The snow and cold finally moderated a bit in northern Illinois, USA, so, with temperatures in the high 40's F, I ventured out to a local rookery with the newly acquired OM-1 and 150-400. I wanted to compare it to my former Sony system (A1, 200-600, 100-400, 70-200 II). Although I have some work to do in becoming acquainted with Olympus, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and keepers in my first try. Bravo, Olympus!
The wildlife was a bit shy today, not allowing me to get very close; so many of the shots are at full extension with the TC switch ON.
FJR1 wrote:
The snow and cold finally moderated a bit in northern Illinois, USA, so, with temperatures in the high 40's F, I ventured out to a local rookery with the newly acquired OM-1 and 150-400. I wanted to compare it to my former Sony system (A1, 200-600, 100-400, 70-200 II). Although I have some work to do in becoming acquainted with Olympus, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and keepers in my first try. Bravo, Olympus!
The wildlife was a bit shy today, not allowing me to get very close; so many of the shots are at full extension with the TC switch ON....Show more →
A nice set-up! I read that you formerly used Sony.
I tried to purchase an Olympus 150-400mm beginning of this year, but they are still completely unavailable in Europe at this time. I went for a Sony A1+200-600mm instead. I am completely convinced by the A1, but although initially positive about the 200-600, I really wish Sony would make a +/- 7000,- lens at the level of the Olympus 150-400. It is simply too hard going from high quality prime lenses like the Canon 400DOII and Nikon 500PF, to a clearly consumer level lens like the Sony 200-600. The contrast, bite, clarity, color neutrality and fine detail just aren't there, which is no fault of the lens at a price of 1900,-. So I can understand your move completely. I feel I am now simply obliged to save up for the Sony 600GM, or I won't be taking the A1 out for wildlife as often as I would like to.
I won't be selling the A1 though. I wanted a body for everything including city/travel photography. The A1 with 35GM and Zeiss Loxia 25mm is fantastic, and probably my last city/travel camera for this decade.
If the 600GM is too expensive or big for me though, I may get a Nikon 800PF and a Z6II, which would be a pity because of the insane action qualities of the A1. But it is much more than just a super fast action camera, it is outstanding in all regards.
ChrisMak wrote:
A nice set-up! I read that you formerly used Sony.
I tried to purchase an Olympus 150-400mm beginning of this year, but they are still completely unavailable in Europe at this time. I went for a Sony A1+200-600mm instead. I am completely convinced by the A1, but although initially positive about the 200-600, I really wish Sony would make a +/- 7000,- lens at the level of the Olympus 150-400. It is simply too hard going from high quality prime lenses like the Canon 400DOII and Nikon 500PF, to a clearly consumer level lens like the Sony 200-600. The contrast, bite, clarity, color neutrality and fine detail just aren't there, which is no fault of the lens at a price of 1900,-. So I can understand your move completely. I feel I am now simply obliged to save up for the Sony 600GM, or I won't be taking the A1 out for wildlife as often as I would like to.
I won't be selling the A1 though. I wanted a body for everything including city/travel photography. The A1 with 35GM and Zeiss Loxia 25mm is fantastic, and probably my last city/travel camera for this decade.
If the 600GM is too expensive or big for me though, I may get a Nikon 800PF and a Z6II, which would be a pity because of the insane action qualities of the A1. But it is much more than just a super fast action camera, it is outstanding in all regards....Show more →
That's a good plan that has been well thought. I think the 200-600 is a bit better than consumer level, but I understand that it can't compete with the 600GM or even the Olympus big white. Best of luck with your journey!
Bobby V wrote:
This next set deserves some explanation. After a pretty quiet birding day, I decided to try my hand again at these shorebirds, this time I was using a groundpod and laying prone on the beach for about half an hour with them. They were surprisingly cooperative and tame. A stream of hikers were passing by the flock without them really paying any attention and they carried out their business. Occasionally they would fly out over open water and return to a new section of beach which made it possible to try some BIFs.
The birds were busy preening, washing, scavenging for food, when out of nowhere I saw a dark object flash into the flock (it must have been going at least 50-80 miles per hour) and the whole flock fluttered away in distress. I then shouted “Peregrine!” to my partner, and as soon as I realized what was going on, I mashed the shutter button like madman. It all happened so fast that I was sure I didn’t catch any photos, but sure enough I got one with the poor bird clearly still alive clutched in the talons heading off into the distance. Not my best work, but enough evidence to recount the experience. After the whole episode I was speechless. My guess is that the peregrine was nesting nearby, soared at altitude until dive bombing the flock at full speed. I've seen them take pigeons in the city before but never up close and personal like this.
Enjoyed the story as much as the photos. I've always thought of photography as telling a story through imagery and this really highlights that. I just got my OM-1 yesterday and look forward to setting it up - this post makes a very strong case for the marriage between the OM-1 and the 150-400. Absolutely brilliant!
wjmeyer wrote:
Enjoyed the story as much as the photos. I've always thought of photography as telling a story through imagery and this really highlights that. I just got my OM-1 yesterday and look forward to setting it up - this post makes a very strong case for the marriage between the OM-1 and the 150-400. Absolutely brilliant!
Bill
Thanks Bill! It was an astonishing moment for me and further proof that nature never stops surprising. As for the gear, I'm pretty confident it played a strong role, between the solid bird tracking AF, burst rate, and also being able to rack the zoom to acquire then capture fast subjects (unlike a prime), which makes it a solid choice for being "spontaneous". It's hard for me to imagine a more versatile range than 300-1000 eq FOV for wildlife work.
Bobby V wrote:
That's fabulous George. I was in Bonaire a few years ago and was stunned by how good the birding was (that wasn't the primary objective of the trip).
Thanks Bobby. It’s quite fantastic here in late April, but unfortunately most of the migrants have left.
But it is much more than just a super fast action camera, it is outstanding in all regards.
