Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm vs LUMIX G II VARIO 100-300mm

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 18, 2017

The PANASONIC LUMIX G LEICA DG VARIO-ELMAR 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 ASPH. and LUMIX G II VARIO LENS, 100-300mm are both great lenses that include very capable O.I.S. systems, but is the Panasonic 100-400mm worth almost $1000 more? While the 100-400mm is a little sharper and includes some additional sharpness the 100-300mm is quite capable and I actually made one of my first YouTube videos with one. Shooting a medium format eclipse is a bit crazy, but shooting one with m43 is a breeze.

The size and weight of m43 make it very easy to shoot events like an eclipse on a whim. The below video I made the day I received my 100-300mm (if you don’t like metal mute your speakers) and it came out quite well all things considered. If you want to shoot the eclipse Monday without breaking your bank account a 100-300mm would be great for photographing/videoing totality since you won’t need a filter. Overnighting a lens with Amazon Prime isn’t bad and most areas now have Saturday delivery. Good luck to all those trying to get an eclipse shot Monday and check out what I am doing over at FujiAddict if you want to see my Medium Format setup.

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH.: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic II VARIO LENS, 100-300mm f4.0-5.6: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Panasonic, Panasonic lenses| Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

EISA Compact System Zoom Lens 2017-2018 Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100MM F4.0 IS PRO

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 16, 2017


EISA Compact System Zoom Lens 2017-2018 Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100MM F4.0 IS PRO (Here)

The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO is an incredible travel lens as well as a general-purpose zoom lens. It covers an 8.3x zoom range with a constant F4.0 maximum aperture and built-in optical stabilisation. Built to withstand dust, moisture and rough use, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO is as sharp as many prime lenses from super wide angle to telephoto, and its smooth and silent focusing makes it a favourite for video as well as still photography. Combined with Olympus’ latest pro cameras, it reduces camera shake with up to 6.5 stops, and at just 562g you can take it anywhere.

Olympus M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100 mm F 4.0 IS PRO: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Olympus, Olympus lenses, Press releases| Tagged | 3 Comments

LEE Solar Filter Controversy: UPDATED

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 14, 2017


Earlier today Petapixel published an article about how Amazon is refunding LEE Solar filters because they were unable to ensure that the filter was safe for use, so I reached out to B&H Photo for clarification. While B&H Photo stands by the safety of the filter I continued to push for further clarification about why this might have happened, which led me to a contact at LEE Filters.

It seems Amazons concerns were that DSLR users would use it while looking through the optical view finder and regular viewers would use it instead of proper glasses. So out of unnecessary caution, Amazon is refunding and pushing the cost of the filters on dealers. The dealers will likely file a class action lawsuit against Amazon because there is nothing wrong with the filters if used for their intended purpose.

According to LEE all photographic filters for the Soler Eclipse are designed like theirs and Amazon might end up pulling them all if they realize this is the case. So the lucky people that ordered from Amazon should be perfectly ok using the filter on their mirrorless camera or with live view. Just don’t try to view the eclipse directly through the filter!

Official Statement

Amazon has incorrectly identified our filter as a viewing apparatus. The LEE Filters Solar Eclipse filter is NOT intended for viewing the eclipse but rather to photograph the phases of the eclipse, as clearly stated on our website.

Via FujiAddict

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Accessories| 6 Comments

Olympus Savings Sunday

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 13, 2017


Olympus PEN-F Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 25mm and 45mm (Save $600):
B&H Photo
Olympus PEN-F Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 25mm (Save $300):
B&H Photo
Olympus PEN-F Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 45mm (Save $300):
B&H Photo
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 300mm (Save $300):
B&H Photo
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera with 12-100mm (Save $200):
B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Zoom (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4-5.6 “R” Zoom (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro (Save $100)
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2.0 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 (Save $100):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-Tracker (Save $70):
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Solar Eclipse Software and More

By Louis Ferreira | Published: August 12, 2017


The program Solar Eclipse Maestro for MacOS X has support for Panasonic cameras built in and can help simplify your solar eclipse experience, but there are other apps like UMBRAPHILEX, which allow for more basic controls. If you are a windows user you can give Solar Eclipse Timer and Camera controller (SETnC) a try. While UMBRAPHILEX isn’t designed for m43 cameras and Solar Eclipse Timer is only for Canon cameras you might find them to be useful tools for planning your shoot.

m43 is probably the most economical way to shoot the upcoming solar eclipse professionally, but I am going to be doing it on medium format because I like a challenge. If I were to shoot the eclipse on m43 I would go with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S., LEE Solar Eclipse Filter and Seven5 Holder. If I really wanted to get techical I would then get a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini EQ and put it on a tripod.

Posted in Olympus, Panasonic| Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments