Author Topic: I need to commit  (Read 4339 times)

Beardy

  • Shedist
I need to commit
« on: 12 February, 2021, 05:31:24 pm »
I need (ok, want) a longer lens, circa 200mm but have been dithering for a couple of years now over which camera to get it for. I have a full frame DSLR and a 4:3 mirrorless camera, both of which I like, but as a now retired person I can’t justify the spend of getting a telephoto lens for both systems. I suppose in an ideal world, I’d change both out for a bigger format mirrorless as this would give me the best of both worlds, but short of a lottery win, that’s not going to happen.

I’m not really looking for advice, just grumbling a little over what really is a first world problem.
For every complex problem in the world, there is a simple and easily understood solution that’s wrong.

fuaran

  • rothair gasta
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #1 on: 14 February, 2021, 04:24:32 pm »
Micro 4/3 would get you more magnification, for the same size lens. Usually handy for a telephoto. And not so big and heavy.

I've got a Panasonic Lumix 45-200mm that I want to sell, if that's any use to you?

Re: I need to commit
« Reply #2 on: 14 February, 2021, 04:56:01 pm »
Which camera has the better stabilisation system?  And are you thinking fixed length or zoom, if the latter what range?
Even using my Panasonic GX-80 with in body stabilisation, I find 200mm is pushing it for hand held.  I swapped my 70-200 for a 45-175 which combines body and lens stabilisation and is far better than I'd hoped (Well better than me anyway) If I was buying again, I'd go even shorter, the 14 - 140 though not as good a lens, it would mean just taking the one.  I also have a smaller M4/3 body, which relies on the lens stabilisation, it's disappointing, though an excellent camera with a shorter lens.

Jaded

  • The Codfather
  • Formerly known as Jaded
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #3 on: 14 February, 2021, 05:31:06 pm »
What do you want the 200mm for?
It is simpler than it looks.

fuaran

  • rothair gasta
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #4 on: 14 February, 2021, 07:33:21 pm »
Which camera has the better stabilisation system?  And are you thinking fixed length or zoom, if the latter what range?
Even using my Panasonic GX-80 with in body stabilisation, I find 200mm is pushing it for hand held.  I swapped my 70-200 for a 45-175 which combines body and lens stabilisation and is far better than I'd hoped (Well better than me anyway) If I was buying again, I'd go even shorter, the 14 - 140 though not as good a lens, it would mean just taking the one.  I also have a smaller M4/3 body, which relies on the lens stabilisation, it's disappointing, though an excellent camera with a shorter lens.
I think the Panasonic lens stabilisation is pretty good. Though yes, the combined dual IS is even better.
Much of it depends on how steady you can hold the camera. So a bigger camera with a chunky grip is easier. Plus a viewfinder, so you can hold it up to your eye.

I have used a 100-300mm lens on my GX800. Does feel rather unbalanced, its more like holding the lens than holding the camera. But I managed to get a few decent shots. If doing wildlife etc, usually need pretty fast shutter speeds anyway.

Beardy

  • Shedist
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #5 on: 14 February, 2021, 08:48:53 pm »
A 200mm zoom would,give me greater framing opportunities when out doing landscapes, is nice to capture a more relaxed picture when doing street, and allows me a bit of leeway when trying to take wildlife shots. I see it very much as an extension to general propose lens set rather than a specialist long telephoto that dedicated birders and wildlife photographers use. If I want to go longer then I’d go with scoping these days because decent dedicated telephoto lenses are shockingly expensive.

I’d probably go with a f2.8 70-200 zoom if I was going to get a longer lens for the Nikon. I know from experience that 200mm is ok handheld for sensible ISO and the 64000 ISO and in lens stabilisation with the Nikon set up I could shoot some really grainy but stable low light shots. But that lens is a BIG chunk of glass and carrying that around with the f2.8 24-70 and 14-35 it’s a major weight. Lovely pics though  :)

Obviously with the Oly 4:3 I’d get more bang for my grams, but it’s a smaller sensor and daft as it sounds the cameras are physically just a bit small in my hands for comfortable handling. Again, good pics.

If I decided to,go with the 4:3 system, I’d want a decent 24-70 equivalent lens as well and probably another body. I’ve got a Pen F which is a fantastic carry around camera, especially with the 17mm pancake lens, and the f2 70mm is a superb portrait lens if you’ve got enough room. But the 24-70 on the Nikon is the one I’d take out for a landscape session and the 14-35 lets me go wider when I need to.

Pixel count isn’t really an issue these days, the 36Mpix on the full frame and 24Mpix on the 4:3 are plenty enough and if I did change my system, then getting a similar pixel density isn’t going to push me into exotic territory. And to be honest computational sensors are only going to improve and proliferate.

It’s an interesting subject because there’s as much emotional investment in the decision as there is technical consideration. It’s one ive been pondering for a year or two now, and with technology marching ever onward, I very time I come back to it, I have to do a lot of extra research to catch up again.
For every complex problem in the world, there is a simple and easily understood solution that’s wrong.

Re: I need to commit
« Reply #6 on: 14 February, 2021, 09:51:46 pm »


If I decided to,go with the 4:3 system, I’d want a decent 24-70 equivalent lens as well

https://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/standard.html#i_012-040mm_f028_olympus is impossibly good for a zoom. Any issues you have are likely to be with yourself, rather than the glass.

Re: I need to commit
« Reply #7 on: 15 February, 2021, 10:10:53 am »
agreed it's not a straightforward question! The shutter lag on my older micro 4/3 (Panasonic gm5) is infuriating to use for wildlife or action with longer lenses, while the DSLR is a joy.  But, the 4/3 is so much easier to carry on hikes and rides..  I don't use a 24-70 equivalent, I love the fixed 20mm 1.7 too much.

I was cleaning out some stuff last month and the 4/3 kit was on the 'to sell' pile for a long time but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, for the few times a year that weight is an issue!

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #8 on: 15 February, 2021, 10:55:33 am »
Just to muddy the water, I have an utterly brilliant Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 with such good image stabilization you have to practically wrench it off the subject. Not nearly as heavy as f/2.8 glass and sharp as a tack at full stretch.  Have a gander:

https://pbase.com/johnewing/image/153393507

I tried it on a 1.4x converter but it loses resolution, as you might expect.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

Jaded

  • The Codfather
  • Formerly known as Jaded
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #9 on: 15 February, 2021, 11:54:00 am »
The Pen F is a stunner, but if I want to go equipped I take my OMD-1 II

The Pen F travels with me when I don't want to take a camera, or when I'm doing street.

I've used the lightweight and cheapish 75-300 on the Pen F and OMD. Perfectly adequate, and the combo of Pen F and it is very light.
It is simpler than it looks.

Pingu

  • Put away those fiery biscuits!
  • Mrs Pingu's domestique
    • the Igloo
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #10 on: 15 February, 2021, 12:00:00 pm »
...Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6...

This is what we use for non-macro wildlife stuff.

tonycollinet

  • No Longer a western province of Númenor
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #11 on: 15 February, 2021, 11:29:08 pm »
Which camera has the better stabilisation system?  And are you thinking fixed length or zoom, if the latter what range?
Even using my Panasonic GX-80 with in body stabilisation, I find 200mm is pushing it for hand held.  I swapped my 70-200 for a 45-175 which combines body and lens stabilisation and is far better than I'd hoped (Well better than me anyway) If I was buying again, I'd go even shorter, the 14 - 140 though not as good a lens, it would mean just taking the one.  I also have a smaller M4/3 body, which relies on the lens stabilisation, it's disappointing, though an excellent camera with a shorter lens.

I'm using the panasonic dual IS with the 100-400 pana-leica, and hand holding is fine for me at 400 (FOV 800 equivalent)

Gattopardo

  • Lord of the sith
  • Overseaing the building of the death star
Re: I need to commit
« Reply #12 on: 16 February, 2021, 12:20:16 am »
Don't we all brother.



Re: I need to commit
« Reply #13 on: 16 February, 2021, 08:58:43 am »
I’m probably going to sell some m45 things soon, including a 45-175 Panasonic. I’ve enjoyed it (without having much to compare it to) but if you’re interested do say ;)