OM-1 + M.Zuiko 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 ---- Is My Lens Copy Soft?

tammons wrote:

Co172 wrote:

@tammons

I forgot to ask... so based on your comments, you agree that the sharpness is not great? Did you see any noticeable difference between the 2 photos or they were both the same to your eyes?

They are very close. I think the 2nd copy is slightly softer.

@tammons

Appreciate this back and forth!

These were all shot with e-shutter (it's all I use on the camera - love the fast readout).

For each focal length (100, 200, 300, 350, 400mm), I shot wide open, 1 stop and 2 stops down with 3 timed captures for each. I used both C-AF and S-AF modes for each of these configurations. Obviously, I only shared the 400mm, 1 stop down, S-AF pictures, but they are very representative of the others.

Regarding the sharpness, I think I agree that the 2nd copy is slightly less sharp (or has less contrast?), but probably not by enough to notice the difference in normal use.

@finnan haddie

Understood that there is always diffraction.  In my experience it wouldn't be easy to visually pick out until the aperture is even smaller. The review for the lens linked here didn't comment on visible diffraction until F16: https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/micro-four-thirds-lenses/olympus-100-400mm-vs-panasonic-100-400mm/#quality
That said, photographing stuffed animals is a bit different than a lens chart!  Your comment is appreciated.

Co172 wrote:

[...]

@finnan haddie

Understood that there is always diffraction. In my experience it wouldn't be easy to visually pick out until the aperture is even smaller. The review for the lens linked here didn't comment on visible diffraction until F16: https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/micro-four-thirds-lenses/olympus-100-400mm-vs-panasonic-100-400mm/#quality
That said, photographing stuffed animals is a bit different than a lens chart! Your comment is appreciated.

Diffraction doesn't "pop in" at some aperture or another, it just reduces maximum sharpness of a lens when stopping down past about f/8. Compare the MTF curves for different pixel densities. For more background information I recommend https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/03/overcoming-my-fentekaphobia/

Co172 wrote:

Schoonderwoerd wrote:

Alltough not having your gear I had similar experience with my Panasonic G9 + PL 100-400.

Looking at your info, for me at 400 mm (800 FF) a shutterspeed of 1/800 is to slow. My own movement, a branch that maybe moves a little by the wind etc. can already give some motion blur.

Try the combo with a higher shutterspeed and for test sake forget/ignore a higher iso/noise. For me this was a game changer.

Wonderful shots you've got there!

Oh, I do agree that higher shutter speed will net sharper images in the case of moving birds. That said, when I rattle off 50+ shot bursts of a perched bird at 1/800, I'd expect to get a few sharp ones in the lot, but I'm seeing none. And I have a slew of tripod shots of stationary objects that look soft as well. Just not sure where my expectations should be tempered. Your shots here leave me wanting more!

When a wren is singing it vibrates continuously and so you may just need a higher shutterspeed.