PANASONIC 100 - 400 LENS ---- WILDLIFE Real World Review (2020)

[@don_at_large]

I subscribed for All Notifications after watching this one video of yours about Panasonic 100-400. Your review is what I was looking for, thoughtful, clear, concise. I like what you stated about "That's all there is", pertaining to MFT telephoto. I was looking everywhere for reviews about what is out there for MFT telephoto. After listening to you break down the options, you nailed it. That really is all there is.
I bought a Lumix 100-400 a year ago, keeping my eyes open for options. I like my Sony rig with 200-600 but it is cumbersome. Wanted something in lighter package that can just work reliably. On my Olympus M1mkIII or GH5II. The GH6 is just too bulky. Luckily my Lumix 100-400 is not as tight as my Lumix 300 zoom, so am selling the 300, keeping the 100-400.
Am trying to say your video helped me identify the right questions, and I really had the answer all along, which is too work with the MFT system with what I have. Thank you for a solid sober presentation.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

You bet thanks for watching and the sub hope it helps.

[@laurentyarp514]

I am not a big fan of completely blurry backgrounds. I like to be able to figure out what was behind the subject. Otherwise it seems like it was a studio shoot. This the feeling I have when I look at those pictures of the Nikon lens.
So I would favor the panasonic lens for that reason too.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Excellent then m43 is for you !

[@MarcHillM]

Lovely shots and great review. I found my zoom loosened up after use. You are right on with its compactness and stabilisation. I use it for video mainly and need to carry my lens kit all day long on sometimes awkward locations. My entire lens kit including this lens fits on a carry on airline bag. It's a keeper for me.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

ahh yea very light weight for all day carry for sure. Thanks again for watching !

[@ericmenu5408]

I got the Panasonic Leica 200mm F2.8 lens (eq. 400mm) for my G9, a marvelous lens, very sharp, great bokeh, takes well teleconverters, a real gem (and affordable now - I paid mine only 900 euros few years ago - it was sold at around 3000 at its introduction). I hesitate to get also the new 100-400mm II (sadly with the same optical formula than the 100-400mm, but it now accepts teleconverters from 210mm to 400mm), for versatility of the zoom and weight saving, but I'm afraid to lose sharpness compared to my beloved 200mm, which nobody tells about for wildlife photography :) Anyway, thanks for this review ! (and I agree with your other recent video on the bad Panasonic marketing about the G9II and wildlife photographer community in general)

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Much thanks for watching. I really wish Panasonic would embrace their wildlife community.

[@ericrjennings]

I prefer the less blurry background tbh... it gives context

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

ahh yes that is very insightful. So the context thing is not mentioned as much. The reason why is so many PS have such a difficult time in blurry background. If there is one thing many people like it is a totally blurry background. I myself and mixed. I have been called out on some photos as not having a high quality lens because in some instances they wanted to see more bokeh vs the environment. Watch out for those Bokeh monsters !

[@letni9506]

For proper wildlife shots you really need a Tony 2.8 lens 😀

[@rreichar1]

Great review! Thanks for doing it. Answered every question and then some.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks again !

[@brucegraner5901]

The comparisons you were able to make regarding the various lenses and sensor sizes is very helpful. Very good review and some beautiful images. I'm considering moving to the Lumix G9 and 100-400mm lens for mostly birding photography and appreciate your advice and image examples. Solid video 👽👍👍👍 I look forward to checking out your G9 video.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

My pleasure! I hope it helps!

[@MudMaxMetalDetecting]

A very interesting review. I have thought about the G9 and 100-400mm, I currently have the G80 and 100-300mm and often I wish I had more reach and better quality for cropping. I was going to go for Nikon D7200 + Sigma 15-600mm for the reach and bigger sensor, but you comments in regards better resolution with the Lumix rig have made me pause. If the G9 and 100-400mm has better resolution then surely this makes up for the bigger sensor and extra reach? Not to mention the other advantages you get with a mirrorless camera? ATB MMMD

[@rreichar1]

Watching this a few months later I see the Olympus 150-400mm is $7500. That’s nuts. I also see people on forums ordering them so I guess lots of people have more money than they need.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Rod good to hear from you. Yes I thought the lens would be $4999.99 on the high side. A good side I thought it would be $2999.99 or $3499.99. You are correct, there are many people that can afford such a lens or so it would appear. Sadly, just a regular Joe here, so this lens is not in my future.

[@ubarhd1]

Great lens fantastic review..👏🏻

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Thanks again for watching and contributing.

[@jaycee6996]

Thank you, your review was extraordinarily helpful. I think my photographic journey parallels yours. I started with manual 350 and 400 mm 3rd party lenses, a 200mm f3.5 Takumar lens and later a Tokina mirror 500mm. Back in my youth I had an MTO 1000A which was I think about 1100mm, a Maksutov mirror lens. It was like carrying an oil drum around. It weighed a ton. My Pentax S1a on it looked like a pimple on the backside of an elephant. Now I shoot d500 and Sigma 150-600 which I do enjoy. Sadly as I get older the weight is reducing my enjoyment of both my hiking and bird photography. I need to replace my set up and the G9, 100-400 telephoto backed up with a Nikon P950 looks good and your reviews have been invaluable.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Yes manual focus lenses will work!

[@lifeisgood5026]

great review. What background music are you using. It really works.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Hey yes it is Galvin Luke the gift ! Hope this helps !

[@gerhardgroen]

Very informative and useful review! Using a G9 and a panasonic leica 10-400 lens myself for a year now, and I use it in hiking allmost every day. I like the results. I am still looking at a full frame alternative though, just in case it would be sharper/ less noise etc.. What do you think about the Canon R6 and a RF 800? Not that expensive and maybe very competitive? With the higher ISO possibilities on the Canon R6 and equal stability? Not that big nor heavy?

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Ahh the price is higher and not sure if the ibis is up to the task. I think in a few years the system will flush out and end up being better overall. I been hearing rumors it is not all roses. F11 at 800mm going to put up your iso. Also rumors on ibis not as good puts us pretty close to the same area with m4 3 or a little behind in some areas. Hope this helps.

[@gerhardgroen]

@@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE Sure it
does!

[@lophoto-net]

Thanks for your reviews!
Speaking of MFT lenses for wildlife alternatives on a budget, what about the Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f/4-5.6 or the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7?
Or, on the higher end, the new Olympus 100-400mm f5-6.3 or the Leica/Pana 200mm 2.8 + 1.4X?

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

hello sorry for the late reply. so the 100-300 Panasonic is a great little lens. I prefer that over the Olympus 75-300. my 100-300 is super sharp and has a 5.6f. to me the 100-300 just performs better all the way around in my experience. the 100-400 I do not have any experience with that lens.

[@benroberts2960]

Great review thanks! Don’t suppose you’ve got a Panasonic macro you could review?

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Much thanks, sorry but no macros that I own.

[@ubarhd1]

Great photos 👏🏻

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Thanks for watching

[@jamesrathbun2482]

My 100-400 is smooth in the zoom. You must have had an off lens. Absolutely love mine!

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

I have actually had 2 of these lenses and both were stiff. Other reviews have mentioned this as well but Panasonic might have loosened it up some. I got 1 at day of launch and another 1 about 1 year later. If yours is loose all the better right ??
Thanks for watching...

[@mrmoon1482]

I have the G9 with this lens im currently thinking of going full frame with the sigma 150-600 I’m not sure what to do yet I just don’t want to regret getting rid of my current setup 🤔

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

I struggle with that all the time ! The 150-600 is about at least 2 times heavier than the 100-400 FYI. The performance will not be an issue it will be the weight if you are sensitive to that issue ?

[@JustinWoo]

Great review!

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Hey thanks for watching.......

[@markschneider3915]

The 300 F4 Olympus is a great lens, and it's definitely sharper than my Pan. Leica 100-400, but I end up taking the Panasonic Leica most of the time, it's just more fun.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Yea,, i mean variable zoom allows us to just get photos where the prime is a bit limiting. I guess that is why I always like the zooms, 1 spot can get multiple different looks without moving. Thanks for watching by the way.....

[@wcbibb]

I have the G9 with the Panasonic-Leica100-400mm lens I have used a G7 with the Panasonic 100-300 II lens before that.
At this point, I would like to get a full-frame set up but keep running into the dilemmas of increasing size and weight required for that equivalent reach of 800mm that I get on the G9 with the 100-400mm.
I do a lot of hiking so carrying a full-frame lens with the equivalent reach of 800mm and perhaps carrying a tripod or monopod takes the fun and spontaneity out of photography. With the stabilization in both the lens and the camera body, I can get usable photographs out of the camera for study and posting on social media.
I cannot see spending more that the $2,700 I spent on the G9 and the 100-400. I gave the G7 with the 100-300 and the 14-140mm to my son.
I can work around limitations in the system for my purposes with the burst mode. Then you have video capabilities with this system.
With those things in mind, It is hard to see advantages for me with full-frame or APS- C systems. A Sony A-9 II or a Canon R5? More weight and size, and much more money.
This review really summarizes the

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

William thanks for the kind words. Yes it is the big issues in the room. All these systems almost want you to throw away your old system and go with the new, yet at the same time are offering very little new. More issues with size and weight, COSTS are huge right now with the R5, R6 bodies with IBIS that I feel most other cameras already have. So Sony really is giving a huge value in comparison to other cameras. Sadly I do not like sony as much as others but at least they have 1 lens mount and and a full line up, true wildlife lenses although are bigger. The sony a7rv is $3200.00 great options but still expensive compared to m43.
So I think in 5 years we will have smaller lenses and systems in full frame. Just not there yet. I think these companies are going to find out the hard way what the buyers really want. Right now I feel they are kind of on their own agenda, pushing products to see if people will bite at the price points and products they are able to provide. I look to the future and I see a few companies standing. It is going to be rough future for some of them.

[@wcbibb]

@@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHEREOnce I mastered burst mode with continuous focus and used pinpoint focus, I did much better with birds in flight photographs. The keeper rate will not be as high as a Sony A9, fot example, but some really good images can be captured.
I also realized that I could capture better photos of hawks or pelicans when they are hovering rather than diving.
Having said all that, a full-frame has better resolution. I might pick up a full-frame for landscape photography because lenses can be smaller, lighter, and cheaper. I can still use the G9 with the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm to achieve the 800mm equivalent. If I were to blow up and print anything, I doubt if it would be birds. It would more likely be a landscape.
Maybe this sounds a bit couter-intuitive. But it it those huge full-frame super- telephoto lenses that break the bank and the back. I could spring for a $3,800 body but not a $12,000 lens. I have yet to fully explore video with the G9 and the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

@@wcbibb Agree. there are some rumors of lower price full frame canon coming. I think at some point we might get to the APS-c prices of the Rebel Cameras. These system just need more acceptance and a larger user base. Thus the Cheap 50mm f1.8 with a full frame camera priced at like $599.99 or something like that to really move sales. You know, the cheapest is $999.99 right not which is not your mass population yet. $3800 is pretty eye watering but you know new tech is expensive. That not to mention the expensive lenses at 12K ouch.

[@bushguidebaz6540]

@@wcbibb Video is outstanding

[@bushguidebaz6540]

@@wcbibb For the same megapixels, I find mf3 sharper than full frame - gh5

[@hanzkilian1806]

I do not know, people say the zoom is stiff. Well I have one and it is NOT STIFF. perfectly smooth. I believe someone has left the zoom lock on and forced it, and in doing so has damaged it. Believe me they are not ALL like that. It IS A BEAUTIFUL LENS

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Yea, I mean mine is kind of but I do not mind it. It holds it together many of the times.

[@wcbibb]

Mine was perfect right out of the box. Try it out in the store first if you can.

[@pablosdarkadventures737]

Olympus omd em1 mark ii and panasonic 100-400 is a good combination in your opinion?
I thinking to switch from Canon system completely.
Thanks mate 😉💪

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

tough question my friend. I think so for weight and ibis. silent mode. though other systems are catching up. canon has som good equipment as well.

[@pablosdarkadventures737]

@@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE cheers 😉

[@ubarhd1]

If you can review 100-400 mm Fuji xf lens it will be great 🙂

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Not a fuji guy but hey you never know right ??

[@ToolCraze]

What camera is the sigma attached to? It looks like an olympus omd either em5 or em10 series.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Thanks for asking it is my em5 miii

[@chrishuang8763]

Very useful lens for wildlife photography. Small snd capable but unfortunately Panasonic does not do a good job to promote it.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Agreed seems to slip through The cracks

[@chrishuang8763]

Panasonic is not very good in promoting their lenses/cameras.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

@@chrishuang8763 so true !

[@eremiya]

Great review! Question: What is the camera attached to the Sigma lenses?

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Sorry I missed your questions. It is the Olympus Em5 Mark III or the Panasonic G9. Both M43 cameras.

[@shrihariaparichith]

i am using Panasonic G5 camera model. Will this lens suitable for G5 model?

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

Yes very few choices in m43 so if you need reach the lens works well

[@stehlealexander]

How sharpness at 400mm? Portability is important as well for me. The Olympus 100-400 is a Bit to big for me.

[@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE]

The sharpness at 400 F6.3 is very sharp. You can see my Instagram photos and many of my photos are taken with this lens. From my understanding the Olympus 100-400 is based off of sigma's 100-400 lens or it is rebadged. It is a sharp lens as well but if I had to choose weight to sharpness I would go with the Panasonic 100-400. I just do not think you are going to get much more image sharpness out of the Olympus even if it is better than the Panasonic.

[@stehlealexander]

@@MAKE_PHOTOGRAPHS_ANYWHERE thank you so much

[@joseplazareyes9034]

TOO MUCH WORDS ...AND SO FEW IMAGES TO MAKE FAIR COMPARISONS. YOU KNOW A LOT ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY, CAMERAS AND SO , BUT PLEASE...MORE IMAGES TO STUDY.