Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > JVC ProHD & MPEG2 Camera Systems > JVC 4KCAM Pro Handheld Camcorders

JVC 4KCAM Pro Handheld Camcorders
GY-LS300, GY-HM250, HM200, HM180 and HM170 recording 4K Ultra-High Definition video.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 16th, 2017, 01:07 PM   #1
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Canton, GA 30114
Posts: 78
Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Greetings -- anyone out there try this PANASONIC LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400MM lens with their JVC LS-300 ?

Be interested in hearing test results or anything from anyone. Thanks !
__________________
Russ Gutshall
Russ Gutshall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 20th, 2017, 10:00 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 228
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Yes, I've got both of those - it's a nice combo.
Stabilizer works well to get rid of the telephoto jitters.
The lens is definitely not parfocal so zooming and holding focus doesn't happen when in manual focus - it's not too bad when auto is engaged.
The auto focus is smooth but not incredibly quick - haven't tried chasing fast moving wildlife with yet.
The pictures are sharp.
Unlike most other zoom lenses the wide end covers 100% of the sensor but at 400mm you need to crop in to about 92% - not really an issue when you are after a telephoto shot.
__________________
Lighting Cameraman - www.rotahead.com.au
Sony PMW-350, FS7, JVC LS300, BMPCC, BMPC, GH5 & a shed full of lights,dollies, jibs
Rohan Dadswell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 16th, 2017, 02:41 PM   #3
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Canton, GA 30114
Posts: 78
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Hi Rohan,

Late in getting back to your reply - but thanks. Bought the Pan/Leica 100-400 - WOW zoom is VERY stiff - making it impossible to even think about smooth zooming. How is your lens ? Sharpness does not seem to be that good either -- most likely will send back --

Looking forward to your reply - thanks --
__________________
Russ Gutshall
Russ Gutshall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 25th, 2017, 04:31 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Canton, GA 30114
Posts: 78
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

This is for Rohan -- tried the Panny Leica Dicomar 100-400 mft on my LS300 -- threw subject out of focus deliberately - then while in auto focus mode - let lens find focus on subject which pretty much filled the frame. Focus found in about 3-4 seconds -- BUT -- focus finalized beyond main subject by 8 to 10 feet --Wow -- how could it be so far off ? Is it camera issue or lens issue. Metering was center spot ! Can't justify $ 1,800 lens when this happens on focus ! - with LS300.

Cheap/non pro viewfinder/lcd shuts "use a Shogun monitor - or Bl Magic Video Assist for more critical focus - but traveling limits amount of gear you can shlep on board plane !

JVC / Panasonic TECHS -- please read this post and throw me a bone !!

Russ G
__________________
Russ Gutshall
Russ Gutshall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 25th, 2017, 04:29 PM   #5
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: New York City
Posts: 2,650
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

If you can, experiment with a m4/3 still camera to see if the lens works at all. I don't see how Rohan could recommend it in auto-focus if it didn't work for him.

Regarding the "stiffness" of the zoom; yes this would be a positive feature as heavy lenses like these have a habit of moving themselves due to gravity if the mechanism isn't stiff. However if you are fighting to move it this might be a clue that the lens is defective in some way. It could have been dropped at some point before you got it. This could also explain the inaccurate auto-focus.

Here is an inexpensive 7" monitor that has all sorts of focus and exposure assists for $160:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I just got one and it's really an improvement over the LCD and viewfinder on the camera. I'm not really going to put it thru it's paces until next month so I can only recommend it from taking out of the box and playing around.
__________________
William Hohauser - New York City
Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation
William Hohauser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 11th, 2017, 08:31 AM   #6
Obstreperous Rex
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 27,366
Images: 513
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Russ, at what focal length does this occur? 400mm?

What is the subject distance from the lens? (in feet)(or meters)

Also, that lens has a focus distance switch (full vs. 5m) -- try both settings, any change?
__________________
CH

Search DV Info Net | 20 years of DVi | ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!
Chris Hurd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 12th, 2017, 07:06 PM   #7
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Canton, GA 30114
Posts: 78
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Thanks for reply Chris. Have tried focus limiter switch both ways - and focus issue appears to happen at both end of focal range - 100mm and 400mm. Lens works fine with Pan GH4 for both stills and holds focus shooting video at both ends in 4K 24p mode. I am befuddled to say the least. Thinking it is LS-300 ??
__________________
Russ Gutshall
Russ Gutshall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old April 12th, 2017, 07:09 PM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Canton, GA 30114
Posts: 78
Re: Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

Oops - forgot one point Chris -- physical distance lens to subject at both focal lengths was roughly 140-160 feet.
__________________
Russ Gutshall
Russ Gutshall is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > JVC ProHD & MPEG2 Camera Systems > JVC 4KCAM Pro Handheld Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:42 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network