OM-1 and Panasonic 100-400. Images and more

[Carol Darby]

I promised awhile back that I would test the OM-1 with the Pany 100-400 for those that have that lens and were interested on how it performs with it. A couple of days ago I managed to get out. I did dogs chasing balls in sun, a few birds in full sun and some birds in quite heavy shade. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to do any birds in flight.

I have put the images through DeNoise, especially the ones where I had to use high iso. I was pretty happy the way they have ended up. I could definitely see a difference compared to images taken with the 150-400 but I would have been very disappointed if I couldn't. The 150-400 is quicker to focus and I did get more keepers with the big lens. And being limited to 6.3 on the long end of the Pany certainly made a difference too. So I know which lens I will be shooting with. But that being said I will be keeping the Pany lens as it would make a great backup if there was any reason I couldn't use the 150-400. And sometimes it is very nice to go lighter. So it is a lens definitely worth keeping.

I only used three different settings. Animal subject with SH2 25fps. Bird subject with SH2 25fps. Plus Pro Capture subject with SH2 25fps. I am very happy to say that all worked just fine. I had been photographing birds and then started on the dogs. At first I was disappointed that the head/eye detect wasn't working on the dogs though the camera did a reasonable job of tracking. And then silly me remembered it was still on Bird subject. I switched to animal and the head and eye were detected and performance much improved.

The images of the Night Heron were taken mostly in pretty heavy shade so I used 800-1000 iso as it was pretty active. It was some distance away so I was surprised and happy with the number of keepers. The image of the Spoonbill was 1250 iso and I was using Pro Capture. The light was really bad and the resulting image is pretty noisy. I had used a fast shutter speed in the hope of a bit of action but the best I got was a big body shake. Most of the sequence were in focus. They had ended up underexposed so all the more reason to be happy after lightened in Lightroom. I put it through DeNoise and was pretty pleased with the way it cleaned up.




Australian Raven




Australian White Ibis




Little Corella




Juvenile Nankeen Night Heron








Sometimes you just have to keep one even though it was on the side of the frame











































--
Carol

 

[Brandon birder]

even though a test, inspiring images of the heron.

Thanks.

 

[windmillgolfer]

Thanks for posting Carol. I have the lens, currently welded to my G9. The OM-1, by all accounts so far, seems to be the obvious upgrade path. Fingers crossed, the street / special offer price will settle eventually somewhat below £2000 but this may take a couple years. I’ve not previously followed Olympus prices and, of course, the new owners may adopt a different pattern. I suspect they may maintain higher price in this premium market.

 

[katy C.]

Excellent set Carol. OM1 is very tempting but I'm waiting

to see similar tests on the GH6 with that new sensor!

katy

 

[Richandhiscat]

This what we need to see, the OM1 with a cheaper option than the 150-400 - seems to have done ok.

What interests me though, is have you noticed any deterioration in the sharpness of your images with the 100-400 since you bought it?

I don't think mine is as sharp at 400 as it was nearly 5 years ago when it was new, although I don't use it a lot now at 400.

 

[Paul Amyes]

Thanks for that Carol. I think I'll hold off switching to the 300mm f4 and actually upgrade my camera.

I saw a couple of juvenile nankeen night herons the other day when I was at Tomato Lake. Won't post them here as they weren't taken with my EM1 mk ii but a Sony A7r2 and adapted Sigma 150-600 lens.

 

[Carol Darby]

Thanks for that Carol. I think I'll hold off switching to the 300mm f4 and actually upgrade my camera.

I saw a couple of juvenile nankeen night herons the other day when I was at Tomato Lake. Won't post them here as they weren't taken with my EM1 mk ii but a Sony A7r2 and adapted Sigma 150-600 lens.

What a hard choice. The 300 f4 is a fabulous lens. I don’t own it but used one for two weeks on a trip last year. But the OM-1 is amazing. Start saving so you can have both