Zoom choices

[Reefman]

I'm new to MFT and this forum and have recently ordered a mk2 body and and the 14-50 f4 pro lens

I'm now looking for at long zooms for birding including bif and have narrowed it down to 2 options.

100-400 plus M14 or possibly the M20

150-600

As I see it the only con of the 600 other than price is it's size and weight whilst offering quicker AF, better IQ and synced IS

I've also heard good things of the 300mm plus MC14 but think I'd miss the flexibility of a zoom

I've come from a Fuji XT4 paired with a 100-400 and a 1.4x TC which was pretty much a fixture.to give me the required reach.

I managed to briefly try out the OM 100-400 in store on an OM5 body and had hold of the 100-600 but not allowed to open it to put it on a body. It's certainly a beast.

Appreciate all comments on my thinking or any other considerations

Thanks in advance

[Gerry]

Welcome to the Forum. My knowledge of birds is reduced to knowing that about 99% of them can fly.

That being said there is absolutely no lack of experienced bird photographers here who use at least one of the lenses that you mentioned, and I'm quite sure that it won't be too long before most of them reply with all the help that you need.

[Box Brownie]

I'm new to MFT and this forum and have recently ordered a mk2 body and and the 14-50 f4 pro lens

I'm now looking for at long zooms for birding including bif and have narrowed it down to 2 options.

100-400 plus M14 or possibly the M20

150-600

As I see it the only con of the 600 other than price is it's size and weight whilst offering quicker AF, better IQ and synced IS

I've also heard good things of the 300mm plus MC14 but think I'd miss the flexibility of a zoom

I've come from a Fuji XT4 paired with a 100-400 and a 1.4x TC which was pretty much a fixture.to give me the required reach.

I managed to briefly try out the OM 100-400 in store on an OM5 body and had hold of the 100-600 but not allowed to open it to put it on a body. It's certainly a beast.

Appreciate all comments on my thinking or any other considerations

Thanks in advance

IIRC blackfox showed how well the 100-400 does BiF but I think it was the bare lens i.e. no TC

But my 'take ' on those choices is that you need good light.

FWIW
I use my 40-150 f2.8 with the MC-20 (FoV equivalent of 600mm @ f5.6) and my 300 F4 with the MC-14 (FoV equivalent of 840 mm @ f5.6)

Yes, the prime does limit me depending on the situation.

[Phill D]

I've got the same combination and Box Brownie and find I tend to use the 300mm with or without the MC-20 pretty much all the time. Thought I'd use the zoom more but I don't. Either lens works well with either converter though.

[Reefman]

I've got the same combination and Box Brownie and find I tend to use the 300mm with or without the MC-20 pretty much all the time. Thought I'd use the zoom more but I don't. Either lens works well with either converter though.

Which zoom do you mean the r or 600?

[Phill D]

I was talking about the 40-150mm f2.8 pro lens and the 300mm f4 prime both working well with the converters.

[Keith-369]

I have the Oly 100-400 and love it for both birding and flower/insect and other nature shots. I don't use the 1.4x (but have considered it) due to even more loss of light. The lens on its own does very well (and I'm using it on a 7 year old EM1 ii). Not sure if I would go to the MC20.
In all fairness, if I didn't like the zoom, I would definitely go for the 300 f4 as I know how superb that lens is.

[MJ224]

I guess it is much up to your pocket..

The 300mm is the bees knees, especially with the 1.4 MC rendering at 420mm @ 2X crop..It covers almost what I need, but of course no zoom...

I don't doubt the BW which is 150-400mm, with an inbuilt 1,25 TC, and an ability to have the 1.4 and 2.0 MC's. And all have said the IQ is superb.

The 150-600mm appeals to me, as some of my photo wants are further zoom. But the weight......

I have used the 100-400mm. But was a little disappointed with the IQ. (That is my personal assessment. Others will say it is a good compromise),

In reality, I have found that the 40-150mm f2,8, along with the 2.0 MC fitted, is effectively as good as the 300mm f4.0. With the added advantage that it focusses at much less than the 1.4 meters of the 300mm, and is a zoom...Thus, very good for close-ups....

You need to assess what your photo goals are, and how healthy the bank balance is...............

Good luck...

[blackfox]

Yes your correct there .i used the 100-400 for birding for a couple of years and got very good results .BUT the caveat is it’s only good within its own limitations I.e it’s only sharp within a given range of a couple of hundred yards ? .. or less ..
the 300mm f4 plus the 1.4 tc gives a far better ,sharper result over a greater distance and is my go to lens ,I can crop images from it at incredible distance . It’s your choice in the end either will do . Not as yet used the 150-600 but beware of heat haze at an effective 1200mm reach ..

[gazza95]

Interesting observation about croping distant subjects.

[Camera Gent]

Prob not much chance of heat haze in our current summer! Seriously though, it may be possible to try the 150-600 if a member has one and lives nearby. I'm in Yorkshire and getting used to mine. It's very effective and sharp and the range means that shots that would have been missed are now possible

[Camera Gent]

As above posting of a Long Eared Owl

[Box Brownie]

I spotted this Mike Lane video where he compares the zooms. IIRC he always buys the lens and is not an Ambassador ~ tells it as he finds it!

[Phill D]

Nice link and another good clear video from Mike.

[Box Brownie]

@camera gent


Ah! that will teach me to have the sound turned up when I spot and share his videos :lol:

Edit: just watched the start with sound up and learned it was loaned from OM. It perhaps shows how respected he is........but hopefully IMO he will not become an Ambassador because in effect he will lose his 100% independent voice ! And that independence, in my eyes, gives him greater credibility. NB not that Ambassadors don't have much to say and aid current and future OM users but they have contractual obligations to adhere to, don't they?

I surmised he had bought it rather than borrowed it, as he has in the past bought his gear he reports/reviews on.

[Reefman]

Seems very favourable. His IQ comments when comparing it to 150 - 400 as marginal are high praise for it's capabilities, that said he's said same for the 100-400 f5-6.3

[Reefman]

Great shots. I'm on the NE coast and know what you mean about the weather😞. What lens did you call me from and how's the weight of the 600?

[Camera Gent]

150-600 weight is not an issue if you use it in a hide and don't need to hold the lens still for ages. If so, then a hide clamp could be a possibility.. Out in the wild I don't usually use it full time as I take a series of image, put the lens down and wait until summat else comes along/appears which I want to photograph. When wandering I find that is is comfortable when used with a wide strap and slung diagonally across my shoulder/body rather than just around the neck I love the versatility and the range plus the great image quality. Do you go to places like RSPB Bempton?

[Lepus20]

I would definitely suggest hiring the 600 before buying, I have tried two copies and was not very impressed at the long end. 600 wide open is soft, improves by f8 and best at f11. It works well up to 400 but then so does the 100-400.
Also too heavy and expensive for me, maybe useful to have at half the price!
IS is great though.

[Reefman]

Thanks for the comments. I feel that I'd need to use the 400 mostly paired with the MC14 (as I did with my old fuji) which will also then reduce light and presumably IQ

[blackfox]

The weight aspect is th3 deciding factor for me ,the 300 + tc is pushing the limit as my body and heart approach our 80th . The weight in fact being why I chose Olympus originally but I believe some of the opposition now have comparable weights …but not price points … OMS would be well advised to keep a eye on this as it’s there remaining advantage

[Reefman]

Camera Gent I've not been there I'm further north , RSPB Salthome is on my doorstep. Interesting comments on the weight aspect as my shooting would be similar to yours.