tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post2225048047089643568..comments2024-03-28T16:00:02.364+08:00Comments on ROBIN WONG : Olympus Launches M.Zuiko 300mm F4 PRO Lens, And Here Are My Initial Thoughts and ImpressionsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-66532353204349764102016-01-24T21:43:14.697+08:002016-01-24T21:43:14.697+08:00Thank you for the review Robin. The lens is certai... Thank you for the review Robin. The lens is certainly impressive, I'm gobsmacked by the level of feather details. Can't wait to get my hands on the lens.<br />Rahulronnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08760304124549954420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-2771655097296668462016-01-24T00:26:07.603+08:002016-01-24T00:26:07.603+08:00The "Magic Drainpipe" which I used for y...The "Magic Drainpipe" which I used for years (Hand holding) on a DSLR body was 1.3kg. This optic is therefore not heavy especially as it gives the equivalent of 600mm FOV compared to the Drainpipe which was 320mm FOV on my Canon's with the Crop SensorAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04049595073945422693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-84313212883162264572016-01-24T00:18:52.289+08:002016-01-24T00:18:52.289+08:00Is it really that large. Would be interesting to s...Is it really that large. Would be interesting to see it alongside say a 70-200 f/4L IS by Canon. I doubt there is much difference. As for the Nikon comparison how sharp is the Nikon compared to the Oly. If it similar I take your point. Maybe Olympus could have made it smaller and less sharp but then there would be complaints about the poor optical performance. I need to look back at how heavy my 80-200 f/2.8L magic drainpipe was - I am sure that was about 1.2kg with the tripod mount.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04049595073945422693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-89948020993776120932016-01-20T01:48:49.496+08:002016-01-20T01:48:49.496+08:00Martin,
As I said, I have no doubts the Oly will b...Martin,<br />As I said, I have no doubts the Oly will be very sharp. My point was mostly about size and also about cost. I find it disappointing the lens is so large and heavy given a FF lens of the same focal length can be made much smaller and lighter for a sensor 4x the size. That said, the reason the Nikkor is so small is because of the OD technology used. Too bad Oly doesn't have the technology. That would make for quite a signifcant size reduction.<br />Oh and btw, I have no interest in FF or DSLRs: I had several DSLRs in the past, but for the last 2.5 years have been excluively shooting with MFT and now Fuji. I'll never go back to outdated DSLR tech. My comparison with FF was simply to illustrate the rather large size of the lens and how it could be much smaller, nothing more.Florenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167803710220291483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-75739816660391193692016-01-19T23:29:06.749+08:002016-01-19T23:29:06.749+08:00Florent - Robin clearly states that his comments a...Florent - Robin clearly states that his comments are based on technical specifications and lens sharpness charts. Based on these this lens does appear to be the sharpest kid on the block. That combined with it's 6 stops of stabilisation and the ability to hand hold make it a very special and hence expensive optic. Other reviews I have seen by wildlife photographers who had a few days with the lens prior to launch back up Robin's brief post. Note he has also stated clearly at the outset that this is his initial impressions. Lastly for all those comparing MFT to FF I wish they would stop, each has it's advantages. For those who prefer their FF cameras and big heavy full frame lenses fair play to you. I have been there done that and there are significant advantages for me with MFT and long lenses and hence my switch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04049595073945422693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-17141756502070199652016-01-14T05:11:36.837+08:002016-01-14T05:11:36.837+08:00The Nikon DO lens most certainly, definitely does ...The Nikon DO lens most certainly, definitely does not deliver top shelf optics like the new Oly. The Nikon is equivalent to a budget, lightweight version, say a Tamron version. Its optics are 'very good' but not at the benchmark level of the Olympus.<br /><br />In fact, even the Oly 40-150PRO at 150mm is sharper than the new Nikon. That's a zoom lenstnargshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04937893575268508575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-42576709684457240912016-01-12T02:58:12.401+08:002016-01-12T02:58:12.401+08:00Sorry to hear about your mom, Robin. Hope she reco...Sorry to hear about your mom, Robin. Hope she recovers quickly. Anxiously looking forward to your full review of this lens and photo samples. I have no doubts that this is very sharp lens. I am more worried about the "nervous bokeh" not unlike the 40-150 PRO, as reported by some reviewers. I hope it's not as bad as it sounds.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04023283376875694701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-49322959537850989702016-01-12T01:33:46.334+08:002016-01-12T01:33:46.334+08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04023283376875694701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-29316149147322234372016-01-11T07:02:39.884+08:002016-01-11T07:02:39.884+08:00FF people never add cost and weight of tripod to g...FF people never add cost and weight of tripod to go with 600 mm or 600 x 1.4x and benefit of 6 STOPS of stabilzation. And all pretend to be Tom Magelson who prints wall sized 24 x 40 in. Oly lens will find a good following. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812517792844604538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-44969282342707358252016-01-10T05:26:46.724+08:002016-01-10T05:26:46.724+08:00I was just reading 3 reviews on dpreview. To costl...I was just reading 3 reviews on dpreview. To costly, to heavy..is circle of image designed for next EM1 sensor size? And dpreview people seem to miss 6 stop stabilization benefits entirely. They're nuts about all their comparisons to FF.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812517792844604538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-9624210028144399002016-01-09T18:43:15.050+08:002016-01-09T18:43:15.050+08:00I'm sure the Olympus will be great optically a...I'm sure the Olympus will be great optically and very sharp. There is no doubt about that. However, it's a bit pretentious to claim it's gonna be better than any other 300mm lens on the market.<br />Keep in mind I don't shoot Nikon. In fact, I really like MFT. I used to have an E-M1 and lots of lenses. Great system. After I got all of my gear stolen, I decided to switch to Fuji which is more appropriate to my style of photography (shallow DOF with very fast primes).<br />I'm sure several years from now, the use of OD elements will be more common and lenses such as this one will be made smaller for the benefit of every photographer.Florenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167803710220291483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-82261703155652452122016-01-09T10:37:09.560+08:002016-01-09T10:37:09.560+08:00Yes, you may want to argue that 300mm lens is a 30...Yes, you may want to argue that 300mm lens is a 300mm lens. I will be perfectly happy to get a 600mm reach. If you still want to argue and deny that, all the best to you. <br /><br />And I am sure, the image quality of the Olympus 300mm F4 will SURPASS the Nikon's 300mm F4. Just wait for valid comparisons to surface. <br /><br />If we are comparing ordinary lenses, I shall not comment much. Do bear in mind that the new M.Zuiko 300mm is made to be the BEST lens for Micro Four Thirds. Specifications can only say so much, just wait for real life samples. Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-18439980331758118722016-01-09T09:16:53.687+08:002016-01-09T09:16:53.687+08:00The reason why the Nikkor is much smaller and ligh...The reason why the Nikkor is much smaller and lighter has to do with the technology used: diffractive optics. It takes a lot of time/knowledge to develop this technology. Canon more than a decade ago introduced it in a 400mm f4 (2001) lens and a 70-300mm lens (2004). It took Nikon till 2015 to introduce a lens with comparable technology. So, in order for Olympus to use lenses like this, they have to invest a lot of money and time to develop the knowledge and manufacturing ability of such refractive optics. They just don't have the technology yet.<br />Now, you can argue as much as you want, but the fact remains: a 300mm f4 lens remains a 300mm f4 lens regardless of the sensor behind it. If Olympus had diffractive optics tech they could surely make this 300mm much smaller and similar in size (if not slightly smaller) than the Nikkor.<br /><br />More infos about diffractive optics here: http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/lenses/multi_layer_diffractive_optical_element.doFlorenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167803710220291483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-71455858959233779522016-01-09T07:41:11.565+08:002016-01-09T07:41:11.565+08:00We may argue on and on but you can only go so far ...We may argue on and on but you can only go so far by just looking at specifications.<br /><br />Soon the internet will be filled with real life samples and reviews of the Olympus 300mm F4 lens. You may even find a direct comparison with the Nikon's "cheaper and smaller" version then I am sure this will adequately answer your questions. Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-36145855368439742352016-01-09T07:35:50.341+08:002016-01-09T07:35:50.341+08:00I shall highlight my points in th3 following:
1) N...I shall highlight my points in th3 following:<br />1) Nikon 300mm is not optically similar to Olympus 300mm. I can almost guarantee you Olympus 300mm is optically superior and this will be proven by many professional reviewers. While Nikon 300mm F4 is designed as one of their lens line up, Olympus 300mm F4 PRO is designed to be the BEST of Micro Four Thirds lenses. <br />2) your comparison of 300mm F4 for Full Frame and 300 F4 for micro four thirds sensor to have similar characteristics is flawed. How can that be, when the final output of the image is so different in terms of focal length reach and depth of field? Are you going to claim that using 300mm F4 on both Olympus and Nikon yields similar outcome? Obviously not, and hence that same Nikon lens while being made smaller does not mean it can be made similar for Micro Four Thirds. <br />3) while your Nikon lens is lighter, but mounting on a full frame body, your overall weight and size will still be more that a Micro Four Thirds system. <br />4) final question. Can you handhold at 1/10sec with your 300mm focal length? I can hand hold the Olympus 300mm, which in actual fact gives me 600mm at 1/10sec. Your lens may be smaller, but in critical situations you need additional aid of tripods or monopods, which micro four thirds system is designed to be free of. <br /><br />Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-38452371568906091192016-01-08T18:34:21.747+08:002016-01-08T18:34:21.747+08:00I'm gonna be the devil's advocate on this ...I'm gonna be the devil's advocate on this one. The Oly 300mm f4 is not a 600mm f4 lens!<br />It's a 300mm f4 lens that when mounted on a 4/3 sensor gives a FOV of 600mm (with a an equivalent DOF of f8 in 35mm terms). It's the same as saying the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V has a 24-1200mm lens, yet it's much much smaller than an EM1 with the 300mm that only gives you 600mm.<br /><br />I find this Olympus lens very big, heavy and expensive for what it is.<br />It is especially true if you compare it to the new Nikkor 300mm VR f4 lens which is designed for a sensor that's 4x the size.<br />The Nikkor is much smaller, much lighter and $500 cheaper!<br />Olympus size: 92.5 x 227 ; weight 1475g<br />Nikkor size: 89 x 147.5 ; weight 755g<br />The Nikkor is 8cm shorter (!) and about HALF the weight while being much cheaper. How is this possible. Mounting the Nikkor with an adapter might make sense in this case.Florenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09167803710220291483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-54235344723430769032016-01-08T18:32:35.767+08:002016-01-08T18:32:35.767+08:00Rasmus, I agree. I always look for the fastest le...Rasmus, I agree. I always look for the fastest lens possible, when it is a properly-designed weapon. I have a 20 MP sensor in the GX8, along with the 16 MP sensors in the GH4 and E-M1. My SHG lenses have not been used so much lately because I have enough micro Four-Thirds equipment, and two small bodies beat one large body and one small body.<br /><br />Robin-sama, I'm glad to hear that. I really wish I had a use for the lens. I've been going wider mostly, not longer, with skate parks.Sakamoto Nobuyukihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14698659558464819776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-52726236157536002172016-01-08T09:22:02.925+08:002016-01-08T09:22:02.925+08:00Hoping for a prompt recovery for your mother.Hoping for a prompt recovery for your mother.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02732986264005748665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-34963229668595208632016-01-08T07:17:36.544+08:002016-01-08T07:17:36.544+08:00Bob, my point is, the limit is within the camera. ...Bob, my point is, the limit is within the camera. Since we are still using the camera I do not boy expect improvement in the performance. Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-63461453267480371612016-01-08T05:26:32.402+08:002016-01-08T05:26:32.402+08:00Well isn't that the point of a real life test....Well isn't that the point of a real life test... test the limits of the lens and body it's attached to. Motorcycles and fast sports cars would test the limits, soccer and basketball would not.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812517792844604538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-73054289447486838832016-01-08T04:24:15.789+08:002016-01-08T04:24:15.789+08:00Hope to see the the performance of this lens with ...Hope to see the the performance of this lens with 1.4X teleconvertor also.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14885491332666141384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-24589936150007477782016-01-07T10:45:11.754+08:002016-01-07T10:45:11.754+08:00Hi Bob,
not too sure if motorcycles is the best su...Hi Bob,<br />not too sure if motorcycles is the best subject to test but I do not expect the lens to perform miracles when it comes to C-AF. After all we are talking about using older bodies on the camera. <br /><br />Hi Carl,<br />I agree with you. <br /><br />Nobu-San,<br />I think in the hands of a capable photographer such as yourself you can make the shots happen!Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-7264856401679679822016-01-07T10:38:10.721+08:002016-01-07T10:38:10.721+08:00Hey Rasmus,
All valid points! The main reason the ...Hey Rasmus,<br />All valid points! The main reason the lens was kept at F4 is the size. Making it F2.8 will significantly add to the size and weight which is not something a Micro Four Thirds system is designed for. Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-47520166359947958352016-01-07T10:36:43.602+08:002016-01-07T10:36:43.602+08:00hi Nobu-san,
I am so glad to be home.
No worries,...hi Nobu-san,<br />I am so glad to be home. <br />No worries, I have my own skepticism too. Shall put the lens to torture when I get back to Kuala Lumpur. Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19035680.post-64041965601086991432016-01-07T10:34:18.093+08:002016-01-07T10:34:18.093+08:00Hi Nirut!! Thanks for the concern and yes I cannot...Hi Nirut!! Thanks for the concern and yes I cannot wait to do a full review!Robin Wonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02572566037297158455noreply@blogger.com