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Who Chose the 300 f4 over the 100-400 for Birding and Why?

Started Jul 29, 2016 | Discussions thread
Phocal
Phocal Veteran Member • Posts: 3,528
Re: Who Chose the 300 f4 over the 100-400 for Birding and Why?

sdw1 wrote:

Good response Phocal.

I'm waiting to see what the EM1 II will be like also. And thanks for the discussion about the f-stop being so important. Some seem to think 1 stop, or a half stop is not a big deal - but it may be in iffy conditions. I felt the 75-300 II was slower than I wanted - but it did seem to do well in bright conditions.

Doc

For me 1 stop is a lot.  It can mean the difference between ISO 800 and ISO 1600 and may never process the ISO 1600 after looking at it.  Sometimes a shot is fine at ISO 1600 and then other shots it is not, depends on the animal I am photographing and distance to subject.  When close (Little Blue Heron filling the frame close or closer) ISO 1600 tends to be ok, add some distance and I typically throw them away after looking at them.

If you found the 75-300 slow you fill the same about the 100-400, it is less then 1/3 stop faster.

 Phocal's gear list:Phocal's gear list
Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 150mm 1:2.0 Olympus M.Zuiko 300mm F4 IS Pro Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus E-M1 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 Pancake +6 more
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