suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Except for the hummingbird image, very little done other than moderate cropping and fine tuning. Camera set to aperture priority with exposure compensation. Some are from Jpeg files and some are from Raw files. The hummingbird image went to On One to lift shadows and a little HDR and noise reduction was applied. I didn't try to turn that into a light bright image-
The first five were hand held in late afternoon light. The duck was very far away and is very cropped. Both camera stabilization and lens OIS stabilization was on. (remember the Gx8 has 2 types of stabilization- in camera and lens)
The second five were on a tripod, electronic shutter, no remote shutter release, OIS (lens stabilization) was turned off but camera stabilization remained on, lighting varied from open shade to filtered sun with glare from the water. No polarizer used- The ducks were moving shelter - skelter. Camera was not set to tracking.
These are real life images from a non professional- actually with someone not experienced with using a long lens so what you see is what you get. I hope for those on the fence for this camera and or lens this helps- positive or negative.

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mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Those are some great shots with the 100-400mm lens. Didn't know the GX8 mirrorless had dual stabilization in camera and lens. The 100-400mm pairs well with the mirrorless GH4 too. Leica quality glass.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Admin moved my post so wasn't sure it was seen by anyone. I never was able to see the post after the fact so... Anyway I think with practice the lens will serve well. Thanks.

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

very nicely done series

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Thank you for posting some of your first shots with that lens and camera. I hope you enjoy a thousand great shots! I'll continue working on gathering up the courage to dip into the piggy bank!

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Yes it's a big decision- there will be more to choose from soon I'm sure. And then the price will come down so be patient.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thank you -

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

A couple weeks ago I blew the camera budget on some financial support for my adult daughter! Life is good and there will be a new camera opportunity one day. In the mean time I still have great gear!

Your point on more to choose from certainly rings true! In the last couple weeks I've been watching a forum where some members are excited about the new Sony RX10iii. It is a $1600 bridge camera! With a 1" sensor and a sharp 24-600mm (equivalent) lens, it makes for interesting reading.

Unlike most here on UHH, I want the long reach for wildlife videos as much as photos. The GX8 has good video features, but the new Sony does too.

It will continue to be fun to be camera shopping.

For the sake of a little humor I've added a photo I found by a search on Google for "Photographers at Yellowstone". The photographer's name is Pat Gaines and it was posted on a website as part of collection of Yellowstone images. ( http://www.lovethesepics.com/2013/01/incredible-yellowstone-national-park-wildlife-60-pics/) The captions says that the photo includes over $100,000 in glass all pointed at a badger's hole. I believe your $3000 (or less) Panasonic rig would perform as well, if not even better, than what's shown here. Certainly you can match the field of view, but there is more to getting the shot than that.

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Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

In about two weeks we will be seeing an annual example similar if not even funnier. Birders are a little bit of a hoot, but bird photographers really do stand out!

Barrow Alaska, particularly in the spring, is a great place for anyone interested in rare exotic birds. So bird photographers tend to pay several thousand dollars for a one week guided bird photography workshop here. They all arrive with high end cameras (usually Canon, which does not speak well for Canon), with 600mm f/4 lenses and either Really Right Stuff or Gitzo tripods. All of that is actually just fine! (I shoot Nikon, but otherwise my field kit might be the same.) But then you have to look at them to believe it! Camouflage from head to foot. These folks spend almost as much on fancy togs as cameras. Shirts. Pants. Boots. Vests. Coats. Rain gear. It's all straight from some really expensive outfitter, and they look fit as fiddles. Camouflaged like that, all should be perfect, eh?

They tend to have an attitude too, and won't hardly talk to a local, because we aren't dressed like that. I keep my cameras hidden in a pack on a 4-wheeler, and don't pull one out until they've made their point one way or another. Then I start shooting pictures of them... (Some wake up too, and then ask about birds and photography.)

But they hike out on the very flat tundra. They are 6 feet tall. The tallest blade of grass on the tundra is maybe 8 inches. They stand out like a lighthouse testing two beacons! They can be seen for literally miles.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

There is a guided cruise ship trip to the Galapagos this year lead by three known commercial photographers. It is $10k each, double occupancy, plus or minus a bit depending on the stateroom. Nikons aren't required, but it would be hard to show up with a bridge camera.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Can you image! The Gx8 and 100-400 mm lens pushed my budget to the limit and it is really just a drop compared to what some spend on equipment. There is no end on what can be spend on camera gear (and extras). So to justify the expenditure to myself I need to become very good with the equipment :) Olympus and Fuji jumped in first with long lenses for mirrorless but more companies will follow. Sony has a ?-300 mm G lens coming out that will likely be excellent (if you are a Sony fan). I have read that the Panasonic 100-300 mm lens works well with some modification- specifically zooming out to max of 250 mm- anything past that has been reported as soft. Since you already have the lens maybe that is worth a try- When the lens prices come down on the new releases and you snap one up we will all be jealous -

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have two things in my sights.

First is 4K video. Your GX8 does it, my GX7 does not. Why? I have a Panasonic LX100 that does it. The video files provide for more latitude in editing and every frame is a 8mp still. A couple of my favorite 13x19 wall hangers are from single video frames shot last year in Europe. Panasonic is exploiting and marketing 4K by letting you select focus of point of action after the shot. I want to be able to print single frames from wildlife clips. Full framer raw shooters will never accept it but, I'm having fun with it. Read up a little on the three GX8 "4K Photo" modes, as well as the Post Focus feature.

Second is that the 100-400 lens, at around three times the price of the 100-300, has got to be sharper, clearer, etc. It can't not be.

Also included in the mix is the splash proof part, the dual stabilization and better auto focus.

Meanwhile, I'll enjoy figuring out how to get the best out of the gear I've got.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Relevant reading.... http://naturalexposures.com/mirrorless-telephoto-comparison-leica-fuji-nikon-olympus/

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

This is an aging thread, but yesterday my family held a birthday party for me. My wife gave me a GX8 with a 100-400 attached!

If anyone is still reading this topic and has suggestions, don't hesitate. Yes! I've hugged my DW. I'm meaning camera suggestions!!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I shot some video in British Columbia this week that might show what the GX8 and Lumix 100-400 does in the 4K mode.

http://vimeo.com/174030195