Any one using Panasonic G9 with Panasonic 100-400 for birding: Getting old and need to lighten the load. Birding now with Nikon d500 and Nikon 200-500 with excellent photos. Anyone...

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

Getting old and need to lighten the load. Birding now with Nikon d500 and Nikon 200-500 with excellent photos. Anyone using and getting excellent results for birding with the Pana G9 with their 100-400.

Also, Linc - if u see this say hi.

davidcaley Loc: Utah

I have G85 for same reason, old, MVA with neck problems. My "tele" is 45-150. Problem is focus. Canon 100-400 focus spots allow me to track and photograph birds. I have yet to find a way to fast auto focus using Pansonic focus system. The spot focus has an 'assist' option but rarely allows me to get focus on birds except when sitting quietly on branch. I'll keep trying but discouraged at this point.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Yes...I am using that combo and liking it a lot. Formerly used a Nikon D7200 and their 200-500 lens. Panasonic DMC-G9 and Panasonic lenses are a magnificent camera combo and I say that after 45+ years with Nikon.

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

jederick wrote:

Yes...I am using that combo and liking it a lot. Formerly used a Nikon D7200 and their 200-500 lens. Panasonic DMC-G9 and Panasonic lenses are a magnificent camera combo and I say that after 45+ years with Nikon.

any problems with focusing on birds as another member mentioned about his G5.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

lrm wrote:

any problems with focusing on birds as another member mentioned about his G5.

None...early morning/late evening dim light may take a tad longer...in good light it is excellent!!

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

jederick wrote:

None...early morning/late evening dim light may take a tad longer...in good light it is excellent!!

thanks

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

lrm wrote:

thanks

Just a quick search...Yellowstone black bear taken right at dark almost 8pm, May 2018.

(Download)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I'm using a GX-8 with the 100-400 and like it. Don't know if there is better or not. It's the best I've ever had.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

lrm wrote:

Getting old and need to lighten the load. Birding now with Nikon d500 and Nikon 200-500 with excellent photos. Anyone using and getting excellent results for birding with the Pana G9 with their 100-400.

Also, Linc - if u see this say hi.

I owned a D500 + Nikkor 200 - 500mm + Nikkor 300mm PF ED VR + TC14EIII as well as an Olympus EM1 mark II + PanaLeica 100 - 400mm and Olympus 300mm f4 + TC14. The D500 + 200 - 500mm is a heavy but cracking combination. The D500 + 300mm PF ED VR + TC14EIII is a lightweight but brilliant combination and one you may care to check out. In a comparison between the Nikkor 300mm PF ED VR (with and without the 1.4TC), the PanaLeica 100 - 400mm and the Oly 300mm f4 (with and without the 1.4TC) I judged the Nikkor 300mm and Oly 300mm to be equal. The PanaLeica lagged behind them optically. Obviously, it is more versatile than the primes so it depends on what you value most from a lens. The PanaLeica is a very good lens for wildlife/birding and I had no complaints. But I strongly suggest you look at the D500 + 300mm PF ED VR + TC14EIII prior to swapping systems - you should find the lens and TC available on the secondhand market. I now use a Sony A9 and A7III + Sony 200 - 600mm but there is no appreciable weight saving over your current system.

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

lrm wrote:

Getting old and need to lighten the load. Birding now with Nikon d500 and Nikon 200-500 with excellent photos. Anyone using and getting excellent results for birding with the Pana G9 with their 100-400.

Also, Linc - if u see this say hi.

My wife uses that set up and likes it very much, primarily because of weight. Relatively easy to use, in good light focuses quickly and takes good pictures. That said, the autofocus, IQ, ISO capability, is not up to par with the higher end Canon or, I suspect, Nikon cameras and lenses. Her Canon 7d2 and 100-400 ii produced much better pictures. For her, she is willing to give up a little IQ for the weight savings.

wildweasel

I use an Olympus EM 1 Mark ll with the Panasonic 100-400 and like it very much. You can see some wildlife photos here: https://www.facebook.com/RayReederPhotography/

Deanie1113

I use this combo every day for birding. The weight is ideal for me, even on very long hikes. ISO performance in dim light is noisy, but I have Topaz AI clear ($60) that performs magically and I love the results. For flying birds, I just pan with a large-ish center focus area and that works very well. It is a bit delicate as the lens is a plastic mount, so don't drop it, it won't survive. I love the weather sealing. Since it's mirrorless you see your results before taking the shot and it's silent. Burst mode is fantastic and I use this combo for all sports. All in all, I am thrilled that I found this light and super-easy to use combo and am pleased with the image quality.

lrm Loc: Sarasota, FL

Jerrin1 wrote:

I owned a D500 + Nikkor 200 - 500mm + Nikkor 300mm... (show quote)

Thanks. I do have a Nikon 1.4TC which I occasionally use on the200-500. Have considered the new 500Pf, but may take years to get, and don't know if I will last long enough to get one. Will look at the 300 as suggested.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

lrm wrote:

Thanks. I do have a Nikon 1.4TC which I occasionally use on the200-500. Have considered the new 500Pf, but may take years to get, and don't know if I will last long enough to get one. Will look at the 300 as suggested.

I was never very happy with image quality when using the TC14EIII on my 200 - 500mm: but it's a different story when used with the 300mm PF ED VR.