First weekend with the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm Power OIS.

[Crotal Bell]

Paired to the Panasonic G80. Previously using the 100-300mm Mega OIS for wildlife.

First the Cons.

The zoom - It's stiff and sticky as mentioned by numerous reviewers. Saturday I got stuck at 279-350mm a few times and thought it was at full zoom, which was annoying. Better today, but I need to be a bit firmer with it than I like, and I worry what that could be doing to the camera, especially at the mount. It's quiet hard to stay on small birds when you have to use that much effort but I don't think that lost me much in time and focus.

The lens hood - What a fiddly pain to get on and screwed in place, made worse by the fact that it won't fit in my shoulder bag if left in place.

The weight - I like to walk, and I'm very glad I didn't opt for the DSLR rig. This is as much as I want to carry and not as easy on the body as the 100-300mm

And now the Pros

The reach - Ok it's not a massive difference, but there have already been times in the first weekend where it's made an important difference.

Burst rate - It's higher, clearly the Power OIS talks to the body better than Mega OIS and gets the optimum from the camera. Not essential but it's nice.

Leica Glass and Stability - It's early days but the ISO seems to stay lower more often, it's been cloudy and dull all weekend, could this be the better glass? That said, I have been running some very low shutter speeds this weekend on birds - 1/125 in a burst rate returned some super sharp images. I guess the faster bursts and added lens stability are combining to return sharp shots and low shutter speeds.

Features - Face and Eye Detect have popped up in my focus options menu, clearly something I can't have with a Mega OIS zoom lens, the missus walked forwards in a zig zag and it tracked pretty darn well.

Early thoughts

There was one bad experience where it refused to focus on a Robin that was very close and seemed to be insisting on having it's picture taken, later I realised that I had the lens on 5m-full (what a berk) and when I switched to full range it snapped on to a leaf about 5 feet away in an instant, so that on was down to me. Getting used to the stiff zoom is a "work in progress". There's already been a couple of times this weekend where I can see the advantage, it's more in tune with the camera body and the added reach has helped on a few shots.

Yesterday I wasn't sure if it warranted the cost, today I warmed to it, and I started to enjoy the benefits and to get a feel for it. I need a few more outings, some better weather would be nice, but I have a feeling that the improved performance will become something I don't want to be without.. I guess that's why we spend the money, and justify it.

 

[snerkler]

Regarding the zoom stiffness I’ve seen people mention this a few times however some were not aware that the zoom lock was on, whilst it says lock it does allow the zoom ring to move but it’s very stiff. Just double check you’ve disengaged the lock properly

I had no issues with the zoom ring on my copy.

 

[Crotal Bell]

Regarding the zoom stiffness I’ve seen people mention this a few times however some were not aware that the zoom lock was on, whilst it says lock it does allow the zoom ring to move but it’s very stiff. Just double check you’ve disengaged the lock properly

I had no issues with the zoom ring on my copy.

Many thamks, I've been checking it and defo it's not locked, it's just one of the stiff ones.
It's okay if you do one good turn with intent, but if you try and do it delicate it sticks in a couple of places. Seems to be quite common.

 

[delb0y]

Good review, Keith. I think with any new kit it takes a few sessions to get used to it, to figure out how to get the best from it, etc etc. I shall look forward to seeing some of the results.

My 100-300 is the Power OIS version so I'm not sure if I can warrant the update to the 400, but I shall watch your progress with interest and maybe follow suit one day!

Cheers
Derek

 

[the black fox]

When I had mine it was locked to 400mm all the time ,,you soon get used to that length , it’s one of the things missing from the olympus version . Full range as you have found works a treat , the close focus ability turns it into a semi macro come the summer for butterflies and other insects .
You will with more use probably find more improvements via the lens and body interaction as well . And as most of us have found with these mega zooms they are light hungry as the weather improves so will your results.
The other con you mention is fitting your shoulder bag , two options here change to a back pack . Or just don’t bother my walkabout rig is camera + lens and t.c in my pocket , got no bags and baggage to slow me down . (Quote) maybe a spare battery as well . Not sure if your setup is weather proof/ sealed ? Think it may well be

 

[Sangoma]

Good to hear you are enjoying it.
The zoom on mine is slightly tighter than the 100-300, but not by much.
It is much tighter than my Canon lenses were, but they used to move with gravity

I often just extend the fitted lens hood, it works well as long at it keeps any light off the front glass, I don't find the main lens hood a hassle to fit, I keep it on the lens in the bag, just reversed over the lens.

The focus range switch can catch you, but it is useful, as not leaving it on full range speeds up the focus on hard to focus subjects.

My face/eye detection/tracking does work with the Mega OIS, it could be you were in burst mode, 4k photo mode or another setting that can disable it. (page 94)

 

[snerkler]

Many thamks, I've been checking it and defo it's not locked, it's just one of the stiff ones.
It's okay if you do one good turn with intent, but if you try and do it delicate it sticks in a couple of places. Seems to be quite common.

Have you thought about returning it for an exchange? Granted how stiff it is will depend on the user to an extent but it shouldn't stick.

 

[Crotal Bell]

Thanks for the feedback all.
@delb0y if you have Power OIS then you already have a lot I like about the Leica, and less to gain than I have, I can understand your caution.

 

[Crotal Bell]

Have you thought about returning it for an exchange? Granted how stiff it is will depend on the user to an extent but it shouldn't stick.

I think it just takes getting used to, being stiffer than my other lenses. If I do one rotation with a bit more intent than the other lenses, it moves straight through to 400mm without stopping.
It's only when I move it halfway and then start again that it has a little stick, but it was far less noticeable today because I'm getting the feel for it, and adjusting myself to the amount of friction compared to the 100-300mm.

 

[the black fox]

I think it just takes getting used to, being stiffer than my other lenses. If I do one rotation with a bit more intent than the other lenses, it moves straight through to 400mm without stopping.
It's only when I move it halfway and then start again that it has a little stick, but it was far less noticeable today because I'm getting the feel for it, and adjusting myself to the amount of friction compared to the 100-300mm.

got to agree with your assessment Keith , its a far better made lens than the 100-300 and better engineered so is obviously going to feel different