Telephoto for Safari? Panasonic 70-200 w 2x vs. Leica 90-280

[jaapv]

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Of course the 90-280 is a fantastic lens; for the simpler Safari destinations with the game close to the vehicles it may well suffice, but in the more demanding parks it is far too short and, optically industry standard as it is, it is twenty years behind the competition by Canon, Nikon Sigma, etc. in functionality. What use, for instance, is that extra few percent in resolution when your image has motion blur for lack of O.I.S.?  Leica used to be leading with their long APO lenses, but they really dropped the ball. 

[Jeff S]

44 minutes ago, jaapv said:

 What use, for instance, is that extra few percent in resolution when your image has motion blur for lack of O.I.S.?  

The 90-280 has OIS (plus IBIS on the SL2). Or did I misunderstand your point?

Jeff

[jaapv]

You’re completely right, Retracted with apologies. However for wildlife and nature a lens in the less than 300 mm range is no more than a wideangle, a standard lens at best. There are no extenders, it does not offer EVF stabilization, the camera system lacks advanced features like post-focus, The optical quality, superb as it is, is closely matched by the competition, so Leica clearly only intended the lens to “complete the system” and has little to no interest in this field. I am not talking about the price, that is not done with Leica, but Canon and Nikon are not cheap either. 

[Jürgen]

Namibia - not a little bird, but a little rhino 😄 SL2, SL 90-280, 280mm, 1/1000s, f/6,3, ISO 400

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[Jeff S]

8 hours ago, jaapv said:

You’re completely right, Retracted with apologies. However for wildlife and nature a lens in the less than 300 mm range is no more than a wideangle, a standard lens at best. There are no extenders, it does not offer EVF stabilization, the camera system lacks advanced features like post-focus, The optical quality, superb as it is, is closely matched by the competition, so Leica clearly only intended the lens to “complete the system” and has little to no interest in this field. I am not talking about the price, that is not done with Leica, but Canon and Nikon are not cheap either. 

I don’t shoot wildlife, but the 90-280 with 2 kinds of stabilization makes it a perfect setup for getting extremely sharp photos of other subjects handheld. It’s the best zoom IQ-wise that I’ve owned. But I agree, for your use it’s lacking, especially with no extender.

Jeff

Edited October 5, 2022 by Jeff S

[Jeff S]

On 10/5/2022 at 2:20 AM, jaapv said:

You’re completely right, Retracted with apologies. However for wildlife and nature a lens in the less than 300 mm range is no more than a wideangle, a standard lens at best. There are no extenders, it does not offer EVF stabilization, the camera system lacks advanced features like post-focus, The optical quality, superb as it is, is closely matched by the competition, so Leica clearly only intended the lens to “complete the system” and has little to no interest in this field. I am not talking about the price, that is not done with Leica, but Canon and Nikon are not cheap either. 

Speaking of longer L mount lenses and extenders….

https://leicarumors.com/2022/10/06/leica-l-mount-lens-rumors-100-400mm-105mm-and-teleconverters.aspx/
 

Jeff

[Paul2660]

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I wonder if the 1.4x will be designed to work with the 90-280?  That would be a great asset if the optics hold up. 
 

To the OP I would also consider the Sigma 150-600. I have been pleased with this lens hand held up to 500mm. Past that results are mixed unless on a tripod. The lens foot is Arca ready.  
 

Paul 
 

 

[jaapv]

On 10/5/2022 at 9:55 AM, Jürgen said:

Namibia - not a little bird, but a little rhino 😄 SL2, SL 90-280, 280mm, 1/1000s, f/6,3, ISO 400

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Malawi,Sigma150-600. CL.  😛

 

 

 

[michali]

On 10/7/2022 at 3:09 AM, Paul2660 said:

I wonder if the 1.4x will be designed to work with the 90-280?  That would be a great asset if the optics hold up. 
 

To the OP I would also consider the Sigma 150-600. I have been pleased with this lens hand held up to 500mm. Past that results are mixed unless on a tripod. The lens foot is Arca ready.  
 

Paul 
 

 

I have a small arsenal of telephoto & long zooms for wildlife, incl. the Leica 90-280mm L, which as Jaap says, is generally too short for wildlife, especially birding. I have the Canon 400mm f4 USM DOll which I use on the SL2 & SL2-S with the Sigma MC-21 adapter, probably the best telephoto lens I've ever used.

The more I use the Sigma 150-600mm L and the more I get to grips with it, the more I like it.

All round it's an extremely versatile lens. I recently returned from a trip to Tanzania where I limited myself to 2 bodies: SL2 & SL2-S only 2 lenses: Sigma DC DN 18-50mm f2.8 & Sigma 150-600mm

SL2 & Sigma 150-600mm & Sigma 1.4X TC (there's no loss of IQ)  -Augur Hawk or Buzzard (Buteo augur) at Mwiba s. Serengeti

Hand held using Electronic Shutter

(please click on image for better res.)

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Edited October 8, 2022 by michali

[michali]

Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) @ Mwiba s. Serengeti. 

SL2 & Sigma 150-600mm @ 446mm iAF, single shot, Electronic Shutter 1/4000s, f6.3  ISO400, hand held.

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[ropo54]

It was also nice having brought along the Sigma 16-28. 

Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

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[ropo54]

Pack of hyenas devouring the remains of a giraffe.  SL 90-280.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

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Edited October 10, 2022 by ropo54

[jaapv]

Here we have the Sigma again . 

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[ropo54]

SL 90-280

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[kyojin]

Great pictures @ropo54! Making me more excited about my trip!

I’m headed to Central Serengeti end June and hopefully catch some of the Great Migration. 

perhaps a question for @jaapv and @michali, would the VE90-280 be too short for the Serengeti (not sure if it’s considered one of the “demanding” NPs). 

I’m a M-P 240 shooter with a single 35Lux lens, so my options are kind of open in terms of camera bodies. I’ve been toying with various possibilities - Canon R7 x2, OM1 x2, SL2+CL (or even 2x CL). I’m not quite into birding and close-ups of an elephant’s eye or a lion’s paw or a zebra’s portrait without environmental context. For the lack of a better term, I prefer “animalscapes”. 

I don’t intend to keep much of the equipment I’ll be bringing (unless a CL or SL2 body) and plan to sell them once I return (rental not a good option where I am).

additional context: I typically like to print a “money shot” at 40” x 30” on canvas for our home and a few smaller 8x10s from our trips.

any suggestions would be most welcome! 

Edited May 4, 2023 by kyojin
Adding additional context

[jaapv]

The Serengeti is a mainly wide open plain and vehicles do not go off-road, so yes 280 is definitely too short for a fair number of opportunities. If you are unwilling to replace the 90/280 by one of the Sigma 600 zooms use an SL2 for croppability. A good idea in any case, wildlife photography is cropping photography. 
My Safari set is an SL 601 with Sigma 150-600, Vario Elmar R 35/70 and Summilux 24 M. CL as backup and 1.4 extender. 

[jaapv]

Take note that you need to watch the weight of your gear The aircraft flying into safari areas have strict luggage weight limitations and in Tanzania and Kenia they are enforced. 

[ropo54]

On 10/10/2022 at 10:35 AM, ropo54 said:

SL 90-280

 

 

56 minutes ago, kyojin said:

Great pictures @ropo54! Making me more excited about my trip!

I’m headed to Central Serengeti end June and hopefully catch some of the Great Migration. 

perhaps a question for @jaapv and @michali, would the VE90-280 be too short for the Serengeti (not sure if it’s considered one of the “demanding” NPs). 

I’m a M-P 240 shooter with a single 35Lux lens, so my options are kind of open in terms of camera bodies. I’ve been toying with various possibilities - Canon R7 x2, OM1 x2, SL2+CL (or even 2x CL). I’m not quite into birding and close-ups of an elephant’s eye or a lion’s paw or a zebra’s portrait without environmental context. For the lack of a better term, I prefer “animalscapes”. 

I don’t intend to keep much of the equipment I’ll be bringing (unless a CL or SL2 body) and plan to sell them once I return (rental not a good option where I am).

additional context: I typically like to print a “money shot” at 40” x 30” on canvas for our home and a few smaller 8x10s from our trips.

any suggestions would be most welcome! 

Thanks Kyonjin. I'm sure your trip will be fabulous! 

Certainly, I'd defer to Japan and Michali regarding gear to take as they have had many more diverse safari adventures.  My safari trip to Kruger enabled us to get really close to a lot of wildlife, so the 90-280 was fine in the majority of circumstances.  Still, there were times when a longer focal length would have been nice to have.

FWIW, I am also quite happy that I did bring a Hasselblad X1D along with the 45P (35mm equivalent).  I'm not able to post here, as this forum is limited to just Leica gear (body or lens), but I would suggest you'll enjoy having a 35mm focal length with you.  Some of my favorite shots were taken with that combination.

Rob

 

[kyojin]

That great insight @jaapv

I guess the benefit of my situation / conundrum is that I’m not tied to any brand or system. The Sigma 600s would definitely be on the list now.

Will I need faster teles for morning drives and sundowners? 

Also, what do I do about redundancy? I will have two bodies of the same mount, but I’m not quite sure what to do for lenses…

I’m aware of the weight limits on the domestic flights and have booked a seat with additional weight allowance (bumping it up to 45kg in total for Mrs and I)

out of curiosity, do you have your VE-R 35/70 mounted to the CL? 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[jaapv]

Olympus OM with Leica 100-400 MFT is also a good small light choice. The files from MFT are quite acceptable. You don’t need fast lenses as you will use a bean bag and the OIS is excellent on all modern lenses. Lens redundancy in the L system  up could be the Apo 180 R with 2x extender on the CL. I use the CL with the 18-56. I may possibly even leave the 35-70 home. 
a wide choice in options as you see. 
one thing: get your gear together well before departure and practice with it. In the excitement you don’t want to fumble.