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Yes the PL100-400 is good

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Trevor Carpenter

Trevor Carpenter

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Lots of discussion on the PL100-400 and it's some time since I posted any birds so a few recent shots which I think show the G9/PL100-400 combination well



Grey Heron
Grey Heron



Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit



Starlings
Starlings



Grey Plover
Grey Plover



Dunlin
Dunlin



Robin
Robin



Sanderling
Sanderling



Turnstone
Turnstone



Nuthatch
Nuthatch



Blue Tit and Coal Tit
Blue Tit and Coal Tit





--
Recent and not so recent pictures here https://trevorc28a.wixsite.com/trevspics
 
While some have produced some nice shots, there are a lot of complaints about this lens. It seems to have the worst quality control of any lens that I've encountered in my decades of still and video photography (based on my memory, and figuring we didn't have an internet to complain about lenses back in the 1980s.)

If you've got a lens that is consistent and doesn't require two hands to zoom, congratulations! I hope it gives you years of service and that it doesn't need repair after the warranty (which seems to mean you'll just get a refurbished model at a discount, according to some posts).

And if you go to sell it (once Oly's telezooms come out) that your copy will fetch top dollar. I'm sure there are people who tolerate a stiff zoom now and decide they will want to switch (to Oly), and may end up dumping heir lens without disclosing the stiff zoom or other issues.

I think it's important that anyone considering purchasing this lens be aware of:

- stiff zoom

- poor quality control/copy variation

- upcoming Olympus releases (which may result in future discounts and a decrease in the resale value of the used Panny.

- the importance of trying the copy before buying to assess whether you can accept any shortcomings on a lens at this price point

- the importance of buying it with a return policy that you can agree to

- Panny's policy about service after the warranty expires which, some have said, results in a lens that's disposable after three years.

After owning four copies, Panasonic told me it's a great lens and that I should keep trying to find a good copy. Which I did. Three times. I just didn't want to damage my body with the metal shavings issue. Perhaps my atandards for an $1800 lens are higher. But at least I get great images from my Oly 75-300, Panny 100,-300 and Sigma 150-600mm (and Metabones converter).

Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm
Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm

Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.
Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.

This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.
This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.

Happy shopping and shooting everyone! It's nice to see good images no matter what tools created them.

--
I believe in science, evolution and light. All opinions are my own. I'm not compensated for any of my posts. Can you honestly say that?
 
Last edited:
HRC2016 said:
While some have produced some nice shots, there are a ton of complaints about this lens. It seems to have the worst quality control of any lens that I've encountered in my decades of still and video photography.

If you've got a lens that is consistent and doesn't require two hands to zoom, congratulations! hope it gives you years of service and that it doesn't need repair after the warranty (which seems to mean you'll just get a refurbished model at a discount, according to some posts).

And if you go to sell it (once Oly's telezooms come out) that your copy will fetch top dollar. I'm sure there are people who tolerate a stiff zoom now and decide they will want to switch (to Oly), and may end up dumping heir lens without disclosing the stiff zoom or other issues.
Click to expand...
It would seem that is true, unfortunately.
HRC2016 said:
I think it's important that anyone considering purchasing this lens be aware of:

- stiff zoom

- poor quality control/copy variation

- upcoming Olympus releases (which may result in future discounts and a decrease in the resale value of the used Panny.

- the importance of trying the copy before buying to assess whether you can accept any shortcomings on a lens at this price point

- the importance of buying it with a return policy that you can agree to

- Panny's policy about service after the warranty expires which, some have said, results in a lens that's disposable after three years.

After owning four copies, Panasonic told me it's a great lens and that I should keep trying to find a good copy. Which I did. Three times. I just didn't want to damage my body with the metal shavings issue. Perhaps my atandards for an $1800 lens are higher.
Click to expand...
You offered to sell me your copy used for $2500 in July 2016. Obviously you thought it was worth more than $1800
HRC2016 said:
But at least I get great images from my Oly 75-300, Panny 100,-300 and Sigma 150-600mm (and Metabones converter).

Killseer with Sigma 150-600mm
Killseer with Sigma 150-600mm

Happy shopping and shooting!

--
I believe in science, evolution and light. All opinions are my own. I'm not compensated for any of my posts. Can you honestly say that?
Click to expand...
--
Have Fun
Photo Pete
 
Last edited:
HRC2016 said:
While some have produced some nice shots, there are a lot of complaints about this lens. It seems to have the worst quality control of any lens that I've encountered in my decades of still and video photography (based on my memory, and figuring we didn't have an internet to complain about lenses back in the 1980s.)

If you've got a lens that is consistent and doesn't require two hands to zoom, congratulations! I hope it gives you years of service and that it doesn't need repair after the warranty (which seems to mean you'll just get a refurbished model at a discount, according to some posts).

And if you go to sell it (once Oly's telezooms come out) that your copy will fetch top dollar. I'm sure there are people who tolerate a stiff zoom now and decide they will want to switch (to Oly), and may end up dumping their lens without disclosing the stiff zoom or other issues.

I think it's important that anyone considering purchasing this lens be aware of:

- stiff zoom

- poor quality control/copy variation

- upcoming Olympus releases (which may result in future discounts and a decrease in the resale value of the used Panny.

- the importance of trying the copy before buying to assess whether you can accept any shortcomings on a lens at this price point

- the importance of buying it with a return policy that you can agree to

- Panny's policy about service after the warranty expires which, some have said, results in a lens that's disposable after three years.

After owning four copies, Panasonic told me it's a great lens and that I should keep trying to find a good copy. Which I did. Three times. I just didn't want to damage my body with the metal shavings issue. Perhaps my atandards for an $1800 lens are higher. But at least I get great images from my Oly 75-300, Panny 100,-300 and Sigma 150-600mm (and Metabones converter).

Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm
Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm

Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.
Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.

This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.
This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.

Happy shopping and shooting everyone! It's nice to see good images no matter what tools created them.

--
I believe in science, evolution and light. All opinions are my own. I'm not compensated for any of my posts. Can you honestly say that?
Click to expand...
(Corrects a typo, since you can't edit a post after its been replied to.)

--
I believe in science, evolution and light. All opinions are my own. I'm not compensated for any of my posts. Can you honestly say that?
 
Beautiful series Trevor - I especially like the rush of starlings and the feather detail on the nuthatch.

I may be in your backyard - just signed up for Rick Steves tour of England in June 2020 so will be pre-selecting the gear I will bring, mostly scenic, architecture and landscapes. This is a 'travel light' 14-day tour, 2-8 miles walking per day, carry your own and everything must fit in a carry on). My first time as a tourist in England, although I was a frequent traveler there for work. So my point is no PL100400, probably the single G85 body with 12-60, 45-175 and 20/1.7. I'll try a few day hikes here in the USA before leaving, not sure the 8-18 will make the trip.
 
It's only as good as the nut behind the wheel. It's just that you are a pretty good nut mate ;-)

All the best in the UK Trev, nice shots of course.

Danny.
 
HRC2016 said:
While some have produced some nice shots, there are a lot of complaints about this lens. It seems to have the worst quality control of any lens that I've encountered in my decades of still and video photography (based on my memory, and figuring we didn't have an internet to complain about lenses back in the 1980s.)

If you've got a lens that is consistent and doesn't require two hands to zoom, congratulations! I hope it gives you years of service and that it doesn't need repair after the warranty (which seems to mean you'll just get a refurbished model at a discount, according to some posts).

And if you go to sell it (once Oly's telezooms come out) that your copy will fetch top dollar. I'm sure there are people who tolerate a stiff zoom now and decide they will want to switch (to Oly), and may end up dumping heir lens without disclosing the stiff zoom or other issues.

I think it's important that anyone considering purchasing this lens be aware of:

- stiff zoom

- poor quality control/copy variation

- upcoming Olympus releases (which may result in future discounts and a decrease in the resale value of the used Panny.

- the importance of trying the copy before buying to assess whether you can accept any shortcomings on a lens at this price point

- the importance of buying it with a return policy that you can agree to

- Panny's policy about service after the warranty expires which, some have said, results in a lens that's disposable after three years.

After owning four copies, Panasonic told me it's a great lens and that I should keep trying to find a good copy. Which I did. Three times. I just didn't want to damage my body with the metal shavings issue. Perhaps my atandards for an $1800 lens are higher. But at least I get great images from my Oly 75-300, Panny 100,-300 and Sigma 150-600mm (and Metabones converter).

Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm
Killdeer with Sigma 150-600mm

Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.
Oly 75-300 or Panny 100-300.

This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.
This may be the first copy I had of the Panny 100-400. Can't see the EXIF on my phone.

Happy shopping and shooting everyone! It's nice to see good images no matter what tools created them.

--
I believe in science, evolution and light. All opinions are my own. I'm not compensated for any of my posts. Can you honestly say that?
Click to expand...
Whatever you are doing to be in the best, most positive mood I have ever seen in a post from you, please keep doing it! 🤓👍

--
Addicted To Glass
M43 equivalence: "Twice the fun with half the weight"
"You are a long time dead" -
Credit to whoever said that first and my wife for saying it to me... Make the best you can of every day!
 
Great captures. Always nice to read posts about people enjoying their gear 😃
 
Those are superb images mate, well done.

I was out shooting the moon hand held during the summer and got some decent shots with the 50-200 (that I have sold for the 100-400 now) I can`t wait for the planet Jupiter to come back so that I can shoot it with the 100-400 that I always use hand held. The IQ is on par 100-400 vs 50-200. anyway, when I put the images of the moon on the pc I noticed this bright star off to the right, brought it up and found that is was Jupiter and moons, it`s obviously with the 50-200 a very heavy crop and was hand held but can`t wait to shoot it again with the 100-400. I love the 100-400 and the zoom is super smooth.



Jupiter 50-200 Hand held
Jupiter 50-200 Hand held



--Dave
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope
AV`s https://www.youtube.com/user/OldTimerEbikes/videos?view_as=subscriber
Stills http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images
 
Wonderful photos! The combination looks good to me, but the fellow behind the "combo" definitely had a great deal to do with the finished product!
 
I think it's good to. I bought mine used in as new condition and it had the stiff zoom, now after use the zoom ring is a lot freer, try using it as a push pull Zoom moving the front of the lens forward and back rapidly a few times helps smooth out the zoom ring, the tight fit to the body is just the O ring. Tales of flaking metal shavings from the mount may be over the top.













--
Mike.
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure."
 

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It might be good. It might be bad. But there is no proof in your post, because you just posted scaled down shots. These could have been taken with any cheap lens on the market and you couldn't see the difference.
 
Superb work Trevor. I am jealous you have managed to get out so much and enjoy capturing our wonderful nature. My wonderful 100-400 has been resting for a month due to bloody awful weather in Devon!
 
Those are some nice photos. And I expected as much seeing that you were the one posting :-)

Photo number 3 is my favorite from this set.

As for the lens, I had a chance to use it for a few days and it's definitely an upgrade from the 100-300 II I own. However, I suspect you could use a coke bottle as a lens and still get nice photos :-)
 
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