Bird tracking AF add. capabilities and E-M1X vs. E-M1.3

[Messier Object]

Hello,

I know the E-M1X is slated to get a firmware update for Bird Tracking AF sometime this winter. What are the chances this will also be suitable for tracking other wildlife?

It is capable of adding just about anything to the tracking. It's just a question if JiP is going to do that.

My naive thoughts are that if the AF can track a bird, it would also be able to lock on and track a bigger animal. Thoughts?

Once programmed for it, yes. But will JiP invest in that? That is the question you should be asking.

Also, what are the chances this update will come to the E-M1.3?

If it was still Olympus I would say none. With JiP I have no idea.

lastly, I have an E-M1.3 and am currently considering on whether to get another or to get the E-M1X. Is the E-M1X basically an E-M1.3 with the HLD-9 grip (plus some functional buttons) or does it feel different in your hands? Any thoughts or advice is much appreciated!

If you shoot a lot with the grip, get the X. I have always hated the flex in the grip on the EM1's.

I’ve read similar comments about this “flex in the grip”, but I have never seen it or felt it.

Even when working with big lenses my HLD-9 grips are very solid on my E-M1 II and III.

If I grab the grip with one hand and the body with the other I can apply enough force to see some movement, but that’s certainly not a normal situation.

Peter

I also don't really know any of the differences between the two cameras so can't comment on what you gain. I do know the X has the field sensors that I have found very useful, didn't think I would be all that interested in them.

Oh, also.............the EM1mk3 will not have the joy stick in the portrait orientation since it uses the grip from the mk2. I would really miss that. The shooting experience between the two is almost exactly the same and I really appreciate that.

my two copper pieces,

Phocal

 

[Drintoul]

i take a lot of pictures of raptors here in the winter (NE kansas). Many of these are regular migrants who return to the same territory every winter, but not always. But they are often uniquely identifiable if I get a good picture.

The GPS in my EXIF data allows me to track them over multiple seasons, without having to take detailed notes or use a standalone GPS receiver. Yeah, I could do that. But this is easier, more idiot-proof, and I prefer it for those reasons.

The other place where this is useful is in foreign countries, where you might not be driving the vehicle and thus might have less-than-stellar recall of the place on the map where you got a picture. Again, for bird pictures, detailed GPS locations are helpful, not just to me, but to researchers who might find my image on eBird or elsewhere.

 

[Paul Auclair]

i take a lot of pictures of raptors here in the winter (NE kansas). Many of these are regular migrants who return to the same territory every winter, but not always. But they are often uniquely identifiable if I get a good picture.

The GPS in my EXIF data allows me to track them over multiple seasons, without having to take detailed notes or use a standalone GPS receiver. Yeah, I could do that. But this is easier, more idiot-proof, and I prefer it for those reasons.

The other place where this is useful is in foreign countries, where you might not be driving the vehicle and thus might have less-than-stellar recall of the place on the map where you got a picture. Again, for bird pictures, detailed GPS locations are helpful, not just to me, but to researchers who might find my image on eBird or elsewhere.

I get it...

some people shoot pictures just to look at the pictures and don't care much where the animal(s) sleep at night.

some people shoot pictures and they also want to know, and/or let others know, where the animal(s) sleep at night.

fortunate for both types of people that there is equipment available to assist in both endeavors.

--
as always,
thank you fellow DPR members for your kind words and encouragement.