How to Get Good Wildlife Photos with Budget Gear | M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II

Using my old OM System Olympus EM1ii and the M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II I will attempt to make some good wildlife photos with this budget gear. I'll give some tips on how to make the most of budget gear to get great images of wildlife.
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[@UrbaneHobbit]

Thanks for showing how it’s done with this great lens that provides so much value for beginning birders! I have been able to get good feather detail with mine at ISO 200, fully extended to 300mm, and wide open at f/6.7 - even on overcast days. The trick is to physically stabilize the lens by holding the very end of it with your left hand. Attaching a lens hood (cheap screw-on one works just fine) and then holding the hood keeps the far end of the lens from moving around as much. This reduces the amount of work that the camera’s IBIS needs to do, and also permits lower shutter speeds. Of course sneaking in close to fill the frame with more of the bird is always a good idea. Cheers to anyone who is getting into wildlife and wants to try developing the fieldcraft necessary to get stunning shots! And it doesn’t have to break the bank. A used E-M1 II runs about $500, while a used 75-300 v1 can be had for under $250. Wildlife is a great use case for MFT, and I believe getting out into nature to shoot is fulfilling in more ways than one.

[@EspenHelland]

Good tips baggins ;)

[@rlgenge]

Thanks for the video. This is how I spend my days with the 75-300mm but coupled with the Lumix G9 which has a built in 1.2 converter with no detriment effect on IQ. If I'm close enough to the subject I will switch to the L picture size (2OM). This disables the converter but enables a better IQ (especially for cropping).

[@EspenHelland]

Nice one!

[@northdevonwildlifewithandy788]

Great to see a lens that most of us can actually afford. I love mine.

[@Koji-888]

Totally agree. With wildlife, I always take a “quick shot” as soon as I bring my camera up to my eye.. Then you’ve at least got one photo in the bag before your bird flys off. -> Then take a few seconds to get your “perfect” composition. Keep shooting until it flys off. 💁🏻‍♀️

[@angeloaversa7693]

It's a very underrated lens that needs some time for being appreciated. I use mine with a OMD em10 mark II and it works fine.

[@barrieainge4937]

Just discovered this channel and your comment is reassuring as I have an em10 mk iii. Hope to get one second hand shortly.

[@eppietimisela7118]

3:39 nice good looking bird....but no card! So you have missed the action a common rookie mistake.

[@samwang5831]

The best attribute of this combo is that it weighs less than a kilo. You can walk all day with it. And the PQ is surprisingly good for the price.

[@Amazingpictures128]

I‘ve the same gear which you test here and I love it. Sure the 75-300mm has not the best sharpness but I‘m fine with that. Before, I got it, I had the Lumix fz200 (a Bridgecamera) and the quality of the images was awful, so I‘m happy with that, what I have now.

[@valdiskrebs566]

I really like this lens. Not much of a birder, but this lens is great for zooming in on flowers, leaves, vegetation without wading into the sticks/weeds/swamp. Great bokeh at f/8! Keep iso at 400 and f/stop @ 8, shutter speed roams from 200 to 2000. Can get sharp images @ 300/600 if you avoid windy days, or too much coffee.

[@johnwagnerful]

Great video Espen. Hope you can do several more showing what this lens is capable of as well as how to use it best. Look forward to every video.

[@EspenHelland]

Thanks John! More coming 🙂

[@natureflixs1]

I have had the 75-300 for 5 years now. Inexpensive, lightweight and pretty good image quality.

[@silviasmucke]

Hello Espen, I came across this video of yours while looking for gear to make photos of garden birds on a budget (since it‘s a hobby only) but with the best quality possible. Your video was very helpful. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with the lens and camera! While watching your video, another question came to my mind. Having been a dog owner for more than 30 years and always been ending up with wet feet while walking the dog across moist meadows, I was wondering of you could recommend shoes/boots which really really really are waterresistent as well as a jacket for winter and rainy days in autumn and summer . Thank you ever so much in advance. Greetings from Germany, Silvia

[@flightmonkeyuk6944]

Very interesting mate, the golden rule i got taught was have your sutter speed double your focal length (on 4/3 camera's) to keep things sharp. yet at about 13:40 you are dropping it to 50th of a second with it looking zoomed in on your target, can you explain why you deviated from this "rule" and what the results were as result please? also what were you stabiliser settings, etc? cheers :)

[@EspenHelland]

I would say the rule is quite old, with the new image stabilisation that’s on cameras and lenses you can really push it. I’ve got images down to 10th of a second with OM System gear. Best to try it yourself and see how low you can go. Obviously some animals may move and cause blur, but take a burst of images to get some sharp.

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Wonderful vídeo and Pictures! Although I have all the PRO line of OM wildlife lenses (except the 150-400mm) I use the 75-300mm a lot. Because of the size and weight and bring it always with me when I’m climbing or hiking. I would love to see a weather sealed update of this lens.

[@EspenHelland]

Nice! me too :)

[@xflyingtiger]

Best part of this video: "I've got no card in this!" LOL! Thanks for letting us know you are human. I did the same thing just yesterday.

[@sergiodonadeo2810]

What a good idea is to use this light gear. I bought the 300 mm f4 after this 75-300, but I always bring it with me when I cannot carry heavy gears with me. Bravo. Sergio from Milano Italy

[@MrFirstdance2000]

Really smart show, Espen. The 75-300mm gets some good press in various groups online but, highlighting a lens like this points out how we need to continue our education with both camera and lens. Thanks so much for this, Espen!

[@marklaurendet1861]

Thanks for an interesting video using affordable gear. Looking forward to a review or your thoughts on the harness camera carrier you were wearing. I gather that is for the 150-400 setup?

[@louisswaim7024]

Splendid video with good tips. I recently upgraded to the 100-400 f5.0-6.3. I love it, but I still use my 75-300 when I want to go a bit lighter on hikes. It’s a fine lens that has served me well for years. By the way, we have Brown Creepers here in California with the same shape and behavior. Just seeing one and waiting for it to move to the edge of a tree or branch for a profile shot is a fun experience.

[@RussellFrith-f1f]

Thank you for this 'Budget Gear for Wildlife Photography' post. It great to see your you tube presentation on the 75-300mm, as there seems to be a lot articles about the newer OM1 Mk 2, 150-600mm & Olympus ED 150-400mm big white Lens As myself and I suspect many others cannot justifies or buying the newer gear, the post was very interesting and no doubt be well received and informative

[@EspenHelland]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@pietro-viecelli]

Thanks for the review/tips! I'm looking to get this exact combo as both body + lens combined are cheaper than a FF equivalent lens

[@EspenHelland]

Cool! Hope you enjoy it 🙂

[@alexjclelland]

Loved the video! I'm only just starting to do more wildlife photography, and I have this lens so this video was super relevant to me. I spent the entire video thinking to myself 'I wonder if I left a comment asking which focal length was the sharpest, if Espen would answer?' and then you addressed it right at the end, as well as sharpest f stop! Super useful information right at the very end. Your photos were marvelous too. Thanks again!

[@interestingtimes6242]

The beauty of this lens is that you can get extremely sharp photos wide open at 300mm, even birds in flight. And it’s small and light enough to carry around all day. No need to stop down or cut back on your reach whatsoever.

[@NielsLang]

Flott video Espen! I just entered the great world of birding and wild life photography this year. My first gear are the exact setup that you are using in this video, and I bought it second hand for 7000 NOK. It really gives me some good moments outdoors, but I have so much to learn. It’s a great boost for me to see how good images you are getting with this lens and camera. I’m looking forward to my trip in the forest of western Norway tomorrow, maybe I’ll get a “blinkskudd”.

[@EspenHelland]

Takk for det Niels! Håper det gikk bra 🙂

[@paulhaskins5191]

Lots of great tips all using affordable gear. Thanks for publishing this video Espen

[@EspenHelland]

Cheers Paul!

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻 🙋🏻‍♂️👋🏻

[@ianpawson1356]

Does help to have a memory card in the camera. Great video

[@EspenHelland]

🤣 it really does!

[@listonheinz9103]

Yesterday I bought a used one for $300, that’s the kind of price lenses should be at. These ridiculous prices for pro glass…

[@leocasi405]

Can’t believe I bought a sigma 60-600 for my Nikon for $1200 lol. Now that I got an Olympus I can get the same reach for $200 👀

[@mirasmelody]

bought the 75-300 and em1 mk ii used, only been photographing wildlife for about 2 months but as i improve im getting more and more out of the gear. although im already saving up for a 100-400 (and some day an om1 and 150-600 lol) for about 800 euros used and at just about 1kg weight this is an amazing kit thatll even get you those smooth blurry backgrounds if you play your cards right

[@ivanmarquez6809]

Thanks for share it wit us, one question, is zuiko 75-300 better option than panasonic 100-300 ? , i have a omd m1..:)

[@JGushi87]

Hi, does your course work for the OM-5?

[@EspenHelland]

Hi, yes I recorded it showing it on the ‘old’ menu which is the same as on the OM-5. There will be a couple of things that may be different, such as how many fps you can choose on pro capture etc. so you can use the closest settings that I recommend. I try to explain why I use certain settings so that you can decide if they’re for you or not.

[@domieneo]

Is this lens good for on a Lumix DC-G90? This looks like a good starter budget setup to me?

[@gordon3988]

Work well with an OM 5 as well? Stability at full zoom in video as good? Enjoyed, especially the start of the first day!

[@alaskalonghunters2990]

Espen in America, we call that cover "Scotch broom" Imported to Oregon from Scotland. Hear that Pheasant calling in the background. Have those here in Oregon also!

[@joshuathomas4934]

watching this video was refreshing. made me very grateful to have my tamron 150-500

[@photographydiscoveryone]

i just subscribe im glen im just starting im working on a camera and prb start out with a canon t3 but i will be watching you to learn some tips

[@javierramos2280]

Estimado Espen. Me gustaría saber que tipo de enfoque usa.Saludos

[@neilcole3406]

Liked it so much l subscribed!👍

[@alaskalonghunters2990]

Great tips and tutorial Espen! Thank you!

[@ScrapYardDog64]

Superb, just bought EM1II like new for my sons birthday, looking for lens options that wont break the bank... :)

[@EspenHelland]

Yeah this lens will do plenty 🙂

[@sallycarter3867]

Really enjoyed this video for budget gear! Shows my gear is not to blame! But I have the Panasonic 100-300mm mki rather than the Olympus 75 -300mm. I can afford to change but not upgrade.... What do you think?

[@EspenHelland]

Thank you 🙂 I haven’t tried the Panasonic one, but I’m sure it’ll do. Maybe you can upgrade to another lens later on when you fee ready

[@mharnab8207]

Hello sir, i am in little confusion What lense should i buy 75-300 mmor 55-250mm

[@EspenHelland]

Not tried a 55-250mm so can’t really advise, but I think the 75-300mm is very good for the price.

[@williammccusker4750]

Thanks for the great tips. Amazing that you can get as close as 4 meters. Olympus EM1ii with a different budget setup. 70-300 f4-5.6 Olympus with MMF-3 adapter. Also 50-500 F4-6.3 Sigma using the same adapter. Heavy beast but useful on the northern plains of the US.

[@EspenHelland]

Nice!

[@deancarter4109]

So I’m an absolute beginner in photography I have the Lumix G7. I went to an air show recently and a lot of the cameras around me had what I can on,y describe as a burst mode I could hear the cameras taking multiple photos at once. Is this setting on a G7? Many thanks in advance

[@EspenHelland]

I’m sure it does, but I’m not familiar with the camera so best to look up a video for it or check the manual

[@mario_plechaty_photography]

Hi Espen, nice video my friend. This is really a very beautiful place with many blooming gorse bushes. Looks like this is a true bird paradise. I also like using the EM1 MKII and am very happy with it. I always have them with me on my wildlife tours and use them with my Prime Lenses instead of a 2x teleconverter.

[@EspenHelland]

Thanks Mario 🙂

[@CheikoSairin]

I also use the same lens which is Mzuiko 75-300mm ii attached with my old camera EM5 mark i. And so far I am satisfied with the image and video results.

[@ianjefferson694]

Thanks Espen, this is the same rig that I will leave at my cabin in Sweden this summer (The offer is always there)

[@EspenHelland]

Thanks Ian, I might take you up on that one day :)

[@HaloMG]

i've been watching a lot of videos to prep for wildlife shooting, this video has helped me more then anything else!

[@EspenHelland]

Thank you, glad it helped 🙂

[@alaskalonghunters2990]

Thank you Espen, you're a game magnet!

[@tkNAT]

Great video... love that picture at 8:50 👍

[@EspenHelland]

Thank you 🙂

[@photographydiscoveryone]

is the canon t3 a alright camera to start out with

[@dayeah765caoni3]

Give that dinosaur a shot! Good practice tool if it’s close to free

[@neilcole3406]

Loved this great tips great shots!

[@EspenHelland]

Thanks a lot Neil!

[@Narsuitus]

To obtain wildlife photos with my micro 4/3 camera, I use the following long lenses: 45-200mm f/4 to f/5.6 Panasonic 300mm f/6.3 Pentax with adapter 400mm f/5.6 Nikon with adapter 500mm f/4 Nikon with adapter 1000mm f/11 Nikon with adapter

[@davidj.saldana799]

budget?

[@Narsuitus]

@@davidj.saldana799 Sorry, I did not make it clear that I already owned the 300, 400, 500, and 1000mm lenses. To shoot wildlife photos, all I had to do was buy adapters to allow me to mount them on my new micro 4/3 cameras. I actually paid the following: $180 Panasonic 45-200mm f/4 to f/5.6 $30 for M42 to micro 4/3 adapter to mount 300mm f/6.3 Pentax lens $35 for Nikon F to micro 4/3 adapter to mount 400mm f/5.6 Nikon lens $35 for Nikon F to micro 4/3 adapter to mount 500mm f/4 Nikon lens $35 for Nikon F to micro 4/3 adapter to mount 1000mm f/11 Nikon lens

[@VoicelessScream]

As a beginner in wildlife photography it was fairly easy to settle on the EM1 Mk2 for a 'bargain' body second hand (700$ CDN is cheap for that kind of camera power) but lenses are a massive headache. Panasonic vs Olympus and cheap vs mid range. I definitely think weather sealing is a must as I'll be using this setup in Costa Rica but then again I could be wrong. Very different weight and size (and price!). The Oly 100-400 isn't any faster than the 75-300 so I guess the true added value lies in the extra 100mm and weather sealing for 3x the price and 3x the weight. Am I getting this wrong ?

[@EspenHelland]

Had a look at the description on the OM system website and I think there’s more about the optical glass within the lens that makes it more expensive as well.

[@philphil6033]

The 100-400 is definetely sharper than the 100-300. The 100-400 is just so much heavier that it isn't worth it to me. I went with the Panasonic 100-300II because of the added weathersealing.

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

I have had this lens. Ok in good light but found it disappointing otherwise. To slow and no stabilization. Hard to keep shutter speed up without high ISO.

[@EspenHelland]

If you’re serious about photography it’s a good idea to invest in pricier glass. What did you go for after?

[@Travelingseniors-xt9yh]

@@EspenHelland I use the 300f4. A very good lens.

[@ACNH_streamer]

I've been debating the 100-400mm but the bulkiness of it keeps me from buying it. The 75-300mm on the other hand is very much light and compact, but the IQ is considerably lower. Why can't we have both.. 😅 With this video watched, I'm now even more unsure haha. The only important difference is the option to add a converter. Actually, and this might be a stretch, but I'm guessing you have both lenses? Is there any way you could do a comparison on them with difference in quality? Couldn't find a proper forum post, or blog article about that anywhere. Or have you already done an article on that perhaps?

[@ACNH_streamer]

Ps. There was a comparison made by someone on a forum but they compared it indoors with stuffed animals. Which is hardly a real life, real outdoor lighting, kind of comparison. And with the only shop near me not having either of these lenses I can't yet it out either.

[@EspenHelland]

I haven’t done anything yet no, but that would be interesting so I will put it on my list of videos to do soon 👍

[@kaijensen7355]

Very nice Espen👍

[@EspenHelland]

Takk for det Kai 🙂

[@skyhigh1154]

Great vid Espen 👍👋📸

[@EspenHelland]

thank you :)

[@mjsvitek]

They NEEEEEED to refresh this lens already. IMO the biggest drawback of the 75-300 is the lack of weather sealing (and that slow f/6.7 at the long end)... If they can tackle both, it'd be a hit.

[@ColinMill1]

Indeed. I did the sums a while ago and was rather disappointing to find that in terms of light per pixel for a given exposure duration the f/6.7 was worse than with the f/4 lens on the Sony RX10 iv despite the sensor size advantage of the bigger MFT sensor over the RX10's 1 inch sensor. It needs to be f/5.6 to be on level terms.

[@EspenHelland]

Yeah would love weather sealing on it :)

[@Jay-sr8ge]

I agree with you. Also, improve the sharpness especially at the long end and add image stabilisation. I really don't understand why OM reserve IS for only expensive/ pro lenses. Canon's RF 100-400 has IS and costs $640 (just $100 more than the 75-300) AND is for full frame. The m.zuiko 100-400 has IS but costs $1,500 for less than stellar optics. Its just crazy how the competition can offer lenses with better IQ, good IS, support for larger format cameras and still be competitive/ more affordable than m43 offerings.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

Getting within four metres of a bird is already impressive

[@petertaylor4980]

Very much depends on the bird. In Costa Rica six weeks ago I got out the 105mm macro lens I'd brought for insects because there was a crowned woodnymph who was happy to sit on a perch less than a metre from humans.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

@The Wildlife Photographer sounds wonderful. I'm lucky enough to regularly have roe deer behind the house (but usually up the slope a bit). Why I'm considering a longer zoom. I saw the links to the getting closer to birds videos 👍🏼

[@catrionathomson8981]

f6.7 is f6.7 no matter the sensor size. The differences are in the dof & aov but not the amount of light that is entering the camera!

[@EspenHelland]

Yeah, don’t think I ever said it wasn’t

[@catrionathomson8981]

Perhaps not but at 8.20, writ large at the bottom of the frame, there is this f6.7: equivalent to f13.4 on ff

[@dayeah765caoni3]

@@catrionathomson8981hello language police

[@SzaryWilk-photo1967]

Thanks for showing the capabilities of this lens. Greetings from Poland.

[@Pief999]

I sometimes used this combo in sports.. On the back of the camera the images were a bit disappointing, but after running them through LRc there were still a lot of keepers..

[@havardflaatten]

Flotte videoer som alltid Espen :) Man får helt klart gode bilder med "budsjett" objektiver også, bare man lærer seg å bruke det riktig.

[@EspenHelland]

Absolutt, takk for det Haavard :)