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Olympus 100-400 on a Panasonic body - any issues?

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nex7user

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I am thinking of getting a 100-400mm. But I am unsure which one to get. I saw one article that suggests that the Olympus is sharper. I only have Panasonic bodies. So I wonder if there are issues with using Olympus lenses on Panasonic bodies?

I have been reading the posts on here and saw that there are some issues when the Pannasonic 100-400 is used on a Olympus body. I wonder if similar problems may arise if it is the other way round.
 
nex7user said:
I am thinking of getting a 100-400mm. But I am unsure which one to get. I saw one article that suggests that the Olympus is sharper. I only have Panasonic bodies. So I wonder if there are issues with using Olympus lenses on Panasonic bodies?

I have been reading the posts on here and saw that there are some issues when the Pannasonic 100-400 is used on a Olympus body. I wonder if similar problems may arise if it is the other way round.
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With the leica 100-400 you will get dual IS , this is not possible with the Olympus lens on Pana bodies...
 
Thanks a lot. Guess I should stick to Panny or buy a Olly body!
 
nex7user said:
Thanks a lot. Guess I should stick to Panny or buy a Olly body!
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That was the conclusion I came to so I recently bought a G9 with a PL 100-400. I'm very pleased so far but I'm no expert - just a beginner with this sort of thing. Sharpness seems excellent to me, both test shots indoors on a tripod and hand held outside.
 
I meant to add, the PL is also lighter, cheaper and brighter.
 
Midlander said:
I meant to add, the PL is also lighter, cheaper and brighter.
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Thank you for your replies. You have helped me to decide on the PL. I have been struggling with this decision for a while it's good to see the end of the tunnel!
 
nex7user said:
Midlander said:
I meant to add, the PL is also lighter, cheaper and brighter.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your replies. You have helped me to decide on the PL. I have been struggling with this decision for a while it's good to see the end of the tunnel!
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I think there is really no difference in sharpness, but Olympus rendering is nicer in areas that are slightly out of focus. Panasonic has the benefits Midlander mentioned. Olympus may be better for Olympus bodies, and Olympus users tend to hype Olympus products, but I am happy that I got the Panasonic for my Panasonic bodies the last year.
 
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nex7user said:
Midlander said:
I meant to add, the PL is also lighter, cheaper and brighter.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
nex7user said:
Thank you for your replies. You have helped me to decide on the PL.
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The only downside of the PL 100-400 is that is slightly fragile, and for some reason cannot be repaired (either free replacement under warranty, or $1200 otherwise). Therefore, I would strongly recommend an extended warranty on this lens.

Also, The PL won't accept teleconverters (while the Oly takes 1.4x and 2.0x).
 
cc99 said:
nex7user said:
Midlander said:
I meant to add, the PL is also lighter, cheaper and brighter.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your replies. You have helped me to decide on the PL.
Click to expand...
The only downside of the PL 100-400 is that is slightly fragile, and for some reason cannot be repaired (either free replacement under warranty, or $1200 otherwise). Therefore, I would strongly recommend an extended warranty on this lens.

Also, The PL won't accept teleconverters (while the Oly takes 1.4x and 2.0x).
Click to expand...
It's an urban myth that it can't be repaired.
 
I have both now. I find the differences in sharpness and autodocus to be marginal (that's right, they both stink at CF on the G9). You do lose about 1 or 2 stops of IS

The zoom mechanism on the Oly is hugely better as is the more conventional tripod collar.. The weight of the Oly feels substantially more.

Overall I prefer the Oly but I'm not going to argue against the PL of it feels right for you
 
The PL100-400 is tack sharp on my Oly Em1-mk2, Panasonic G1 and very good on GX7.

But it does not produce sharp images on my Panasonic GX8 which has Dual IS. In fact sharper on GX8 when Stabilisation is off (if you can hold it steady).
 
Nobody seems to have mentioned that, as well as losing Dual IS, you also lose DfD so AF-C performance will be poor.
 
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