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

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

Baimei wrote:

Hi Doc

If you can, you really should try the 300/4 on an EM1 or EM5II for yourself.

Since I already had the Olympus 150/2 and the 1.4x and 2.0x converters, I had convinced myself that I didn't want one, but my friend at the camera store kept a lens for me to try when it was first released. They sold the other two which arrived in the same shipment, immediately.

Within five minutes, I changed my mind. The stabilization system is incredible, and I couldn't believe I was handholding a lens with that field of view with the slow shutter speeds that were possible, while maintaining such a high degree of sharpness.

I had used Canon L telephoto lenses for many years previously, but it just wasn't possible to do that without a tripod.

With the 1.4x attached, I still prefer using a monopod or tripod.

I haven't tried the Panasonic 100-400, since I prefer prime lenses.

Later

Rick

This might be of interest, taken with the G7 and 100-400 yesterday so only OIS, 1/20 second at 264. I was just playing with different shutter speeds to see the different effect on the rotor blur. Show the pic next to a 1/320 second shot and the latter has the edge but only just. Handheld, completely freestanding and I'm not the steadiest. I had no idea that I could shoot at that length and such a low shutter speed.

The one below is the 1/320 sec version

Good stuff Trevor.  Amazing isn't it?  Handholding is possible - and wasn't so easy just a small time ago.  Thanks for these.

Doc