Olympus OM-D E-M5, E-M1, E-M10 - Mk1, Mk2 & Mk3 Owners Thread

here we go 100-400 + 1.4 tc kestrel in flight this morning hand held at equiv to 1120mm got a couple of hundred more to go with it . . this lens works a treat .and I can truthfully say it leaves the PL version standing ,phew made the right choice

.... Olympus UK tell me that partly as a result of customer feedback they consciously set out to 'beat' the PL 100-400mm including pricing it competitively (prices new, not for used).

One particular feature they were very keen to include was the ability to mount the Olympus Pro TCs. Now I better get back to writing my Initial Impressions ready to post here.
 
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Both Geoff and Robin are posting some great results from the new Olympus long zoom, and i am in awe at their abilities. I bet you could both get sharp results through the bottom end of a jam jar......... :clap: :clap:

.... Thankyou for such a huge compliment and the encouragement it feels!

However, I would not want to test my photographic skills through a jam jar!! Even though it would save an awful amount of money! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
OLYMPUS ED 100-400mm F/5.0-6.3 : INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

For those who don't know, I shoot with Olympus E-M1X bodies plus 12-40mm, 40-150mm, 300mm Pro lenses. I have both MC-14 and MC-20 Teleconverters. My Macro rig mounts a Canon EF 100mm via a Metabones Adapter. My main targets are wildlife and surfer related and so consequently I often need telephoto reach.

High quality as many prime lenses are, high quality zoom lenses are no longer inferior in the potential images they can deliver. The Olympus Pro zoom lenses are a good example of how zoom optics have greatly improved over the years.

So, I now have the newly released Olympus 100-400mm and spent about 3 hours photographing dragonflies with the MC-14 also mounted. These are my impressions so far :

Build quality is excellent and feels no different from the Pro lenses which it shares its high weather resistance IPx3 certificate with < For me working on beaches in winter and all day in the countryside, that is very important indeed - In fact it's a deal breaker if not the same high standard I have already experienced many times.

The weathersealing is the same standard as the Pro lenses and there are only a couple of features which stop this lens from being labelled 'Pro', neither of them to do with weather resistance. One is that it is not a fixed aperture throughout the zoom and another that more 'plastic' materials are used in some of the outer, not inner, construction. Also InSync Image Stabilisation is not a feature. This contributes to both less weight and keeping the cost more competitive. Also, don't forget that a very full-blooded Pro spec 150-400mm+1.25x is going to be released and will be a bigger and heavier lens (and will not be cheap).

Physical handling feels the same as a 300mm Pro and any dimensional and weight differences are insignificant.

Personally I would not enjoy using this lens on any of the smaller Olympus bodies including the M1 because the balance on the M1X is so good when handheld but that's just my personal preference.

Although the lens image stabilisation and the IBIS are not sync'd as in other Pro lenses, in practice it really doesn't matter - I can get sharp shots handheld at 1/125s and possibly slower but haven't pushed that yet.

I have noticed that colours delivered by this lens are particularly pleasing and put it down to Olympus latest internal lens component surfaces and rendering technology. The latest v1.3 Firmware on my M1X might also be a factor and also I am using an Olympus filter for the first time instead of Hoya (which are very good indeed). I don't know, I have no criticism of colour rendering on my other Olympus Pro lenses so perhaps it was simply a great day for natural light when I was shooting. The real test of that will be later this week when I hope to be photographing surfers in Cornwall and the sea always exhibits a whole range of subtle colours.

So far I haven't shot many photos without the 1.4x MC-14 mounted but, as is exactly the same with shooting with any of my other Pro lenses with either teleconverter, image quality is not compromised, at least to the naked eye and that's all I am interested in. AF also remains satisfactorily snappy.

To begin with you may find that the zoom ring feels rather stiff but that is due to the Pro standard weathersealing and it will bed in and become easier. The full range of the zoom is just about achievable within one twist/turn of the hand I'm glad to say. The Manual Focus ring feels perfect and I prefer that there isn't a MF clutch like on the Pro lenses (which fortunately can be disabled).

Are the slower maximum apertures a disadvantage with this lens? Not for me so far - There are a number of ways to reduce this compromise if/when needed anyway. You shoot with what you've got and don't need to think about what you haven't got - Afterall there is no such thing as a perfect camera or perfect lens!

When mounted on one of my two M1X bodies together with teleconverter, it fits my Lowepro AW backpack without any changes to the partitions for my 300mm Pro. So I am left wondering if I need to pack or even keep my Olympus 300mm F/4 Pro lens!

Personally I much prefer the flexibility of zoom lenses but if you don't, then this 100-400mm (200-800mm equivalent) lens is probably not for you.

I have started an Album on Flickr for images shot with this lens and I don't hide the settings data :

 
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I’m with robins comments on this 100% in fact I will say without doubt that any problems with the cameras or lenses are user error .ie yesterday I cocked up with the t.c having to slow a minimum shutter speed with auto iso so reset it last night , went out today and guess what forgot to check that I had switched on auto iso ..

But that bit of stupidity aside the lens and lens +tc are superb .i often tell budding wildlifers that the secret is not to shoot from further away because you have the reach but to get closer and fill the frame . Which I did today (pics later) ...

As I was saying to a friend the other night I have used the PL lens with the mkii body for a year so buying a lens the same focal length was a gamble , but in all honesty it feels like the camera has suddenly sprung to life everything is now working faster and better than before and just feels right . Hard to explain but that’s my gut feeling it just feels right looking through the v.finder .

Next on the shopping list is a Blacurrant jam jar to test a theory out LOL
 
I’m with robins comments on this 100% in fact I will say without doubt that any problems with the cameras or lenses are user error .ie yesterday I cocked up with the t.c having to slow a minimum shutter speed with auto iso so reset it last night , went out today and guess what forgot to check that I had switched on auto iso ..

But that bit of stupidity aside the lens and lens +tc are superb .i often tell budding wildlifers that the secret is not to shoot from further away because you have the reach but to get closer and fill the frame . Which I did today (pics later) ...

As I was saying to a friend the other night I have used the PL lens with the mkii body for a year so buying a lens the same focal length was a gamble , but in all honesty it feels like the camera has suddenly sprung to life everything is now working faster and better than before and just feels right . Hard to explain but that’s my gut feeling it just feels right looking through the v.finder .

Next on the shopping list is a Blacurrant jam jar to test a theory out LOL
Thanks Jeff for buying this lens and really putting it through its paces and for the constructive feedback. I did have the Panny 100-400 but I did not get on with despite the tips I learned from your posts I never warmed to the lens it maybe that i was new to the Olympus system and had not learned enough about tweaks that can be applied to both camera and lens. I sold and moved up to the 300 mm pro but do like zooms for the versatility they give. Yours and Robins views on this lens means I will probably buy one I have held back at the moment as I have a house move and work is manic at the moment so little time for photography.

Thanks once again to you and Robin for being our regular field testers!
 
a hen pheasant from today , sat on a bench looking for raptors on the marsh and this popped out of the bushes beside me . as they say it comes to them that wait .. does show how sharp this lens is on the eyes though .
the creeper by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

the eyes have it by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
 
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Next on the shopping list is a Blacurrant jam jar to test a theory out LOL

.... :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

I'm testing my photography shooting with an empty Blueberry jam jar lens which I already have.
 
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Think of the bokeh if you really did use a jamjar...
 
turnstones from yesterday . 1.4 tc fitted does not alter the sharpness of the lens at all .pleased with the results i'm getting with this combo . let me explain these shots are taken not only into the light , but it was a very harsh midday light with the sun bouncing back off wet sand .not ideal conditions at all.. one thing of note if you can get close enough with the reach of this combo the results are staggering in detail
your turn by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

turning over a new shell by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

winter coat by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
 
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turnstones from yesterday . 1.4 tc fitted does not alter the sharpness of the lens at all .pleased with the results i'm getting with this combo . let me explain these shots are taken not only into the light , but it was a very harsh midday light with the sun bouncing back off wet sand .not ideal conditions at all.. one thing of note if you can get close enough with the reach of this combo the results are staggering in detail
your turn by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

turning over a new shell by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

winter coat by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
Looking at the images on TP is not the best way to view them. Not all that sharp on here but open them up in flickr and WOW, what an incredible difference.
 
just done what I think is the ultimate demo of what the 100-400 lens is about . clarity and definition wise three shots showing progressive cropping with little or no loss of detail . obviously best viewed on flicker full size ,but this will give a pretty good appraisal first off a full frame shot ,handheld while I was sat on the bench looking for subjects , some wild flowers about 15-20 mtrs away
full frame by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

next off a around 50% crop showing the bee and spider I never noticed before shooting

cropped shot by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

and then a further shot and bigger crop showing the bee taking off from the flower . and in all honesty I think theres still room to crop a bit further .. but if any one has any doubts that the u.tube testers were bulls***ting about the ability of these lenses then put that to bed . its stunning
busy bee by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr
 
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@the black fox Jeff and anyone else with the new Olympus 100-400mm :

HEADS-UP!! :

There is a teeny weeny almost imperceptible amount of rotary (in the same plane as the focussing ring) movement when this lens is mounted but I am assured by Olympus UK that it is not a problem and has already been reported and questioned by users.

I have done comprehensive comparative tests by mounting my 100-400mm on both my M1X bodies and also mounting each of my other lenses, which are all Olympus Pro, on both bodies in turn - The only lens with this movement is my 100-400mm.

For what it's worth, my Canon EF 100mm Macro when mounted on the Metabones Adapter on the M1X also has the same tiny amount of movement.

In all cases, captured images are not effected.

Jeff and anyone else, are you experiencing the same?

Addendum : My Blueberry jam jar lens does not have any movement whatsoever :D
 
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yep mine was initially tight but theres a very very tiny bit of movement . ..but you really got to look for it
 
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just done what I think is the ultimate demo of what the 100-400 lens is about . clarity and definition wise three shots showing progressive cropping with little or no loss of detail . obviously best viewed on flicker full size ,but this will give a pretty good appraisal first off a full frame shot ,handheld while I was sat on the bench looking for subjects , some wild flowers about 15-20 mtrs away
full frame by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

next off a around 50% crop showing the bee and spider I never noticed before shooting

cropped shot by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

and then a further shot and bigger crop showing the bee taking off from the flower . and in all honesty I think theres still room to crop a bit further .. but if any one has any doubts that the u.tube testers were bulls***ting about the ability of these lenses then put that to bed . its stunning
busy bee by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

.... Such excellent clarity and definition is something which all the Olympus Pro lenses have too. Olympus are unofficially calling the 100-400mm a 'Semi-Pro' and it only falls short of being a full 'Pro' spec because of relatively minor reasons (as I described in my Initial Impressions post #21,284).

Olympus have clearly welcomed the opportunity to up their game within their sector of the camera market and are succeeding. No wonder they are attracting users from other brands. Meanwhile, Canon are also upping their game but where are Nikon!?
 
A couple from my humble 75-300mm it might not be up to the 100-400mm but it’ll do for now

Grey Seal by Steve Vickers, on Flickr

Grey Seal by Steve Vickers, on Flickr

.... Hey!!! No need for you to feel at all humbled Steve! These Seal shots look excellent and you have made a lot of progress this year (I really hope you don't think I'm being condescending when I say this and that you'll agree with me regarding your wildlife photography with Olympus).

Someone can have all the gear but no idea, so having the latest Olympus lens doesn't make anyone a better photographer.

Also, it's as Ansel Adams says in my signature below.
 
yep mine was initially tight but theres a very very tiny bit of movement . ..but you really got to look for it

.... That's really good news to hear!

Yes you really have to look for it but ever since I experiened some mount screws becoming loose earlier this year on another lens, I have understandably become super aware.
 
just done what I think is the ultimate demo of what the 100-400 lens is about . clarity and definition wise three shots showing progressive cropping with little or no loss of detail . obviously best viewed on flicker full size ,but this will give a pretty good appraisal first off a full frame shot ,handheld while I was sat on the bench looking for subjects , some wild flowers about 15-20 mtrs away
full frame by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

next off a around 50% crop showing the bee and spider I never noticed before shooting

cropped shot by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

and then a further shot and bigger crop showing the bee taking off from the flower . and in all honesty I think theres still room to crop a bit further .. but if any one has any doubts that the u.tube testers were bulls***ting about the ability of these lenses then put that to bed . its stunning
busy bee by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr


Incredible detail there
 
turnstones from yesterday . 1.4 tc fitted does not alter the sharpness of the lens at all .pleased with the results i'm getting with this combo . let me explain these shots are taken not only into the light , but it was a very harsh midday light with the sun bouncing back off wet sand .not ideal conditions at all.. one thing of note if you can get close enough with the reach of this combo the results are staggering in detail
your turn by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

turning over a new shell by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr

winter coat by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr


Good detailed shots - and what a lovely bird
 
.... Hey!!! No need for you to feel at all humbled Steve! These Seal shots look excellent and you have made a lot of progress this year (I really hope you don't think I'm being condescending when I say this and that you'll agree with me regarding your wildlife photography with Olympus).

Someone can have all the gear but no idea, so having the latest Olympus lens doesn't make anyone a better photographer.

Also, it's as Ansel Adams says in my signature below.
Thanks Robin, I don't find your comments condescending, in fact I've aways appreciated the encouragement you've given me these last few months.
 
@jakeblu

Steve,

I like them all......though the robin is my fave ;)



The first one I believe is a Female Stonechat
Thanks

A Stonechat that’s a new one for me :) shame it wasn’t a better shot but it was just too far away
 
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Nice female stonechat Steve , they will come in close for dried mealworms
 
Three nice shots Steve. Good compositions and light. I particularly like the cormorant

Thanks Alan. It was rather conveniently perched close to the grey seals I posted earlier.

Nice female stonechat Steve , they will come in close for dried mealworms

Thanks Jeff. Never seen one where I live I’m on holiday at the moment and seeing quite a few birds I don’t normally see.
 
How's the jam jar trial going Jeff? :naughty:

.... Jeff's jam jar trials are pretty sharp in bright light. Early this morning I tried my jam jar trials in low light on a family of juvenile Greenfinches feeding on sunflower heads in my wildlife garden. ISO 800 and so will be interesting to see how they come out. Some were 1/125s too and nearly all at 560mm (FF 1120mm). So pushing the limits to see how it performs.

As expected, being able to zoom out to locate target and then zoom in on it to shoot is invaluable - I would still be trying to find the target in the viewfinder with a prime.

Very early morning Atlantic surfing in Cornwall on Saturday so that might also be testing.
 
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How's the jam jar trial going Jeff? :naughty:
Holding myself back for the big high tide tomorrow and Saturday , will pop down the estuary here. In a hour or so see if today’s tide puts anything interestIng up. Luckily I only live a couple of hundred yards from the sea


edit @12.09 just got back got a few hundred shots to view LATER DUDES
 
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o.k photos to follow .. but I have now had the lens for a week and today was the first proper long session .. took 569 shots success rate I estimate at around 75% thats bare lens and with t.c .. its far more accurate consistently without the t.c but does work on b.i.f with it ,its a matter of getting a lock on before pressing the shutter ''

I will digress for a moment , people moan about battery life as stated above I took 569 shots and checking my battery once home there was still 73% left in it omd1-mkii

back to the lens if your in a busy situation like this morning you really have to play the piano with focus points ,solitary birds need single point in flight birds as I just said you got to juggle with them , its one hell of a lot faster to focus and far far more accurate and consistent then the PL lens overall the best way I can sum it up is it surpasses the canon 400mm f5.6 or even the canon 100--400 mkii . if your on the waiting list for one dont lose your place if you find one for sale anywhere just buy it you won't regret it
 
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