Fist 60minutes with Oly 300 f4 on Em-1

Let's put this in context.

I'm a keen, if imperfect bird photographer, and my 'go to' system is currently a Nikon D4S/Sigma 150-600S.

But, I also have loved my OMD-EM1 for other types of photography, and this week, an overdue birthday present arrived - the Oly 300/f4. I am about to vanish to a conference, so have had little chance to explore this new lens. However, these, from the garden, are a first taste.

I am very impressed by the sharpness and focus speed of this lens. It's not as fast as the D4S (well, that's not surprising) but there are compensation - I love having EVF exposure adjustment - I tend to like my shots with an under-exposed background. The lens seems super sharp - and I forget I am holding a 600mm equivalent, on to 16mpix. Compared to the Nikon system - 600mm on to 16mpix.

There are differences - the D4S is a high ISO champion, but apart form that, I am very taken by the Em1/300f4 combo.

The big difference is weight. I will always take the Nikon/Sigma on 'serious' trips, but for casual walks, the Oly combo would absolutely hold its own. It's a lovely set up, is light, and has an attractive colour rendition.

Her are a few then, from the garden. Imported on Capture One, minimal pp.

Colour me impressed!

Looking forward to trying this lens/body combo in a real setting, and also, in comparison with the Nikon. But, I would walk anywhere with my Em1, 17mm f1.8, 12-40 f2.8, 40-150 f2.8 and 300 f4.The whole shebang weighs less than the D4S/Sigma!

Rob

Dunnock

I'm nearly grown up, you know? (Robin)

Dunnock

Host's in the garden...lovely bokeh

Crocosmia - study in red

Tit, heavy crop..

Another Hosta, different OOF background, still nice...

Yes, I was careless with ISO,a and some of them are jpegs rather than tidied RAW. Must try harder.

Wow.

Your first hour with that lens and you're able to show some of why it may be worth the cost. Very nice shots "mistakes" and all.

Obviously, even the very best equipment wouldn't be able to shine in the wrong hands.

Nice shots. Thank you for posting them.

Yes, the noise on some of these is horrible, plus some are over cooked. I think the 300/f4 will need different settings. But, encouraged to keep it.

If you had stopped down you could have lowered the ISO significantly.  Why are all the shots at ƒ8.0+ when the lens is perfectly sharp at ƒ4.0?

As I said, I grabbed a quick hour (giving a plenary lecture, not ready yet!) and made a lot of errors! Nonetheless, the images give me a lot of hope for a good future relationship with this lens I'll try harder when my life allows for some leisure.

Phocal wrote:

If you had stopped down you could have lowered the ISO significantly. Why are all the shots at ƒ8.0+ when the lens is perfectly sharp at ƒ4.0?

If he had opened up. And f/4 has too shallow a depth of field for closeups of small birds if you want to get them entirely in focus. I've learned this with my own experience on the 300 after just a few images.

Thanks, I did want to gain DOF, but it wasn't a scientific test.

rob_b wrote:

Thanks, I did want to gain DOF, but it wasn't a scientific test.

They're beautiful, Rob. And I don't think the noise detracts hardly at all.

I have to say that I looked at that immature Robin a half dozen times, and then noticed that you're in the UK, and we're talking two entirely different birds! 

CelticOdyssey wrote:

Phocal wrote:

If you had stopped down you could have lowered the ISO significantly. Why are all the shots at ƒ8.0+ when the lens is perfectly sharp at ƒ4.0?

If he had opened up. And f/4 has too shallow a depth of field for closeups of small birds if you want to get them entirely in focus. I've learned this with my own experience on the 300 after just a few images.

That's what I meant. Personally I prefer less in focus if stopping down is going to take my ISO beyond 800.  Once past 800 you really start losing detail in the feathers/fur of animals, once past 1600 and I don't even bother anymore.

Phocal wrote:

If you had stopped down you could have lowered the ISO significantly. Why are all the shots at ƒ8.0+ when the lens is perfectly sharp at ƒ4.0?

In photography "stopping down" refers to increasing the numerical f-stop number, means even more DOF and higher ISO.  I'm sure you meant the opposite.

CelticOdyssey wrote:

rob_b wrote:

Thanks, I did want to gain DOF, but it wasn't a scientific test.

They're beautiful, Rob. And I don't think the noise detracts hardly at all.

I agree.  The only shot that might bother is number one the dunnock.  All the rest are fine for me.  I sometimes think I'm immune to noise, although it has to be the right sort of noise.  Well done Rob.

I have to say that I looked at that immature Robin a half dozen times, and then noticed that you're in the UK, and we're talking two entirely different birds!

Thanks everyone. The more I look at these, the more I realise that they have been over processed. However, I'm now in 'academic delivery plenary at conference' for a few days, so when I get back, I'll put some more realistic images up.

Already though, I now this is a lens I will keep. Apart form any other reason, I'm increasingly interested in video as well, and I find the OMD-EM1 a great video camera. The ability to capture video at 600mm equiv will greatly increase my options.

Best wishes to all

Rob

So far so good

Keep it up!

I like mine, very impressed with the tack sharp images when used right (which I'm still learning). Took this today, no PP.

Burrowing Owl, Taos, NM