@** same issue with me. The lens was very stiff to zoom. I tried 3 different ones at the shop. All stiff. I bought anyway and use it as a prime 😂. Can't zoom in our out while I'm looking through the viewfinder.
@Inko Engbersen I have pointed mine to all directions and it is always stiff. Before buying mine I already knew it was stiff from other reviews. I tried 3 different ones at the store. All were stiff, but bought it anyway because I was going on a safari and at that time (14 months ago) it was the best option for M4/3. If it would be now I will buy the olympus 400 mm.
I have this with a G9 and love it for bird photography. I'm mostly shooting it at full zoom but find it a bit sharper if you pull it back just a bit. Lens is a little stiff but minor issue. Made a very interesting discovery for birds in flight: rather than use camera's matrix focus I keep it to single point, set both the lens and camera to manual mode, then continue to use auto-focus (i.e. half press shutter or back button focus). I find this combo give you faster focus acquisition and more keepers.
One of the reasons I am considering switching to Panasonic crop sensor is the quality of their lenses at at affordable prices. You've done a fantastic job reviewing this 100-400mm, thank ya.
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you can. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
Hi Matti, this is the first video I see from you. Pretty accurate. Thank you. I have been using this lens for 1 year and I completely agree with your description: Very sharp, relatively good price, sometimes problems focusing at 400 mm and stiff zooming. I particularly like the switches on the side. I would like to add that this lens comes with an external tripod mount adapter (SYQ0680) that it is not covered in the 1 year Panasonic warranty. The manual screw from mine dropped off while it was on the tripod (very poor quality). Now I have to use a screw driver all the time. If you are planning to buy this lens, go to the shop with you camera and try to zoom in while having your eye in the view finder. Then compare with other lenses and assay by yourself the stiffness of the zoom ring.
I'm using the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm on a G9. I get very good photographs of roosting birds and some birds in flight. I can take it hiking in a Lowepro backpack along with the Panasonic- Leica 8-18mm and Panasonic 14-140mm and get most any photograph. I have birdfeeders and a birdbath in my backyard which is adjacent to open space with native plants. Getting close to the subject helps in wildlife photography. I have a few perigrine falcon and osprey shots that were possible because of using light gear that is compact. Huge telephoto lenses are a drawback in regard to cost, opportunity and portability. The better image quality, auto focus, and low light capabilities of fullframe cameras should be considered.
A very fair and even-handed review. I have had one for a year and use it exclusively for shooting wildlife. It is a pretty unique combination in combination with the G9. It is amazing how it can do handheld, but it sure gets heavy that way after a few minutes!
Speaking of one-handed shooting, I never do it, but it is possible. I took a phone call while out shooting birds when a flock of shorebirds zoomed by. Lifted my EM1mk2 and this lens, fired away, one-handed, and I got some of my favorite BIFs I've ever taken 😄👍
I have this lens on my OM-D E-M1 Mk2. For wildlife photography it is absolutely awesome. Anyone complaining about it not being fast enough or sharp enough wasn't using the gear we had to deal with 50 years ago or more.
For me the lock mechanism feels like this: If locked it's harder to zoom, unlocked it's easier. However: I can not totally lock it and if unlocked it's still not as smooth as other Leica lenses. This being said: It's a great lens in combination with my G9 as well as my GH5
Great review Matti, I love the the Leica 100-400mm on the G9 it is the perfect combo for Wildlife and Aviation photography and being compact and lightweight they can be carried all day very easily although I do use the Peak design Capture Clip on my Backpack when I am not taking photos
I'm usually in fixed lenses BUT it's a problem for traveling even on MFT to carry dozen of lenses and change lenses all the time, especially in bad weather or sandy/dusty places. It's why, when traveling, I limit my camera bag to OMD5III+ Olympus 7-14, OMD1II + Olympus 12-100 and G9M2 + PanaLeica 100-400 (mkI), it covers all photographic needs with only 3 lenses and bodies.
Great Video. Switching from Canon to Pana Lumix S5 II and 2 bodies, would you recommend 2x S5 II and also with Sigma 60-600mm for Tele or 1x S5II and 1x GH6 with 100-400mm as Tele and for video and photo?
Love this lens. Just did a 3 weeks Safari in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and took my two G9 with me and 90% of the time I used the one with the 100-400 lens.
I tried this lens on a Panasonic birding outing in Sydney once and really liked it. Would own it now but for the fact no service after warranty [in Australia at least] One of the best lenses for reach versus size that I have seen
@@mattisulanto They have a third party doing repairs and warranty but they are not too good. I had to rely on my third party insurance after they would not cover under warranty a known issue. On the other hand Olympus have a repair centre and have a far better reputation.
@@marklaurendet1861 Ok, that doesn't sound very good at all. I would think Australia is a reasonably good market for any camera brand, so I'm surprised to hear that.
I found that the zoom stiffness was affected by a failure on my part to full unlock the lens. No stiffness when full unlocked. I also felt that at 400mm the detail was inadequate for serious bird photography, but your mileage may vary.
Do you use it for birds in flight? I have a G9 with the 100-300 mark ii which has problems focusing on the subject, to the point of annoyance. I have hesitated in buying the Panasonic 100-400 because there have been quality issues reported with it and from what I have read, Panasonic doesn't repair them. It's a lot of money to spend if it breaks.
@@HappyGrl41 I have used it for birds in flight and have reasonable results but I will be honest it's not a subject I get a lot of joy photographing or have much experience with :(
@@HappyGrl41 I have used for birds in flight. Problem auto-focusing between 300-400 mm ( have tried also with CAF, with and without tracking). Kind of slow at that focal distance. I get good results with still animals. Recommend you to rent it before buying it. If you live in Sydney you can borrow mine :)
With wildlife we still need that fast shutter because the subjects insist on moving. Hovever with the Dual2 (now) on this lens it can lock-on to the subject and AF very fast. For example with the 100-300 (1) on the GH4 it had to be held rock solid like a rifle or it would hunt as the image wandered about. I did some (cof) experiments with the 45-200(1), 100-300(1) and 4/3 Bigma 50-500 and found I like to shoot birds at 300-400mm, which is more than the 45-200 and the 100-300. The Bigma being nice glass but an unstabilised monster and not really suited to being carried without getting a hernia.
It’s a fine lens for bird photography I find with some limitations as it softens at the extreme end and slow. However the tradeoff getting an image that otherwise would not be possible without the reach.. When I picked one up I too noticed some were stiffer than others to adjust so I would suggest trying several copies and find one that moves easily. I am unsure if the loosen up with use.
Before blaming the softness of photos especially at the long end on the air between the lens and the subject, try making the same shot with manual focus. If you get better sharpness with manual focus you should consider using the focus correction function of your camera. I did exactly that some days before and wonder that it might be neccessary on mirrorless cameras with contrast AF on the sensor. Maybe somone can explain it?
Thanks for your advice. There is no focus fine tuning on Lumix and it's not needed, but of course a focus error can happen anytime. However, if there are several hundred meters or almost 2 km, as in my example, between the camera and the subject, there is a good chance to get soft looking image.
@@stephankurda7397 Yes, Olympus has it and and it's meant for those old DSLR 4/3 lenses that you use with an adapter, but you shouldn't need any fine tuning with any MFT lenses.
@@mattisulanto I agree, it shouldn't be needed. But I can see an impact, if I change focus adjusting settings (not only for the really superb Panny 100-400).
Nice video. I have this lens which I now use with a G9 camera. Generally the lens performs reasonably well especially considering the price. However, there are two issues which Panasonic may wish to address in future models. 1) The zoom is very stiff and difficult to use particularly if I am shooting in a hot sunny country. It is not possible to get the basic frame with 100mm then zoom into the object without causing a considerable amount of judder and camera movement. 2) The clarity of the photo when using a full 400mm extension is not as sharp as I would like. As a consequence I can never really go to this, using 350mm as the maximum zoom. I trust Panasonic will consider improving this lens otherwise they may loose out to the pending Olympus 150mm - 400mm telephoto with 1.25 tele converter. Since I also use and have an Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark ii, I am currently awaiting the release of this lens. Naturally being a micro 4/3rds user I have the option to switch lenses between cameras although with the telephotos and linked stabilisation in lens and camera this has now caused an issue since Panasonic and Olympus do NOT use the same Dual / Sync software.
I'm totally with you! It's really a pitty that they don't share the Dual stabilisation. But at least I hope if the Olympus 150-400 f4.5 is released, the price of the 100-400 will fall because the Olympus kind of makes the Leice looks old with f6.3 on the long end. Because as a G9 user, I need the dual stabilisation of the Leica... :/ MFT could be so much greater...
Slowskiss Yes agreed about the sharpness. I always tend to try and start on f8 but this can become a problem if I require a fast shutter speed and have a very dull cloudy day - often the case in UK. Only the ISO to fall back on although I never like to go above 800 unless absolutely necessary. Then there is the problem with the stiff and jerky zoom especially when working around 350 to 400mm. I am hoping the Olympus 150 - 400mm plus 1.25 built in teleconverter will be better. BUT I am sure it will have a high price tag!!!
I think it is one of those typical examples of why m43 is a great system. For anyone who goes on safari or watches birds, this must be _the_ lens. Such a compact lens, much easier to carry and use than one of those huge full frame lenses.
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you can. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
I currently use the Panasonic Leica 50-200mm combined with the Lumix 1.4x teleconverter for birding on my E-M5 II and I find f5.6 to be almost too slow for my needs already. I was thinking about the 100-400mm for the reach and while it is really good for its size, an Olympus 300mm f4 or the Panasonic Leica 200mm f2.8 with the 1.4x converter might be a better choice for low light.
If you're concerned with low light performance, you should probably upgrade to a larger sensor format. MFT is notoriously noisy. It's a pretty bad solution for wildlife shooting.
Kopetefish Thank you for your comments regarding the P/L 50-200mm with the 1.4 TC. I have this lens and I was considering the 1.4 TC but I am concerned that it may be borderline at 5.6. After your comments I think I will not go that route. I do like the lens very much and I used recently in the Orkney Islands and got some very good land and seascape images. The 200mm with the 1.4 TC is interesting but very expensive. I have a Tamron 100-400 4.5-6.3 that I use on a D7100 for a 68 oz kit that is very easy to handle but the lens also hunts at dawn and dusk and for good reason. By the way you can not purchase the P/L 1.4 TC in the US unless you buy the 200mm and 1.4 combo. I was looking at a used one. Thanks also to Matte for the review.
@@garydubberly6608 I had the Tamron 100-400 and sold it because the af was unreliable. Got myself a Nikon 300 pf instead. Day and night difference. The Nikon is smaller, lighter, the af is super fast and bang on in any light, every time. And the lens is actually sharper than the 100-400, even when cropped to 400mm. It's literally my favorite piece of glass in my entire kit.
Landscope 360 Do use a 1.4TC with your Nikon 300 PF or solo? I have found my Tamron to be pretty good so far. I use my 4/3 equipment primarily for travel photography, that is why I was considering the P/L 1.4 TC. Good to here the Nikon PF has worked well for you. Thanks for the comment.
Hi. I' m the happy owner of g80 and the kit lens 12-60 mm 3.5-6.3 and I' m satisfied with the foto quality (incl sharpness) of this combo. Maybe an impossible question: Will the 100-400 mm Leica be softer/poorer quality at the long end (400mm) at F8 when hold completely stable compared to my kit lens when this performs at its best? Best regards Mads, Denmark
Hello from Canada! What is the difference between the G Series 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH LEICA Lens and the G Series 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR Lens?
There is only one Panasonic Leica 100-400mm F4-6.3 lens, but there are two versions of it: mark 1 and mark 2. I don't know exactly what the difference is between the versions, because I'm not a brand ambassador any more and don't follow Panasonic closely.
I have the 100 - 300 which is fantastic as I can fit it in my peak design 5L everyday bag with the kit lens! But sometimes it was a little short so 400mm would have been great.
hi mr. Sulanto, i got a question... what does it mean your t-shirt message " the real photographers dont need a mirror"... i send you a big hug a thanks a lot for your very academic videos...
@@mattisulanto I've heard this of early models. Mine was stiff out of the box, now after use, fully unlocked it is not a problem. I purchased mine new from eglobalcentral for under £1000. It is very sharp & fast focus. As you say at 800mm distance shots can seem soft but zooming in to closer subjects I've found it quite impressive.
I have a funny lens combination. A Nikkor 300/2.8 ED-IF AIS. A manual lens, and good with Metabones Speedbooster and both 1,4X and 2.0X TC. With mFT it will give 210/2.0 - 300/2.8 - 420/4.0 and 600/5.6. Price for the lens +/- $ 500. A really sharp glas monster. Recommended. Tripod is a must.
@@mattisulanto By the way. If you already have the Metabones Speedbooster, then there is a very, very good alternative for Olympus 75/1.8. Is the Nikkor 105/2.5 P.C AIS lens. It will give almost the same length and aperture as the Oly for about $ 100 - 200, and it might be sharper.
In a 12 month perspective I am very tempted by this lens. However nearly every reviewer complains about the stiffness. A few reviews have commented that their lens doesn't feel stiff. For me this feels as a production problem. My gut feeling says that Panasonic needs to address this issue. Mark 2?
@@mattisulanto Fair enough sir! I'm about to update for the first time g9. It says have 1.2 camera firmware now and 1.0 lens. Will the new upload catch me up on everything? Thanks again for your thought on the 50/200!
I was expecting the video zoom demo to see how much it zoom from 100 to 400. it will be great if you also consider videographers point of in your reviews.
@@mattisulanto Thanks! yes it is nice to have it mentioned for both photo and videos I am sure there are many video related people follow you too. and they may also be looking to see if the product you review is also suited for them.
Hello, which lens would you recommend for a wild photo after a bridge machine? Panasonic 100-400 vs nikon 200-500? Sorry, I'm writing with a google translator.
@@ianus5978 It's not so simple to answer that, because you can't use those two lenses on the same camera. I think you can get fine photos on both lenses and both systems.
The zoom mechanic is not smooth but solid. I own it since 2016, no problem. But the beginning with 100 mm is a little bit too tall. So I bought also the more universell 50-200 mm, very quick and sharp. says the husband of Gabriele :-)
What amazes me again again is the range from 1.3 meter when using it as a macro lens. Seriously, it is amazing. And yes, I'm biased. Same as I was when I shot Canon... long time ago.
You should have brought this lens to Malaysia, we have the Zoo and Bird Park for you to play with the long lens! I like the versatility of 100-400mm zoom, it helps when you are dealing with subjects with varying sizes.
Thanks for the video. I have had this lens since mid May of 2019 and it is a great lens and use it for wildlife and flower photography. As you mentioned the minimum focus distance is another great thing feature of this Lens. I also own the 12-60mm lens and it is also a really great lens. Great for close up work as I can have the subject about 4" away from the front element at 60mm. Both are fantastic lenses.
1. I have no idea how it compares to binoculars, sorry about that. 2. It depends on what do you consider small object and what is far away. If you'd like to take photo of a sparrow that fills the frame nicely, you need to be not more than 3-4 meters from the sparrow.
@@mattisulanto I would have suggested Australian football, but cricket is played on similar sized fields and you might find a game closer to home than Australia. There are cricket competitions in several European countries including Netherlands and Italy.
@@mattisulanto can I ask, am I crazy? (I am wanting to get this lens but I will basically be only shooting the moon and some Osprey in the mahogany tree near my house)?...
Nice video! It looks like a great lens although slow at the long end but many super-telephoto lenses have that limitation. I have considered this lens for bird photography but I'm concerned about reports of the reliability of the lens. It's a lot of money but certainly less than one would pay for the same range in a DSLR system. I rented the Pana-Leica 50-200 and that is a great lens and the picture quality is great. I found it hunting on my G9 but when it could lock the focus, the image was great. Currently, I'm using the G9 with the Panasonic 100-300 mark ii which is a frustrating combination compared to my old Canon 7D and 100-400 L lens. There is a reasonable possibility that I don't have the G9 set correctly for the type of photography that I mostly do so I am reading the manual again. I'm am considering a return to a dslr with a mirror and then I will complain about the weight!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I haven't had any major AF problems with my G9. There is no 100% perfect system and I think we all should choose what we feel most comfortable with. All cameras are good these days.
No MFT camera is going to match the af performance or image quality of top end sports DSLRs like the 7D series. It's a limited, costumer grade system by design. Good enough for some people, but if you're coming from a 7D, going MFT would be a big downgrade.
Landscope 360 I disagree with this statement. They are not consumer grade equipment, in terms of build and material quality. MFT does come with some compromises, but these can be moderated with experience and the added portability and usability does have its advantages.
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you are considering it. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
@@craigb8379 Read my statement again. What I said was that af performance and image quality can't keep up with the 7D series, which is absolutely correct. In those departments, the Canon delivers pro grade results, whereas even top end MFT cameras are only on par with consumer grade DSLRs.
I have this lens and own both a G9 and an Oly EM1 MK2. The Power OIS works on the Oly. No Dual Sync. Overall the stability is a bit better on the G9 than the Oly with this lens, but not a big difference at all. The focus on the Oly is surprisingly better in many situations with this lens after the 3.1 firmware. Lens is great on either camera.
I took this lens on safari in September. I've owned it and loved it for years. It was less than ideal at dawn and dusk but as the sun came out I got fantastic results. If you manage expectations and put in work learning the limitations of your equipment you can make beautiful images. If you have the resources the 200 2.8 would be the ultimate complementary glass to 100-400. The 200 provides the option to shoot at the extreme ends of the day with the versatile 100-400 giving you significant compositional control. This is a gallery of examples shot on my GH-5 with the 100-400 and the GH-3 with the 35-100 2.8 ii. www.avirossproductions.com/savute-final
I use it on safari too and agree with you. Dual IS is incredibile for such reach. Plus, no problem to take it on long trips, airport checkin and weight/size restrictions
Micro 4/3 is not always smaller than Sony E or FE, but in many cases, it is. Sometimes by a dramatic amount. Have a look at the 100-400 vs the Sony 200-600 (and remember that the Sony doesn't match the Panasonic at the long end): camerasize.com/compact/#698.505,777.830,ha,t
Thanks for the link. It's not always so straight forward to compare camera systems with different sensor size, because there are so many things to consider.
Please do not comment any more that I should have opened the zoom lock, because that makes the zoom ring stiff. I did unlock the zoom properly.
@** same issue with me. The lens was very stiff to zoom. I tried 3 different ones at the shop. All stiff. I bought anyway and use it as a prime 😂. Can't zoom in our out while I'm looking through the viewfinder.
@Inko Engbersen OMG, do you think that is really the case?
@Inko Engbersen I have pointed mine to all directions and it is always stiff. Before buying mine I already knew it was stiff from other reviews. I tried 3 different ones at the store. All were stiff, but bought it anyway because I was going on a safari and at that time (14 months ago) it was the best option for M4/3. If it would be now I will buy the olympus 400 mm.
I have this with a G9 and love it for bird photography. I'm mostly shooting it at full zoom but find it a bit sharper if you pull it back just a bit. Lens is a little stiff but minor issue. Made a very interesting discovery for birds in flight: rather than use camera's matrix focus I keep it to single point, set both the lens and camera to manual mode, then continue to use auto-focus (i.e. half press shutter or back button focus). I find this combo give you faster focus acquisition and more keepers.
Thanks for sharing.
Just ordered this! This’ll be my first super tele on any system. Something new for me. Very excited to give it a try!!
Wow! I’m sure you’ll like it and it’s the right choice for a Lumix user. Lemme know how it is, when you have used it a bit.
@@mattisulanto Oh yes, Thank you! I don't know how did I miss that part. Very useful review.
@@CharudattaAmbekar It's so easy to miss parts of a video😀
One of the reasons I am considering switching to Panasonic crop sensor is the quality of their lenses at at affordable prices. You've done a fantastic job reviewing this 100-400mm, thank ya.
Thank you!
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you can. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
Hi Matti, this is the first video I see from you. Pretty accurate. Thank you. I have been using this lens for 1 year and I completely agree with your description: Very sharp, relatively good price, sometimes problems focusing at 400 mm and stiff zooming. I particularly like the switches on the side. I would like to add that this lens comes with an external tripod mount adapter (SYQ0680) that it is not covered in the 1 year Panasonic warranty. The manual screw from mine dropped off while it was on the tripod (very poor quality). Now I have to use a screw driver all the time. If you are planning to buy this lens, go to the shop with you camera and try to zoom in while having your eye in the view finder. Then compare with other lenses and assay by yourself the stiffness of the zoom ring.
Thank you!
I'm using the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm on a G9. I get very good photographs of roosting birds and some birds in flight.
I can take it hiking in a Lowepro backpack along with the Panasonic- Leica 8-18mm and Panasonic 14-140mm and get most any photograph.
I have birdfeeders and a birdbath in my backyard which is adjacent to open space with native plants. Getting close to the subject helps in wildlife photography.
I have a few perigrine falcon and osprey shots that were possible because of using light gear that is compact. Huge telephoto lenses are a drawback in regard to cost, opportunity and portability. The better image quality, auto focus, and low light capabilities of fullframe cameras should be considered.
Thanks for your comment. Nothing is perfect, but many are willing to sacrifice some image quality for portability.
@@mattisulanto Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
A very fair and even-handed review. I have had one for a year and use it exclusively for shooting wildlife. It is a pretty unique combination in combination with the G9. It is amazing how it can do handheld, but it sure gets heavy that way after a few minutes!
Thank you.
Speaking of one-handed shooting, I never do it, but it is possible. I took a phone call while out shooting birds when a flock of shorebirds zoomed by. Lifted my EM1mk2 and this lens, fired away, one-handed, and I got some of my favorite BIFs I've ever taken 😄👍
Multitasking😅
I have this lens on my OM-D E-M1 Mk2. For wildlife photography it is absolutely awesome. Anyone complaining about it not being fast enough or sharp enough wasn't using the gear we had to deal with 50 years ago or more.
Well said. Today we can make pictures that were virtually impossible 50 years ago😀
For me the lock mechanism feels like this: If locked it's harder to zoom, unlocked it's easier.
However: I can not totally lock it and if unlocked it's still not as smooth as other Leica lenses.
This being said: It's a great lens in combination with my G9 as well as my GH5
Great review Matti, I love the the Leica 100-400mm on the G9 it is the perfect combo for Wildlife and Aviation photography and being compact and lightweight they can be carried all day very easily although I do use the Peak design Capture Clip on my Backpack when I am not taking photos
Thanks!
I'm usually in fixed lenses BUT it's a problem for traveling even on MFT to carry dozen of lenses and change lenses all the time, especially in bad weather or sandy/dusty places.
It's why, when traveling, I limit my camera bag to OMD5III+ Olympus 7-14, OMD1II + Olympus 12-100 and G9M2 + PanaLeica 100-400 (mkI), it covers all photographic needs with only 3 lenses and bodies.
Ive found it as an awesome lens and I love taking photos of wildlife.
It is awesome for wildlife.
Great Video. Switching from Canon to Pana Lumix S5 II and 2 bodies, would you recommend 2x S5 II and also with Sigma 60-600mm for Tele or 1x S5II and 1x GH6 with 100-400mm as Tele and for video and photo?
Love this lens. Just did a 3 weeks Safari in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and took my two G9 with me and 90% of the time I used the one with the 100-400 lens.
Nice. I suppose the lens is made for safaris.
I tried this lens on a Panasonic birding outing in Sydney once and really liked it.
Would own it now but for the fact no service after warranty [in Australia at least]
One of the best lenses for reach versus size that I have seen
There's no Panasonic service in Australia?
@@mattisulanto They have a third party doing repairs and warranty but they are not too good. I had to rely on my third party insurance after they would not cover under warranty a known issue.
On the other hand Olympus have a repair centre and have a far better reputation.
@@marklaurendet1861 Ok, that doesn't sound very good at all. I would think Australia is a reasonably good market for any camera brand, so I'm surprised to hear that.
A number of reviewers have complained about the rough feel of the zoom, so it isn't just your copy.
Just got mine today. Anxious to see what I can do with. Yes zoom ring not as smooth as lumix L but good enough.
Enjoy your new lens.
I found that the zoom stiffness was affected by a failure on my part to full unlock the lens. No stiffness when full unlocked. I also felt that at 400mm the detail was inadequate for serious bird photography, but your mileage may vary.
Thanks for your comment.
I agree. At
The best lens I own! 😃
Do you use it for birds in flight? I have a G9 with the 100-300 mark ii which has problems focusing on the subject, to the point of annoyance. I have hesitated in buying the Panasonic 100-400 because there have been quality issues reported with it and from what I have read, Panasonic doesn't repair them. It's a lot of money to spend if it breaks.
@@HappyGrl41 I have used it for birds in flight and have reasonable results but I will be honest it's not a subject I get a lot of joy photographing or have much experience with :(
@@HappyGrl41 I have used for birds in flight. Problem auto-focusing between 300-400 mm ( have tried also with CAF, with and without tracking). Kind of slow at that focal distance. I get good results with still animals. Recommend you to rent it before buying it. If you live in Sydney you can borrow mine :)
@Diego Butera thanks for your results with the lens.
@@HappyGrl41 Olympus will be releasing some telephotos. Saw it here: th-cam.com/video/G5Em860-hiU/w-d-xo.html
Good lens for candid photography.
With wildlife we still need that fast shutter because the subjects insist on moving. Hovever with the Dual2 (now) on this lens it can lock-on to the subject and AF very fast. For example with the 100-300 (1) on the GH4 it had to be held rock solid like a rifle or it would hunt as the image wandered about.
I did some (cof) experiments with the 45-200(1), 100-300(1) and 4/3 Bigma 50-500 and found I like to shoot birds at 300-400mm, which is more than the 45-200 and the 100-300. The Bigma being nice glass but an unstabilised monster and not really suited to being carried without getting a hernia.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s a fine lens for bird photography I find with some limitations as it softens at the extreme end and slow. However the tradeoff getting an image that otherwise would not be possible without the reach.. When I picked one up I too noticed some were stiffer than others to adjust so I would suggest trying several copies and find one that moves easily. I am unsure if the loosen up with use.
Mine did.
Before blaming the softness of photos especially at the long end on the air between the lens and the subject, try making the same shot with manual focus. If you get better sharpness with manual focus you should consider using the focus correction function of your camera. I did exactly that some days before and wonder that it might be neccessary on mirrorless cameras with contrast AF on the sensor. Maybe somone can explain it?
Thanks for your advice. There is no focus fine tuning on Lumix and it's not needed, but of course a focus error can happen anytime. However, if there are several hundred meters or almost 2 km, as in my example, between the camera and the subject, there is a good chance to get soft looking image.
@@mattisulanto Oops, I didn't know that. My Oly E-M1 fortunately has :-)
@@stephankurda7397 Yes, Olympus has it and and it's meant for those old DSLR 4/3 lenses that you use with an adapter, but you shouldn't need any fine tuning with any MFT lenses.
@@mattisulanto I agree, it shouldn't be needed. But I can see an impact, if I change focus adjusting settings (not only for the really superb Panny 100-400).
V good review! Thanks. And excellent English skills!
Thanks! I've heard so many opinions on my English, but I try my best.
Wow, I was just looking up on this lens earlier today.
Thank you for this video!
My pleasure.
i am off to buy one, looks good, i love the leica lens on my g9, nice vid dude
Thanks! I hope that new lens will get you some awesome photos.
Thanks matey, I have used a massive range of cameras and am completely converted to lumix. Thx again
great video! how well do u think a GH5 with this lens would go with capturing video of surfers about 50m away? would a 50-200 be better? thanks
I have never done anything like that, so I can only speculate. I'd imagine that more reach is better, but like I said, I have never filmed surfers.
@@mattisulanto thank you for replying! ii agree, i think i will go with the 400mm.
Nice video. I have this lens which I now use with a G9 camera. Generally the lens performs reasonably well especially considering the price. However, there are two issues which Panasonic may wish to address in future models. 1) The zoom is very stiff and difficult to use particularly if I am shooting in a hot sunny country. It is not possible to get the basic frame with 100mm then zoom into the object without causing a considerable amount of judder and camera movement. 2) The clarity of the photo when using a full 400mm extension is not as sharp as I would like. As a consequence I can never really go to this, using 350mm as the maximum zoom. I trust Panasonic will consider improving this lens otherwise they may loose out to the pending Olympus 150mm - 400mm telephoto with 1.25 tele converter. Since I also use and have an Olympus OM-D EM-1 mark ii, I am currently awaiting the release of this lens. Naturally being a micro 4/3rds user I have the option to switch lenses between cameras although with the telephotos and linked stabilisation in lens and camera this has now caused an issue since Panasonic and Olympus do NOT use the same Dual / Sync software.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm totally with you! It's really a pitty that they don't share the Dual stabilisation. But at least I hope if the Olympus 150-400 f4.5 is released, the price of the 100-400 will fall because the Olympus kind of makes the Leice looks old with f6.3 on the long end. Because as a G9 user, I need the dual stabilisation of the Leica... :/ MFT could be so much greater...
The resolution @400mm 6,3 is not very good I agree but if you close to 7.1/8.0 the lens is very sharp !
Slowskiss Yes agreed about the sharpness. I always tend to try and start on f8 but this can become a problem if I require a fast shutter speed and have a very dull cloudy day - often the case in UK. Only the ISO to fall back on although I never like to go above 800 unless absolutely necessary. Then there is the problem with the stiff and jerky zoom especially when working around 350 to 400mm. I am hoping the Olympus 150 - 400mm plus 1.25 built in teleconverter will be better. BUT I am sure it will have a high price tag!!!
@@systemanaturae105 Yes hope the Olympus will be better !
kiitos videosta, oli kiva review! greetings from pikku huopalahti! :)
Kiitos!
I think it is one of those typical examples of why m43 is a great system. For anyone who goes on safari or watches birds, this must be _the_ lens. Such a compact lens, much easier to carry and use than one of those huge full frame lenses.
Yes, exactly. You will get better image quality on a FF system, but for the most of us MFT is good enough and much more fun to use.
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you can. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
So happy to have it now for shooting birds. Just fantastic**
Sounds perfect😀
I currently use the Panasonic Leica 50-200mm combined with the Lumix 1.4x teleconverter for birding on my E-M5 II and I find f5.6 to be almost too slow for my needs already. I was thinking about the 100-400mm for the reach and while it is really good for its size, an Olympus 300mm f4 or the Panasonic Leica 200mm f2.8 with the 1.4x converter might be a better choice for low light.
Of course, the 100-400mm is not the best low light lens.
If you're concerned with low light performance, you should probably upgrade to a larger sensor format. MFT is notoriously noisy. It's a pretty bad solution for wildlife shooting.
Kopetefish Thank you for your comments regarding the P/L 50-200mm with the 1.4 TC. I have this lens and I was considering the 1.4 TC but I am concerned that it may be borderline at 5.6. After your comments I think I will not go that route. I do like the lens very much and I used recently in the Orkney Islands and got some very good land and seascape images. The 200mm with the 1.4 TC is interesting but very expensive. I have a Tamron 100-400 4.5-6.3 that I use on a D7100 for a 68 oz kit that is very easy to handle but the lens also hunts at dawn and dusk and for good reason. By the way you can not purchase the P/L 1.4 TC in the US unless you buy the 200mm and 1.4 combo. I was looking at a used one. Thanks also to Matte for the review.
@@garydubberly6608 I had the Tamron 100-400 and sold it because the af was unreliable. Got myself a Nikon 300 pf instead. Day and night difference. The Nikon is smaller, lighter, the af is super fast and bang on in any light, every time. And the lens is actually sharper than the 100-400, even when cropped to 400mm. It's literally my favorite piece of glass in my entire kit.
Landscope 360 Do use a 1.4TC with your Nikon 300 PF or solo? I have found my Tamron to be pretty good so far. I use my 4/3 equipment primarily for travel photography, that is why I was considering the P/L 1.4 TC. Good to here the Nikon PF has worked well for you. Thanks for the comment.
Hi. I' m the happy owner of g80 and the kit lens 12-60 mm 3.5-6.3 and I' m satisfied with the foto quality (incl sharpness) of this combo. Maybe an impossible question: Will the 100-400 mm Leica be softer/poorer quality at the long end (400mm) at F8 when hold completely stable compared to my kit lens when this performs at its best? Best regards Mads, Denmark
I have never compared those two head to head, but they are probably about the same.
Hi Sulanto. Thank you for your answer. Regards Mads
Hello from Canada! What is the difference between the G Series 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH LEICA Lens and the G Series 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR Lens?
There is only one Panasonic Leica 100-400mm F4-6.3 lens, but there are two versions of it: mark 1 and mark 2. I don't know exactly what the difference is between the versions, because I'm not a brand ambassador any more and don't follow Panasonic closely.
OK, no worries. @@mattisulanto
Hi Matti, I own this lens and my zoom is not too stiff. It works very well on my Olympus M1m3. PS. Your name is mentioned WAY to fast.
That is good to hear. That's the way I say my name😀 But you can also read it in the video.
looks like a great lens for airshows! Can use it handheld as opposed to a 600mm or 800mm lens on a DX or FF camera!
It's very easy to handhold and because it's a zoom, you can find your subject easily too.
I have the 100 - 300 which is fantastic as I can fit it in my peak design 5L everyday bag with the kit lens! But sometimes it was a little short so 400mm would have been great.
hi mr. Sulanto, i got a question... what does it mean your t-shirt message " the real photographers dont need a mirror"... i send you a big hug a thanks a lot for your very academic videos...
Thanks! The t-shirt is meant to be a joke, that real photographers use mirrorless cameras.
I have this lens. The zoom "stiffness" I attributed to the lock not being fully switched to unlock.
Thanks for your comment. I checked the lock many times and the lens I have is a bit stiff for some other reason.
@@mattisulanto I've heard this of early models. Mine was stiff out of the box, now after use, fully unlocked it is not a problem. I purchased mine new from eglobalcentral for under £1000. It is very sharp & fast focus. As you say at 800mm distance shots can seem soft but zooming in to closer subjects I've found it quite impressive.
I have it as well. I know I have it unlocked fully. It’s stiff. No doubt about it. Only thing that isn’t great about it
@@RockyColaFizz There are lubricants on the market, I used silicone for no other reason that it might help because it was suggested.
@@alanplatt888 Thx!. did it work?
I have a funny lens combination. A Nikkor 300/2.8 ED-IF AIS. A manual lens, and good with Metabones Speedbooster and both 1,4X and 2.0X TC. With mFT it will give 210/2.0 - 300/2.8 - 420/4.0 and 600/5.6. Price for the lens +/- $ 500. A really sharp glas monster. Recommended.
Tripod is a must.
That is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
@@mattisulanto There is a very good Nikkor 300/4.5 and very cheap lens, recommended for handheld shooting
www.naturfotograf.com/lens_tele.html
@@mattisulanto By the way. If you already have the Metabones Speedbooster, then there is a very, very good alternative for Olympus 75/1.8. Is the Nikkor 105/2.5 P.C AIS lens. It will give almost the same length and aperture as the Oly for about $ 100 - 200, and it might be sharper.
Good review. I have this lens and zoom is indeed stiff. But the lens is good.
Thanks.
In a 12 month perspective I am very tempted by this lens. However nearly every reviewer complains about the stiffness. A few reviews have commented that their lens doesn't feel stiff. For me this feels as a production problem. My gut feeling says that Panasonic needs to address this issue. Mark 2?
I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker, but a minor annoyance.
Agreed. It’s an annoyance but not a big deal. Mine definitely has the stiffness issue as well
@@RockyColaFizz Thanks!
@@mattisulanto Thank Matti!! I am very interested in it!
Good review and information 👍 I think I would like the 50-200 with the tele-converter better.
Thanks! For general photography the 50-200 is better, I think.
@@mattisulanto The question I wanted to know Matti! If you feel the 50-200 is the better lens for photography, I'm sold :)
@@MrFirstdance2000 I think the 50-200 would better for me than the 100-400. I can only speak for myself😀
@@mattisulanto Fair enough sir! I'm about to update for the first time g9. It says have 1.2 camera firmware now and 1.0 lens. Will the new upload catch me up on everything? Thanks again for your thought on the 50/200!
@@MrFirstdance2000 You have to update the camera and lens separately. I'll cover that in my next video.
I was expecting the video zoom demo to see how much it zoom from 100 to 400. it will be great if you also consider videographers point of in your reviews.
See at around 1:24. I'm a photographer and that's why I mostly do that, but in the future I may have to think video more.
@@mattisulanto Thanks! yes it is nice to have it mentioned for both photo and videos I am sure there are many video related people follow you too. and they may also be looking to see if the product you review is also suited for them.
Hello, which lens would you recommend for a wild photo after a bridge machine? Panasonic 100-400 vs nikon 200-500? Sorry, I'm writing with a google translator.
If you are using Lumix MFT cameras, then the Leica 100-40mm is a good lens.
@@mattisulanto I don't use MFT yet, they would choose a camera for the right lens. Is 100-400 better then?
@@ianus5978 It's not so simple to answer that, because you can't use those two lenses on the same camera. I think you can get fine photos on both lenses and both systems.
The zoom mechanic is not smooth but solid. I own it since 2016, no problem. But the beginning with 100 mm is a little bit too tall. So I bought also the more universell 50-200 mm, very quick and sharp.
says the husband of Gabriele :-)
Thanks for your comment, husband of Gabriele😀 It is a bit too long, indeed, at least for my photography.
What amazes me again again is the range from 1.3 meter when using it as a macro lens. Seriously, it is amazing. And yes, I'm biased. Same as I was when I shot Canon... long time ago.
You should have brought this lens to Malaysia, we have the Zoo and Bird Park for you to play with the long lens! I like the versatility of 100-400mm zoom, it helps when you are dealing with subjects with varying sizes.
I already had too many lenses with me and the 100-400 was not available to me at the time.
yeah love your reviews like your accent I wonder if this lens would work with the GX85
Thank you. That lens is designed for Lumix cameras and should perfect on the GX85 too.
@@mattisulanto thanks to you your reviews are amazing
thanks for this excellent video.
Thank you.
Thanks for the video. I have had this lens since mid May of 2019 and it is a great lens and use it for wildlife and flower photography. As you mentioned the minimum focus distance is another great thing feature of this Lens. I also own the 12-60mm lens and it is also a really great lens. Great for close up work as I can have the subject about 4" away from the front element at 60mm. Both are fantastic lenses.
Thanks for your comment.
I have this lens and the Olympus 150 with the converter on just love its permanent on my omd 1 mii
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
How much magnification does it have in comparison to binoculars?
Is it good at taking photos on small objects far away.
1. I have no idea how it compares to binoculars, sorry about that.
2. It depends on what do you consider small object and what is far away. If you'd like to take photo of a sparrow that fills the frame nicely, you need to be not more than 3-4 meters from the sparrow.
How can use this to S5 lumix. The adapter is small
This is a micro four thirds lens.
Pop over to England for a game of cricket. I think this would be the bees knees.
Thanks for the invitation, I'll consider that😀
@@mattisulanto I would have suggested Australian football, but cricket is played on similar sized fields and you might find a game closer to home than Australia. There are cricket competitions in several European countries including Netherlands and Italy.
Is this a constant aperture lens?
Please, watch the video and you'll find out, at 5:43.
Power IOS comment ca fonctionne
thank you for well done review 😘
Thank you!
Would this fit on the s1r?
This is a Micro Four Thirds lens.
8:37 "It seems to me that Panasonic's designers really hate the Swedes" - got it right on replay, but interesting accent+wordset combo :-D
Ok. I guess you can always twist the words and hear something else, if you really want. I try to be better in the future.
No moon shots?
No, should there be some?
@@mattisulanto ah, (laugh) yes...
@@soundknight I'll try the next time😀
@@mattisulanto can I ask, am I crazy? (I am wanting to get this lens but I will basically be only shooting the moon and some Osprey in the mahogany tree near my house)?...
@@soundknight Based on only this info, I wouldn't say you are crazy. Maybe a bit odd, but not crazy😀
Minkälaista videoo tällä objektiivilla saa? Varsinkin jos kuvaa kauas.
Oikein käytettynä tällä saa hyvännäköistä videota ja voi kuvata todella kauas.
Nice video! It looks like a great lens although slow at the long end but many super-telephoto lenses have that limitation. I have considered this lens for bird photography but I'm concerned about reports of the reliability of the lens. It's a lot of money but certainly less than one would pay for the same range in a DSLR system. I rented the Pana-Leica 50-200 and that is a great lens and the picture quality is great. I found it hunting on my G9 but when it could lock the focus, the image was great. Currently, I'm using the G9 with the Panasonic 100-300 mark ii which is a frustrating combination compared to my old Canon 7D and 100-400 L lens. There is a reasonable possibility that I don't have the G9 set correctly for the type of photography that I mostly do so I am reading the manual again. I'm am considering a return to a dslr with a mirror and then I will complain about the weight!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I haven't had any major AF problems with my G9. There is no 100% perfect system and I think we all should choose what we feel most comfortable with. All cameras are good these days.
No MFT camera is going to match the af performance or image quality of top end sports DSLRs like the 7D series. It's a limited, costumer grade system by design. Good enough for some people, but if you're coming from a 7D, going MFT would be a big downgrade.
Landscope 360 I disagree with this statement. They are not consumer grade equipment, in terms of build and material quality. MFT does come with some compromises, but these can be moderated with experience and the added portability and usability does have its advantages.
It would be worth trying it out before you buy, if you are considering it. For wildlife photography, it is less sharp at 400mm than you may wish and f6.3 is a real limitation on MFT camera. I do recommend the lens, but just be aware of what you are getting. It is still my go-to travel wildlife lens, due to its compactness and weight compared to my Olympus 300mm + 1.4 TC. It is easier to pack and to carry than the Olympus, as well as more versatile, but isn’t as sharp overall, in my experience.
@@craigb8379 Read my statement again. What I said was that af performance and image quality can't keep up with the 7D series, which is absolutely correct. In those departments, the Canon delivers pro grade results, whereas even top end MFT cameras are only on par with consumer grade DSLRs.
Can i use this lens with a Lumix g80
Yes you can.
@@mattisulanto Thank you!
Channel subscribed :)
Thank you!
How is it for Olympus. I mein because of the IS.
You'll get the optical IS, which better than IBIS on a long telephoto anyway, but you won't get the Sync IS.
Thanks - so I guess it is Good enough on Olympus for Handheld shots of a Safari.
@@stehlealexander That's, of course, personal, but I would do it😀
I have this lens and own both a G9 and an Oly EM1 MK2. The Power OIS works on the Oly. No Dual Sync. Overall the stability is a bit better on the G9 than the Oly with this lens, but not a big difference at all. The focus on the Oly is surprisingly better in many situations with this lens after the 3.1 firmware. Lens is great on either camera.
I took this lens on safari in September. I've owned it and loved it for years. It was less than ideal at dawn and dusk but as the sun came out I got fantastic results. If you manage expectations and put in work learning the limitations of your equipment you can make beautiful images. If you have the resources the 200 2.8 would be the ultimate complementary glass to 100-400. The 200 provides the option to shoot at the extreme ends of the day with the versatile 100-400 giving you significant compositional control. This is a gallery of examples shot on my GH-5 with the 100-400 and the GH-3 with the 35-100 2.8 ii. www.avirossproductions.com/savute-final
Thanks for sharing the photos.
Fantastic photos.
@@mattisulanto You're welcome!
@@HappyGrl41 Thank you!
I use it on safari too and agree with you. Dual IS is incredibile for such reach. Plus, no problem to take it on long trips, airport checkin and weight/size restrictions
Need 100-400mm for FF
You should go and get one, there are many options😀
I mean for L-Mount.... don't know about if Leica (original) have it or not, and don't wanna know to not be sad :) Panasonic or Sigma should make one
@@rendermanpro Ok, got it. maybe it's coming at some point.
Micro 4/3 is not always smaller than Sony E or FE, but in many cases, it is. Sometimes by a dramatic amount. Have a look at the 100-400 vs the Sony 200-600 (and remember that the Sony doesn't match the Panasonic at the long end):
camerasize.com/compact/#698.505,777.830,ha,t
Thanks for the link. It's not always so straight forward to compare camera systems with different sensor size, because there are so many things to consider.
The zoom ring is not smooth. Bad for video. I own this lens. Picture quality is excellent though.
P