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Panasonic Leica 100-400mm F/4-6.3 OIS review

Camerahoarders

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This lens was reviewed on GH5: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 review

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20 Comments

@LaFourmiOptimiste 7 years ago

Thank you for being the only one I found that gave a range comparison photo (12mm vs 400mm)

I couldnt figure how much of a zoom this telezoom really was.

@ewtriplett3323 9 years ago

My copy of this lens rotates just fine.

@marklaurendet1861 9 years ago

Are you going to do a Panasonic G85 review? This camera seems to be in a good sweet spot for price and features.

@AnastasTarpanov 9 years ago

I don't own this lens, but have tested it in a shop, today I tried it again, the zoom is tight, but smooth, there is no problems using it. I also find the optical quality perfect, at least in the center, don't see real problems using it to 400mm even for producing big prints.

@michaelx6427 8 years ago

Mine is stiff too. My other zooms are easy. Did Pany intentionally make it hard or is it because of weather sealing? It seems that this would never hit production if it could be smooth. Any thoughts ?

@waynebenoit1776 9 years ago

I have the same problem with stiff zoom.

@enigmabletchley6936 9 years ago

Thanks for a really good video. My 100-400 also has a sticky zoom ring. It did not occur to me to complain but now I think I shall, even though I have owned the lens for more than a year. The performance was so-so on my GX8 but is much better on my GH5. I would recommend the lens, although the 100-300 II is probably a better value buy. Owning this lens has not stopped me wanting to own the Olympus 300/4 if that gives anyone the impression of how much I like it.

@stigselsmark6898 9 years ago (edited)

Hi there, read somewhere that you have to unlock the zoom ring it by turning it anti clock wise, not shure though..

@DrConifer 7 years ago

Excellent review! Purchased mine in Nov-2018. Zoom action is slightly stiff, but smooth throughout the range; not a problem for video zoom. I was prepared to return the lens if the unit had the sticky zoom, but it's not needed for this unit.

@ViktorGabyshev 7 years ago

Thank you for review! It will be very interesting to know about sharpness of this lens compared to Panasonic 100-300mm MkII? Have you had a chance to test it? I own Panas 100-300 II, but I've noticed that I need an extra 100mm of reach)) so I'm thinking about upgrade

@anglerstudio5942 8 years ago

Just got this lens. Zoom is not stiff at all. Hitch appear only then it is in "LOCK" position, So i guess there is no real problem at all.

@reg171reg 9 years ago

Strange. I have this lens and the zoom is quite acceptable yet I have heard of other reviewers having the same issue. I don't know if it has anything to do with the zoom lock.

@Forestfalcon1 9 years ago

I've had mine nearly a year... The zoom has always been smooth..

@hk-feet6278 6 years ago

Zoom is not stiff - I own one and can assure you that yours is broken because you or someone else has zoomed while lock on and I suspect you or someone damaged it while leaving lock on or partly on

@deanelliot4127 9 years ago

My zoom ring was very "sticky," too. And I found that the IQ and speed of focus inferior to both the OLY 40-150mm f2.8 Pro and 300mm f4.0 Pro. I got rid of the PL 100-400mm right after a trip to Svalbard where I had a chance to compare it with the OLY lenses. Too bad, because it's a great concept. It just is not up to Lumix Leica standards.

@Bohemian0522 8 years ago (edited)

I own this lens for almost 2 weeks now, the zoom ring is stiff, especially between 200 and 400mm. I think this is expected as there are a lot of glasses to move inside. Also the weather sealing may have contributed to the problem as well. Overall, I don't do video shooting with this lens so the stiffness doesn't bother me at all, I only use it for shooting birds mostly, and I find the focus lock fairly useful, as I seldom need to zoom in & out and mostly shoots at 400mm. I bought this one after seeing another youtube channel shooting wildlife with it. The combination of light weight and image quality is most important to me. I'm planning to bring it with me to Hakkaido Japan next month to shoot some winter wildlife.

@josephjackson7351 8 years ago

Great Review , Thank you.
I have bought this Lens even though i have not yet got a camera to pair it with, I tried it on the G H 5 in my local camera store and loved it.
I have the G 9 on Pre order, and i should get it in a couple of weeks.
The Lens i have does not stick or is hard to zoom at all.
Regards Joey

@a.dretti2917 9 years ago (edited)

Hi. Thanx for the review. I also have this lens and the zoomring is quite acceptable. The more I turn it the better it gets, so I guess it will get better in time. What I did notice is that there is some slight tolerance between center-pin of the lens and mounting hole in the body. So when I zoom back and forth I feel this play/tolerance. I there anyone else who has noticed this?