which long focal length zoom? Leica, Panasonic, Sigma ? 70-200 ; 70-300...

[Torpille]

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I'm looking for a zoom lens for tennis, nature photography and portraits.

Do any of you have experience with the Lumix S 70-300?

I've also seen the lumix S Pro 70-200 F4 and the lumix S Pro 70-200 F 2.8 but the latter is 1.5 kilos.

I'm going to use it with the CL, SL 601 and maybe an S5 II (to replace my SL2-S) which seems very close to the SL3-S in autofocus.

I'd love to hear your advice as I have no knowledge of this type of lens.

 

[jankap]

Please do not forget, that you can do very much in post to-day. Do not forget stitching too.

Tennis, I would say 200mm F/4 to be able to keep it handheld. The DOF of an f/2.8 can be nice, but is not necessary.

Pure portraits, my father used his 90mm Elmar with much success, so f/4 is sufficient. Possible is 75 mm too.

Groups with something happening or doing 35 mm or 50 mm from f/1.0 to f/4.0.

Landscape is more my line, wide is my choice. I like to use 15 mm or 24 mm.

Nature in general: close focus is the tool with lenses from 50 mm to 280 mm. 

By the way, I don't own zooms.🫠

Edited June 1 by jankap

[jaapv]

The Sigma 70-200 2.8 is arguably the best telezoom I ever owned ( and I have owned quite a few) And one of the fastest AF L lenses. 

[Torpille]

that's what I read, but it's a big baby !
no one has any experience with Panasonic?
the 70-300 is quite affordable...

 

[jaapv]

It is definitely not a miniature lens but I find that it balances well. I find that more important than weight and bulk as such,  smaller and lighter lenses often lack stability for handheld shooting on the long end.Not so much for motion blur; we have OIS after all, but for finding and framing the subject. As a bonus the lens has an EVF stabilization function. 
I would try one out in the shop to feel it for your hands. 

[Olaf_ZG]

10 hours ago, Torpille said:

that's what I read, but it's a big baby !
no one has any experience with Panasonic?
the 70-300 is quite affordable...

 

I had the 70-200/4 from panasonic with the converter. It is a great lens, and can be get secondhand for a very nice price.

In the end I traded it in for the 90-280, which is on another level price wise.

I really can recommend the panasonic though.

[justru49]

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I own the 90-280 and like it a lot. But for a long motorcycle trip last year to the Isle of Man Races I wanted a more compact and lighter lens for my SL3 and bought the Pana 70-300 for the job. It did not disappoint me. It is, as we know, light, compact and not very expensive. Performance: AF reaction is really quick with the SL3 (see example) and image quality is, for my eyes, absolutely sufficient for these handheld jobs. I recommend it 👍

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