[wim]

The Oly 300mm f/4 is "just" 2500USD.

The Leica 100-400mm is pretty much the bargain alternative at 1800USD ( ... or 1300USD locally ...    )

 

Seriously 3k$? That's 1k too much no matter how you look at this.

 

It's even more weird when considering the fairly reasonable costs for the new Leica zoom lenses (8-18mm, 12-60mm). The upcoming 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is probably also in the same ballpark as those.

 It appears to be very good, actually. See official Pana MTF chart below

 

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

 

Some reviews:

http://www.photobyrichard.com/reviewbyri...-8-review/

 

https://www.lumixgexperience.panasonic.c...gTByIiQzmH

 

Check the 100% crop bird's head in the second review; I think it is page 2..

 

Whether it is expensive, too expensive, or just right in the end is a matter of whether people who think they need it will indeed buy one.

As to some of the comparisons made: the "equivalent" EF 400 F/5.6 L is very old, and has no IS. A new version with IS would likely come in at around $2000 if not more.

However, it still is a 200 mm F/2.8 lens, and a pro version for that matter.

 

Personally, I will not likely buy one. I don't shoot at 400 mm equivalent very much, and besides, I do happen to have a Canon 100-400L IS II, and a bunch of Metabones adapters, for the occasion I do need to do so.

 

Kind regards, Wim