Please do not comment any more that I should have opened the zoom lock, because that makes the zoom ring stiff. I did unlock the zoom properly.

Just ordered this! This’ll be my first super tele on any system. Something new for me. Very excited to give it a try!!

I have this with a G9 and love it for bird photography. I'm mostly shooting it at full zoom but find it a bit sharper if you pull it back just a bit. Lens is a little stiff but minor issue. Made a very interesting discovery for birds in flight: rather than use camera's matrix focus I keep it to single point, set both the lens and camera to manual mode, then continue to use auto-focus (i.e. half press shutter or back button focus).  I find this combo give you faster focus acquisition and more keepers.

Speaking of one-handed shooting, I never do it, but it is possible. I took a phone call while out shooting birds when a flock of shorebirds zoomed by. Lifted my EM1mk2 and this lens, fired away, one-handed, and I got some of my favorite BIFs I've ever taken 😄👍

For me the lock mechanism feels like this: If locked it's harder to zoom, unlocked it's easier.
However: I can not totally lock it and if unlocked it's still not as smooth as other Leica lenses.
This being said: It's a great lens in combination with my G9 as well as my GH5

Good lens for candid photography.

Wow, I was just looking up on this lens earlier today.
Thank you for this video!

thank you for well done review 😘

thanks for this excellent video.

I'm usually in fixed lenses BUT it's a problem for traveling even on MFT to carry dozen of lenses and change lenses all the time, especially in bad weather or sandy/dusty places.
It's why, when traveling, I limit my camera bag to OMD5III+ Olympus 7-14, OMD1II + Olympus 12-100 and G9M2 + PanaLeica 100-400 (mkI), it covers all photographic needs with only 3 lenses and bodies.

V good review! Thanks. And excellent English skills!

A number of reviewers have complained about the rough feel of the zoom, so it isn't just your copy.

Ive found it as an awesome lens and I love taking photos of wildlife.

One of the reasons I am considering switching to Panasonic crop sensor is the quality of their lenses at at affordable prices. You've done a fantastic job reviewing this 100-400mm, thank ya.

A very fair and even-handed review. I have had one for a year and use it exclusively for shooting wildlife. It is a pretty unique combination in combination with the G9. It is amazing how it can do handheld, but it sure gets heavy that way after a few minutes!

kiitos videosta, oli kiva review!  greetings from pikku huopalahti! :)

Great review Matti, I love the the Leica 100-400mm on the G9 it is the perfect combo for Wildlife and Aviation photography and being compact and lightweight they can be carried all day very easily although I do use the Peak design Capture Clip on my Backpack when I am not taking photos

I have this lens on my OM-D E-M1 Mk2.  For wildlife photography it is absolutely awesome.  Anyone complaining about it not being fast enough or sharp enough  wasn't using the gear we had to deal with 50 years ago or more.

So happy to have it now for shooting birds. Just fantastic**

I'm using the Panasonic-Leica 100-400mm on a G9. I get very good photographs of roosting birds and some birds in flight.

I can take it hiking in a Lowepro backpack along with the Panasonic- Leica 8-18mm and Panasonic 14-140mm and get most any photograph.

I have birdfeeders and a birdbath in my backyard which is adjacent to open space with native plants. Getting close to the subject helps in wildlife photography.

I have a few perigrine falcon and osprey shots that were possible because of using light gear that is compact. Huge telephoto lenses are a drawback in regard to cost,  opportunity and portability. The better image quality, auto focus, and low light capabilities of fullframe cameras should be considered.