The 400/4 looks very similar to the the 300/2.8. The lens is physically
longer and a little heavier. (Tamron 400/4 - 2.33kg, Tamron 300/2.8 -
2.15kg, Zuiko 350/2.8 - 3.9kg). Both Tamrons have a 112mm filter ring. The
300/2.8 was first made in white, then green, then in charcoal grey. The
white one isn't seen very often. I saw one person claim it isn't as sharp.
The dark grey version has interference problems with the Olympus 1.4x
teleconverter. If you get the 300/2.8 you want the green one. I've only seen
the 400/4 in green. I believe Walt uses a 2x on his 300/2.8 and has been
very happy with that.
The 400/4 works very well with the Olympus 1.4x teleconverter giving a
560/5.6 that is lighter than anything comparable. It is fast enough to
easily focus using an E-1 at least in daylight (much easier for me than the
Zuiko 500/8 on an OM).
I had posted a picture and enlarged area of several hundred Monarch
butterflies hanging from a Eucalyptus branch several years ago. The
butterflies were somewhere between 20 and 30 feet away but the very enlarged
portion made it very easy to see the knob on the end of their antenna. The
resolution is very impressive.
A couple list members had emailed me saying the 400/4 was a great lens to
get, one even prefered it to the Zuiko 350/2.8. The 400/4 has sporadic
availability. When I got mine I had been watching yabe for 6 months and
hadn't seen one. I bought a "bargain" rated lens from KEH. Afterwards I
probably saw 4-6 sell in a period of about 1 year. I haven't seen one for
quite awhile now. The 300/2.8 is pretty easy to find. A good price for a
400/4 is about $800-$950 with several sales having been for $1100+. The
300/2.8 since it is much more commonly sold can be bought for about $600 or
even less although they have also sold for $800+. Both the 400/4 and 300/2.8
often come with a Tamron 112mm UV filter that does not seem to hurt the
picture quality. KEH currently has a Tokina ATX 300/2.8 for $1079. I think
that is the second one I've seen in the last five years. I also remember
seeing a Sigma 300/2.8 that I had placed a low bid on. Stephen Troy recently
mentioned the Sigma 500 4.5 that KEH has for $1479 and has posted great
train pictures using one (and other long lenses).
Although I've got quite a few long tele's to choose from, the Tamron 400/4
is the one I use the most.
-jeff
----Original Message Follows----
From: Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Jeff mentions a 400/4 Tamron, a lens I'm not familiar with. What's the
best deal in an OM mount 300 or 400mm f/4 or similar fast glass? 2.8 is
probably too fast meaning expensive and heavy.
Thanks,
Chuck Norcutt
Jeff Keller wrote:
> You might be right Andrew about the picture being "posed" but I wouldn't
> assume it was. My experience with the herons near where I live is that if
I
> take a couple hours for them to accept my presence, I can get very good
> pictures of them. I use a longer lens, a 400/4 Tamron, often with a 1.4x
> teleconverter.
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