Olympus 100-400mm Availability

[Mike Wingate]

I just got mine from a local shop. It was the only one they had.

I was planning to wait until next springtime to get one at a cheaper price but the fact that it is sold out almost everywhere will likely mean no price reduction anytime soon and someone mentioned the fact that we don’t know how the transition to JIP will impact the manufacturing process so I started looking on the web for a place with stock.
I found a website with the lens with “low stock” so I gave them a ring and they had this one in stock. Didn’t think twice.

I cannot test it properly before the weekend because is dark in Ireland after work but after the first test inside I can say it seems very sharp, heavier than I was expecting and the mount is not that tight. The lens rotates quite a bit on my EM1mk2 which is a bit annoying. Seems like it is a common “issue” so I need to decide what to do about it.

P.S. The shop owner told me that for UK + Ireland they are only expecting 12 (twelve) units of the 150-400.

Well 12 is not enough. There are so many people who have expressed a strong desire to own this lens in the U.K. i have 2 members of my photo group who have New Olympus cameras, they have both had the Panasonic and then the Olympus 100-400mm models and have the cash to buy the new Olympus 150_400 lens, and they are not full time BIF photographers.

 

[RichardC]

12 is a stock allocation from a first manufacturing run.

Furthermore, dependent upon how the business is structured, someone in the UK is going to get an invoice for 12 lenses which will have to be paid whether they sell them on or not. The cost of those 12 lenses would put a sales rep on the road for the best part of a year and pay his/her wages.

They may or may not decide to hold 12 in stock. It could become special order only, or be so fantastically popular that
Jessops orders a ton of them and puts three on the shelf in each shop.

The reality is that even the Jessops of this world probably would not stock that lens, even in their central warehouse. In 1992 there were 100 Jessops shops, but they still didn't keep lenses such as the Canon/Nikon super telephotos in stock at Scudamore Road - they would order them on an as required basis.

If someone wants one, a rep would drop in with a (quite possibly THE) loaner and the decision would be made to order.

Pro retailers such as Wex might stock one.

 

[Ross the fiddler]

Well 12 is not enough. There are so many people who have expressed a strong desire to own this lens in the U.K. i have 2 members of my photo group who have New Olympus cameras, they have both had the Panasonic and then the Olympus 100-400mm models and have the cash to buy the new Olympus 150_400 lens, and they are not full time BIF photographers.

That's why orders need to be put in asap if wanted. If orders (money) taken & quantities exceed the initial planned run, then Olympus/OMD World Imaging (JIP) might reconsider quantities.

 

[Mike Wingate]

That's why orders need to be put in asap if wanted. If orders (money) taken & quantities exceed the initial planned run, then Olympus/OMD World Imaging (JIP) might reconsider quantities.

No, you have to wait for. Real photos of the object, reviews, see one for yourself and handle it in a shop or at a show, or on a course with a specialist photographer. Especially in these difficult times, not possible.. I cannot buy something just like that. Some of the pleasure is in the research.

 

[Dave Black]

That's why orders need to be put in asap if wanted. If orders (money) taken & quantities exceed the initial planned run, then Olympus/OMD World Imaging (JIP) might reconsider quantities.

I expect OM Digital will run one batch to fulfill the pre-orders plus a few more based on pre-order numbers. Then it will be special orders and a batch run occassionally when special orders is large enough for a batch run. So if you really want this lens better to pre-order it now. At least I have it on pre-order.

 

[ColoPhotoGirl]

Mike's Camara in Boulder told me they hoped to get a shipment by the end of the month, but didn't seem confident. They got a bunch in initially, sold those, and haven't shipped since. They would take a deposit to get me on their waiting list though (I declined, no trips planned soon which would use it).

How much was the deposit?

 

[mfturner]

Sorry, I don't recall, but you could try calling them...

 

[PhotoCal]

I just got mine from a local shop. It was the only one they had.

I was planning to wait until next springtime to get one at a cheaper price but the fact that it is sold out almost everywhere will likely mean no price reduction anytime soon and someone mentioned the fact that we don’t know how the transition to JIP will impact the manufacturing process so I started looking on the web for a place with stock.
I found a website with the lens with “low stock” so I gave them a ring and they had this one in stock. Didn’t think twice.

I cannot test it properly before the weekend because is dark in Ireland after work but after the first test inside I can say it seems very sharp, heavier than I was expecting and the mount is not that tight. The lens rotates quite a bit on my EM1mk2 which is a bit annoying. Seems like it is a common “issue” so I need to decide what to do about it.

P.S. The shop owner told me that for UK + Ireland they are only expecting 12 (twelve) units of the 150-400.

Does this annoyance affect your pictures?
A lens this size needs to be held/carried by the lens, not the body.

I bought two OpTech Lens Loops which safely carry the lens. I have OpTech connectors on the body so when I put this lens on the body I move the straps. Very easy.

My lens has a very miniscule amount of play, and it works great. The competition's (Panasonic 100-400) mount was so tight it left metal shavings in some bodies (I returned my copy).

 

[tiago.ereira]

Does this annoyance affect your pictures?
A lens this size needs to be held/carried by the lens, not the body.

Didn’t have time to test properly yet as I only got the lens yesterday and that was the first think I noticed. Won‘t be able to go outside during the day before the weekend.

I know exactly how to old a lens. Left hand on the lens, right hand on the camera. the problem is that, when I try to twist the zoom with my left hand, the lens rotates (the zoom ring is quit stiff) on the mount (yes, is that bad). There is no need to try to force the rotation as it happens normally when operating the zoom ring and this comes together with a metalic click. Clicks when turning left or right all the time as the lens moves and it feels like the lens is not properly attached to the body.

It is annoying and doesn’t feel safe at all. Apart from that, having this rotation happening everytime I use the zoom, might get the seal ring worn overtime which will have consequences on the lens and camera (Weather in Ireland is normally wet). This will very likely impact my ability to take pictures, never mind their quality.

Mine behaves exactly like this (includes video)

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4519590

I would not say this is normal...

 

[Mike Wingate]

Slop and play like that is not normal. A poor answer and attitude from Olympus. Water resistance problems ahead.

 

[PhotoCal]

Didn’t have time to test properly yet as I only got the lens yesterday and that was the first think I noticed. Won‘t be able to go outside during the day before the weekend.

I know exactly how to old a lens. Left hand on the lens, right hand on the camera. the problem is that, when I try to twist the zoom with my left hand, the lens rotates (the zoom ring is quit stiff) on the mount (yes, is that bad). There is no need to try to force the rotation as it happens normally when operating the zoom ring and this comes together with a metalic click. Clicks when turning left or right all the time as the lens moves and it feels like the lens is not properly attached to the body.

It is annoying and doesn’t feel safe at all. Apart from that, having this rotation happening everytime I use the zoom, might get the seal ring worn overtime which will have consequences on the lens and camera (Weather in Ireland is normally wet). This will very likely impact my ability to take pictures, never mind their quality.

Mine behaves exactly like this (includes video)

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4519590

I would not say this is normal...

Yea, that sounds abnormal. I'm sorry to read about this.
Keep us posted.

 

[tiago.ereira]

I believe we are going off topic so I have added two videos to show the problem I’m talking about on the respective lens thread:

https://www.mu-43.com/threads/new-oly-100-400-impressions-and-images.109375/post-1432702

 

[Ross the fiddler]

No, you have to wait for. Real photos of the object, reviews, see one for yourself and handle it in a shop or at a show, or on a course with a specialist photographer. Especially in these difficult times, not possible.. I cannot buy something just like that. Some of the pleasure is in the research.

Let's not talk about the 150-400 lens in this thread. It starts to create confusion who is talking about what. Keep it to the 100-400mm f5.0-6.3 lens (& go to the 150-400 lens thread for the other). My 100-400 lens should be here tomorrow or early next week.

 

[Always]

I only got my order in early last week but was told stock was expected by the end of last week (if fulfilled would have enough to cover my order too). They hadn't received any by Friday afternoon, but hopefully soon. As long as I get one before Christmas I will be happy, but it would be nice to have it sooner.

I placed my order yesterday at B&H, I hope I get it before Christmas too. Let's cross fingers!

 

[PhotoCal]

Let's not talk about the 150-400 lens in this thread. It starts to create confusion who is talking about what. Keep it to the 100-400mm f5.0-6.3 lens (& go to the 150-400 lens thread for the other). My 100-400 lens should be here tomorrow or early next week.

It doesn't help either when people are posting the same comments/video on multiple threads.

 

[Ross the fiddler]

I am pleased to say mine arrived today (this afternoon) & tried it out. So far I am really pleased with it (& there is minimal rotational movement too).

 

[John King]

Congrats, Ross. I know you will put it to good use.

Look forward to seeing some piccies.

 

[Ross the fiddler]

Congrats, Ross. I know you will put it to good use.

Look forward to seeing some piccies.

Thanks & yes, & holding my arms close to chest as I carry it (as instructed by the physio).
I'm impressed with it & its output. I'll put up some photos (that are worthwhile) when I can.

 

[Mike Wingate]

Lens rotation on body, carry by lens not camera body, dont store upright. Use the bracket on a tripod. This is taking the pleasure out of owning and using the equipment.

 

[John King]

Lens rotation on body, carry by lens not camera body, dont store upright. Use the bracket on a tripod. This is taking the pleasure out of owning and using the equipment.

Mike, I can give you a Canadian block splitter if you're looking for something that you don't have to take care of ...

It doesn't take very good photos though ...