Semi-beginner birder in M43, where to go from now (picture heavy)

I got more and more into birding during the last two years and adapted a bit my equipment (45-175 > 75-300 ; EM10>EM5.2>EM1.2) and post-processing (now dxo2 with PRIME and default sharpening). I also improved my technique to the point where there are some bird shots I am pleased with. However, I am sometimes / often disappointed with IQ. The answer is a mix of technique (getting closer to crop less), glass and post-processing. I would like to hear from the M43 birders where they would go from now based on the comparison of a few shots below arranged in three categories: (A) those that reached "my" satisfaction level, (B) those that did not, (BA) depends on my mood.

(A) Shots that reached "my" satisfaction level

75-300; 1/125; f:6.4; 234mm; ISO2500

75-300; 1/250; f:6.5; 258mm; ISO1600

75-300 ; 1/400 ; f7.1 ; 300mm ; ISO 250

(B) Shots that failed to reach "my" satisfaction level

75-300; 1/400; f7.1; 300mm; ISO 1250

75-300 ; 1/60 ; f6.7 ; 264mm ; ISO4000

75-300; 1/400; f7.1; 300mm; ISO1600

one with the 75mm f/1.8

75 f1.8 ; 1/40 ; f2 ; 75mm ; ISO2500

(B-A) a borderline shot

75-300; 1/320; f6.7; 300mm ; ISO4000

75-300; 1/4000 ; f/6.7 ; 275mm ; ISO3200

My main observations (seen also several times here): It is better to not go all the way to 300mm with the 75-300 (I usually cannot afford to stop it down); I do not like shots above ISO1600 (even with the EM1.2)... However in underwoods, there is simply not enough light... For birds in flight, with very high SS, light is also an issue. Also sometimes 300mm is really needed (small birds not that close).
I am thinking about the 300mm f4 but the $ amount is a change of scale in my photography budget. So I am gathering external advices to convince myself it is about time to upgrade...

Thanks for your comments / answers / help.

Small birds in dark conditions is always a challenge. However, from what I've seen here, you're well on your way to some excellent work, and have identified the improvements you need to make.
Just keep doing what you're doing. You've got the knack, and the rest comes with practice.

I think you've made a good start.

Like it or not, the 300/4 PRO is a super lens, and I think it will make a big improvement to your photography.  It is very sharp, and the faster aperture will allow lower ISO and/or higher shutter speeds, all of which is going to improve the IQ and number of keepers.  The faster aperture will also let you blur the background more, which will help make more satisfying images.  Finally, it also works well with TCs, which will help to fill the frame when the bird is small or you can't get close.  So my main recommendation is to start saving.

Apart from a lens upgrade, the best (in my view) bird shots show action and/or behaviour.  Your picture of the great tit isn't bad considering the difficulty of the shot.  So why not try BIF with a less challenging subject?  And with Spring coming along soon (hopefully) there should be some behaviour shots to be had.

Mike

You're doing really well.  What you need most is more light, so do I 

300f4 or PL100-400 will give you some improvement but as you know it will be at a considerable cost and only you will know whether the improvement justifies the cost.

I can only advise what I would do and in fact have done. But first I want to point out that you already appear to have greater field skills than I.

I loved my 75-100 mk2 lens but it certainly has the limitations you mention.

Buying the Panasonic PL100-400 when it was first launched was the most expensive photographic item I had ever bought by far at that time. However I went ahead despite assuming it would be a 'one trick pony', but how wrong I was.

It not only captured noticeably more light (because it's razor sharp wide open through the full zoom range) it focussed much quicker (so I missed less fast small birds). And it very noticeably improved the quality of the captured image ... Especially at the long end. Plus it reached out to 400mm. So that was a win all round.

But initially there were a few problems (more on that in a moment) however it showed it's true potential when finally matched with my later purchase of an em1-mk2. Not only did my bird photography take giant leaps, the 100-400 is a great all rounder and stats on for butterfly's, dragonflies, flowers, air shows, jet ski racing, surfing and a multitude of other subjects too!

It's versatility of zooming from 100-400mm has ended up making it the best value of any piece of photographic kit I've ever purchased!

I won't get into a debate regarding comparing it's quality to the 300 f4 pro as I have never used one, but I will say that when bigger birds come close even zooming back to 100mm will sometimes only just fit the whole bird in.

* the one caveat that initially gave me poor results with it - solved when I bought the Olympus em1-mk2 camera - was that the Panasonic Dual IBIS system did not work well between my GX8 and the PL100-400, and needed to be switched OFF for sharpest results. However the PL100-400 fitted to the em1-mk2 allows a choice of IBIS only or OIS only, both of which produce really sharp images  (this was an option previously not available to me). Using just one of either if those is the secret for sharpest results.

My now very old PL100-400 is also slightly stiff to zoom, but silicone polish sorts that out.

Best wishes.

Thanks for the kind comment.

Thanks for the answer. By "less challenging behavior shots" you mean birds "doing things" or having different postures? (However the easy thing about "tits in flight" is that they are in front of my door)

You are doing very well.

The 300mm f4 will increase sharpness of your images and give you 1.5 stops lower ISO.  The dual stabilization can also increase that to a total of 2 - 2.5 stops.  That is essentially equivalent to the difference between a FF and mFTs in light compared to your current lens.

However, the 300mm is also much larger/heavier, it is not a zoom and it is very expensive.  Only you can decide whether it is worth those compromises.

There are alternatives, that are smaller/lighter/less expensive like the Panasonic 100-400mm, but you will gain less compared to your current lens.

Thanks for the comment and advices.

Panny 100-400 and Oly 300 are both on a different price scale of what I have so far... So I was thinking I might go all the way up... Also I am not sure about my ability to use the 300-400mm range (and I was thinking that the dual-IS EM1.2 + 300mm will be another benefit help a bit, if one day I want to add the x1,4 TC).

First off, you are getting some great images from that 75-300.

You have good composition and perspective in your photos.  To many beginners just put the bird in the center of the frame.  It's nice to see semi-beginner showing some compositional ability.

I did a post comparing the MZ 75-300, ZD 50-200 SWD w/ EC-14 and MZ 300/4 .  I always do in the field testing where I shoot the same subject (usually a bird or gator or frog) with all the lenses.  This way you can compare them in a real world shooting situation.  The comparison went as I expected it with the 300/4 being the better lens followed by the ZD 50-200 SWD next and the 75-300 bringing up the rear.  I recommend reading that post as I go into the differences between them and give my insight having used all three for a few years now.

You can get the 300/4 and trust me, it is worth every penny.  I love mine and would never get rid of it.  But you can also pick up an MMF-3, ZD 50-200 SWD, EC-14 and EC-20 for not a lot of money have a pretty good setup.  You can jump over to my Flickr and I have a lot of examples of the 50-200.  I have albums separated by bare lens, w/ EC-14 and EC-20.

Another option is the Olympus 40-150mm Pro with MC-14 and MC-20.  I have been seeing some great images with that lens and the MC-20.

What I would do and what I did.  Get a pair of EM1's, 300/4 and the ZD 150mm f2.0.  I have found the combo of 300/4 and 150/2 to be an amazing 2 lens setup.  I almost always take both of them with me and with two cameras it's simple to swap to the other lens.  I have the MC-14 and EC-14 for the two lenses but seldom use them.  I always try to get close enough to shoot full body with the 150/2 and use the 300/4 to shoot tight portraits.

I should mention the dual IS.  I honestly was like it's all a gimmick and not that useful.  I now love it and find it so useful.  I will shoot from odd positions just to get the perspective I want and the dual IS sure makes the shooting a lot easier when I can't be rock steady.  It also allows some really slow shutter speeds to be shot handheld.

Shot handheld.  The thing he was hunting is also in the photograph, I didn't see it until editing the photo.  He didn't get it because someone came down the trail and spooked him.

Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Phocal

Very informative video (I never thought about using flash for birds)... However, my birding scenario is a mix of hiking / birding (excepts for garden shots like for the tit "in flight) so I am nearly always shooting handheld... Those flashes look big...

Longan wrote:

Thanks for the comment and advices.

Panny 100-400 and Oly 300 are both on a different price scale of what I have so far... So I was thinking I might go all the way up... Also I am not sure about my ability to use the 300-400mm range (and I was thinking that the dual-IS EM1.2 + 300mm will be another benefit help a bit, if one day I want to add the x1,4 TC).

If you are shooting the 75-300 handheld you will be able to shoot the 100-400 handheld.  But, see my first post...…..dual IS is amazing and worth staying with Olympus lenses.

Oh, that brings up the Olympus soon to be released 100-400............well not sure I should of said soon because I don't know if there is a release date and I know no specs have been said.  But it is coming and you could wait for that.

Longan wrote:

Very informative video (I never thought about using flash for birds)... However, my birding scenario is a mix of hiking / birding (excepts for garden shots like for the tit "in flight) so I am nearly always shooting handheld... Those flashes look big...

I use a flash about 50% of the time.  I got a flash extender but realized that I didn't really need it because I am always 25 feet or less from my subjects and I am only use it for fill flash.  I use the Godox V860ii  and find it a great flash.  The lithium-ion version really is worth it for the faster recharge as well as the much longer battery life.

I used flash for this image. I have it printed 30x20 on a metallic paper and it looks amazing.

Thanks for the link. The size and price of this flash make it an option to consider seriously.

Thanks for nice comment, advices and the link to your *very* informative post (among many things, I realized that distance to subject was present in the exif!). That really makes me think about the 300mm even more. I have some more time to think about it : I have a US trip planned in July and I am thinking that it could be the right time to try to buy it second hand. Meanwhile I will continue to practice with the 75-300 (and perhaps find this godox VING V860IIO flash).

By the way, I am following you on flickr. Very inspiring photograhs!

Longan wrote:

Thanks for nice comment, advices and the link to your *very* informative post (among many things, I realized that distance to subject was present in the exif!). That really makes me think about the 300mm even more. I have some more time to think about it : I have a US trip planned in July and I am thinking that it could be the right time to try to buy it second hand. Meanwhile I will continue to practice with the 75-300 (and perhaps find this godox VING V860IIO flash).

You honestly can't go wrong with the 300/4, it's a great lens.  I love the Godox and it has held up in the rain and in my kayak.  Even though it isn't weather sealed I figured it was cheap enough I would risk it and so far it is has been fine.  Now it does seem to have some issues when it is -20 but I never had problems with it in 110.

By the way, I am following you on flickr. Very inspiring photograhs!

Thank you, appreciate the comment.

If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Phocal

Longan wrote:

Thanks for the answer. By "less challenging behavior shots" you mean birds "doing things" or having different postures? (However the easy thing about "tits in flight" is that they are in front of my door)

Yes, birds 'doing things', in flight, and interesting postures too.  I don't know where you are in the world, but with Spring coming (hopefully soon) worth looking out for courtship like these Great Crested Grebe.

But persevere with the tits in flight as they are right in front of you.

Mike