Review & Comparison | OM System Telephoto Lenses | @OMSYSTEMCameras

In this video, professional photographer Matt Higgs reviews and compares four OM-System telephoto camera lenses. Primarily a music photographer, Matt has stepped over to Exmor National Park to test out these four lenses and dive a little deeper into why they're so well suited to wildlife photography. So, if you're an OM System camera user or simply a keen wildlife photographer, this one is for you.

Below, you'll see the list of equipment that Matt uses in this video:

OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II:

OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO Lens:

OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS Lens:

OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS Lens:

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f4 IS PRO Lens:

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital MC-20 2x Teleconverter:

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital MC-14 1.4x Teleconverter:

========================

Follow us:

========================

00:03 Matt Higgs Introduction
00:41 The lenses in this video
01:04 MFT crop factor
01:36 Teleconverters
03:06 Macro capabilities
03:31 Compact and lightweight lenses
03:57 150-600mm f5-6.3 IS
05:56 300mm f4 IS PRO
07:42 100-400mm f5-6.3 IS
09:14 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
10:21 Who are these lenses for?
12:47 Final thoughts and conclusion

#wildlife #telephotolens #omsystem

[DavidLstar]

I moved from Nikon FF - D6 and D850 - to OM Systems 9 months ago. I do not regret it! I have both the OM-1 and the Mkii. My lens line up includes the 150-400 f4.5 and I have to say I am very happy with the change. I do have a Nikon F5, but that’s another story.

[allanc]

Enjoyed your presentation and view of the 4 lenses. Yes I own and enjoy Olympus/OM System cameras and lenses. I hear a lot of people sating the 150-600 is too heavy and is a FF lens with a M4/3 mount slapped on the back of it. For that group of people, it is a 600mm lens, with the angle view of 1200mm FF at f6.3. I would love anyone to show me a FF lens that compares any where with that focal range on the current market, how big and heavy would it be along with the cost. The best camera you can ever own is the one you carry around and use. Once again great comparison of the lenses.

[alankefauver]

The f-stop (aperture value) on an MFT lens works the same as on any other camera; it represents the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the aperture. However, the effective depth of field and light-gathering capability is influenced by the crop factor. For example, an f/2.8 aperture on an MFT lens will provide a depth of field similar to f/5.6 on a full-frame camera (doubled due to the crop factor). However, in terms of exposure, f/2.8 on MFT lets in the same amount of light as f/2.8 on any other system, so it’s only depth of field (and not exposure) that appears different.

[jacobh]

I’m currently using the 40-150 and the 300 with the 1.4x convertor. That gives and incredible flexible range from 80mm to 840mm full frame equiv. The IQ of both these lenses is incredible and easily on par with the best long lenses that Canon, Nikon and Sony offer at 3-4x the price. What the OM System excels at, is the fact you can use all of this handheld. No tripod! I’ve tried that with several full frame systems, but alas. Stabilization is nowhere near as good as that of OM System.

I’ve also tried the ‘big white’ from OM System (the 150-400 f4.5) with the built-in 1.25x convertor. It’s incredible in every aspect, but I can’t justify the price for myself. Even though it’s a bargain compared to similar lenses from Canon, Nikon and Sony.

By the way, both the 100-400 and the 150-600 are not PRO lenses in OM System vocabulary. PRO lenses have a more sophisticated optical design and better coatings, and they’re also IP-rated. The non-PRO lenses are only stated as weather resistant, just like the equivalents from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm et cetera. Generally, that’s quite meaningless and not guaranteed whatsoever. As far as I know, only some cameras and lenses from Olympus/OM System and Leica have a proper IP-rating and certification. It can make a ton of difference while hiking in north Canada or in the Southeast Asian monsoon season.

[johnehman]

Thank you. I find the teleconverters to be very good, but in addition to the light falloff, they also reduce the IBIS —just something to keep in mind when using. Glad you mentioned the close-up capabilities. The 40-150mm f/2.8 has incredible image quality for a zoom, and the internal focusing is brilliant.

[patricesanders]

Thanks so much, I appreciate this deep dive!

[robert_may]

I'm a big fan of the 300mm f/4 - that's a cracking piece of glass. My only complaint being the focus clutch design, which tends to attract grit if shooting in the rain. That 150-600 totally-not-a-Sigma makes a lot more sense now it's going on sale around 2k. The original lens is really good, it was just the markup of the OM version that stung a bit. Nice to see some shots from Exmoor too! Lovely place for a walk.

[ads]

I really wanted to get the OM-1 for macro because it looked awesome for that. I also love Olympus optics have used them in high end microscopes for years. However they don’t do a lot of wildlife lenses, and no offence but (bad weather aside) a lot of those pictures did not scream tack sharp. I would have to examine the raw files you took to see how much play and adjustment could be made before giving the system more consideration. Did you post them anywhere ?

[christill]

When you describe the F number as being equivalent to full frame but without specifying that it only significantly changes the depth of field, then you might as well end the video there. If you tell people that their f2.8 pro lens is actually an f5.6, that’s all they’re going to hear. Their brains will turn off after that point, and it’s not as simple as that. From what I understand, a 150mm f2.8 MFT lens is going to be broadly similar in brightness to a 300mm f2.8 on full frame. That’s why they do f1.2 pro lenses. If you’re switching system and you do dark concert venue photography, and you buy an f1.2 lens and it doesn’t do broadly what you’d expect of a 1.2 prime, then you’d be annoyed. So of course it needs to be as similar as possible. Otherwise no one would use them and they wouldn’t be able to advertise its ability in low light.

Also, why do people struggle saying OM System? Why do they seem to always put an extra S on the end?

[ken]

I was always aware of the crop factor with this and aps-c regarding focal length, but didn’t know how it affects aperture. Is there an easy way to work out the difference? Great video. Thankyou

[kt]

What camera version? Or did I miss it in the video ? Thx!

[christill]

I really wish this wasn’t the case, but I have a really bad feeling that all the idiotic full frame supremacists online have made it virtually impossible for MFT to make a comeback, despite how great it is, and how it can meet pretty much anyone’s needs. And when I say pretty much anyone’s needs, I mean 99% of people. Unless society changes to be more sane and reasonable again. And I can’t see that happening any time soon.

[lasarith]

Review new lens …. I see where this is going ….