At a birding preserve I often visit, the sandhill cranes usually wait until it's almost dark to fly back in. This makes photography difficult, especially since I can't get very close to them given the way the preserve is set out.
I've been using an OM-1 II with 300 F4 lens - which works very well for me when there's more light. I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this "beyond dusk, almost dark" situation. As it happens, I may be buying some equipment in the next few weeks/months. I'm considering:
-- getting the new OM F2.8 50-200. Obviously it won't give me as much reach, even using the 1.4 TC (which I already use with the 300 F4), but might the brighter aperture be enough to allow me to recover some info in post-processing the RAW files? (Other m43 lenses like the OM 150-600 and the 50-400 are too heavy and/or too $$ for me to manage).
-- Alternatively, I have (and love) a Sony A7RV. I used to have the sony 200-600 G lens, but it got too heavy for me to use (I'm 76 years old) so I sold it and got into the M43 system. There are rumors of an update to the 100-400 GM lens (which I tried for bird photos but never liked that much). The new version is rumored to be a G lens with variable aperture, maybe starting around 5.6 or so. (rumor has a new GM coming, but probably will be $$$$).
So I'm wondering if the 61 mpxl of the A7RV will gather more light, even with a G lens, which at 400 mm will have less reach and a slightly dimmer aperture than the OM 300 (600 mm FFE).
-- I've thought of going back to the 200-600 Sony G and setting it up on a tripod, but I'm not eager to get a lens for such a niche use - especially since the Sandhills move around enough that I can't count on their coming to the place I set up.
Do you think either of these might work in the conditions I describe? Or have any other suggestions? Thanks!
I regularly shoot till I run out of light. Fast lenses and/or High ISO is the way to go. Take advantage of noise reduction in the app you use to process and possibly get an app that specializes in noise reduction. Something else you can do is shoot creative blurs, there not for everyone yet they can be a lot of fun. The challenge is that fast glass is heavy, for Sony the 300mm f2.8 is the way to get the light you need and accept the range loss. The OM 50-200mm f2.8 might also do it for you. You might be able to rent one and see how you feel about that nearly 3 Lb lens. There is also the Panasonic 200mm f2.8 just slightly lighter. Another option is the OM 40-150mm f/2.8 and it's under 2 lb. I've tried in on an OM 1-ii, a sweet combination though a bit short. Shooting off a tripod does not have to lock you down and you can move using on with the camera attached or safer by hitting the quick release and using a sling with quick connect to carry the camera.
There comes a point where there is just not enough light regardless of the lens and camera you are using.
As an OM shooter I think your best choice would be the bare OM 50-200 f2.8 and crop to the 300 f4 equivalent size. Having twice as much light on your sensor is a big help.
A tripod is just another burden for you to pack around, and not of much use with subjects that move the slightest bit in poor light.
