Anyone tried Panny/Leica 100-400 f/4-5.6 ?

[Russ Gutshall]

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 !

[Rohan Dadswell]

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.

[Russ Gutshall]

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]

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

[William Hohauser]

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.

[Chris Hurd]

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?

[Russ Gutshall]

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]

Oops - forgot one point Chris -- physical distance lens to subject at both focal lengths was roughly 140-160 feet.