This weekend I went out to LaSalle Park and captured some bird photography with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II zoom lens. I appreciate that some readers would like to see more samples of bird photography captured with affordable gear like the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II zoom lens… so I made some time to do so on Saturday.
The weather was grey, dull and overcast. Far from the kind of conditions that I would typically favour… but ideal to do some camera and lens testing! So, I grabbed my wife’s E-M1 Mark III fitted it with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm zoom… then headed off to LaSalle Park.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
I must confess it felt quite strange to use a camera that did not have Bird Detection AI, and I was very aware of my lack of familiarity with the E-M1 Mark III. Nevertheless I thought it was important to choose settings that would likely be commonly used by E-M1 Mark III owners when photographing birds-in-flight.
I selected continuous auto-focus (C-AF) in silent shutter mode at 18 frames-per-second, and used a 5×5 AF point grid. A shutter speed of 1/2000 was used so I could shift between birds-in-flight and static birds without having to worry about my shutter speed. I began my LaSalle Park visit with a few photographs of gulls and ducks doing standard fly-bys.
I wanted to get a decent selection of bird photography with the M.Zuiko 75-300 II and pushed the equipment with a few distant birds. This resulted in some severe crops (e.g. the two images above) which I wouldn’t normally do… but I thought some readers may have an interest.
I looked for opportunities to capture a few different behaviours, like the mallard above dunking its head in the water.
And, the image above of a trumpeter swan going after a mute swan that had strayed too close to the trumpeter’s mate.
I also captured a few photographs of some mallard ducks landing on the surface of the bay, coming reasonably close in to shore.
I found that the responsiveness of the 75-300 mm II’s auto-focus was just a tad slower than the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm. It is still more than acceptable, but I had to be a bit more disciplined when responding to fast breaking image opportunities to allow for the difference in auto-focus acquisition.
There was a Pekin duck at LaSalle Park on Saturday morning, hanging around with the Mallards. I was able to get a few images of it on the shoreline and swimming.
This species of duck is domesticated and the ducks are often kept as pets around ponds. They tend to be quite docile and can sometimes have an affectionate nature. Pekin ducks are sometimes bred for their meat and eggs.
It is probable that this particular bird escaped from a captive environment. Pekin ducks have short wings and are heavier than wild ducks, and sometimes are not capable of flight. It is doubtful that this particular duck will survive in a wild environment for very long.
Bird photography with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II is an enjoyable experience. When paired with an E-M1 Mark III the combination is small, lightweight and easy to handle… enabling me to capture a short image burst of a pigeon in flight.
Most of the birds that were up flying were gulls. I did manage to get a number of images of ducks and geese coming in for water landings.
Most of my bird-in-flight opportunities were with gulls. A lot of photographers feel that photographing gulls is a waste of time. I find them to be very good subjects with which to practice eye/hand coordination, and also to hone my shutter timing and in-flight compositions.
Even though gulls are extremely common birds, if we capture them at a precise moment in flight, the result can be some interesting images.
My bird photography session at LaSalle Park with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II was less than three hours in duration. During that time I was able to capture a decent selection of images… and had a lot of fun in the process.
The M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II has some limitations in terms of not being weather sealed, and using a slower, variable aperture design. On the positive side it is small, lightweight, affordable, and offers good auto-focus performance.
Bird photography with the 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II can be a very enjoyable experience.It’s one of those lenses that is quite capable… but very easy to underestimate.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard approach in post. C-AF (continuous auto-focus) was used at 18 frames-per-second with silent shutter. A 5×5 AF grid was used. All images were captured with an OM-D E-M1 Mark III and an M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II zoom lens. This is the 1,245 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
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Greetings fellow photography enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to share my insights and expertise on the captivating world of bird photography, particularly with a focus on the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II zoom lens and the OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera. As someone deeply immersed in the art of capturing avian beauty, I've spent countless hours experimenting with various lenses and camera setups to achieve optimal results.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article to shed light on the nuances of the equipment and the photography session:
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M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II Zoom Lens:
- This lens, known for its affordability, lightweight design, and compact nature, proves to be a valuable tool for bird photography. It features a variable aperture (f/4.8-6.7) and, notably, lacks weather sealing. Despite its limitations, the lens offers good auto-focus performance, making it an attractive choice for enthusiasts seeking a balance between capability and ease of use.
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OM-D E-M1 Mark III Camera:
- The camera used for this photography session is the E-M1 Mark III. The author highlights the absence of Bird Detection AI, emphasizing the need to manually select settings for bird-in-flight photography. The choice of continuous auto-focus (C-AF) in silent shutter mode at 18 frames-per-second, along with a 5×5 AF point grid, showcases the author's understanding of optimal settings for capturing fast-paced bird movements.
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Photography Session Conditions:
- The article mentions that the weather conditions were grey, dull, and overcast—suboptimal for typical photography preferences but ideal for testing camera and lens capabilities. This choice reflects the author's dedication to thorough testing and experimentation. The decision to use a shutter speed of 1/2000 addresses the challenge of shifting between birds-in-flight and static birds without compromising image quality.
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Photography Techniques:
- The author shares insights into the specific techniques employed during the session. Notably, the use of severe crops for distant birds, the selection of different behaviors to capture, and the consideration of auto-focus responsiveness provide a comprehensive understanding of the photographer's approach.
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Bird Subjects:
- The article features various bird species, including gulls, ducks, geese, a trumpeter swan, and a Pekin duck. The author not only captures the birds in flight but also documents interesting behaviors, such as a mallard dunking its head in the water and a trumpeter swan displaying territorial behavior.
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Comparisons with Other Lenses:
- A noteworthy point is the comparison of the auto-focus responsiveness of the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm II with the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm. This comparison provides valuable insights into the nuanced differences between different lenses, showcasing the author's discerning eye for equipment performance.
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Conclusion and Recommendations:
- The author concludes the article by highlighting the enjoyable experience of bird photography with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II. Despite acknowledging the lens's limitations, the positive aspects, such as its small size, lightweight design, affordability, and good auto-focus performance, are emphasized. This nuanced evaluation reflects a balanced and informed perspective.
In essence, this article is a treasure trove of insights for bird photography enthusiasts, combining technical expertise, hands-on experience, and a passion for capturing the beauty of birds in various conditions. If you're keen on mastering the art of bird photography with affordable gear, the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II lens coupled with the E-M1 Mark III camera seems to be a formidable combination in the hands of a skilled photographer. Happy shooting!
