Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens
UPC's:
MPN's:
Third time was the charm
I bought this lens when it first came out. It was loose on the mount of my OM-D E-M1 (rotating about 2mm), wouldn't focus using the focus limiter, and the zoom was really stiff. I returned it because it wasn't usable. 6 months later a rented one and it was about the same except a firmware update fixed the focus issue. But I really liked the range , so I decided to try again. This latest copy is great: the mounting is rock solid, focusing is qui... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The Best Super Tele for your Micro 4/3 Hands Down
Im a Semi-Pro for more than 40 years (I chose not to earn a living from Photography). Ive shot with lots of telephotos over the years and never had a Super Tele as sharp as this lens.Without a doubt for the money this is the best lens for your Micro 4/3 System. The build is Pro all the way. The Glass is Pure Leica Standards. Let me address the negative comments Ive read. 1) The so called Stiffness in the zooming, I dont understand this, there is ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
After 4 months Still The Best
I have been using this lens for 4 months now, and it is terrific. Zoom is smooth (just be sure to unlock it) and images are beautiful. Image stabilization works perfectly. Sample images are both f/8, 400mm
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good build and image quality, sticky zoom
I use this with my GH5 to primarily shoot surfing footage and occasionally photos. The lens build feels good and sturdy and the tripod foot works well. Footage is sharp and focusing is good. Biggest complaint which I have read in other reviews as well is the zoom action is very stiff and sticky. It doesn't affect me too much since I don't typically zoom while shooting but rather set focal length before I hit record. It does however feel awkward t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
good but not ideal
I appreciate this lens because it's portable and gives a very tight field of view. It's perfect for hikes and the such. The stabilization locks down the shake nicely. Build quality is good but not as good as the oly pro lenses. The minimum focus distance is very useful as well, you can make semi-macro photos, and the bokeh is actually much better than the nervous bokeh on the oly 300mm pro and 40-150mm pro. The cons: the mechanics are not as good... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Surprisingly good for the FL range, size & weight
This is a really amazing lens, covering the full-frame equivalent of 200-800mm in a package that's smaller & lighter than a FF 70-200mm f2.8. Focus acquisition with my Olympus E-M10 mk II is very quick, even @ 400mm, and I would expect even better results on a Panasonic body that has their depth from defocus system. IQ is really good over 100-300mm, but I'm not sure that more detail is recorded @ 400mm compared to cropping an image taken @ 300mm.... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Lens
Have only experimented with this lens, but so far the results are terrific. Have only used it hand held, using both in camera and lens based stabilization. So far, in-camera seems a bit better, particularly at 300-400, but that may have been a function of the lighting conditions. Lens feels great and though it is big it is not particularly heavy. The zoom function is a bit stiff, but not as bad as have been reported in other reviews. Since I use it on an Olympus, I miss the lens based button functions, but other than that, the lens certainly looks like a winner.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding lens
High quality construction and very compact and light for such long reach. Excellent imagery.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Yes, from what I know so far.
I've wanted a good zoom telly for my Panasonic GH cameras, so when the 8/21/17 eclipse came round, I took the plunge. At 800 mm, I got good detail, even though the sun (without corona) still occupies only 8% of a GH5's frame. But I bought it for much more than the eclipse. I can't claim to have a lot of experience with it, but I have confidence and high hopes. It is solid and compact. With the GH5, viewfinder and liveview are bright and beautiful... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding
This lens is outstanding. It is heavier than the 100-300, but still light enough to hold. The zoom ring has a locking mechanism, and when unlocked provides a smooth transition. On a G85 auto focus was quick. The images are crisp, full of color, and very beautiful. The double image stabilization on a G85 (or I presume a GH5) works really well. Check out the galleries of images from this lens on Flickr.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
More than pleased!
I have only received my lens a few days ago and my first test was with a friendly chipmunk. At 800mm the lens snapped into focus exactly on the little guys eyes at F8 @ 1/1000 of a second. I had the lens mounted on a light weight monopod while I was sitting on a rock. The only problem I have is that invariably I change the Full, AF & MF and the Power O.I.S. settings accidentally while mounting or removing the lens.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Happy with it
I have only used this lens for about a week but so far I am very happy with it. I have previously been using the Panasonic 100-300 lens. The image quality and the focus speed is much better than that of the 100-300. I have a renewed interest in bird photography after trying out this lens.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fabulous for wildlife video
I'm using this lens with a Panasonic Lumix GH4, mostly shooting video of birds, often smallish birds in brushy/woodsy habitats. Out of the box, I was rather disappointed with the lens because the auto-focus (AF) in video mode was much slower than I had hoped it would be. It is, in fact, so sluggish, that I seldom use AF. For example, a bird the size of a gull flying by at 20 yards is not going to get into focus in time to make a good video image,... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Unbelievable lens!!!!!!
A friend of mine has this lens and kept bragging about it and sending pictures and saying I needed this lens! After reading the reviews and seeing pictures I had to agree and OMG ... what a thrill to use this lens with my Olympus OMD EM-1, Mark II!!! Getting pictures like I've never gotten before and my friends are in awe when they see the pictures and close-upsI send them! Love the lens ... so easy to use and compared to the Nikon D-7200 and Tam... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Stiff zoom is lens weight
This is a great lens considering the design challenges. It works beautifully with very good sharpness and focusing on an Olympus EM-1. Several reviewers have referred to an overly stiff zoom and a tendency to rotate on the camera body when zooming. A Fix: When zooming, the Panny appears to be shifting several heavy lenses. Pointing the lens downwards when zooming in the 100 to 400 direction and upwards when zooming 400 to 100 helps to reduce zoom stiffness and lens rotation on body. (Of course the lens zoom lock is off).
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
If used with EM1 Mark II get the OLY firmware update
This lens has several issues with the EM1 Mark II. 1. With the focus limiter on, CAF did not work. 2. Procapture mode is a blanked out feature. Olympus has a firmware update that corrects the first issue, but the Procature mode is still not available (I'm not sure Procapture is widely used). OS was also improved. Yes, the firmware update works through the camera like all updates.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Doesn't Focus
Hard to give it even one star when it doesn't focus. I first updated it's firmware from 1.0 to 1.2, then tried it with my new Lumix GH5, my older lenses work fine with the G5. I was excited to use this lens, but, I'm returning it, not sure if I'll try buying it again or not.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
No regrets and would recommend it.
I weighed up the pros and cons of this lens versus the Olympus Zuiko 300mm f/4, fixed lens for my OMD EM5ii. I decided on this one for the versatility of the zoom plus the cost factor. So far, I am delighted. Some reviewer's commented on the stiffness of the zoom, but my lens has been firm but not stiff. The weight has not been an issue and it's been perfectly comfortable to carry around for a good birding trip. I haven't used it on a tripod or m... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I love this lens
Yes, the issues you read about are true. The zoom ring is stiff. But the most important point is that I no longer care about what anyone else says about this lens. I love it. I love the ease and speed in focusing either automatically or manually. I love the reach for things like bird photography. I love being able to use it all day without tiring despite my age. I love the image stabilization. But most of all, I love the look of the files it generates. This lens is the reason I had the confidence to give my full-frame equipment to my children and move to m4/3rd format.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great lens
Takes a bit of getting used to compared with the 75-300 which I could manually focus with my little finger! But the extra reach is amazing. Fast autofocus although sometimes it has trouble focussing on a post/fence which surprises me. I'm guessing it's my inexperience and things will improve with time!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Expensive, but recommended.
My copy of this lens was as advertised; sharp up to 300mm, and very good up to 400. Focusing is fast, zooming is smooth, but heavy. Build quality is top notch.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good, fast lens for wildlife
I borrowed this lens for a trip to Botswana. I got very good wildlife and bird shots with it. It focuses fast and is very sharp in good light. I was able to handhold it easily and was happy enough with it to buy one for my birding trip to New Zealand next month.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Em1 mark II issues.
I tried CAF on the Mark II on this lens and it does not appear to work. Also ProCapture mode is turned off.... I would love this lens if it becomes fully compatible with the Mark II
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Works beautifully with my Olympus EM1 Mark II...
... and it's equally compatible with my wife's EM10-II. I have an extensive Sony a7RII system, but but this lens and my Olympus are my go-tos for wildlife. Pros: Tack-sharp IQ. Autofocus performs impeccably with my Olympus. Tracks well too in lock-on mode. Not quite as small as my Olympus 70-300mm II lens, but delivers commensurately superior image quality, and is still remarkably compact. Feels wonderfully solid and professional Cons: Panasonic'... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
