M43 long telephoto at DVinfo.net

Ed Kukla · July 21st, 2014, 04:53 AM

Looking for my best options for long tele in M43. Would prefer to skip a mount adapter.

Ronald Jackson · July 21st, 2014, 07:30 AM

Well without an adaptor you're limited to either the Olympus 75-300 or the Panasonic 100-300, equivalent to 150-600 or 200-600 in "full 35mm" equivalent.

With an adaptor the sky or perhaps your pocket is the limit. I use a Nikkor 80-400 and a Sigma 500 (with/without teleconvertors) on my GH3s and GH4.

Rumours of a 300mm prime from Panasonic but what I would like would be a MFT 200-500 zoom. Need not be superfast for my wildlife needs where ND filters are the norm once the sun is shining.

Ron

Paul Doherty · July 22nd, 2014, 01:17 AM

As Ron says you've a choice between the Olympus 75-300 or the Panasonic 100-300; Panasonic recently said that they have shelved plans to produce a long telephoto, so it's clear they won't be adding anything in the near future.

An M43 version of the Tamron 150-600 would be great for us wildlife enthusiasts, but I've no reason to think that one is likely to appear.

Ronald Jackson · July 22nd, 2014, 01:44 AM

Sigma, who used to make a M43 version of some of their long lenses like the 150-500 and 800 have stopped doing so although they continue with short zooms and wides.

Ron

ps for those interested I rented a 500 Nikkor to compare with my own Sigma 500, Nikkor mount, on my GH3s.
No noticeable difference in quality, with the exception that the Sigma happiest at F5.6 to F11 whereas the Nikkor okay from wide open to F16.
To me the need to change ND filters more frequently with my Sigma no justification for the much greater cost of the Nikkor.

Pete Carney · July 22nd, 2014, 10:14 AM

I have a number of long tele lenses I use for action sports and wildlife.

Panasonic 100-300 - G6 1080-60p ETC on and off

Olympus OM Zuiko 300mm f/4.5 - GH4 1080-60p ETC

Nikon AIS ED 600mm f/5.6 - G6 1080-60p ETC

The Panasonic 100-300 is a very nice lens, but it is not actually 300mm on the long end, nor a true f/5.6. It is also very difficult if not impossible to do manual focus with.

My vintage Olympus OM 300 is much brighter and a few degrees narrower field of view. I really love this lens for long range work. I'm sure the Nikon AIS 300mm's would be great as well.

The Nikon 600 is simply an amazing tool, but requires a monster tripod and fluid head at 2x - 4.8x crop factors.

If it's not something you are going to be using on a daily basis you might look into a vintage manual lens with the adaptor. You can get amazing images very cost effectively.

Cheers,
Pete

July 21st, 2014, 04:53 AM	#1
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	M43 long telephoto Looking for my best options for long tele in M43. Would prefer to skip a mount adapter.

July 21st, 2014, 07:30 AM	#2
Ronald Jackson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southport, United Kingdom Posts: 723	Re: M43 long telephoto Well without an adaptor you're limited to either the Olympus 75-300 or the Panasonic 100-300, equivalent to 150-600 or 200-600 in "full 35mm" equivalent. With an adaptor the sky or perhaps your pocket is the limit. I use a Nikkor 80-400 and a Sigma 500 (with/without teleconvertors) on my GH3s and GH4. Rumours of a 300mm prime from Panasonic but what I would like would be a MFT 200-500 zoom. Need not be superfast for my wildlife needs where ND filters are the norm once the sun is shining. Ron

July 22nd, 2014, 01:17 AM	#3
Paul Doherty Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sherburn, England Posts: 136	Re: M43 long telephoto As Ron says you've a choice between the Olympus 75-300 or the Panasonic 100-300; Panasonic recently said that they have shelved plans to produce a long telephoto, so it's clear they won't be adding anything in the near future. An M43 version of the Tamron 150-600 would be great for us wildlife enthusiasts, but I've no reason to think that one is likely to appear.

July 22nd, 2014, 01:44 AM	#4
Ronald Jackson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southport, United Kingdom Posts: 723	Re: M43 long telephoto Sigma, who used to make a M43 version of some of their long lenses like the 150-500 and 800 have stopped doing so although they continue with short zooms and wides. Ron ps for those interested I rented a 500 Nikkor to compare with my own Sigma 500, Nikkor mount, on my GH3s. No noticeable difference in quality, with the exception that the Sigma happiest at F5.6 to F11 whereas the Nikkor okay from wide open to F16. To me the need to change ND filters more frequently with my Sigma no justification for the much greater cost of the Nikkor.

July 22nd, 2014, 10:14 AM	#5
Pete Carney Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 65	Re: M43 long telephoto I have a number of long tele lenses I use for action sports and wildlife. Panasonic 100-300 - G6 1080-60p ETC on and off Emirates Team New Zealand on Vimeo Olympus OM Zuiko 300mm f/4.5 - GH4 1080-60p ETC snow field frisky on Vimeo Nikon AIS ED 600mm f/5.6 - G6 1080-60p ETC g6 slow motion on Vimeo The Panasonic 100-300 is a very nice lens, but it is not actually 300mm on the long end, nor a true f/5.6. It is also very difficult if not impossible to do manual focus with. My vintage Olympus OM 300 is much brighter and a few degrees narrower field of view. I really love this lens for long range work. I'm sure the Nikon AIS 300mm's would be great as well. The Nikon 600 is simply an amazing tool, but requires a monster tripod and fluid head at 2x - 4.8x crop factors. If it's not something you are going to be using on a daily basis you might look into a vintage manual lens with the adaptor. You can get amazing images very cost effectively. Cheers, Pete