Has anyone been on an African Safari with the PL 100-400?

[Chizuka]

Hello, I am going on a safari and planned to take the Panasonic G9 with the PL 100-400.

I am worried about it because I am afraid of being disappointed with the quality of my pics.

when I am not travelling, I mostly use a Canon 7D mk2 with the Canon 100-400 mk2 lens.Last week I took the G9 with the PL 100-400 instead to a place I had gone to many tines and there was definitely a difference in IQ. I donot want to take the Canon on my trip because of weight but I need reassurance from people who have gone on a safari with that lens.

p.s. Please don’t tell me to buy another lens. I have no money left!!!

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Plenty of folks here have, with good results. I should think that other than very dim light you will be just fine with the combination in lieu of your previous kit, especially when you add the benefits of twice the reach/magnification (16x!).

Get lots of practice and prepare to enjoy your trip. I'm sure folks will be along to post samples.

Cheers,

Rick

--
Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
You can be too; ask about our 12-step program.

 

[Danielvr]

Last week I took the G9 with the PL 100-400 instead to a place I had gone to many tines and there was definitely a difference in IQ.

If you post samples or explain the cause of your disappointment in more detail, fellow users of the 100-400mm will probably have useful suggestions for you.

 

[C Sean]

I personally think you been spoilt by the exceptional Canon 100-400mm mkII. I had seen images taken by the Canon 100-400 on unknown bodies and they trump the Panasonic 100-400 when it comes to sharpness and details.

Please post some images from both combos and we will see if there's any problems with your Panasonic gear.

 

[Bryan]

I personally think you been spoilt by the exceptional Canon 100-400mm mkII. I had seen images taken by the Canon 100-400 on unknown bodies and they trump the Panasonic 100-400 when it comes to sharpness and details.

Please post some images from both combos and we will see if there's any problems with your Panasonic gear.

Agreed, even fine focussing adjustment with Focal my Canon 7D MkII and 100-400mm II were poor in comparison with the G9 and 100-400 Leica. If I had a choice I wouldn't hesitate and take the Panasonic kit. I would also add a GX8 which would fit my pocket as backup in case I dropped the G9.

 

[Chizuka]

Last week I took the G9 with the PL 100-400 instead to a place I had gone to many tines and there was definitely a difference in IQ.

If you post samples or explain the cause of your disappointment in more detail, fellow users of the 100-400mm will probably have useful suggestions for you.

I might post some of my pics as I have in the past, but right now, this thread for me is about seeing what others have done.

 

[Chizuka]

I personally think you been spoilt by the exceptional Canon 100-400mm mkII. I had seen images taken by the Canon 100-400 on unknown bodies and they trump the Panasonic 100-400 when it comes to sharpness and details.

Please post some images from both combos and we will see if there's any problems with your Panasonic gear.

Yes I do know that I have been spoiled with that lens!! As for posting some of my pics, please see my reply above to other person.

 

[timmer350]

The G9 100-400 combo is fanstastic - super fast, great sharpness, etc. You should have a great time with the combo. I love mine.

Tim

 

[Danielvr]

I might post some of my pics as I have in the past, but right now, this thread for me is about seeing what others have done.

Not sure how many users of that combo we have here who took it on a safari.. But here are some G9 + 100-400mm wildlife/bird shots that I found on Flickr and that may be helpful. They're probably easiest to view if you right-click on the links and pick 'open in new tab':

Chaffinch

White/yellow scavenger bird

Lion

Squirrel

Baboon

Horses

Goldfinch

 

[danieljcox]

I've had great luck with the 100-400mm with a variety of Lumix camera bodies. In my last years of using Nikon I was shooting mainly their 80-400mm on my Africa trips. I'm not at all convinced that the Canon 100-400mm or Nikon 80-400mm is any sharper than the Leica 100-400mm. I'm now shooting the G9 with it when not using the new Leica 200mm F/2.8 and 1.4X teleconverter. The flexibility of the 100-400mm is hard to beat. Below are some samples from the 100-400mm Leica from many different trip to Africa.


Lilac-breasted roller, Kenya


Leopard running for cover. South Africa


African Fish Eagle, South Africa


African lion, an older male with lots of scars. South Africa.


Leopard resting in a tree. South Africa.

--
Daniel J. Cox
www.naturalexposures.com
Lumix Ambassador

Lumix Ambassador Disclaimer

In the spirit of complete transparency, I want all my readers to know that I am a Lumix Ambassador . That means I get paid a small stipend for writing about a system I absolutely love. That said, I want you all to know there is no amount of money more important than my integrity. Much to the chagrin of some of my Lumix colleagues, I often point out the bad with the good regarding Lumix technology and camera gear. My belief is honesty and truthfulness will not just help others, but it also helps a company I truly admire and enjoy working with.

 

[Chizuka]

I might post some of my pics as I have in the past, but right now, this thread for me is about seeing what others have done.

Not sure how many users of that combo we have here who took it on a safari..

It’s nit important I think that it be that combo. Even if it was the Oly Em1mk2, that would be fine. It is the lens performance I think that matters here. Thanks for the links. I will look at them.

But here are some G9 + 100-400mm wildlife/bird shots that I found on Flickr and that may be helpful. They're probably easiest to view if you right-click on the links and pick 'open in new tab':

Chaffinch

White/yellow scavenger bird

Lion

Squirrel

Baboon

Horses

Goldfinch

 

[Chizuka]

I've had great luck with the 100-400mm with a variety of Lumix camera bodies. In my last years of using Nikon I was shooting mainly their 80-400mm on my Africa trips. I'm not at all convinced that the Canon 100-400mm or Nikon 80-400mm is any sharper than the Leica 100-400mm. I'm now shooting the G9 with it when not using the new Leica 200mm F/2.8 and 1.4X teleconverter. The flexibility of the 100-400mm is hard to beat. Below are some samples from the 100-400mm Leica from many different trip to Africa.


Lilac-breasted roller, Kenya


Leopard running for cover. South Africa


African Fish Eagle, South Africa


African lion, an older male with lots of scars. South Africa.


Leopard resting in a tree. South Africa.

Thank you Daniel for replying to this thread and showing great examples of that lens used in a safari. You are sir one of the main reasons I bought the G9 instead of the Oly Em1 mk2 (I read your blogs on your website).

--
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.” -
Robert Bresson.

500px

500px.com

Lucie

Explore Lucie’s 855 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Danielvr]

It’s nit important I think that it be that combo. Even if it was the Oly Em1mk2, that would be fine. It is the lens performance I think that matters here.

In that case there are many more images you can browse through on Flickr.. here's more than a thousand that have been tagged with "LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3":

Loading…

www.flickr.com

 

[elmanhansen]

It is my main lens on safari tours. Mine has untill now been 2 weeks in Botswana and 3 weeks in Namibia. Both trips on a GX8. Now I also have a G9 and the PL 100 - 400 works fine with that camera.

I nearly always use the lens handhold. However I do bring a bean bag and a table tripod in case I need it.

You will get good pictures with that combo.

 

[Chizuka]

It is my main lens on safari tours. Mine has untill now been 2 weeks in Botswana and 3 weeks in Namibia. Both trips on a GX8. Now I also have a G9 and the PL 100 - 400 works fine with that camera.

I nearly always use the lens handhold. However I do bring a bean bag and a table tripod in case I need it.

You will get good pictures with that combo.

Thank you for your reply. Could you send me a link to some of your safari pictures if you have some posted on a site? (You could send me a link as a private message if you prefer.)

 

[JRobins]

I've had the e-M1 II with the pl 100-400 for almost 2 years, and my photos have improved greatly over that time period. (I'm an aged person, or aged p, as Dickens would say, which might account for the length of time). Switched from Canon 7d ii and 100-400. It takes time to practice and learn new secrets (both in shooting and pp), but it pays off big time. I'm extremely happy with my results now even in comparison with older ones taken in Africa.

Time and practice. You have to let go of some older habits. I guess the question is--have you had enough time with your new rig.

 

[Adgadg]

I've used the 100-400 for a couple of days on safari. It's pretty good, I didn't find a need for a tripod or bean bag, as the stabilization is quite good. Available light will determine picture quality.

Last year my 100-400 had a small defect, Panasonic could not fix it so I switched to the 300mmf f4. Still I think you will be able to get great pics with the Leica. Just try to get used to it, it's good to have a bit of experience before a trip like this.

 

[Chizuka]

I've had the e-M1 II with the pl 100-400 for almost 2 years, and my photos have improved greatly over that time period. (I'm an aged person, or aged p, as Dickens would say, which might account for the length of time). Switched from Canon 7d ii and 100-400. It takes time to practice and learn new secrets (both in shooting and pp), but it pays off big time. I'm extremely happy with my results now even in comparison with older ones taken in Africa.

Time and practice. You have to let go of some older habits. I guess the question is--have you had enough time with your new rig.

Thanks for your reply J. I have had the G9 since January but I don’t use it a lot when I am not travelling (because I have of the Canon 7D + Canon 100-400).

I do have some excellent pics taken with the G9 + PL 100-400, but often those have been taken in excellent conditions. That is why I specifically ask about people who have used that lens on a Safari, to see how it performs in those conditions.

I will make it a point to use it more to get more practice before I go.

 

[davidedric]

Hello, I am going on a safari and planned to take the Panasonic G9 with the PL 100-400.

I am worried about it because I am afraid of being disappointed with the quality of my pics.

when I am not travelling, I mostly use a Canon 7D mk2 with the Canon 100-400 mk2 lens.Last week I took the G9 with the PL 100-400 instead to a place I had gone to many tines and there was definitely a difference in IQ. I donot want to take the Canon on my trip because of weight but I need reassurance from people who have gone on a safari with that lens.

p.s. Please don’t tell me to buy another lens. I have no money left!!!

The difficulty in replying comes from not knowing how easily you are disappointed!

However, on my last safari (2017) I went with the "lesser" G80 and 100-300 and was perfectly happy with the results (and I've taken many safaris).

I don't know where or when you are traveling, but if it's in the dry season, which is when most of us go, there is likely to be a fair amount of dust around. That in itself can reduce the apparent quality of an image - but do a great job of conveying the feel of the experience.

Dave

 

[Chizuka]

Hello, I am going on a safari and planned to take the Panasonic G9 with the PL 100-400.

I am worried about it because I am afraid of being disappointed with the quality of my pics.

when I am not travelling, I mostly use a Canon 7D mk2 with the Canon 100-400 mk2 lens.Last week I took the G9 with the PL 100-400 instead to a place I had gone to many tines and there was definitely a difference in IQ. I donot want to take the Canon on my trip because of weight but I need reassurance from people who have gone on a safari with that lens.

p.s. Please don’t tell me to buy another lens. I have no money left!!!

The difficulty in replying comes from not knowing how easily you are disappointed!

You are right David about not knowing how easiliy I might be disappointed. I am looking at some pics of birds I took this weekend and some are superbly sharp (ISO 200, 264mm distance), but when I have to go up to ISO 1600 because of the availability of light, there is more lost of details I think than on the Canon 100-400, and I suspect that the light might not be ideal some of the time that I will be there. But the bottom line is that that is the equipment I will take, because the Canon is way too heavy for me to take to hold for a long time AND because of weight restrictions on internal flights.

However, on my last safari (2017) I went with the "lesser" G80 and 100-300 and was perfectly happy with the results (and I've taken many safaris).

Would you mind sending me a link to some of your pics so I can see the exif data, etc.? You can send it privately if you want. Thanks a lot for your reply.

I don't know where or when you are traveling, but if it's in the dry season, which is when most of us go, there is likely to be a fair amount of dust around. That in itself can reduce the apparent quality of an image - but do a great job of conveying the feel of the experience.

Dave