Help to choose set upgrade for long range sport shooting

Help me to decide:

Choice 1 ) Keep OM-D EM-1 and get PL100-400

Choice 2 ) Get coming OM-D EM-1 mkii and get Oly 75-300 ii

Currently use EM-1 with old 75-300 for sport shootings under the bright sun (surfing, kitesurfing) when extra reach is needed (for close range nothing can be better than 40-150 2.8)

Welcome all comments !

Chris R-UK wrote:

I don't agree.  the lens is much more important than the body. I'm sure the new EM1 will be a great camera but your pictures won't improve significantly with it,  Choosing the lens however has a significant impact.

I'd say choice #1.

I shoot surfing and kiting with the EM1 and the 75-300 ii, among other lenses.

I find it "OK", but not epic. I will certainly be upgrading to the EM1mkii if it is as rumored, but I mostly care about the features for the shorter lens lengths. I'd be happy to keep the EM1 as-is for long lens.

But I would certainly like to upgrade that lens. I think the 100-400 is probably a better choice for your sports shooting than the 300 f/4, since you'll likely find the zoom range pretty handy for beachbreak surf shooting where the peaks can shift, and for kiting where people are moving around a lot near and far.
...and it's cheaper than the 300.

although I'd like to see a sports shooting focus speed comparison between the two.

What about also getting the 1.4 teleconverter for your 40-150? that gives you 210mm, which depending where you shoot, might be good enough. And it would save you some $$ to buy the EM1mkII anyways.

While we're at it... have you found any good surf waterhousings for the EM1? I'm currently using the Meikon, which is great for kiting, but I want something burlier built with a pistol trigger for wide angle surf shooting.

I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious what you did, if anything. The Olympus 75-300 ii is on sale for $399 in the US and I'm considering it. I have an OMD EM1 mki. Currently have a 14-150 Tamron that is very nice (in my opinion), but am tempted by the additional zoom. It would be for kids sports and nature. I'm strictly a hobbiest.

Thanks!

comfortstarr wrote:

I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious what you did, if anything. The Olympus 75-300 ii is on sale for $399 in the US and I'm considering it. I have an OMD EM1 mki. Currently have a 14-150 Tamron that is very nice (in my opinion), but am tempted by the additional zoom. It would be for kids sports and nature. I'm strictly a hobbiest.

Thanks!

Hi comfortstarr,

For a hobbiest, the 75-300ii is probably all you need. While I've contemplated the 100-400 or 300 f/4 upgrades, so far I'm sticking to my 75-300ii with Pen-F. Most of the photos in my "Birds", "Mammals", and "Moon and Stars" collections were taken with this lens. (See links below -- Facebook album links)

https://www.facebook.com/pg/framedinspirationsphotography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=382693088732167

https://www.facebook.com/pg/framedinspirationsphotography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=184317191903092

https://www.facebook.com/pg/framedinspirationsphotography/photos/?tab=album&album_id=185161128485365

Honestly, I'd say go for the 75-300ii, and if you later decide you want to dramatically increase your budget, it's not a big loss.

Good luck!