Now it is easy to get close enough to birds for photography. This lens has incredible pulling power.
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- The 150-600mm OM lens just keeps zooming in for ever. I have never used a lens that has such a massive zoom range. Start off with a bird very small in the frame and zoom in to get close up head shots.
It is on the heavy side for MFT cameras, but if you can manage the weight it gets you pictures not available to you before. Optically it is so close to the more expensive 150-400mm that it is hard to see the difference. You need to stare at the images side by side to see the slight difference.
It is very much on a par with the 100-400mm lens.
I go to Brine Pits Farm to use their hides to test the lens out.
www.brinepitwi... for the hides mentioned in the film.
Mike Lane wildlife photography www.nature-pho...
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Thanks, Mike, for taking the time to review the 150-600 lens. Your conclusions are about the same as mine, regarding the differences between the 100-400 and the 150-600. I've never been able to try the 150-400 pro lens so I was especially interested in your opinions there. I LOVE my 150-600, mainly for the extra reach. A bird image shot at 400mm on the 100-400 and cropped to a 600mm equivalent, there is no question that the uncropped image shot at 600mm is superior. I don't mind the weight of the lens... it's simply the cost of having more reach and relatively good aperture for low light needs. A few days ago I shot a dusk shot of owls using 1/30 sec at 25600 iso - HAND-held and it turned out wonderfully (with support from DxO PureRaw). I wouldn't trade this lens, and the OM-1, for any other combination on today's market. Thanks again for a great review.
Thank you.
You should try it out. I rented the lens, and did a search on Google. There are quite a few shops loaning them for reasonable rates. I had mine for 3 days, but one can rent for weeks. It's always worth trying first hand. Videos like these give a great opinion, but real world testing is the best. And what's £90 to try out a lens when it costs thousands.
hopefully OM will forget, for all the excellent unbiased reviews you've done out your own pocket, at least a long term loan.
Well they should do I purchased the white lens the OM1 because for no other reason I trust Mikes recommendations and reviews. I don’t like speaking for everyoneI but I think it’s fair to say all of us enjoy respect and trust Mike.
Lenses just like the channel, for proper photographer’s all about photography no me me me on here. Just a refreshingly professional attitude to help other photographers it’s not about who the manufacturer of the latest brand of camera is all about. Channels like this thank the lord exist on RUclips and they stand out from the rest of the dross thankfully by a country mile. Doesn’t matter anything about what type of photography you are into, something here for everyone. Thank you again for photography channels like these on RUclips.
@@thomasreed49 That`s the way it is!
Excellent video 👍
Great information and a realistic appraisal. If I was 30 years younger and spent more time at the gym I'd have one but the weight alone puts me off at my age. I had no idea that the 150-400 was lighter in terms of weight. I still think the 300f4 I use with the extenders, while not versatile like a zoom, is the best combination of reach, image quality and weight.
Thanks for sharing!
300 f4 is the best combination of image quality, image quality and image quality .
Just want to say thank you for making this channel. It feels the information being given is very personal and we're both talking out in the field
Glad you enjoy it!
Thanks for the honest and balanced review. I didn't think I would buy one of these because of the weight, but I can't afford the 150-400, so I've owned mine for about 6 weeks now and I am pleased with both the quality and the extra reach, often enabling less of a crop. It is not quite as sharp or optically pleasing as the F300 Pro, which I also own, but with modern post-processing this is not really a problem.
I agree there is not much difference in quality.
Another nice relaxed and unbiased appraisal.
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the review! Your review convinced me that this is the best m43 wildlife lens overall. Not only in terms of value. As for the zooming. I have handled it once for a few minutes and I find push-pull zooming at smooth setting more convenient.
Yes I am only using Smooth.
I was going to offer the same comment. Rather than twist the zoom ring, grab the front hood and trombone it forwards and backwards. The Olympus 100-400, which I have, is also designed to allow this, much like the original Canon EF 100-400 push-pull zoom. Super convenient and much faster to frame a fast moving object. @MikeLaneFRPS
Mike, This is a bit of topic but I just wanted to share this with you. The first time my son and I tried shooting birds in flight, it was a disaster. Trying to keep the birds in frame with the 300mm F4 + 1.4 proved to be very difficult. We ended up getting a hot shoe rifle scope rail make for our OM1 that has ZERO play and mounted a small 1x red dot finder scope on it. Now tracking birds in flight is Childs play. So so so easy. We never loose the bird anymore and most of the time its very near to center frame. This is a complete game changer for tracking birds in flight!!!
Sounds like one of these. ruclips.net/video/fb0SvMNgCSc/видео.html
Yes, exactly!!! You are well aware for this idea ha ha. I see so many youtubers trying to explain how you need tons of hours to get good at tracking a bird when one of these makes it simple. I suppose cost is the only difference between yours and mine but what a great way of tracking birds!!! BTW, I love watching your videos and have learned so much from you on tracking birds. Your dead straight honesty about a new cameras capabilities is also a breath of fresh air!!!
Thank you very much, Mike.
You are very welcome
Thanks for the review. It is a very impressive lens, 1200mm reach with a stabilizer is just a dream.
It really is!
Ask OMS if they can let you borrow the lens for another month next spring when the Great Crested Grebes will be displaying.
Thanks for taking the time to compile this review Mike. Very informative 👍
My pleasure!
Wonderfully informative review Mike.This is the lens that tempts me most to make the move to an Om-Systems setup. For me, the 150-450 with built-in extender is far too expensive and the 300mm f4 is too restrictive in use. My current setup is the Canon r7 and the 100-500mm; with its crazy amount of rolling shutter and its very poor implementation of Pro Capture. I'm now seriously considering the move as the features on the om-1 cameras seem infinitely better than anything canon is offering. I have used the Sigma 150-600mm on my older Canon cameras and loved that lens. So this review is possibly the clincher! Thank you very much.
You are welcome.
I have tested 2 copies of this lens for a month and found them both rather soft at 600 fully open, only getting really sharp at f11. Good to have the reach but imo the quality does not reflect the price. But like you if I find one going cheap I might be tempted!
Great video! Superb information and many nice bird photos! Greetings from a Swedish youtuber! 🇸🇪
Thank you.
Hi Mike,
I'm following you since the beginning of this channel.
Thanks a lot for all your videos, I learnt a lot from you.
What would you choose between Zuiko 100-400mm and "SigOMa" 150-600mm?
I can't decide, I'm using an OM1 and Em1x.
Thank you for your reviews, peaces of advice and your nice videos!
I would go for the 150-600mm for the extra pulling power. The only reason not to is the weight and size. I can still manage it.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Thanks a lot for such a fast reply.
I've ordered the last one from mpb for £500less. Can't wait to test it.
Thanks a bunch for everything you do.
Thank you for another video… I got this lens back in March and am very pleased with what I can get from it. Yes it is big and ‘heavy’ by comparison to other lenses that are smaller and lighter… but they are also not 600mm of reach! So for me the one drawback is whether it means my 300mm f4 Pro will end up sitting unused too often. I do have a second OM1 body, and have taken both the 300 and the 150-600 out together (each with a peak design slide strap attached, one slung over each shoulder) but that is more awkward than just carrying one. If I was at a hide then I can imagine using two bodes/lenses side by side, but I am mostly going on short hikes/walks here in Australia and either handholding or using my monopod with mono gimbal. I would be interested to know whether you ever go out with both the 150-400 f4.5 and the 300 f4 Pro (assuming you own both)
I have kept the 300m f4 as a backup, but will not be using it normally. A prime lens is too much of a disadvantage now that long zooms are in the same bracket quality wise.
Thanks Mike, I can't afford the big white lens, I use the 300 Pro f4 and the 100 -400 happy with both but like you, I may be tempted via the SH market in future. A nice unbiased report
Thanks for sharing
Great content and delivery, thank you.
Thanks.
Great review Mike. With the 150 to 400 mm f 4.5 I set the base at 300 that gives a very good image stepped up to 400 is the equivalent of putting a 1.4 converter on the 300 mil F4. With no chance of cropping. Again drop in the internal converter the image deteriorate even further but it is okay for record shots. It’s okay manufacturers claiming these high magnifications but I stick around for 300mm then you are able to crop so at worst you end up in the same place as if you had taking it at 400 mm. I own both are 150 to 400 mm F 4.5 or also the 300 mm also the 40 mm to 150mm 2.8. I know the white lens has less restrictions but it is nowhere near as sharp and crisp as the 300 mm. Plus you are losing a stop of light. Thanks for another excellent talking point.
My 150-400 was also nowhere near as sharp and crisp as the 300mm. Was your 150-400 the Olympus badged version (made in Japan) or the OM System version (made in Vietnam)?
Great video Mike. I really enjoyed that video. I loaned this lens for my new OM 1 mkii recently, and really enjoyed the range. I'm about to go on safari in Botswana, and was on the fence whether to buy it. My default lens is the Panasonic leica 100-400mm, and it works well. The only issue I have with the this new OM lens is the WEIGHT. It's just too heavy for my liking, and goes against the whole micro four thirds idea that hardware should be lighter. Plus it's large, it's not as simple to pack into a rucksack. It's a great lens, but i prefer my PL 100-400mm compactness. Like you, if one comes along on the 2nd hand market, I'll be tempted.
It is heavy.
Thanks Mike it’s a lens I am considering , and found this very helpful 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for another very informative video. I am considering either the 100-400 or the 300 f4 to pair with an OM1ii for an attmept at bird photography in my retirement. Do you have any thoughts on which might be the better option?
I hope to never use a prime lens again. It's like driving a car with one gear. A zoom is so much more useful and it is only recently they are in the same ball park optically.
I reckon Olympus would be delighted to provide you one on long term loan! Interesting video, thanks Mike 👍👏😀
Thank you.
Excellent video Mike! I am in the process of deciding where to go next with regards to a suitable camera for bird photography. I have now a Nikon D7500 and a Tamron 150-600mm. The set is quite heavy (close to 3 kg), and I find it too heavy for walking around. So, I was looking for a lighter version with approximately the same reach but better specs (pre-capture, tracking...), so I ended up with a shortlist and the OM-1 Mark II and the 100-400mm combo. This seems to possibly be the best deal (also considering the cost) and the x1.4 extender for special occasions. This video just confirmed my initial thoughts, so thank you very much for your input!
Thank you.
Great video, Mike. I bombed out Sigma lenses out a few years ago after I got rid of my 300mm F4 which was as soft as butter. This one has got me thinking though.
I'm really intrigued by this combo. Mostly because I've seen several shots from it, and they were outstanding. TBH, I've been shooting with the Canon R7 + 800 F11 (1280mm equivalent) for 2 yrs now, so this kind of reach feels completely normal to me. I rented the 200-800, and it was maybe "slightly" sharper, but more importantly, it had all that zoom, plus half the MFD of my 800 F11.
Anyway, this combo really feels like it might be a straight across competitor, and a worthy one at that :) I think I might have to rent it, and see what I can do with it :)
Nice review Mike and very useful given I’ve just ordered the lens whilst there is a £300 cash-back offer on. I traded in my 100-400mm on the basis of several reviews saying it was at least as sharp as the 100-400mm and given the modern software for reducing noise and sharpening I am expecting some good results. Anyway I hope OM systems forget to ask you for the lens back as that would be some compensation for the efforts you put in on their cameras etc.
Thanks for sharing
Always very helpful, your reviews
Thanks.
Hi Mike. This will either make perfect sense or none. Did I see on one of your videos, you discussing how the om1/om1mk2 was continuing to take many photos when you had released the button and were putting the camera down etc? If so, please point me in the right direction of the video/fix.
Many thanks.
@JohnBartlett1 No not me.
Mike, as I've said before, I'm not an OM user but I never miss one of your OM reviews. Who knows, at some point I might be in need of the information.
Thank you.
Loved the last statement. 😂
Another great helpful review!!! I have the 150-400 and was wondering how it compares to the 150-600 with the first at 500 (with built in tc) and the other at 600. If you didn't do that then disregard.
Unlike any external extender I have used the internal extender does not have a negative effect on quality, so as in the film the 150-400 with the 1.2x will have the edge over the 150-600, but it is so slight you have to stare hard to see it. I am using the 150-600mm most of the time currently, even to do some unrepeatable shots.
Great video, thanks Mike!
Thanks.
The "Bigma" 50-500 was the first of Sigma's long zooms and it was for Olympus Four Thirds (not MFT). It has very good glass but showing its age. It has no OS (Sigma's name for lens stabilisation) and its old school focus motors are not up to doing the job now, basically MF. Naturally it can adapt and be operated by a MFT camera with a 4/3-MFT adapter. There was another too, the Sigma APO 300-800 f/5.6 EX DG HSM. but that seems to be unobtanium. So it has come full circle and Sigma have made a new Bigma for Olympus in MFT fit.
There is no sigma lens that can stabilize as many stops like this one... optically, they can be quite similar, but the amount of stabilization of the Zuiko is beyond anything sigma ever made.
@@moisescugat3948 it is an M.Zuiko built for OMDS by Sigma who call Lens-IS "OS". "Zuiko" is the lens fitting for the older Olympus cameras, "M.Zuiko" is the MFT fitting. As yet Olympus Lens-IS is not quite up to Panasonic Power-OIS. What you are getting with this one though is the Olympus Sync-IS where both Lens-IS and IBIS are integrated, which is equivalent to the Panasonic Dual-IS. What IBIS and OIS do are quite different. Simplified, IBIS will let you use a slower shutter hand-held, OIS take the fizz and jitter out of holding the lens but will not let you reduce the shutter speed, which is does not add to the EV stops rating. Integrate them together and the result is remarkable. Panasonic Dual2 is something else again letting you throw a big lens around like a ping-pong bat.
Thanks Mike, can you recommend a backpack to carry OM-1 & OM 150-400. Thanks in advance Gary
Not really. I have a Tenba and a Think tank, but neither has a model number on. Bag manufacters tend to update their bags frequently so neither model is probably current anyway. I prefer the Think tank, but you would need to research the model.
Great video Mike, definitely looks like a great lens, definitely better than the Sigma but also that bit more expensive I guess.
Thanks.
Great video MIke, and your opinion of the lens were much the same as mine. Sorry to dissapoint you, but they dont usually forget the loan equioment. I had to give mine back ! 🙁
But Roger you are far more memorable. I am easily forgotten.
@@MikeLaneFRPS 😂😂😂 If thats so, why have I had people as me if I am `Mike Lane ` ?
😂😂@@MikeLaneFRPS
Hello Mike, does this lens work with pro capture since it is not a pro lens? Do you know of any "affordable" long range zoom lens that will work with pro capture?
It works, but at a reduced fps. 25fps is the fastest I think. The only zoom that fully works is the 150-400mm. The 300mm f4 also.
I had the opportunity to buy the 150-600 mm used for a 30% discount. I’m using it on the OM 1 Mk II and I’m absolutely loving it.
Good to hear.
May I ask if you have ever used any of these lenses on a Panasonic camera?
I would really love to hear how they handle because there is very little information out there, and practically no reviews of these lenses being used on different MFT bodies.
With my Panasonic G9m2 I have the 200mm and 100-400mm and that’s it. Yet I’m drooling over the Olympus lenses such as the Prime 300 or even the 150-500 but there is no way that I am parting with my hard earned cash until I can find first-hand real world experiences on their handling on a Panasonic body.
The only thing I can gather is that the lens image stabilisation does not work with a Panasonic body. Would this cause problems handholding and panning the camera to focus on a bird in flight or an aircraft at the Mach Loop sort of stuff please?
I have, but I only do video with the Lumix G9mk2. I would not notice the reduced IS for flight shots. There are many photgraphers who switch off IS completely for flight pictures. I am not one of them, but don't feel it is doing much good when panning after fast birds.
@@MikeLaneFRPS I too love my G9m2 so much that my GH6 is sitting on a shelf gathering dust. In fact I found my second-hand G9m1 at times produced better images that the allegedly superior GH6, especially low light astro images.
I absolutely love my 200mm Prime lens but with my 100-400mm I hardly ever push it past 300mm maybe 350mm. It just can't compete with my 200mm Prime lens.
And when I look back at my aircraft shots, I notice that the sweet-spot is usually somewhere between 200mm and 300mm to capture the action.
Would you think an Olympus 300mm Prime would be a good pairing with my G9m2 for wildlife and aircraft, knowing that the Image Stabilisation of the lens won't work?
Don't worry, I won't hold you to it.😀
One advantage of the 150-600 is you can pull out the lens to 600 mm instead of turning the zoom. This way you can keep your subject in the viewfinder much more easily.
Also, calculated DOF is actually smaller than with the 150-400 if I'm not mistaking. Did you notice any difference in the bokeh?
Didn't notice any.
Thank you, I‘m planning to sell my 100-400 for this one.
Mike - slightly off topic but would you be so kind as to give me your take on whether or not to use UV filters on the front of lens. cheers Steve
For many years I always had a UV or skylight filter on my lenses, but only for protection of the front element, which is very expensive to replace if scratched. However, with modern lenses it is not so simple. I do not know if it is the coatings on modern lenses or the design, but filters can be detrimental to the quality now. The problem is which lens and which filter. It is expensive to buy a large filter and then a simple test shows it is having a negative effect. So I have given up and no longer have a filter on. There is a good argument that buy a Canon UV filter and put it on a Canon lens you should be okay, but I have not put this to the test.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Thanks Mike
Lot of lens, but images look good. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching
I have the 100-400 and am generally happy with it as I live in New Mexico and the light is usually good. I would like better low light performance. As the 100-400 with the tele would be the same as the 150-600 but the 150-600 being 2 ? stops faster, would it be a good upgrade? I usually need the longer reach in Americas west for wildlife?
The extra reach is always worth while, just need balancing against the extra weight.
Do you think the 150-600 is a better low light lens than a 100-400 with a teleconverter?
Thanks a lot for this review. One of the many things that would be very hard to do when adapting a lens from FF to MFT would be to get the correct image circle without making all the flaws 4 times more noticeable. By any chance, did you compare the ISO and brightness when taking the same picture at 400mm and f6.3 between the 100-400 and the 150-600? How do the different types of chromatic aberrations compare, if any are noticeable?
Sorry i did not.
Yes there all that as well as the cost of weather sealing to OM Systems standard and using their quality lens coatings.
Great point!
Even on a tripod I use a remote shutter due to the shake the lense causes when at 600 when pressin the button on the camera . Also have the same mount on my 2 tripods Flatbase videohead MVH500
I would love to have a camera like one of yours, I only have a bridge camera, Cannon Powershot sx70 hs, my family can't really afford one though, hope one day I can be as good as you at it, as I'm 13 years old
There is a saying that the best camera is always the one you have with you. Meaning that just taking the opportunities you have with the camera you have can still result in great shots. Getting used to visualising the kinds of shots and framing, and working on techniques for shutter priority and aperture priority modes will not be wasted until the time you might be able to upgrade to an interchangable lens camera, but i am sure you will be able to get good results from your sx70
I have seen some great bird pictures taken with bridge cameras.
@@MikeLaneFRPS Indeed, I have some good ones too, but I hope one day I can get a camera as good as yours
Great review Great review Mike, thank you very much. When they released this lens I must confess that I was very sceptical about it (Sigma, meh) but your review changed my opinion about it. If I wasn't saving money for the 150-400 I would definitely buy this one.
Glad it was helpful!
Sigma make some of the best lenses in the world right now. So there's no reason to be skeptical about its quality (although this is a pretty old design). Even the Olympus 75mm f1.8 is a Sigma design and is highly regarded for its quality.
@@Wildridefilms I had a siga 150-600 (Canon) and I was never able to get sharp photos with it. Not sure if it was just luck, but wasn't a good experience.
Would have been interesting if you had tried it with the G9ii as well Mike :)
I have only used it on the G9mk2 for video.
@MikeLaneFRPS I have it from Lumix on loan at the minute and I've been very impressed by it for photography. You are about the only other person I have seen that has even used a G9ii so I'm always hoping in every video that you use it a bit more :)
Interesting. I wonder how this lens at 600mm compares with the 300mm f/4 with the 2x teleconverter?
The 2x does reduce the quality of the 300mm f4 enough to say the 150-600mm would be marginally better.
Len 20%man behind them 800%great shot thank but for me 150-400 enough Ivvery happy with it along with 300f4 cheer
Not for me, I can get by with 100-400 lens and the weight, I moved away from Nikon for lighter equipment. Thanks for sharing, Mike.
Yes weight is the main reason people change tpo MFT.
What about tracking auto focus of the lens for birds in flight
I have not had that much opportunity to do birds in flight, but the few times I have I did not notice any issue.
Nice to have a speedy repair, I sent my 150-400 back for metal shards behind the rear element. I bought a fuji 150-600 as a toy in the meantime. I shouldnt have, because the repair was quick and the fuji really is a toy (tiny aperture).
I am told OM Cameras manage about a 10 days turnaround typically.
I think that's the advantage of the f4 300mm ,it really can take the 1.4 and 2x converters I have had great results with both. Plus you get f numbers of f5.6 and f8 .This together with its compactness makes it my go to lens for birding. Finally you can get them for £1500 for great quality used models. How is it for focus speed?
Very hard to measure, but I did not notice any difference to my other lenses.
Sigma lens, with om-bajonet, very heavy, but 1000 e more expensive.
I think it is probably a lot more than just ‘with OM-Bayonet’… from what I have read elsewhere it does seem that the coatings, IS, and even sealing are ‘bespoke’ to this OM version. And certainly since I bought mine in March I have found the image quality (and build quality etc) to be very good indeed. So no regrets here purchasing even at the ‘premium’ price
I've got one, I also had a loan of a 100-400 from a friend. Yes, by comparison the 150-600 is a weighty beast BUT it is a great lens and more than sharp enough for me. I was worried about the tromboning lens in damp conditions when rain drops were on the extended lens and I zoomed back BUT I don't fret anymore. I just trust OM to have got it's precision build quality right. I get photos of great quality that were unachievable with the 100-400. The 300mm MAY be sharper BUT it is a different lens, it does not have the flexibility of a zoom. The Big White Lens is not justifiable for me (and many others) as it is sooo expensive. Image quality - what do folk do with their images? If you print them huge then, yes, you do need great quality. If you enter competitions as digital images and/or prints then maybe super sharpness is essential. If they only go onto the internet as compressed files, then maybe not. I'm overjoyed with my lens. DISCLAIMER: These comments are not sponsored by OM System or Weetabix. Thanks for your informative reviews Mike
Thanks for your input.
When does the f Stop change to 6,3.
It goes from F5 to F5.1, 5.2, F5.3, F5.4, etc so very gradual all the way to the 600mm end.
@@MikeLaneFRPS That's a very interesting information, thx Mike! I will keep the same as you, when there will be a good opportunity at 2nd hand market I will decide to buy it.