so im torn between the panny and the new olympus 300mm's. from what i gather, focusing is slightly faster on the oly, and its POSSIBLY sharper, and most of all, lighter. BUT the faster panny keeps taunting me.... my finger is hovering over the buy it now button for both of these, i want to order one tonight! or...asap. haha primarily ill be trying to shoot birds. other wildlife. but if i got the panny, would i be able to shoot high iso, at the low end of the zoom, in lower light? i know f4 is still pretty slow in that regard....but it would be cool to use this at a concert if possible, even if i do get grainy images... help me choose?
If you have a Panasonic body then get the Panny, for future proof body selection get the Panny. I have not seen reviews of the new Olympus therefor we can only speculate regrading the performance.
oops, sorry, i thought i had it in my signature, i have an om-d so the ois is pointless for me, and im pretty sure ill be sticking with olympus bodies as i LOVE the ibis.
If you have a Panasonic body, buy the Panny 100-300 It you have a Olympus body, buy the Panny 100-300 :smile: I don't understand how it is possible to product and sell (and buy) lenses darker than f5.6 that is already too dark!
I am happy with the Oly one. Besides the smaller size, it also goes down to 75mm. Interesting for that occasion when the wildlife is coming towards you. Here is another thread in which the pros/cons of both lenses are discussed: https://www.mu-43.com/f38/p100-300-o75-300-ii-43439/
I am happy with my P100-300. I found it acceptably sharp across the entire range. The IS does have an advantage should you ever use a body without IBIS. Gary
I'm not sure I agree about the OIS being pointless for you. I have the OMD and use the 100-300 and switch the Mega OIS on and off as needed (and when shooting handheld, just for focusing value, I need it at times).
I'd get the Panny. Faster at the long end, IQ at least as good, OIS for bodies without IBIS, and I like the design of the available aftermarket tripod mount for the Panny much better than what's available for the Oly.
From the info in THIS thread. I really like it. Seemed pretty cheap too. I got the arca compatible version.
Just send them an email. They most probably speak English. Their email address is listed on this website (Kontakt = Contact Information): Rudolf Rösch Feinmechanik - Kontakt In case you encounter a language problem, I am happy to help out.
I just sent them an email. They then responded with how to order using paypal. Took about 2 weeks to get to me, but definitely worth the wait.
I recently picked up a Panasonic 100-300 and, whilst I've not done any controlled testing, it does seem to me that the IS in the lens is noticeably more effective than the OMD's IBIS - at least at 300mm.
Pulled the trigger on the Olympus 300, just liked the way it handled better, got steady shots easily at 300 handheld! Got home and its dark now, but will have a proper play tomorrow
