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Ok, but with problems

Started Nov 23, 2017 | User reviews
secretworld Senior Member • Posts: 1,734
Ok, but with problems
3

Image quality is ok. Good up to 200mm and a little less beyond that. But this lens has 2 mechanical flaws. It is prone to shutter shock also at higher shutter speeds (even at 1/1000th) but this can be fixed by inserting a piece of carton into the barrel so it doesn't wobble any more. The other issue is that after some time (depending on use I guess) the autofocus starts to fail mechanicly. This can happen after one or 2 or 3 years but then focus gets stuck and won't work any more. Shaking the lens can reactivate it, but this gets harder after time until it fails 100%. This is a known issue and seems to be caused by a screw that bends over time and use. A screw that is not in stock any more I am told...

I hope the v2 has these issues fixed!

 secretworld's gear list:secretworld's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS +7 more
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 OIS
Telephoto zoom lens • Micro Four Thirds • H-FS100300
Announced: Sep 21, 2010
secretworld's score
2.5
Average community score
3.7
third son
third son Veteran Member • Posts: 3,422
Re: Ok, but with problems
1

Mine is terrific and works flawlessly

-- hide signature --

-Paul

 third son's gear list:third son's gear list
Nikon Z6 Nikon Z7 II Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 R Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F4G ED VR +20 more
OP secretworld Senior Member • Posts: 1,734
Re: Ok, but with problems
1

third son wrote:

Mine is terrific and works flawlessly

Great to hear! Hope it never fails on you. And really beautiful shot!

 secretworld's gear list:secretworld's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS +7 more
Vesku Senior Member • Posts: 2,964
Re: Ok, but with problems

secretworld wrote:

autofocus starts to fail mechanicly. This can happen after one or 2 or 3 years but then focus gets stuck and won't work any more. Shaking the lens can reactivate it, but this gets harder after time until it fails 100%.

Yes true. I have had 2 copies of that lens and both failed to autofocus after about 1 year of use. I got tired of shaking and hitting the lens so I bough the v2.

V2 is so much nicer lens that even with working v1 I would consider updating. V2 has quality feel in operation and smooth zooming. No wobbly barrel and it is water/dust resistant. It does not slow AFC shooting and it focuses better and is even more parfocal than v1. OIS is better too. I hope the AF lasts better than v1.

third son
third son Veteran Member • Posts: 3,422
Re: Ok, but with problems

Thanks! Even though I got a good copy I am selling it since i got the 100-400mm. I have to cull the gear

Here are some more shots if you care to look,

Panasonic 100-300mm

-- hide signature --

Paul

 third son's gear list:third son's gear list
Nikon Z6 Nikon Z7 II Fujifilm X-E4 Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 R Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F4G ED VR +20 more
OP secretworld Senior Member • Posts: 1,734
Re: Ok, but with problems

third son wrote:

Thanks! Even though I got a good copy I am selling it since i got the 100-400mm. I have to cull the gear

Here are some more shots if you care to look,

Panasonic 100-300mm

Really great Paul! If anyone reads this, have a look!

 secretworld's gear list:secretworld's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS +7 more
Mark9473 Veteran Member • Posts: 6,428
Re: Ok, but with problems

Great shots; I so need that lens!

-- hide signature --

Mark

 Mark9473's gear list:Mark9473's gear list
Canon G1 X II Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic G85 Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm 1:2.8-3.5 SWD +21 more
C Sean Veteran Member • Posts: 3,423
Re: Ok, but with problems

secretworld wrote:

Image quality is ok. Good up to 200mm and a little less beyond that. But this lens has 2 mechanical flaws. It is prone to shutter shock also at higher shutter speeds (even at 1/1000th) but this can be fixed by inserting a piece of carton into the barrel so it doesn't wobble any more. The other issue is that after some time (depending on use I guess) the autofocus starts to fail mechanicly. This can happen after one or 2 or 3 years but then focus gets stuck and won't work any more. Shaking the lens can reactivate it, but this gets harder after time until it fails 100%. This is a known issue and seems to be caused by a screw that bends over time and use. A screw that is not in stock any more I am told...

I hope the v2 has these issues fixed!

Thank you for the information.

I took the lens to the London Olympics back in 2012 and the lens appeared to perform well. In 2015 I took the lens to Botswana and it would constantly mis focus. It was a frustrating experience and I never used the lens again. I put it down to the fact I got better with cameras and my standards had increased.

pablolie Contributing Member • Posts: 686
Re: Ok, but with problems

There is no mechanical shutter to cause any shock in M43...

 pablolie's gear list:pablolie's gear list
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Olympus OM-D E-M5 OM-1 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH +9 more
epozar
epozar Senior Member • Posts: 1,969
Re: Ok, but with problems
7

pablolie wrote:

There is no mechanical shutter to cause any shock in M43...

All M43 cameras have a mechanical shutter..

-- hide signature --
 epozar's gear list:epozar's gear list
Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 OM-1 Olympus Zuiko Digital 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20 +10 more
grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Ok, but with problems
1

Not sure where you're getting this information. Perhaps you mean that there is no heavy mirror to cause shutter shock like there is in DSLR's?

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
BobKo Forum Member • Posts: 73
Re: Ok, but with problems
1

FWIW, I have version II of this lens (H-FSA100300) and it is pretty good. It starts to get a little soft zoomed all the way in, and it is heavy. Otherwise, it seems well built and it works well with my three Panasonic cameras (all of which have IBIS). I think it is a good bargain, since it consistently sells for around US$550 new. We only have one of this lens, and my wife and I always want it on our cameras when we do wildlife shooting. Here is a 10x slo-mo clip of an osprey catching a fish that I shot with the GH6 and the H-FSA100300 lens: https://www.facebook.com/566628427/videos/695549211533629/

 BobKo's gear list:BobKo's gear list
Panasonic ZS100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Panasonic GH5 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 +4 more
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