Complete the form below to create your account

This will be your public name in the community
We need this to keep you informed about your account

Mandatory data.

Why you'll love MyOMSYSTEM

All members get access to exclusive benefits:

  • Member community
  • Register products
  • Extended warranty
  • Monthly newsletter

Forget Everything You Knew About The Limitations of Long Lens Photography

By: OM SYSTEM Photographer Tibor Molnar

Whether you are new to photography or a seasoned pro you have probably heard the rule of double the focal length for stable images while free hand holding a camera to take photos. With a short focal length such as a 50mm, 1/100 isnt too much to ask. Once you get to the higher focal lengths such as 600mm you can see why that would start to have limitations. Bird photography often relies on extreme reach in less than ideal conditions.

The advancement of IS (image stabilization) in camera and lenses that rule is meant to be broken. I had the opportunity to photograph some stunning birds in Ecuador using the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II paired with the M. Zuiko ED 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens. Both have IS built in with OM-1 Mark II having 8.5 EV stops of compensation. That’s 8.5 stops less on shutter speed for a blur free image compared to without. So now you are probably asking how do we take advantage of these for better bird photographs. Here are some tips I found extremely useful and not often talked about.

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

Don’t be afraid to use a low shutter speed

This may sound scary. We have all taken photos where you think you nailed a shot but instead your photo comes out super soft or blurry. IS is not perfect but knowing that you can stop down on the shutter speed will help you compensate and use lower ISOs. Lowering the ISO will help with a sharper image, less grain and more detail. Lower shutter speeds will help with ISO but if you want to freeze motion such as flight shots this is not the answer. Using a low shutter speed is for the times you need more light.

While a beautiful shot of bird in flight with the wings frozen from tip to tip is an image we are all after, in less than ideal situations you have to work with what you have. Bird photography is always a give and take, working with the environment, which can never be changed.

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

Know your acceptable ISO

While in Ecuador most of the subjects are often in forests or with lots of shade. In these situations, you often have to raise the ISO but this is where lower shutter speeds help. Assess the situation and see what an acceptable ISO is for your photographs. Whatever your max is start there. Now lower the shutter speed to the amount you need for the right exposure. The goal is not to be above your max acceptable ISO. If I know I am going to have to crop my max ISO will be much lower than a photo where I know my cropping will be minimal. Of course these are all preference and situational dependent.

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

Take advantage of the fast frames per second

Now that you know your max ISO and lowered your shutter speed for the right exposure you can take your photos. What if that shutter speed is really low? This is where the frames per second give that little extra help. Don’t just take one photo at a time. Slow controlled bursts are your friend.

The OM-1 Mark II has 10 fps (120 fps E. Shutter) which is plenty to get some nice bursts. Using bursts will often help you get more of a chance at a crisp image. If you take a 2 second burst of 20 images of a humming bird at a feeder, you may only have a few that are sharp at say 1/200 but it’s a greater chance you catch it when its paused than with single shots.

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

Take “safety shots”

What if a bird is perched? You have time to set settings and find the ideal exposure. Can it get any better? Don’t settle, if you are given the opportunity use it. I had a small window through trees to capture a crimson-rumped toucanet. Luckily it was perched but it was a struggle to get enough light. At the full 600mm of the M. Zuiko ED 150-600mm f/5-6.3 I was able to get close enough but my ISO was high.

I took a burst, looked and saw I had some images I liked. Then since I had time to adjust I bumped my ISO down a few stops, then my shutter speed to compensate. I then took some shots again until I had a shot I was happy with. Rinse and repeat. A safety shot is getting the shot first and then trying to get more favorable settings or even position.

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

OM-1 Mark II • M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS

Featured products:

Featured products:

  • OM-1(https://explore.omsystem.com/gb/en/om-1)

About the author

photographyjournal2

Here you will find an ever increasing range of articles covering technique and tips on using our cameras and lenses.

Related Tags

  •  

Comments

Photography Journal_en

More from ‘Birds’

  • The art of bird photography

    I have always enjoyed the more artistic approach to nature photography, creating something visually stimulating and pleasing to the eye; something that would look good on the wall. There are two distinct styles to my bird photography: I take some of ...
    M.Zuiko 1.4x Teleconverter MC‑14
    Rebecca Nason

  • BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PRO CAPTURE

    If you've been trying to dive into bird photography while spending time in your yard or close to home, you may be looking for the best way to capture birds in flight. While everyone loves a picture of a beautiful bird perched on a branch, a more dyna...
    OM-5
    photographyjournal2

  • BEAUTY OF BIRDS

    I have been photographing birds since 1978 and it has been my profession for over 30 years. Bird photography is my passion and I think birds are beautiful. Their lovely feather patterns and fascinating behaviour makes me going back to nature again an...
    photographyjournal2
View All Stories
© OM Digital Solutions