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Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/2.8 O.I.S. Lens - a viable alternative to the Leica 90-280 APO?


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On 1/8/2021 at 3:10 PM, scott kirkpatrick said:

OK, comparison time, with the Leica 90-280 and the Lumix 70-200/2.8.  To get the best stabiiization I use each long zoom on its native platform since combining IBIS and OIS is a dark art, requiring information that is not shared across the L-mount consortium.  The 90-280 is a bit longer, but the Lumix camera and lens feel more massive.  I would guess their total weights are about the same.

U1050375 by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr

I've been following a construction project -- a new national library of a unique shape, with a continuously curving roof that features various measn of getting light onto the vast openspaces below.  Completing that roof is a months-long project.  Here's how it looked this morning, as seen with the 70-200@200 (1 1/3 shot pano):

P1033393 Panorama by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr  (click through for 100% rendering.

Next I'll compare an small crop of this with the same scene shot with the Leica combination a week or two ago.

P1033393 copy by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr

and U1050322 copy by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr

Is it obvious which is which?

 

Jpg straight out of camera, aren't they? 

Possible to adjust the results by modifying in camera parameters, such as the profile etc. 

 

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47 minutes ago, scott kirkpatrick said:

DNG straight into Capture One, no adjustments then rendered at 100%.  Both shot at ISO 200, f/5.6 max focal length.  That's my basic starting point.

The problem is usually the color profile, and C1 doesn't do a great job in that regard. I stopped using the standard profiles after bad experiences with Fuji and Sony.

Another suggestion that I have is to set as standard the luminance noise reduction to zero for all the cameras, it smears details and it doesn't make sense to use it when the light is good, moreover there are better ways to reduce noise.

Here's a comparison between the standard profile of C1, where the greens are almost clipping, and the profiles that I use, same settings with all the photos, with the contrast curve set to auto.

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Another example.

Above the C1 standard profile, in this case it makes a mess also on the edges of the flower, creating a contrast that doesn't exist in reality.

 

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On 1/9/2021 at 6:24 AM, michali said:

+1 I'm finding that more & more I'm using the Sigma 100-400mm on the SL2 over the VE90-280mm L, which I'm also going to keep.

+1 Fully concur with Michali and FlashGordonPhotography.

I've also owned SL 90-280 and recently acquired the Sigma 100-400. I owned both lens for brief period. I found myself consistently reaching for Sigma 100-400.

The IQ is of the Sigma is very good and the weight & handling is among the best of any long zoom I've ever owned, rented or tested. I ultimately sold the 90-280 because based on cost and frequency of use, I simply couldn't justify keeping it.

I've owned some of the best long zooms made by Nikon and Canon. I found the 90-280 to be the best long zoom I'd ever used and it may be the best zoom period.

I may re acquire the SL 90-280 someday, but will only do so if I'm relatively certain that I will use it more frequently. In the meantime the Sigma 100-400 is serving me well.

 

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6 hours ago, MarkinVan said:

Is that due to the extra reach?

400 vs 280?

Yes it is mainly the extra reach & then it's also the weight. The Sigma's good up to about 10m to 15m subject distance, beyond that I find that IQ takes a dip. Generally I'm photographing  wildlife or birds within that subject distance or even closer. 

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I had the Sigma 100-400 and I returned it. I did not like the sharpness it offered. I would be better off with a 2x converter with my Panasonic 70-200 f2.8 instead.. and so I thought.. I bought the 2x converter and returned that as well.. did not like the sharpness at 400mm f5.6 or 6.3.. I might get the 70-350 panasonic when it comes out and I have high hopes it will be good! moreover, I can always shoot crop mode on the SL2 to get more reach! It's possible my copy of the sigma 100-400 wasn't as good maybe? In general my preference for glass is Leica then Pana then Sigma.. I have first hand experience with Panasonic 24-70 and the 70-200. Honestly I could not tell the difference in IQ between 24-70 and the Leica 24-90, the panasonic was that good! Seeing the performance of 70-200 f2.8, I am just waiting for a good used deal on the 50 f1.4.. I do not like how "long" the 90-280 lens is and of course the huge price tag! IQ is obviously unbeatable as I have shot with it on SL about 3 years ago.. 

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to add to that, my Canon 400mm f4 DO IS USM did pretty well on the SL2 with the Sigma adapter.. not all photos were sharp but as some people said in another thread, it could just be the mechanical shutter.. haven't tried with electronic only yet.. I think the 400mm f4 Canon lens (v1 or v2) could be a nice option for SL2 because its f4 and the OOF is pretty darn good! its also a very good lens to use handheld.. 

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42 minutes ago, aksclix said:

to add to that, my Canon 400mm f4 DO IS USM did pretty well on the SL2 with the Sigma adapter.. not all photos were sharp but as some people said in another thread, it could just be the mechanical shutter.. haven't tried with electronic only yet.. I think the 400mm f4 Canon lens (v1 or v2) could be a nice option for SL2 because its f4 and the OOF is pretty darn good! its also a very good lens to use handheld.. 

Agree with you about the Canon 400mm f4 DO USM, I have the vers.2 & it's my go to lens for serious wildlife photography on the SL2., it's probably the best tele lens I've ever used in  +40 years of wildlife photography.

With all of these lenses, the Sigma 100-400mm, Canon 400mm as well as the Leica 90-280mm L, I've found that the electronic shutter delivers the sharpest results. I'm quite sure that there's an element of shutter shock/slap with the mechanical shutter. 

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On 1/10/2021 at 11:26 PM, Ktsa5239 said:

I’m also currently using the pano 70-200 f4  on my SL2 for my bird shoots. Mainly because I can’t afford or justify the 90-280SL lens.

I’m also considering the sigma 100-400mm for more reach but it’s not available in Australia yet it seems. Does anyone know if the newer DN model the same as the old DG except for the mount?

thanks

Yes it is. I bought mine at my local camera store a couple of months ago. If your local doesn't stock it it will also be available directly from CR Kennedy. (the importer)

Sigma 100-400 f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens 00Z100400DGDNC | C.R. Kennedy (crkphotoimaging.com.au) 

Gordon

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I understand that Panasonic 70-200/2.8 has a focus clutch mechanism for AF/MF shifting. AFAIK, that means the BBF is not possible with SL cameras. If that is correct, then to me, it is not a viable alternative to 90-280.

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3 hours ago, SrMi said:

I understand that Panasonic 70-200/2.8 has a focus clutch mechanism for AF/MF shifting. AFAIK, that means the BBF is not possible with SL cameras. If that is correct, then to me, it is not a viable alternative to 90-280.

Of course it is possible with Panasonic 70-200 f2.8.. when the clutch is set to AF it functions like any other  normal lens.. 

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45 minutes ago, aksclix said:

Of course it is possible with Panasonic 70-200 f2.8.. when the clutch is set to AF it functions like any other  normal lens.. 

On SL2, you need to switch to MF in order for BBF to work. BBF does not work in AF mode. How does then it work for you?

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2 hours ago, SrMi said:

On SL2, you need to switch to MF in order for BBF to work. BBF does not work in AF mode. How does then it work for you?

Yes, but that is how BBF works in SL2.. maybe I am not understanding your concern properly 

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2 hours ago, SrMi said:

On SL2, you need to switch to MF in order for BBF to work. BBF does not work in AF mode. How does then it work for you?

If you are referring to using back focus button on SL2 by having camera set to MF but actually using autofocus with the joystick (back focus) then I believe you are correct. The lens appears to "override" the camera selection so using the back button for AF no longer works.

This is the one issue I don't like about using Panasonic lens on SL2 in that I'm not able to use separate rear focus button which is my standard way of focusing. I use back focus button for all subjects and find it indispensable when shooting moving subjects. 

Haven't had this issue on Sigma lens on SL2, even though they have the same AF/MF button selection. I assume that in Sigma's case in camera AF/MF selection governs the behavior i.e. does not "defeat" use of the back button for AF, whereas with Panasonic the lens impacts the ability to use back button AF.

If anyone knows how to solve for this use case i.e. using back focus AF on SL2 using a Panasonic / Lumix lens, please let us know what settings you use in camera/lens setup. 

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44 minutes ago, aksclix said:

Yes, but that is how BBF works in SL2.. maybe I am not understanding your concern properly 

NicholasT described the issue well. The AF/MF clutch overrides AF mechanically, i.e., the SL2 joystick cannot trigger focusing in MF mode. Therefore, BBF is not possible with a Panasonic lens with the clutch.

Hopefully, Leica will add an option to disable focusing with the shutter button. That option would allow BBF in AF mode and would make Panasonic lenses more useful on SL2.

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Got it.. my bad! It is true! MF is disabled when using this lens in SL2..  I tend to hold both buttons while shooting and honestly I’ve only shot cats with this so far due to the lockdown haven’t truly used it much at all.. 

Edited by aksclix
typos
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