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Panasonic 100-400 - another data point

Started Jul 26, 2018 | Discussions thread
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larsbc Forum Pro • Posts: 18,282
Panasonic 100-400 - another data point

Ok, after months of internal debate, I bought a Panasonic 100-400.  For CAD$200, I can also get an additional 2 yr warranty which I just might do.

I just wanted to point out two things about this lens:

  1. The zoom ring action feels a  bit unpleasant.  It's like my Panasonic 14-45 or Olympus 9-18, except stiffer.  Definitely not smooth like my 12-35/2.8, 35-100/2.8 or 8-18/2.8-4.  *BUT* I can still turn the zoom ring with two fingers so I can use 100mm to locate the target and then zoom in to 400mm without excessive wrestling.  I was prepared to reject the lens if the zoom ring was too stiff (I bought it in person in a store) but it is definitely usable.
  2. It is a bit tight mounting to my G85 and GX7.  Not metal shavings tight, more like rubber seal tight.  I might rub some silicon lubricant onto the seal to see if that helps (unless someone can tell me why that's a bad idea).

It's obviously too early to come to a conclusion about its performance but the tests I've done so far suggest that it's a sharp lens and that if the background is quite busy, the bokeh can be rather nervous.

Panasonic G85 Panasonic Leica 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
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