I'm loving the 70-300mm on the X-H2. At 40 megapixel you have the latitude to crop heavily or use the camera's built in digital teleconverter. You can use the lens at 600mm equivalent gaining a 20 megapixel image which is fine for most purposes.
A very useful review, thank you. I use the 100-400mm lens with the XT-2 and they are very heavy for me, an elderly lady with arthritis. There will come a time in the not too distant future when I need to get a lighter lens but don't want to lose too much reach as I like to do wildlife photography. After reading your review I think this lens may well be the one for me. Even with a TC added I am sure it would all still be less weight than the 100-400mm! What I liked about your video was the kind of rapid-fire yet very clear delivery of the facts - no umming and ahing! Excellent!
This was a zero regrets purchase. Great video and review. I’m very surprised you didn’t bring up the issue of this lens where the focus changes as you zoom really significantly, causing it to pulsate in/out of focus and lose subjects in the process. I would say it’s this lens’ only substantial weakness. That aside, this is a magnificent lens that I have zero intention of moving away from with my X-T4 kit.
Good comment Kevin! Yes, its not par focal, which will matter to videographers more so I suppose, but at least it doesn’t really suffer any focus breathing. Take care!
As an older lady, weight is issue for me but I love bird photography. This lens on my Xt2 is perfect, images are sharp and focus works well. I also use 1.4tc if needing more reach and that works too.
Thank you. I concur totally. Also think is dam sharp throughout focal lenses. Pick it up for the weather sealing focal length and stabilization and I am so far totally happy with it.
I bought one of these lenses and really like it. In the shop I had the choice of a new 70-300mm or a used 100-400mm. The 100-400mm didn't seem that heavy when lifting it up, but when it was attached to my X-E3 I realised that it was far too big and heavy. The auto exposure seems to be a bit overconservative with regard to shake with the shutter speed being in the region of the reciprocal of the 35mm equivalent focal length. By doing this, a high ISO is selected with a higher noise level. I will try it with a slower shutter speed and see how it behaves.
Nice review. I loved the line about not noticing the difference between this and a longer telephoto if it's at home. I think that sums it up for the majority of shooters. I certainly went Fuji to cut down on size and weight, I just didn't realise how much I'd love using my little X-T20.
Excellent review! I also own this lens and it goes with me everywhere thanks to its form factor. I have not come across a more versatile lens in the Fuji ecosystem. I especially like that it can be used with TCs and it works great for macro shots. The OIS is simply incredible. Image quality is well beyond acceptable for hobbyists and travelling pros.
Nice overview of a decent looking lens. I currently have the X-S10 & 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens. The 70-300mm would be a good walkabout lens for wildlife when you don't want to break your back! I am impressed that it can take the 1.4x & 2x T.C's too! It looks like Fujifilm have updated their lens roadmap to include a 150-600mm lens in the future; can't wait to see if that appears as I mainly photograph/film wildlife 🦅
Yes I read this could be a good lens. I’ve rented the 100 to 400 and that was a great lens just too big. Shame the lack of stock of the 70 to 300. Good video!
Awesome and thorough review! Beautiful captures. The birds in slow motion are a joy to see. Was also surprised to see the the panning stabilization jitter, but as you mentioned, it is a choice of compromise in order to have that kind of stable focus at 300mm.
Ohhh Googie baby, you shouldn’t be shaking the lens like that. Just lock her down at 70! 😯 😆 Seriously, cracking review and nice footage and stills to go along with the review. Cheers! 👍✌📷
@@TheStoicPath_ , with the 1.4x converter, the effective aperture will be smaller, meaning a higher f-number. For example, if the original lens has a minimum aperture of f/5.6, with the converter, it may become f/8. However, I haven't noticed a decrease in image quality. Higher focal length so the bokeh is still good, but you may need more light due to the smaller aperture. Overall, I'm enjoying using it without any major issues. I can try to link you my ebird photos if you want some examples.
One alternative you didn't mention is the 50-230mm. It has very dark aperture, but in daylight makes very nice images and even portraits - it is a little less sharp than the 55-200, but with softer bokeh. I think if you're already looking to save on weight and price and get a wider focal length compared to the 70-300, then I'd step over the 55-200 and get the even smaller one.
My biggest issue with this lens is that even at 300mm I don't feel like I have very much reach. I know the 100-400mm is more than twice the price but that extra 100mm really shows what a telephoto lens should be.
I think it’s probably because we are coming at the lens from two different directions, I’m suggesting 100mm more than the 200mm is great, whereas yourself with the 400mm sees 300mm as a compromise! Towards the end I think I talk about how if you’re into telephoto lenses and wildlife/sport then the 400mm is likely the only choice and you wont mind twice the weight as it’s a large part of what you do, whereas for everyone else I think the weight saving and price saving makes sense!
ordered this lens today and added the fuji teleconverter 1.4x to my xpro3, since the body of the camera is pretty small i added a metal grip excited to see if it turns out balanced
I've wanted a lens like this for a while now, seems hard to find at this time, no rush, I'll wait seems to be worht it, and give me time to sell some other gear I'm not using, thanks for such a good review
You did a great choice, as far i am concern i prefer this lens to the tamron 18-300mm. Why ? most people will buy a fuji camera as a combo with 18-55mm or 16-80mm and second reason, you can add a teleconverter 1.4x or 2x something you cant with the Tamron.
It's impossible to get it, I've been hunting for it for at least 4 months in big USA stores, then when I decided to pay the extra that it usually costs in México (at least 25% more) but it got backordered too :(
You forgot to mention that this lens has no markings on the lens as of the apertures. A big downside for me, used to have fuji lenses all with their aperture markings.
Quite disappointed that when using a VND (off-brand to be noted), it really struggles to lock sharp focus for video - makes subject appear real soft (have done tests with and without, and the 'running ants' are way less using the VND). Curious thing though - that same VND works perfectly with my 16-80, absolute no focus issues. Which VND did you use? Great video!
6:22 isn't this the point of the sports finder mode? I never used it, but I think with it enabled only up and down motion will be stabilized, letting you easily follow a subject side to side.
Excellent review. I have the 55-200, which has served me well, but the 70-300 has me interested. Can you state what the aperture value is when the 70-300 zoom setting is at 200mm?
It's about a third of a stop darker, but has better stabilisation. I owned both but sold the 55-200 because it had pretty bad IQ at longer ranges, especially at it's brighter aperture. The 70-300 is pin sharp regardless of how far I zoom in or what aperture I use. I only wish it covered more of the short end telephoto range like the 55-200.
Hi Goughie, another very interesting video I had on my 'watch later' list. I'm really wondering at the moment if I'm going for this lens or for the Tamron 18-300mm, which is cheaper and a bit slower but still very good, if I understood well everything I've read so far. What do you think about the Tamron vs the Fuji?
I feel like my concern would be are they playing outside where it’s bright, or inside where it’s somewhat dark, it’s not the fastest lens and you might have to lean into your ISO to still maintain good shutter speeds
I know what you mean! So many people struggling to get this lens at the moment, I joined 3 or so waitlists to get mine, and one of them literally came back to me last week!! Nearly 1 year later!
I guess the real question is - if one owns the 100-400mm already, is it worth getting the 70-300mm for its smaller size and weight? My head says no, my heart says yes... exactly as they did with every other lens purchase I've made. ;)
So far so good with mine, I can’t see any dust. However most zoom lens that zoom external that I’ve owned have had dust sucked inside them, so I imagine it’s only a matter of time! Assuming yours doesn’t actually cause any issues?
@@Goughie okay I see. I thought that since it can keep water out, it much be able to keep bigger particles like dust, out. And no, I’ve not seen any issues yet. Thanks for responding btw :)
Can you tell me what focus settings you’re using? I have tried a number of settings and I’ve got mixed results. I’ve been fooling around with a custom made design, but found that general shooting seems to work best.
My general settings are - continuous - the focus patch set the the 2nd smallest - movie AF mode = area - af-C custom settings, tracking sens +2, af speed 0
Доброго дня. Дуже цікаве відео. А може пан сказати що то у пана за сумка для фото? Дуже класна, яка марка? Дякую.😊
11 месяцев назад
I really loved this lens until I decided to use it on a tripod to try and shoot anything at night. It was a totally calm night with no wind at all and even at 'quick' exposures of 2 or 3 secs, using the 10 sec timer, 95% of my shots came with shaken results. That aiming at light streets, non moving objects. Since you cannot turn off the internal stabilization of this lens, it seems it is always trying to compensate for a movement (maybe even the shutter actuating - XT2). I get much better results with this lens hand held, even as low as 1/8 of a second. Is there any way of solving this?
My understanding is that you can switch off both IBIS and OIS in the cameras menu, there’s isn’t a switch on the lens but the camera will let you do it. And for tripod shooting you’ll likely want to turn them both off
11 месяцев назад
@@Goughie Yeah, you nailed it. I searched into my camera menu and disabled the IS (which my T2 cam. does not have, so it should be for the lens). It worked perfectly now with the tripod! Thanks for the answer!
If you can you do a video on how much we can push its iso at night? that would be great. I didnt find a single video on youtube of it being used in the evening@@Goughie Would love to know what we can get away with
@@FrancisJMotionDesigner it’ll depend on the ISO performance of your camera more than the lens, take any lens you have currently, set the aperture to one this lens can do and see what it’s like in an evening
I'm loving the 70-300mm on the X-H2. At 40 megapixel you have the latitude to crop heavily or use the camera's built in digital teleconverter. You can use the lens at 600mm equivalent gaining a 20 megapixel image which is fine for most purposes.
There's a built in TC in the H2??? How? I've had it for a month and I am still discovering things.
More of a digital crop
A very useful review, thank you. I use the 100-400mm lens with the XT-2 and they are very heavy for me, an elderly lady with arthritis. There will come a time in the not too distant future when I need to get a lighter lens but don't want to lose too much reach as I like to do wildlife photography. After reading your review I think this lens may well be the one for me. Even with a TC added I am sure it would all still be less weight than the 100-400mm! What I liked about your video was the kind of rapid-fire yet very clear delivery of the facts - no umming and ahing! Excellent!
Really appreciate your real world review. Done correctly , You nail the points a every day photographer would look at it. Thank you.
I love my 70-300 zoom. It is sharp with great subject separation and bokeh. I sold my 55-200mm and have no regrets.
I see that Tamron are bringing out a 18-300 lens for Fuji X and Sony. Would be interesting to see a comparison.
Me too. Also waiting for 18-300mm Tamron. Already have seem some of the review recently.
This was a zero regrets purchase. Great video and review. I’m very surprised you didn’t bring up the issue of this lens where the focus changes as you zoom really significantly, causing it to pulsate in/out of focus and lose subjects in the process. I would say it’s this lens’ only substantial weakness. That aside, this is a magnificent lens that I have zero intention of moving away from with my X-T4 kit.
Good comment Kevin! Yes, its not par focal, which will matter to videographers more so I suppose, but at least it doesn’t really suffer any focus breathing. Take care!
As an older lady, weight is issue for me but I love bird photography. This lens on my Xt2 is perfect, images are sharp and focus works well. I also use 1.4tc if needing more reach and that works too.
Thank you. I concur totally. Also think is dam sharp throughout focal lenses. Pick it up for the weather sealing focal length and stabilization and I am so far totally happy with it.
I bought one of these lenses and really like it.
In the shop I had the choice of a new 70-300mm or a used 100-400mm. The 100-400mm didn't seem that heavy when lifting it up, but when it was attached to my X-E3 I realised that it was far too big and heavy.
The auto exposure seems to be a bit overconservative with regard to shake with the shutter speed being in the region of the reciprocal of the 35mm equivalent focal length. By doing this, a high ISO is selected with a higher noise level. I will try it with a slower shutter speed and see how it behaves.
Nice review. I loved the line about not noticing the difference between this and a longer telephoto if it's at home. I think that sums it up for the majority of shooters. I certainly went Fuji to cut down on size and weight, I just didn't realise how much I'd love using my little X-T20.
Your photos and videos of the birds and general wildlife are super awesome and stunningly stabilized. Real good colors too. Subbed.
Thank you!
Excellent review! I also own this lens and it goes with me everywhere thanks to its form factor. I have not come across a more versatile lens in the Fuji ecosystem. I especially like that it can be used with TCs and it works great for macro shots. The OIS is simply incredible. Image quality is well beyond acceptable for hobbyists and travelling pros.
Thanks for your review
Very complete review. I have it and I love it! (Incredible for the price/size and the OIS).
I agree! A very good lens for the price!
Nice overview of a decent looking lens. I currently have the X-S10 & 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens. The 70-300mm would be a good walkabout lens for wildlife when you don't want to break your back! I am impressed that it can take the 1.4x & 2x T.C's too! It looks like Fujifilm have updated their lens roadmap to include a 150-600mm lens in the future; can't wait to see if that appears as I mainly photograph/film wildlife 🦅
I hadn’t seen the news about a potential 150-600mm lens, I’ll also be very excited for that!
Yes I read this could be a good lens. I’ve rented the 100 to 400 and that was a great lens just too big. Shame the lack of stock of the 70 to 300. Good video!
This lens seems to be sold out everywhere. It must be very good.
It took me weeks to find when I bought mine! I was on waiting lists at multiple camera shops, ended up being a small independent that came through!
Yeah, I can't find one, except a used one on ebay for msrp out of the Philippines, or $150+ over msrp new, so.. ehh.
Thanks for a great review on this lens.. I recently picked it up.
Great review man. Mine just came in the mail today and I'm excited to start shooting at this focal range. Btw your shots are beautiful!
Thank you mate!
Awesome and thorough review! Beautiful captures. The birds in slow motion are a joy to see. Was also surprised to see the the panning stabilization jitter, but as you mentioned, it is a choice of compromise in order to have that kind of stable focus at 300mm.
Ohhh Googie baby, you shouldn’t be shaking the lens like that. Just lock her down at 70! 😯 😆
Seriously, cracking review and nice footage and stills to go along with the review. Cheers! 👍✌📷
Just came across your channel and man your work is so good. I’m interested in seeing your recent work, seeing as this video is over a year old
Thank you! 👌🏻
Can't wait for my to arrive :D
has it arrived? how do you like it?
@@TheStoicPath_ Yap! It's pretty good imo, I've been trying to take pics non stop this past week. I've been using it mostly with +1.4x tho.
@@TechWithBruno that's good to hear, mine should be here next week! do you notice a decrease in image quality with the 1.4x converter?
@@TheStoicPath_ , with the 1.4x converter, the effective aperture will be smaller, meaning a higher f-number. For example, if the original lens has a minimum aperture of f/5.6, with the converter, it may become f/8. However, I haven't noticed a decrease in image quality. Higher focal length so the bokeh is still good, but you may need more light due to the smaller aperture. Overall, I'm enjoying using it without any major issues. I can try to link you my ebird photos if you want some examples.
One alternative you didn't mention is the 50-230mm. It has very dark aperture, but in daylight makes very nice images and even portraits - it is a little less sharp than the 55-200, but with softer bokeh. I think if you're already looking to save on weight and price and get a wider focal length compared to the 70-300, then I'd step over the 55-200 and get the even smaller one.
Nice detailed review man! Stablization looks amazing for video!
It’s honestly so good!
My biggest issue with this lens is that even at 300mm I don't feel like I have very much reach. I know the 100-400mm is more than twice the price but that extra 100mm really shows what a telephoto lens should be.
I think it’s probably because we are coming at the lens from two different directions, I’m suggesting 100mm more than the 200mm is great, whereas yourself with the 400mm sees 300mm as a compromise!
Towards the end I think I talk about how if you’re into telephoto lenses and wildlife/sport then the 400mm is likely the only choice and you wont mind twice the weight as it’s a large part of what you do, whereas for everyone else I think the weight saving and price saving makes sense!
you can add a teleconverter 1.4x or 2.0x this help :-)
even more than 100mm... on X camera it's 150mm
Thanks for the detailed and concise review. Really leaning towards this one.
Just picked up last week and enjoying it..stab is amazing..thanks for the video
I have just received mine to day.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine!
ordered this lens today and added the fuji teleconverter 1.4x to my xpro3,
since the body of the camera is pretty small i added a metal grip
excited to see if it turns out balanced
What a beautiful thumbnail !
Thank you!
maybe a silly question .. fact that the XT4 has IBIS.. will that bring even more stops than the 5 that the Internal IOS is bringing you ?
nice video, good insights, thanks
Looks great 👍
I've wanted a lens like this for a while now, seems hard to find at this time, no rush, I'll wait seems to be worht it, and give me time to sell some other gear I'm not using, thanks for such a good review
Thank you for the kind words! One of my most used lenses this year!
Great review
. I agree, super lens it stays on my XT3, use it often. Would like Fujifilm to make a nice size Macro lens.
Loved the stabilization demo! The lens is hard to find in the USA. Supply chain issues I guess.
I was on a waitlist at 5 different places for about 6 weeks! It was tough to find! Ended up being a really small independent that got it in
Very good review. Thank you
You did a great choice, as far i am concern i prefer this lens to the tamron 18-300mm. Why ? most people will buy a fuji camera as a combo with 18-55mm or 16-80mm and second reason, you can add a teleconverter 1.4x or 2x something you cant with the Tamron.
Very good video
Thank you!
It's impossible to get it, I've been hunting for it for at least 4 months in big USA stores, then when I decided to pay the extra that it usually costs in México (at least 25% more) but it got backordered too :(
My experience has been that the small independent shops are your best bet rather than the big stores
You forgot to mention that this lens has no markings on the lens as of the apertures. A big downside for me, used to have fuji lenses all with their aperture markings.
Would be hard to implement on a lens that has a variable aperture! But I agree about preferring hard stops
Quite disappointed that when using a VND (off-brand to be noted), it really struggles to lock sharp focus for video - makes subject appear real soft (have done tests with and without, and the 'running ants' are way less using the VND). Curious thing though - that same VND works perfectly with my 16-80, absolute no focus issues. Which VND did you use? Great video!
Great review. I loved your animal shots. What is the film simulation profile you're using?
Most of them are raw edits starting with either Astia or Classic Chrome
6:22 isn't this the point of the sports finder mode? I never used it, but I think with it enabled only up and down motion will be stabilized, letting you easily follow a subject side to side.
Excellent review. I have the 55-200, which has served me well, but the 70-300 has me interested. Can you state what the aperture value is when the 70-300 zoom setting is at 200mm?
It's about a third of a stop darker, but has better stabilisation. I owned both but sold the 55-200 because it had pretty bad IQ at longer ranges, especially at it's brighter aperture. The 70-300 is pin sharp regardless of how far I zoom in or what aperture I use. I only wish it covered more of the short end telephoto range like the 55-200.
Hi Goughie, another very interesting video I had on my 'watch later' list. I'm really wondering at the moment if I'm going for this lens or for the Tamron 18-300mm, which is cheaper and a bit slower but still very good, if I understood well everything I've read so far. What do you think about the Tamron vs the Fuji?
I’ve never tried the Tamron so I can’t really help im afraid
@@Goughie thanks for your reply 😊
I like the camera bag. Pls let me know the brand and bag size?
How would you feel about using this lens for sports? Like taking pictures of kids playing football/soccer or basketball.
I feel like my concern would be are they playing outside where it’s bright, or inside where it’s somewhat dark, it’s not the fastest lens and you might have to lean into your ISO to still maintain good shutter speeds
I really want to buy this lens. But #fujifilm wont sell it in my contry. And its backordered everywhere else.
I know what you mean! So many people struggling to get this lens at the moment, I joined 3 or so waitlists to get mine, and one of them literally came back to me last week!! Nearly 1 year later!
jesse pinkman ?
I guess the real question is - if one owns the 100-400mm already, is it worth getting the 70-300mm for its smaller size and weight? My head says no, my heart says yes... exactly as they did with every other lens purchase I've made. ;)
Hahaha! Love this! I know what you mean.
Does it make sense… probably not…. Are you going to get it… probably 😂
Can you compare this with Tamron 18-300
I’ve been looking at it online! Seems like an interesting lens! I doubt I’ll pick one up though, thank you for watching
Would you pair it with the 16-55mm to get f2.8, or the 16-80mm to save weight and a bit of cash?
I own the 16-55mm f2.8 and love it, I’ve never used the 16-80mm so can’t really comment to much I’m afraid
@@Goughie Fair enough. Thanks so much!
@@Goughie I had the 16-80 And I sold it 16-55 is an other planet of quality
I had the 16-80 And I sold it 16-55 is an other planet of quality
Great video. What are your settings for flying birds shoot? AF-C and Zone? I tried it and was not 100% happy with how fast the AF...
AFC and Single point typically
Very curious to know the name of the bird at 2:40?
In the U.K. we call it a Mandarin Duck, sometimes birds have different names in different countries
@@Goughie Thanks for the quick reply. Never seen a bird with so many colours!
About the weather sealing, mine has gotten dust inside it behind the front element. How is yours preforming in this regard?
So far so good with mine, I can’t see any dust. However most zoom lens that zoom external that I’ve owned have had dust sucked inside them, so I imagine it’s only a matter of time!
Assuming yours doesn’t actually cause any issues?
@@Goughie okay I see. I thought that since it can keep water out, it much be able to keep bigger particles like dust, out. And no, I’ve not seen any issues yet. Thanks for responding btw :)
Can you tell me what focus settings you’re using? I have tried a number of settings and I’ve got mixed results. I’ve been fooling around with a custom made design, but found that general shooting seems to work best.
My general settings are
- continuous
- the focus patch set the the 2nd smallest
- movie AF mode = area
- af-C custom settings, tracking sens +2, af speed 0
@@Goughie
Thanks, I guess I should’ve mentioned it I only do still photography.
@@benjones8977 oh haha! I’m pretty sure I usually use the number 5 setting, (tracking sensitivity 3, speed 2) hopefully that helps!
@@Goughie
Thanks 🖖
Are you able to take photos without a tripod in bright daylight or is it too shaky without one?
@@thecarolpatton a tripod wasn’t used used at all for these images
Do you have any color preset packs?
I am looking at making one, I’ve got a few I use but I want to finesse them a little bit first
Доброго дня. Дуже цікаве відео. А може пан сказати що то у пана за сумка для фото? Дуже класна, яка марка? Дякую.😊
I really loved this lens until I decided to use it on a tripod to try and shoot anything at night. It was a totally calm night with no wind at all and even at 'quick' exposures of 2 or 3 secs, using the 10 sec timer, 95% of my shots came with shaken results. That aiming at light streets, non moving objects. Since you cannot turn off the internal stabilization of this lens, it seems it is always trying to compensate for a movement (maybe even the shutter actuating - XT2). I get much better results with this lens hand held, even as low as 1/8 of a second. Is there any way of solving this?
My understanding is that you can switch off both IBIS and OIS in the cameras menu, there’s isn’t a switch on the lens but the camera will let you do it. And for tripod shooting you’ll likely want to turn them both off
@@Goughie Yeah, you nailed it. I searched into my camera menu and disabled the IS (which my T2 cam. does not have, so it should be for the lens). It worked perfectly now with the tripod! Thanks for the answer!
I think you’ve just sold it to me
It looks hella crisp at 300mm. This video gonna cost me $800...
I do apologise! 😂
Can we use this lens for video at night?
Won’t be the easiest with the slow aperture I guess, you’d have to lean into ISO
If you can you do a video on how much we can push its iso at night? that would be great. I didnt find a single video on youtube of it being used in the evening@@Goughie Would love to know what we can get away with
@@FrancisJMotionDesigner it’ll depend on the ISO performance of your camera more than the lens, take any lens you have currently, set the aperture to one this lens can do and see what it’s like in an evening
I have an x-h2s and an 18-55mm now. Will try this. Thank you@@Goughie
How does it cost?
£729 here in the U.K.
Too much plastic for my taste and no real marked aperture ring 😞