I've had the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens almost four months, and thought I would look back at how things started out. I've made quite a few trips with this lens, and haven't had a chance until now to sit back and digest all I've done with its many capabilities!
On my last trip to the Sierras, some photographer friends expressed an interest in this lens, so I'll use part of this post with examples for a review article later for my web site.
When the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm (=200-800mm) lens was announced, I thought it was a dream come true. For more than a year, I wished I had longer than 400mm for many situations, and I soon pre-ordered one.
When it arrived in late March, I noticed that the designation stamped on the top side of the lens barrel is "Leica DG Vario-Elmar." Not being familiar with that terminology (except that Leica is a camera company), I searched around and learned that:
- LEICA is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) - a legal term.
- The LEICA DG lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.
- ELMAR is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG
- ELMAR lenses have a maximum aperture between f/3.5 and f/4
- The VARIO prefix means it's a zoom lens.
On the underside of the Unlock-Lock ring is stamped in three rows:
- "Panasonic, H-RS100400, Made in Japan."
The largest lens in my digital life up to now was the Canon EF 70-200 f/4L IS (=320mm on Canon APS-C). I did a quick comparison:
The Canon was one of the finest lenses I’ve ever owned and used. One could wish for a constant f/4 and non extended zoom in the Panasonic lens, but optically quite difficult, I assume, for a large zoom range, to keep the lens size down.
Holding the Camera/Lens
There were many observations made on the Forum about this lens even before the lens was finally available to the vendors. One was that since it is a hefty lens, a small camera wouldn't be so good. The GH4 and GX8 were suggested, and if you had smaller than that, then an upgrade would be advisable.
Hmmm, I thought: There is more than one way to hold a camera + lens. I’ve always held my camera + tele lens with my left hand underneath the lens supporting all of the weight. The size of the camera is irrelevant, up to a point, of course. All my right hand does is to hold the camera grip to steady the system and push the trigger.
Happily, I’ve found my GX7 + this lens to be nice companions. For this lens, the flat surface on the underside of the lens for the tripod mount fits nicely in the palm of my hand, and the base of the camera is not touching my hand. I can turn the zoom ring with my thumb and first two fingers. The zoom ring was stiff at first, but it has loosened up quite a bit. With my left elbow tucked into my side, I have a nice support, for using both the EVF, and the LCD tilt screen.
It had been a long time since holding a large lens, and it took a few outings to get comfortable using it.
Auto Focus
I’ve found AF to be very quick and accurate. I use AFS, 1-Area, and the smallest focus box. I’ve experienced some back focusing when exactly at or very close to the minimum focus distance. Otherwise, the lens has performed wonderfully. Locking on a tiny flower, or the face of a critter at a distance at 800mm is quite something! I don’t photograph fast action where I have to track, nor do I use video, so I can not speak to the AF performance in those conditions.
Manual Focus
The MF ring is very nicely damped. The GX7 is the best camera for MF I’ve used to date. The 10x magnification provides precise focusing. I use use both AF+MF and MF. When switching to MF, I use the lever on the camera, rather than the switch on the lens, because it is easier/quicker to reach.
Extended Tele Conversion
My results are not consistent, and I haven’t figured out why. Even in ideal lighting, sometimes feather detail is not good. Later, I may take the time to do some more testing.
External Tripod Mount
According to the User’s Manual, the external tripod mount is to be used:
- If the lens or digital camera prevents the tripod from being attached.
I haven’t had that problem, so I don’t use it.
Vertical Orientation
The built-in collar permits the camera and lens to rotate. Since the three adjustment buttons (OIS, AF/MF, Full/Limit) are on the collar, they stay in their position on the left side.
Filters
A while back, someone had a thread discussing filters and the 100-400mm. I tested, and my B+W Neutral filter is fine at all focal lengths. However, I found that ND and CPL filters can degrade the image at focal lengths longer than 300mm. My CPL is B+W, so it’s good glass. I’m not sure why this happens, but I can’t foresee using those filters at long range, anyway.
ND + CPL
Close-up and Macro
The Press Release by Panasonic included this:
- The 100mm-400mm lens is also suited to a variety of photographic styles – with nine diaphragm blades providing a circular aperture to produce a smooth and beautiful bokeh.
- The lens’ 200-800mm focal length (35mm equivalent) and 0.5x Magnification capability provide highly detailed shots from distance, as well as stunning close up capability– ideal for subject matter regardless of shape and size.
- The minimum focusing distance is 4.3', which pairs with an equivalent maximum magnification of 0.5x to support working with close-up subjects.
That sounded quite exciting to me. Magnification of .5:1 at 800mm and close focusing is quite useful. It means I don't have to carry a separate lens for flowers when out with this lens.
Sierra Dandelion
For additional magnification of tiny things, or when I can’t get farther back than a couple of feet, an Achromatic lens will help. Here, the working distance is reduced to about 1 foot.
Bolander's Monkey flower
Flash
I use flash often for "throwing in" light to reveal the inner parts of a flower. Achromatic lens used here. Working distance about 1 foot.
Climbing milkweed
Flexibility of Zoom
One of the advantages of a long zoom lens over a long prime lens out in nature is to be able to photograph where there is limited room to maneuver back far enough to use a long focal length.
California Evening Primrose, plant cluster, 100mm
And a single Primrose flower from about the same distance away,, 400mm
Power OIS
The Power OIS is a huge improvement over the older Mega OIS. I’m fairly consistent at 1/100 sec. with this lens, but I don’t count on a lot of success much slower. Rather fortunate here at 1/30 sec.
California Ground Squirrel
I follow the User's Manual suggestion to turn off OIS when using a tripod.
More Photographs using Panasonic-Leica 100-400 mm
Snowy Egret enjoying lunch. One of my favorite large birds.
Great Egret, pausing during a preening session
Common Monkey flower
Egyptian Goose. A pair hung out for several months at our local wildlife habitat
California Mule Deer, so named because of the large ears
Rafting club on the Kern River, Southern Sierra Nevada. I hope to photograph kayaking competitions later this month.
Sierra Lily
Sierra Alligator Lizard
Red-wing Blackbird, grassy area near a lake. These will usually fly away if approached, but if I'm there first, they will move around foraging, seemingly oblivious of my presence.
Mourning Dove. Same situation as above.
Pale Swallowtail on a California Cobweb thistle (webbing surrounding the base of the flower).
Black-crowned Night Heron, a very patient fisher. It will sit for 10-15 minutes or more, not making a move, until it sees a fish. On this occasion, it never saw one, and I got tired of waiting!
This lens is such a joy to use - such a wonderful tool for nature photography. It's also gratifying that both Panasonic and Olympus continue to develop new lenses to add to the already impressive Micro Four Thirds lineup.
- Richard
