What are my m43 options for telephoto or super-telephoto lens?

M

MrHeavySilence

Active member
I'm going to Wrestlemania on March 29 at Levi's Stadium and I'm pretty high up. I'm wondering if there's any telephoto lens that will allow me to be able to take pictures of the ring.

Are there any good zoom lens options for the GH2? I'm assuming that 40-140mm won't be enough to see the ring from the top of the stadium (although maybe with the 2x crop factor, it could be better than expected?). Anything good in the 300-400mm range?
 
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If you need auto-focus then the only choice is the Panasonic 100-300 or the Olympus equivalent. Both are supposed to be good lenses but weak on the 300mm end. Since 300-400 is also what I am looking for that got me interested in legacy manual lenses. So far I have found two recommended ones which are the Canon 300mm FD-L and the Tamron AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 SP Di LD IF in Nikon mounts which can fit the GH line with a Nikon to m 4/3 adapter. Maybe someone has some more recommendations.
 
Nothing good, and you will probably need 400mm at least, given what a quick scan of Levi's stadium looks like. It's gonna have to be a non-native lens.
 
Will you even be allowed to bring a camera like the GH4 with a large telephoto lens? You may want to check on that since events like that sometimes block the use of professional cameras. Yes the GH4 will fall under professional. Especially if you walk in with a honking 400mm lens.

Before you drag your gear there you may want to find out from an official if your camera will be allowed. You don't want to show up and be told you cannot enter the event.
 
Thomas Smet said:
Will you even be allowed to bring a camera like the GH4 with a large telephoto lens? You may want to check on that since events like that sometimes block the use of professional cameras. Yes the GH4 will fall under professional. Especially if you walk in with a honking 400mm lens.

Before you drag your gear there you may want to find out from an official if your camera will be allowed. You don't want to show up and be told you cannot enter the event.
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Great point. I just checked the rules and it says the lens cannot be longer than 6 inches
 
Mark Williams said:
...the Panasonic 100-300 or the Olympus equivalent. Both are supposed to be good lenses but weak on the 300mm end...
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I'm surprised by this Mark. I've always found the 100-300 to be extraordinary at 300mm if you have enough light for the f/5.6.

The 300 end with ETC is an equivalent of 1500mm and the mainstay of most of the stuff I do. Here's my latest again, that I did with that combo in fairly dim overcast conditions. I think I was right on the edge at ISO 800 here. https://vimeo.com/116448341

We just need a 400mm f/3.5 like the old Nikon AIS ED but with AF and OIS and we'd have the ultimate wildlife tool with the GH4. As is the 100-300 isn't quite fast enough on the long end for this type of indoor work.

Cheers,
Pete
 
c3hammer said:
The 300 end with ETC is an equivalent of 1500mm and the mainstay of most of the stuff I do. Here's my latest again, that I did with that combo in fairly dim overcast conditions. I think I was right on the edge at ISO 800 here. https://vimeo.com/116448341
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Looks good!

Did you use OIS?

Only tried the 300mm with ETC once. It was in the Hollywwod Hills & the heat haze was significant.
 
Thanks guys. Definitely have to watch the heat waves at these crazy focal lengths.

I always have the OIS on. Even on a tripod like this. I've never had this lens do the jump that I can recall.

My framing was right on what most of us buck fanatics are looking at :)

Cheers,
Pete
 
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