100-300 vs. 50-200+1.4TC: surprised!

luisflorit wrote:

So I was waiting for the M.Zuiko 300mm F4. Now I'm not sure anymore if this would make a big difference... Of course, I would have to see a comparative output. Now, the only negative point about the 100-300 is the lack of weather seals.

Since you need to shoot handheld it might not make much of a difference. But I am really hoping the Olympus 300mm will be sharp enough to be used with a 1.4 TC even if that does require a tripod.

I am very happy with my 100-300 but I know better results are possible. I recently got a Canon FD 300mm f2.8 that is going to replace the Canon FD 300mm f4 L I bought a year ago. These are both 25 year old manual focus lenses but very good ones. While the 100-300 is good if you compare it to a higher grade lens there is a difference. It show up most when you photograph something with a lot of contrast. The 100% crops below were both taken with IBIS and OIS off with the lens on a good tripod and head. The Canon lens is just as good at f4 but the thin DOF makes it harder to compare. We will not know until it comes out but I am hoping the Olympus 300mm will be as good as the Canon.

Panasonic 100-300 at f8

Canon FD 300mm L at f5.6

I am also hoping to use the Olympus 300mm with a 1.4 TC. If it is like the FD lens the Olympus 300mm will have plenty of resolution to be used with a 1.4TC. I have both a 1.4 and 2.0 TC for the Canon lens. The 1.4TC works great but the 2.0 TC shows little extra detail. With the high pixel density of m43 a 2.0TC is just asking too much. The high pixel density acts much like a TC without any sort of optical TC, magnifying any defects in the lens.

The 100-300 is does not have any resolution to spare. It is too slow to be used with a TC but if someone tried it I doubt they would see any increase in resolution. If Panasonic or Olympus ever come out with a 24MP body the difference between a good 300mm prime and the 100-300 will be even more apparent.

The Olympus 300mm is going to have to prove itself and work well with a TC before I buy it. If not I will keep using my 100-300 as my preferred long lens and the Canon FD 300mm with a 1.4TC when I can use a tripod, have time for manual focus and do not mind lugging a 5 pound lens around. Basically birds at a feeder. If the Olympus 300 lives up to my hopes it will definitely replace the Canon and possible also the Panasonic lens.