Swallows (M.Zuiko 300mm f4 IS Pro)

vass · Jan 13, 2017

It's been a while since i posted some Welcome Swallow photos and i thought it is a good idea since i'm free tonight.
Mostly flight shots but i added a few perched ones too (don't kill me for taking such photo's ;-) )

These were all shot with the trusty E-M1 mk 1 and 300 f4. I' will eventually do some with the mark ii when i get a chance but some of these are going to be hard to beat.

Enjoy the show!

About to take a drink

Coming in head on

Youngster

Next frame from previous shot and giving me eye contact

Cute pose

Slowing down to land

Ooops it has seen me, off it goes

Flying low with the waves

Incoming

Showing off it's shine

This one was a fluke. I was panning it and it turned all the sudden but somehow AF got it.

Singing it's tune

Peaceful in flight

A handsome looking Swallow

A Juvenile

regards,

Vas

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14869355@N07/

klaas-Rotterdam · Jan 13, 2017

Thanks for sharing, realy nice pictures.

jonnieb · Jan 13, 2017

Some really outstanding shots there. And to think, with the lowly E-M1.......

Tommi K1 · Jan 13, 2017

And everytime when someone comes and say that m4/3 cameras can't do C-AF.... You just give them the link to OP post.

And we are talking over 3 year old E-M1 that already changed the fast action capabilities of the 4/3" system, and then we got 3.0 firmware that radically changed that even more. And now we have E-M1 Mk2 that is totally another level of the Mk1.

So if someone comes and say "m4/3 can't do fast action", then go and challenge them to do what OP has shown here.

Fast, agile, tiny objects that can fly very radically, more challenging than any human person with a ball, buck etc.

Lets go back 10 years and if you had a 1-2 photos of the swallows in flight like that, it was very great achievement.

20 years back and if you had something like it, you were almost worshipped (or so they say) by your skills.

S Jones · Jan 13, 2017

These are amazing.

I have not yet managed one in flight at all, as for one about to drink - only in my dreams.

A real inspiration.

Thank you.

Stephen

MarkDavo · Jan 13, 2017

Hey Vass, really great images made all the more incredible knowing your technique and skill.

Well done.

Terminal Boy · Jan 13, 2017

Those are great!

Opseuman · Jan 13, 2017

Vass,

Thanks for sharing these inspiring captures.

Regards

PhotoguyCanada · Jan 13, 2017

That is a fantastic series .... well done .... I don't know about the swallows in your part of the world? but i'm assuming that they are very speedy little guys just like the ones around here ... takes a lot of skill and practice to get such nice photos. Congrats

Robert

joeletx · Jan 13, 2017

vass said:
I' will eventually do some with the mark ii when i get a chance but some of these are going to be hard to beat.

About to take a drink

I'd like to see you beat this one with the E-M1 II Vass. Wow!

John Strung · Jan 13, 2017

Those are amazing! I know how difficult it is to track a swallow in flight. Were you just using the EVF or did you have a Dot Sight attached?

dro1 · Jan 13, 2017

Those are simply amazing captures. Kudos!

Dil

Skeeterbytes · Jan 13, 2017

Would you kindly knock it off now? I have that camera-lens and yet somehow never come home with similar shots. Hrrumph!

Anyhoo, a truly fine set.

Cheers,

Rick

Andrew Ellis · Jan 13, 2017

Wow....just wow !!!

Nikonovich · Jan 13, 2017

I've read a lot of reports about how such photos were impossible with MFT (until, perhaps, the EM 1.2 came along.) In any case, these are astonishingly terrific photos, and high praise to you, Vass! You're teaching us all to reach higher!

phil from seattle · Jan 13, 2017

jonnieb said:
Some really outstanding shots there. And to think, with the lowly E-M1.......

--
Jonnieb

Yeah but in the hands of a very skilled photographer. Mere mortals need not apply...

Jan Chelminski · Jan 13, 2017

Tommi K1 said:
And everytime when someone comes and say that m4/3 cameras can't do C-AF.... You just give them the link to OP post.

And we are talking over 3 year old E-M1 that already changed the fast action capabilities of the 4/3" system, and then we got 3.0 firmware that radically changed that even more. And now we have E-M1 Mk2 that is totally another level of the Mk1.

So if someone comes and say "m4/3 can't do fast action", then go and challenge them to do what OP has shown here.

Fast, agile, tiny objects that can fly very radically, more challenging than any human person with a ball, buck etc.

Lets go back 10 years and if you had a 1-2 photos of the swallows in flight like that, it was very great achievement.

20 years back and if you had something like it, you were almost worshipped (or so they say) by your skills.

My F5 and 300mm f/2.8 AFS couldn't handle swallows, thats for sure!!!

phil from seattle · Jan 13, 2017

Stunning shots! I have the PL100-400+EM-1 and would be ecstatic to come home with those shots. Just amazing.

What settings did you use? AF mode? Targets (single, 3x3?). Target size (large or small?). You clearly know your subject so i suspect some of your success is due to knowing where they will be.

vass · Jan 13, 2017

Tommi K1 said:
And everytime when someone comes and say that m4/3 cameras can't do C-AF.... You just give them the link to OP post.

And we are talking over 3 year old E-M1 that already changed the fast action capabilities of the 4/3" system, and then we got 3.0 firmware that radically changed that even more. And now we have E-M1 Mk2 that is totally another level of the Mk1.

So if someone comes and say "m4/3 can't do fast action", then go and challenge them to do what OP has shown here.

Fast, agile, tiny objects that can fly very radically, more challenging than any human person with a ball, buck etc.

Lets go back 10 years and if you had a 1-2 photos of the swallows in flight like that, it was very great achievement.

20 years back and if you had something like it, you were almost worshipped (or so they say) by your skills.

Truth is the gear is only a small percentage of the results. If i wasn't able to follow a fast subject and did not study their behaviour and flight well it doesn't matter what gear is use.

Most of the people who say m43 can't do C-AF are just gear heads who most the time have never experienced the gear or think it's the gear that gets the shots.

JIngrouille · Jan 13, 2017

Stunning photography thanks for sharing,

Regards John

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