1 bodies plus an Olympus 300mm f4, an Olympus 1.4TC, a PanaLeica 100 - 400mm and a number of other Olympus lenses. As I photograph wildlife almost exclusively, I used to take out both cameras with the 300mm +/- the 1.4 TC on one and the PanaLeica 100 - 400mm on the other. At that time, I also owned a Nikon D500 + Nikkor 300mm f4 PF ED VR + Nikkor TC14EIII. In December 2016 I swapped my 2 x EM1 bodies for a single EM1 mark II. As I owned the said Nikon system, I decided I no longer required both my Oly 300mm and my PanaLeica 100 - 400mm: but which one should I keep? I set up an very hairy cuddly toy at a distance of about 15m/30ft and tested each lens against my D500 + Nikkor 300mm, both with and without the 1.4TC. The quality of the images produced by the Nikkor 300mm and the Oly 300mm were indistiguishable to my eyes, both with and without their respective 1.4 teleconverters. Though the PanaLeica was very good, it did appear inferior to the Oly and Nikkor, though not by much. The beauty of the PanaLeica 100 - 400mm is that it produces great results, it is more versatile than a prime lens, and it is lightweight. If, however, you favour better image quality, then the 300mm f4 wins out, even with the 1.4TC fitted. Whether it is worth the extra cost is down to the individual: for me it was. I must ephasise that I was very happy with the performance of my PanaLeica 100 - 400mm; and had I owned 2 x EM1.2 bodies instead of a single EM1.2 and a D500, I would have kept the PanaLeica.

wildweasel

Thank you wdross, So far I am happy with the results of the Pany 100-400, but like everyone else I am always looking to improve and gain that extra stop or two for low light.

wildweasel

Thank you Jerrin1, very informative and great user info. That is my issue now, trying to decide if the 300 F/4 is worth the cost and IQ over the 100-400. The Pany 100-400 does produce great results in good light even wide open.

ronaldmilne

I sold my Panasonic 100-400 as it was not very sharp. My friend has the olympus 300 which I have borrowed and it is different class sharper by a mile. Not a cheap lens but it is a great lens. I shoot nikon D500 for wildlife mostly and recently got the Tamron 100-400 and it is what I am using now, Not sure if it is available in micro 4/3 but worth looking at as it is much cheaper

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

My wife and I are shooting with a E-M5mII and a E-M1mI. We have a bag of lenses and the 300mm f/4 is among them. We also have the 1.4TC which we use with the Oly 40-150mm zoom and the 300mm prime. No filters are used unless we are shooting waterfalls with spray or into blowing sand. The IQ of the Oly glass is phenomenal and we have seem no issues at all even when printing to wall hanging sizes. BTW, we shoot raw and use LR for PP.

wildweasel

Thank you Fotomacher, I appreciate that info, that's encouraging news.

wildweasel

Thanks ronaldmilne, I have read where some folks had pany 100-400 that were not good copies, I can't complain about the one I have, it will shoot very sharp in the right conditions.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

I have both lenses. The Oly is sharper, but the P/L is smaller, lighter, and more versatile. Easier to find your subject because you can zoom out.

However, the Dual IS only works with the Oly. With the Panny, you choose in body or in lens. In lens seems to be a little more effective.

If Oly comes out with a similar lens, I'll sell the Panny and get it.