The Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. lens offers you attain that’s uncommon in a bundle this compact. Wildlife, sports activities, and journey shooters usually want lengthy focal lengths, however carrying large lenses provides weight and problem. This lens goals to repair that by stretching all the way in which to 500mm whereas staying sufficiently small to suit comfortably in a typical equipment bag.
Coming to you from Jay P. Morgan with The Slanted Lens, this detailed video takes a detailed have a look at the Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1 O.I.S. lens. At first look, the standout function is the focal size vary. Attending to 500mm in a lens that’s not outsized offers you flexibility, whether or not you’re taking pictures animals within the distance or isolating particulars in a panorama. Morgan demonstrates how the tripod collar and Arca-Swiss plate make it simpler to mount, although you’ll be able to take away the collar completely for those who favor handheld use. The video additionally factors out the picture stabilization choices, autofocus/handbook focus swap, focus limiter, and zoom limiter. These design decisions make the lens faster to make use of within the discipline when timing is vital.
The flexibility to pair this lens with teleconverters pushes it even additional. Utilizing a 1.4x offers you a 700mm attain, whereas a 2.0x will get you to 1,000mm. Morgan reveals how the lens manages this with out turning into cumbersome, although you’ll be restricted to beginning at 150mm with the converter connected. Mixed with crop zoom, he notes you’ll be able to push previous 3,000mm for excessive attain. This flexibility makes it engaging for those who want one lens to cowl a variety of taking pictures eventualities. There are trade-offs, such because the zoom smooth-to-tight management being a bit too simple to bump, however total, the stability of measurement, weight, and flexibility stands out.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 100 to 500mm
Most Aperture: f/5 to 7.1
Minimal Aperture: f/29 to 40
Lens Mount: L-Mount
Format: Full body
Minimal Focus Distance: 2.6′ (Extensive) to 4.9′ (Tele)
Magnification: 0.16 to 0.36x
Optical Design: 19 parts in 12 teams
Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
Focus Sort: Autofocus
Picture Stabilization: Sure
Tripod Mount: Detachable collar
Filter Measurement: 82 mm
Dimensions: 3.6 x 7.7 in. / 92 x 196.1 mm
Weight: 2.8 lb / 1.3 kg
What makes this lens extra sensible for journey is its portability. Morgan factors out it’s not a lot bigger than a 70-200mm, making it simple to slot in a bag alongside different necessities like a 24-70mm or 16-35mm. At 2.8 kilos, it’s lighter than many options in the identical focal vary, and its 82mm filter thread means it could actually share filters with different frequent lenses. He additionally demonstrates its respectable shut focusing distance, helpful for bugs and small topics with out having to crowd them. Take a look at the video above for the complete rundown from Morgan.