New Birding Lens Feels Great

Just got my Panasonic 100-300 Mk II, tested it with my EM-1 Mk II in a local park. The OIS is so useful on this lens and the results are great.

hmmmmm........what is this guy up to

Day 285 undercover, these stupid flamingos still hasn't notice me yet

Po Sen Tsui wrote:

Just got my Panasonic 100-300 Mk II, tested it with my EM-1 Mk II in a local park. The OIS is so useful on this lens and the results are great.

hmmmmm........what is this guy up to

Day 285 undercover, these stupid flamingos still hasn't notice me yet

I was already "sold" on this lens, but you've sold me even more. Thank you

Great pictures with great equipment.

I think this and the Oly 75-300 are the best birdinh lenses out there. Longer focal length can help but if you've got the skills you don't need to carry more gear!

I actually owned a 75-300 II before, optically it is a good lens and quite sharp. However, my problem with it is that with 600mm FF focal length but no lens stabilization, it is hard to use (I was using an EM10 Mk II body back then, the IBIS is good but 600mm is just too much for it). So I did end up selling it. The Panasonic 100-300 II on the other hand solve this problem with OIS and it is a little bit faster too, the only down side is I can't use the ProCapture mode with it because it is not an Oly lens.

The PanaLeica 100-400 is suppose to be much better than these two, however, it is much more expensive and I don't want to hike with that thing (1kg). So yeah, I agree with you that the Oly 75-300 and Panasonic 100-300 are actually great birding lens given their relatively low price, light weight and high quality.

Po Sen Tsui wrote:

I actually owned a 75-300 II before, optically it is a good lens and quite sharp. However, my problem with it is that with 600mm FF focal length but no lens stabilization, it is hard to use (I was using an EM10 Mk II body back then, the IBIS is good but 600mm is just too much for it). So I did end up selling it. The Panasonic 100-300 II on the other hand solve this problem with OIS and it is a little bit faster too, the only down side is I can't use the ProCapture mode with it because it is not an Oly lens.

The PanaLeica 100-400 is suppose to be much better than these two, however, it is much more expensive and I don't want to hike with that thing (1kg). So yeah, I agree with you that the Oly 75-300 and Panasonic 100-300 are actually great birding lens given their relatively low price, light weight and high quality.

Pro Capture High on the Em1mkii (with the latest 2.3 firmware) works with the Pana Leica 50-200mm. I am currently testing this combo.  In theory the Em1mkii should work with the 100-300. BTW, only ProCapture H works the Pana lens, not PC-L.  I am not sure which Olympus body you are referring to in your statement.  HTH

I did hike with the PL100-400. It's OK. I wouldn't want to hike with the Olympus 300mm F/4 though, too large and a bit too heavy for that.

Oh, thanks for the info, maybe I should try to use the ProCapture Mode with P 100300 II to see if it works. I was referring to the EM1 Mk II body. Thanks!

katastrofa wrote:

I did hike with the PL100-400. It's OK. I wouldn't want to hike with the Olympus 300mm F/4 though, too large and a bit too heavy for that.

It is actually quite light compare to FF 800mm lens, but maybe I am just lazy LOL 

PL100-400 is compact enough that I don't have to worry about hitting it against a tree or a rock. Bigger lenses, bigger problems.