OM.S (Olympus) Telephoto lens question for birding

Image degredation is a given with tele converters, the higher the magnification, the greater the degradation. That's why many owners of the 1.4x MC-14 have been unhappy with the MC-20.

Some comparisons you can read online:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4568415

https://www.43rumors.com/olympus-100-400mm-is-vs-40-150mm-pro-which-one-red35-review/

https://www.markuswaeger.com/2020/09/12/olympus-m-zuiko-100-400mm-vs-m-zuiko-40-150mmmc-20/ (in German, use Google Translate)

ikolbyi wrote:

I presently own the OM.S. (Olympus) 40-150 F2.8 Pro with 2x TeleC MC-20 .... 300mm f5.6 effective view. My images at the long end are softer than I would prefer unless I am shooting at ISO 400 and below. I only have this issue with this lens combination.

Has anyone else experienced imaged softness with this combination?

Out of curiosity, does anyone have on-hands experience using that combination against this native lens for comparison?: OM.S 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS

I'm curious if the $1,400 cost would be justified over my existing setup? One benefit I do see is the extra 100mm reach (200mm FF equiv reach). But how is image quality?

The 2x TC does degrade IQ somewhat depending on the quality of your lens and 2x TC you have.

IE, at one time I thought I had an iffy lens/2x combo and so I sent my lens to Oly to have it checked out and it was fine.

Then I tested my current 2x against a 2nd new 2x from B+H and the one from B+H was worse by far.

Also you might want to try E shutter with the 2x TC.

All that said, it's best to stick with the 1.4x TC unless you absolutely need the additional FL.

A good combo is the 40-150 F2.8 + 1.4x TC, and the 300mm F4 + 1.4x TC if you need it.

That works out to 40-300mm F2.8, 56-420mm F4 equiv, 600mm F4 equiv, 840mm F5.6 equiv. The 1.4x TC doesn't really degrade the IQ at all.

I have not used the 100-400mm lens, but from what I ahve read, IQ suffers at the long end. And it cannot dual sync IS where the 300mm F4 can. The 300mm dual sync IS is good enough to hand hold with the 2x which is pretty amazing, but you have to use E shutter, else you will get 1-25+- keepers.

ikolbyi wrote:

tammons wrote:

ikolbyi wrote:

I presently own the OM.S. (Olympus) 40-150 F2.8 Pro with 2x TeleC MC-20 .... 300mm f5.6 effective view. My images at the long end are softer than I would prefer unless I am shooting at ISO 400 and below. I only have this issue with this lens combination.

Has anyone else experienced imaged softness with this combination?

Out of curiosity, does anyone have on-hands experience using that combination against this native lens for comparison?: OM.S 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS

I'm curious if the $1,400 cost would be justified over my existing setup? One benefit I do see is the extra 100mm reach (200mm FF equiv reach). But how is image quality?

The 2x TC does degrade IQ somewhat depending on the quality of your lens and 2x TC you have.

IE, at one time I thought I had an iffy lens/2x combo and so I sent my lens to Oly to have it checked out and it was fine.

Then I tested my current 2x against a 2nd new 2x from B+H and the one from B+H was worse by far.

Also you might want to try E shutter with the 2x TC.

All that said, it's best to stick with the 1.4x TC unless you absolutely need the additional FL.

A good combo is the 40-150 F2.8 + 1.4x TC, and the 300mm F4 + 1.4x TC if you need it.

That works out to 40-300mm F2.8, 56-420mm F4 equiv, 600mm F4 equiv, 840mm F5.6 equiv. The 1.4x TC doesn't really degrade the IQ at all.

I have not used the 100-400mm lens, but from what I ahve read, IQ suffers at the long end. And it cannot dual sync IS where the 300mm F4 can. The 300mm dual sync IS is good enough to hand hold with the 2x which is pretty amazing, but you have to use E shutter, else you will get 1-25+- keepers.

Based on your and motormatic feedback, it looks like I should be considering the 300mm f4 pro lens as spending $1,400 would not yield the results I'm looking for other than an additional 100mm reach.

It depends on what IQ you want.

ikolbyi wrote:

Based on your and motormatic feedback, it looks like I should be considering the 300mm f4 pro lens as spending $1,400 would not yield the results I'm looking for other than an additional 100mm reach.

My 40-150 is pretty soft with the MC14, acceptable with the MC20 but not spectacular. The 300/4 is in another league and clinically sharp. It also pairs very well with both MCs and your MC20 gives a whopping 600mm if you really need the reach. Dual-IS is also very welcome.

IMO you can't go wrong with the 300 Pro.

Good luck!

Rick

Skeeterbytes wrote:

ikolbyi wrote:

Based on your and motormatic feedback, it looks like I should be considering the 300mm f4 pro lens as spending $1,400 would not yield the results I'm looking for other than an additional 100mm reach.

My 40-150 is pretty soft with the MC14, acceptable with the MC20 but not spectacular. The 300/4 is in another league and clinically sharp. It also pairs very well with both MCs and your MC20 gives a whopping 600mm if you really need the reach. Dual-IS is also very welcome.

IMO you can't go wrong with the 300 Pro.

Good luck!

Rick

I am beginning to think there is much more sample variation with Oly lenses than I originally thought. I know there is with the 2x TC because I have seen it. I was considering buying a second 1.4x, so if I do we will see. As far as the Oly 40-150mm F2.8, mine is very sharp with the 1.4x. I can really tell no difference with or without it.

imaloff wrote:

I have found that if I step down to f7.1 I get very good results with my Em1 mark3.

Agree. With either MC stopping down is important. Here's the Lentip center resolution graph for the MC14 on the 40-150.

Lenstip.com

Cheers,

Rick

Skeeterbytes wrote:

ikolbyi wrote:

Based on your and motormatic feedback, it looks like I should be considering the 300mm f4 pro lens as spending $1,400 would not yield the results I'm looking for other than an additional 100mm reach.

My 40-150 is pretty soft with the MC14, acceptable with the MC20 but not spectacular. The 300/4 is in another league and clinically sharp. It also pairs very well with both MCs and your MC20 gives a whopping 600mm if you really need the reach. Dual-IS is also very welcome.

IMO you can't go wrong with the 300 Pro.

Good luck!

Rick

FYI - Here is what my 40-150mm F2.8 looks like with the 1.4x - lens set at 150mm Wide open.

With the 2x WO...

300mm F4 WO...

I have the 40-150 F2.8, tc's and the Oly 100-400mm lens...

IQ-wise the 40-150mm is the best, then, about the same, the 40-150 +1.4 and the 100-400, and the 40-150 x2 the last - not that bad, but the 100-400 is better.

F5.6 and F6.3 ... 1/3 stops difference, about nothing. With T-stops... who knows.

100-400mm @400mm, handheld shots at 1/60sec usually fine, if the bird is cooperative, sometimes even with longer shutter speeds. With tripod in use it seems wise to set the lens IS off... I have got some blurred shots when leaving it on. Handheld ones are sharper.

Also, I have not noticed any significant drop in sharpness in any focal length of that lens. But I do not usually shoot brick walls...

F6.3 can make life hard in dark forests and wintertime here, so the 40-150mm is a good way to go - if the length is enough. So don't sell that lens.

Ps. I have not tried the 100-400 with the TC's. The 400mm has been long enough for me.

Have a nice day!

Jouko
'The best camera in the world is the one you have with you when you need it'
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