First outing for the 300mm f/4

[Bikie John]

At the January launch of the Pen F I tried out the 300mm f/4, and thought it was gorgeous but attempted to convince myself that I didn't need it. Sadly GAS took hold and resistance was futile, I ordered one and it arrived a little while ago. On Saturday it had its first serious outing when we had our first rugby match of the season.

It turned out to be a bit more of a test than I had hoped - after a lovely August, the rugby weather arrived right on cue. The rain started 10 minutes before kick-off and it got dark so that I was up to ISO 1600 by about 4pm, which is ridiculous for early September.

All I can say is that it was a delight to use. Much more comfortable and a fair bit easier to handle than the 150mm f/2 plus converter, and it seemed very responsive and quick to focus. Here are a couple of example shots, both wide open at f/4. The first wasn't too challenging as it was a place kick so I just pre-focused on the ball. This is pretty much the full frame:



And late in the game, by which time we had been standing in the rain for an hour and a half and ISO was up to 1600. It is a crop of about three quarters (linear) of the frame, it looks great in the local paper and I have done an A4 print which looks fantastic. I'm really pleased with this one:



I really hope the weather isn't an omen for the rest of the season. The kit might be able to cope but I find it chuffing miserable!

John

[Imageryone]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

Miserable, Yes ! But always the thought of a warm clubhouse and a little of what you fancy to come

If this is the first outing for this combo, really cannot wait for you to become accustomed together, love the last shot.

[OM USer]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

You have caught the action well. It bodes good as you get more used to your new lens.

[Bikie John]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

Thank you folks.

It is not entirely new to me - I used the big-4/3 150mm f/2 and EC-20 converter for a lot of last season so I am used to the angle of view and when during a game the long lens is useful. That combo is very good quality (the 150/2 is a killer lens), but the new lens is even better and the handling is a vast improvement. I'm looking forward to getting better acquainted with it. The only reservation I have is that f/4 will struggle a bit once we get into the dark days of winter. On one particularly memorable and unpleasant December afternoon I had to resort to the 150mm f/2 with no converter, wide open, and was up to ISO 6400 by half-time.

John

[Zuiko]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

Second shot is exceptional.

[Guest]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

Some great action (even the rain!) well caught with the new cam', John.

[Guest]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

We're still having lots of it ... (RAIN)

[Bikie John]

Re: First outing for the 300mm f/4

Some great action (even the rain!) well caught with the new cam', John.

Thanks Mark. I really hope Saturday's rain wasn't an omen for the season as I don't much fancy another 20+ Saturdays getting soaked!

John