Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400 mm f/4.0-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
11. Summary
- Solid but very compact casing, easy to handle,
- Good image quality in the frame centre at 100–300 mm focal lengths,
- Low longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- Slight lateral chromatic aberration,
- Lack of problems with spherical aberration,
- Moderate distortion,
- Imperceptible coma,
- Very fast, silent and accurate autofocus,
- Very rich accessory kit.
Cons:
- Unacceptable image quality on the edge of the frame in the 300-400 mm focal range,
- Noticeable astigmatism,
- Weak performance against bright light,
- Vignetting at the shortest focal length could have been lower,
- Unattractive price/quality ratio.
The physical dimensions are undoubtedly the main asset of this lens. Its range of focal lengths and the fact that in the frame centre it is able to provide photos of a quite sensible quality mean you can take it for long hikes without worrying that you’ll overexert your spine. Add to that very solid workmanship, a very efficient autofocus and good correction of the majority of optical aberrations.
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Still it’s hard not to think that the current lens’s price tag is definitely too high. Firstly, with such parameters it would be foolish to expect sensational resolution results and accordingly the lens’s performance is so-so. Secondly there are several slip-ups like the one concerning flares or astigmatism. Thirdly the producers didn’t exactly distinguish themselves when it comes to stabilization – of course those 2.5 EV is nothing to be ashamed of but at this price point and with such a focal range a result of 4 EV seems to be simply obligatory.
To sum up I wouldn’t pay over 7000 PLN for this lens for sure. I might start thinking about the purchase if it costs two times less because only then the price tag would reflect accurately its possibilities.
