WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY of SMALL ANIMALS - SHARP PRO IMAGES using the OM-1 Mark ii.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Photographing pikas fighting was my favourite moment during this trip! Join me on a Photography Workshop: www.mattshannon.ca/workshops.html

[@markmay8942]

A Matt Shannon video and a cup of coffee. Great way to start the morning.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

What a compliment thank you!

[@MattHalpain]

Thank you, for testing out the OM-1 Mark II. You capture beautiful wild creatures in the wildernes.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Do you shoot with Olympus (OM System)? Thanks for watching!

[@blangd]

Matt, congratulations on getting some much deserved sponsorship notice. Your images and teaching are worth which ever gear you find yourself using and then sharing with us.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. It's great to have the support of sponsors, to do the things I love. As long as it doesn't take away from my family time and distance myself from my viewers and supporters which is you guys, I think its a good balance to have and needed if I am going to continue creating on this platform. I'm glad you're enjoying the images and the teaching-thanks for being part of the journey!

[@jdeso3]

I really like that you show the specs when you take pictures

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you, great feedback!

[@OzBlues21]

Very inspiring Matt, great gear and the best way to get around and capture images with it, great stuff

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and your feedback, cheers!

[@KellyPettit]

If you’re a great and patient photographer , it doesn’t matter too much the equipment as you have proven. I watch your Vlogs regularly because you’re really good, you’re from my stomping grounds, and your personality shines through in these. I’m from Nanaimo . Now in Japan but get home at least once a year. Thanks for these!!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate your support and it's great to hear that you're enjoying the vlogs. It's true-patience and passion can go a long way in photography, no matter the gear. Nanaimo is a beautiful place, and I’m glad the videos bring a bit of home to you all the way in Japan. Safe travels when you head back, and thanks again for being part of this journey!

[@anthonyhurren5613]

Another nice video Matt 👍

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Awesome, I appreciate it thanks!

[@jonbengoetxea725]

This video is like a nacional geographic movie, simply perfect and really nice editing... I have this camera and It"s superb!!!!

[@markshen3280]

Great shots 📸of Picas. They are the cutest 🥰of all rodent families 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks so much, I agree :)

[@blamon01]

Mesmerizing video! Stunning photo and videography!

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Always great to hear your thoughts! Thank you. They can’t all be zingers but I will try

[@DamonStangherlin]

Great video once again. Always great to see you riding the bike for these cool trips. Awesome to see these beautiful creatures up close.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Glad to hear it was well received. I recently posted a video showing how I pack my motorbike for this trip. It’s a bit of a niche topic, so I wasn’t sure how many viewers would be interested, but those who have watched it seemed to really enjoy it. I’ve also appreciated hearing others' tips and gear choices for combining photography with motorbike camping trips.

[@ko300zx]

I love how curious the squirrels are and the shots with them looking at the camera. I wish they weren't so scared around here. If I get within 50 feet they dart into the woods and up a tree. 😩Great video Matt

[@michaelchabot9129]

Great video as always….. Thanks for keeping me inspired and ready to try new things with my Nikon

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching

[@Richardisonline]

Awesome.. love the location and the scenery... beautiful wildlife photography and eager to see more 👏 like this 😁

[@MattShannonPhoto]

More to come! Huge thank you for watching and sharing your feedback.

[@Trish12303]

Catching the dragonfly in flight was amazing!! I have heard that the OM System is great for macro. However, I think you could pick up an old 1970’s Kodak camera and produce beautiful images!! Thanks for sharing your experience with this system! 😊

[@robertlawrence7958]

Great video. It's amazing to see how approachable some of your wildlife is out there. The size and weight of the OM system is very appealing (specifically because of my age and health) and I have seen some excellent wildlife photographers using it but I am yet to be convinced that it is the system for me. However, it is difficult to ignore the great images that you and others have achieved with it so I think further investigations may be required on my part.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The wildlife here can be surprisingly approachable, which definitely helps in capturing some great moments. I was loaned the OM System gear just for this video, and while I usually shoot with Nikon, I was impressed with what the OM System could do, especially given its compact size and weight. However, like you, I have some reservations-particularly with the smaller Micro 4/3 sensor, which can be limiting in low-light situations where cleaner images are critical. It’s definitely a great system for certain scenarios, especially when getting closer shots is key. For low-light work, though, I still lean towards my Nikon gear. A lot depends on understanding the limitations of your equipment and using it to its full potential. Photography can be many things-art, documentation, identification, and more. In this video, my goal was to share an experience and the results, rather than rate the gear. Hopefully, it gave you some insight, but in the end, trying it out for yourself is the best way to see if it fits your needs. :) Thank you for watching and your thoughts!

[@RobertOwen-p2e]

I went from Nikon FF to Olympus m43 specifically because of health issues. I have the 150-400TC and it is pretty much welded to my OM1 (saving for the Mk2). The superb IBIS/ lens stabilisation is what is important for me as I don’t also have to carry a tripod. M43 does not cope as well with low light as my D750 did but DXO NR mostly (not entirely) makes that moot. Great video and really well presented - this 74 year old with severe spinal osteoarthritis just signed up to follow. Great job.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

@@RobertOwen-p2e Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and I really appreciate you signing up to follow the channel! The OM System’s stabilization is definitely a game-changer, especially when health concerns make carrying a tripod difficult. I completely understand the trade-offs, especially with low-light performance compared to full-frame cameras like your D750, but it's great to hear that tools like DXO NR are helping to bridge that gap. Your story is inspiring, and it’s awesome that you’re still out there capturing incredible images. Thanks again for the kind words and for being part of the community!

[@CheikoSairin]

Amazing and sharp footage. A big LIKE for your video. Greetings from Singapore.

[@ShopTalkWithDanTheMan]

GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS!! 🙂

[@MattShannonPhoto]

You are too kind! 😄

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Great video Matt, the OM Systems looks great but I think I will stick with my Nikon gear. Thanks for sharing.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you Keith. I won't be switching anytime soon but I can see why others would choose OM System for their wildlife setup. A lot lighter and way more reach,. Micro four thirds comes with its disadvantages though. Full frame for me :) Thanks for watching!

[@coastalforgecoffee1507]

Excellent.

[@sarahgrassi9648]

ive been waiting to see if you were gonna try the om1m2. i love it. cant wait to see your tips.

[@fernanddurler4709]

That camera is an awesome video camera

[@TeodorGroza]

MFT sensors are a quarter, not half, of a full frame sensor. I also use the OmSystem for photography! Greetings and congratulations for the material

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thanks for pointing that out! You're absolutely right-while the surface area of a Micro Four Thirds sensor is about a quarter of a full-frame, its diagonal measurement and crop factor are around half, which is what I had in mind when I mentioned it. I appreciate the clarification! To be more specific: A full-frame sensor measures approximately 36mm x 24mm. A Micro Four Thirds sensor measures about 17.3mm x 13mm. The diagonal measurement (and crop factor) is about half, which is why we multiply the focal length by 2 for equivalent field of view on a Micro Four Thirds lens.

[@neilcole3406]

Dragonfly on your intro, you ride a bike, count me in for a subscription!

[@richardfink7666]

I love this system because it is small, light and affordable. I previously had a Nikon Z6II andwanted better autofocus and didn`t want to spend 6000 euros on a Z9. So I bought an OM1II and didn`t regret it. P.S.: There`s software for the disadvantages.

[@ryantang8146]

I am fortunate enough to have own both system with those lens setup. Yes the 600pf 6.3 is lighter and it can take higher iso than the OM-1 but the full frame setup has its limitations, you can’t zoom first of all so not all situations would be as practical. Second , at f6.3 focus during late evening or early morning would be much slower, people quickly forget yes 600 f6.3 has a shallower depth of field than the 150-400 f4.5 but it focuses much slower and can struggle sometimes with its initial focus acquisition in dimmer light and OM-1 at f4.5 focuses much quicker so in the field, there are many things need to consider. OM-1 pre capture can be mapped to a button and shoots raw. The Z9,Z8 and Z6iii can’t and also only shoot jpeg. All in all, both systems have its strengths and weaknesses but if video is priority then Z9,8 and 6iii would be a better options with 120 fps and so on.

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Dear Matt let me start by complimenting you on your wonderful photo and video images, they are really very beautiful. I have a question, have you had any problems with the AF from the Om system? Thank you again for sharing these beautiful images in every respect. with kind regards from the Netherlands

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you're enjoying the photos and videos. Regarding your question about the OM System's autofocus, I've found it to be quite good, but there are times when I prefer to switch to manual focus with peak focus highlights turned on for more precision. This has been especially useful in certain challenging situations. I also found it had a harder time when the full range of auto focus was selected instead of narrowing down the range (6meters to infinity). It's worth noting that many camera systems, like the Nikon Z9, had their share of autofocus issues initially, but firmware updates made significant improvements. I’m hopeful that future updates for the OM System will continue to refine and perfect its autofocus as well. Thanks again for following along, and greetings to you from the Netherlands!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

@@MattShannonPhoto hi Matt I think the Af problems are caused by the small censor. Because the censor is small, little light falls on it, and the AF cannot respond accurately. These are just my thoughts on the Af problems of the OM-1 MK II

[@fernanddurler4709]

Ibis built in and spirit level…you seldom need tripods with this camera system….according to many experts ….thats the purpose of investing as you seldom require the tripod …its an insane Ibis combination in camera and lens combo.

[@sabelli33]

Well we are not at Sony's level with autofocus yet? But it could be the beginning

[@DwayneFlores-xq1tj]

Hi, there.When you talk about in this video, you roll your focus ring and it's automatic engage.Focus peaking.Does that work with the D850 and the 500 F4G?

I was curious and checked it out in their website. Camera 2400€ and lens 7500€. It may be lightweight but is definitely not affordable.

[@markshen3280]

Have you seen / photographed any raptor catching squirrels/ chipmunks ?

[@photoamd1]

Hey Matt, What brand monitor?

[@tc6912]

I enjoy your videos. I have considered this OM system for size and weight considerations. Comparing to Nikons 600PF or 400 4.5, there isn't much weight difference, in fact, I think the Nikons are lighter. I am curious to know how the IQ of the OM system at 400 (800)mm compares to the Nikon 400 cropped to a similar image size.

[@ryantang8146]

I am fortunate enough to have own both system with those lens setup. Yes the 600pf 6.3 is lighter and it can take higher iso than the OM-1 but the full frame setup has its limitations, you can’t zoom first of all so not all situations would be as practical. Second , at f6.3 focus during late evening or early morning would be much slower, people quickly forget yes 600 f6.3 has a shallower depth of field than the 150-400 f4.5 but it focuses much slower and can struggle sometimes with its initial focus acquisition in dimmer light and OM-1 at f4.5 focuses much quicker so in the field, there are many things need to consider. OM-1 pre capture can be mapped to a button and shoots raw. The Z9,Z8 and Z6iii can’t and also only shoot jpeg. All in all, both systems have its strengths and weaknesses but if video is priority then Z9,8 and 6iii would be a better options with 120 fps and so on.

[@michaellarsen4992]

what kind of tripod are you using in this movie?

[@hot_pixel_imagery]

I love your videos, but I have to ask, have you ever thought about a leofoto LB-75 leveling base... or LB-75S. Just saying this piece of kit is an absolute savoir if you haven't had the privilege.

[@justingates1122]

What ya like better nikon are sony for wildlife

[@MattShannonPhoto]

I personally prefer Nikon, mainly because I've invested thousands of dollars and countless hours into their gear over the years. I love their lens selection, and the fact that I can use older lenses on my newer camera bodies. Plus, I still shoot with a classic 1970 Nikon film camera. That said, Sony holds a larger market share than Nikon for a reason. On paper, the A1 is arguably the top performer.

[@justingates1122]

@@MattShannonPhoto thanks for your awesome videos

[@brandensPhotos]

Nice video love the squirrels🔥

[@rhinoTube]

Matt, when are you coming to South Africa?

[@blamon01]

Oh. Good question.

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Great question! When should I go? What should I see and how long do I need to stay to make it worth the trip?

[@blamon01]

I think spring or fall would be good. Turn it into a workshop so we can go too. Botswana sounds good.

[@rhinoTube]

@@MattShannonPhoto The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in September is 👌👌👌 I am planning on going again next year, you can easily spend two weeks in there with a camera. Moremi National Park in Botswana is really nice, lot's of elephant there and you can go fishing for tiger fish. Namibia you just have to drive through the whole country, they have Etosha that is nice, but some of the private nature reserves are better in some ways, I would stay at private reserves mostly and spend one or two days in Etosha, just those places would keep you busy for 2 months easy and that is just the western side. Zimbabwe is beautiful, but the roads are terrible(I'm a South African calling a road terrible, so it is worse than you could imagine), but such a pretty place, with the Vic falls, I would just recommend to not travel Zimbabwe alone, if your car breaks you are in trouble and those roads do break cars. Mozambique has the best beaches and fishing and they have a locally made rum that tastes great when you are there, then you buy a case of it to bring home, then it tastes terrible, don't ask me how that works. The Kruger Park in South Africa is nice, but I don't like it that much, all the roads are paved and when there is a lion or rhino it just causes traffic, there are too many people there. I don't know man, if you want to you can spend 5 years here and never be bored. I still want to go to Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi to see Lake Malawi

[@rhinoTube]

@@blamon01 Botswana is awesome, farmers are not allowed to have fences around their farms to allow the wildlife to roam freely, it is incredibly safe and there are many places where you can camp next to the road, I love it there

[@pentagramyt417]

I'd say OM-1 mark II is just ONE generation before beeing perfect (to wildlife). All they need to improve AF (which is obviously the number one with every manufacturer), and do better quality video with 4k 120 fps. I believe this is going to be in their next flasgship camera. Maybe update their processor too and it opens much much more options. At the end I'd want those 25 mpx, not saying 30 or anything like that, but 25-26 mpx would be really great to have for that small sensor to not hurt ISO problems that much. The problems is they are always 1 step behind Sony, and... If Sony releases something like 200-600 mark II (to cut off weight from the lens body and improve glass quality), and A7-V will hit the market, then they are going to have a problem, so they would've to release OM-1 mark III untill Sony A7-V, which.. might be only in our dreams. Too soon.

[@TheCozzz]

What monitor with the OM?

[@MattShannonPhoto]

Here is the link to the monitor: geni.us/JzuXBHn Thanks for mentioning the monitor, I just added it to the links in the description too and on my website. Cheers!

[@davidligon6088]

Beautiful footage and photos. But I’m not sure I’d call 5.25 lb “light.” A Sony a6700 + 200-600 (300-900) is half pound lighter. Although it is a 5.6-6.3 variable aperture. A Sony a6700 + 100-400 (150-600 or 179-716 mm FOV when cropped to the same image dimensions as the OM 1 Mk II) f/4.5-5.6 is 3.2 lb.

[@rotarynade]

OM combo is lighter than a6700/200-600 combo. OM1 MkII + 150-400mm = 511g + 1875g = 2386g Sony a6700 + 200-600mm = 493g + 2115g = 2618g

[@fernanddurler4709]

You chose aweful light for chipmonks…flat light and high sun…not ideal

[@lalazdaddy]

Let’s see your photos bud!!