OM-1 and Olympus 300mm F4 Pro | 3 month review | Did I make the right choice?

[@paddykpaddykav]

I have been a Canon shooter for 16 years. I've swapped my 7DMk2 and 400mm L 5.6 for the OM1 and 300f4. No regrets. You're photos are excellent.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Padraig. Appreciate it and enjoy your weekend🙏👍😀

[@Carlos1180]

Awesome shots! I just picked up a 300 f4 on eBay. I'd recommend getting a Peak Designs wrist strap for those close to water shots. I dread dropping the whole lot in the water or off a bridge and the quick release makes it easy to swap with your strap and just keep the wrist strap on your wrist

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@Carlos1180 Thank you. I have got a wrist strap somewhere.... Must be lost along with the masses of camera accessories I bought and never use👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼😁😁

[@neilcole3406]

Love the shots, l have the 100 400 but lm desperate to get the 300 f4.

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@neilcole3406 Thanks Neil. If you get the 300mm I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed. 🙏👍

[@Owen-gc8yc]

I agree for nature I stick with the 300mm and t.c's but when doing aviation photography the 100-400 gives me flexibility for the variety of planes I might see.I have to pinch myself sometimes that Im carrying a ff equivalent of 1200mm when I have the tc 20 on! The 100-400 is even lighter than the 300 so sometimes i take it out for its convenience and range when walking. But your'e right this system is so flexible and unobtrusive that I feel I literally can take it anywhere.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Yes that is definitely one of the main pulls off m43 in that we dont stand out as much as others with bigger gear

[@alexwilkins4410]

Yes, you made the right choice. Your photos are very impressive & I laughed at your post script

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Alex. Have a great weekend😀👍🙏

[@luciegagnon1238]

Really great pictures! Thanks for sharing this video. I just bought a used 300mm but don’t have the best body for it. I have the G9.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Lucie. The G9 should be fine for now. Get out and see what it can do and then maybe in the future you could possibly upgrade if you feel you need a better camera. Good luck 👍💪😀🙏

[@chickadeecentral]

Great photos as always! I feel like I could see any of your footage on National Geographic, you are so professional

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate that. It's very kind😀👍🙏

[@eljayr4669]

The 300mm is definitely sharper than the 100-400 and is the way to go. I like my 100-400 as I use it for both Birds and Insects. A bit soft but easy to carry. I checked your Flickr site and saw a few images there that you picked out in this video. I also noticed the number of views you get. I just posted my Italian pictures and would be lucky to even get in the twenties. What I like in your pictures is the bokeh, I get it occasionally but It is something you have to plan and work on. Great video as usual.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Eljay. I wish I could get as much love on KZbin as I do in Flickr. That would be nice. Thanks as always😀👍🙏

[@Telewest792]

Very sharp photos good composition i use the 100-400 and the 40-150 2.8 they work well

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@Telewest792 thank you. I would love to try the 40-150 sometime👍🙏

[@Telewest792]

If you lived in Adelaide South Australia you would be welcome to try it . I hope all is well in your home land .

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@Telewest792 That’s very kind of you. Definitely one day I want to go to Australia and photograph birds. All good here thank you…looking forward to the weekend! Have a great one yourself🙏👍

[@MotoRich900]

My god you're cracking me up, love this video review! I currently have the Olympus 100-400, and I'm seriously considering a 300mm f/4 Pro, I'd love your thoughts Richard.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi and thank you. Haven’t used the Oly 100-400 just the PL100-400. Have read very good things about it though. As far as my experience goes the Oly 300mm is quite a large step up, more actually than I was lead to believe. I can wholeheartedly recommend the 300mm it is a wonderful lens. It worked so well with the 1.4 ext too. Hope this helps👍😀🙏

[@susieboard3230]

You are a wag Richard, I can't stop laughing at all your comments, you are so funny😂 Love your images as always, you really know how to get some brilliant shots. Just a side note, I've finished chemo, had act scan and Oncologist told me today that everything looks good and there is no sign of anything bad on my scan, yaaaYyyy! I still have to have a PET scan and then I will be starting the trial treatment for 2 years but it's good news, I'm happy. Now to start working on hubby to buy me an Om-1, I want one so bad lol!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Susie and great news on the medical front. Really hope it is on and upwards from here for you🙏 Would be great if you could get that OM1. A really fun toy to play with. Take care😀👍🙏

[@shaunwaring-jones4858]

As if a burn down house is an excuse to rename a plover! Thanks for the video. Hung up on trying to decide on either the 100 - 400 or the 300 f4….still not sure…

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi Shaun and thanks. If you can get a good deal on one I would say try to get the 300mmf4 👍😀

[@EMOslaughter]

Awesome shots dude! I have the combo and LOVE it. Damn I want to visit Japan so bad!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Cheers mate. Appreciate it👍🙏😀

[@rreichar1]

Nice shots! I suspect that the firmware updates have helped the AF performance with that lens. I rented a 300mm about 6 months ago and while it was great it seemed a bit inconsistent for BIF. I bought mine at the end of January and it seems much more consistent. I don’t think it’s copy variation in my case. The rental was sharp but missed focus more often than I thought it should. The only other explanation I can come up with is that it’s the firmware updates. Both the body and lens have been updated since I rented the 300 so I will give OMS credit for the improvement. Keep up the good work.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Rod for your continued support. Have a great weekend!

[@gelderman1]

Hi Richard, love your video but maybe a stupid question....what TC did you used? MC-14 or MC-20? Greetz from The Netherlands😉

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@gelderman1 Hi and thank you. I used the MC14. Have a great weekend👍🙏

[@billybobjohnson]

Amazing images, and great camera. I love your videos. I think it would be cool, if you would try and photograph some of the rarer winter visitors. If so, I advise using ebird to locate or share locations where birds can be found. I know that they are not around now in the summer, but you could try to photograph the Ruddy Kingfisher.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Billy. Appreciate your input. 🙏😀👍

[@narinthip3058]

All gorgeous images Richard! I have never gotten any GBH fly by that close to me, lucky you. You got fantastic eyes (or thought out plan in advance of your shoot) to get these shots with such pleasingly beautiful foreground (when available) and background. I love my 300mm F4 and have shot with it with MC14 and MC20 for almost 3 years now. I rarely use MC20 because the quality degradation is obvious without pixel peeping. There are some use cases from time to time. I think however the best tele lens in the MFT system IMHO is the Penleica 200mm F2.8. It is a bit sharper and for sure has better OOF rendering than the Olympus. When the 400mm FOV reach is enough or I need the faster SS (before and after sun rise and sunset), I would pick it over 300mm F4 lens. Cheers.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Narin. Yes I got lucky with the Heron. I have read about the Panasonic 200mm and it does seem like a fantastic lens. Thanks for the positive feedback as always. Appreciate it😀🙏👍

[@janvangastel6763]

Nice video as always Richard. I also have the OM-1 and about a week ago I also bought the 300 mm f/4 lens plus the 1.4 converter. There was a offer at my shop in which the converter only cost 50 euro's (about $55,-) which I couldn't resist. I already have the Pana Leica 100-400 for some years and I can already see that my images with the 300 f/4 are better (sharper and more detailed), especially for birds in flight and birds somewhat further away.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks so much Jan. Great news about the new lens. I think you will be very happy with it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 👍😀🙏

[@alandimery3379]

Great images. Thanks for sharing. What country are you in to get these wonderful species?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi Alan. I am on Okinawa, which is a Japanese island. Thanks for stopping by. 😀👍🙏

[@mikesphotography7185]

Some beautiful shots there Richard. Like you I use the 100 x 400 Leica lens with my OM-1 I like the reach it gives me, but can I give up on the reach to go F/4 300mm. I can only dream of the 150 x 400 lens.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi Mike. Thank you. I think the 300 crops pretty well actually better then the PL 100400 lens.🙏👍😀

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Amazing photos 👌

[@RichardCookphotography]

thanks very much Kim👍😀🙏

[@rogerhance5883]

Good video Richard

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Roger. Appreciate it😀👍🙏

[@brianlemke6017]

Great shots and review. I’m fortunate to have the OM1 + 150-400mm 4.5 TC combo, so the 300 is more or less redundant for me. Most of the great shots posted online are with either the 150-400 or 300, occasionally the 40-150mm 2.8. What I’m hoping is OM introducing a 300mm 2.8. Certainly, it will be heavier than the f/4 but on MFT a faster lens would help in pre-dawn or sunset low light.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Yes a 300mm 2.8 would be a great edition. Fingers crossed! 😀👍🙏

[@godsinbox]

just get the PL 200mm f2.8, has the good focus when on OM-1. Good for night wildlife or for bokeh.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Great video mate. You definitely made the right choice! Its my combo too, absolutely love it. Now if only i could afford the 150-400mm...

[@RichardCookphotography]

Cheers mate. I think so too. Yes it looks like a nice lens🙏👍😀

[@javierramos2280]

Estimado Richard:Me gustaría me indicaras los parámetros que usas , para las fantásticas imágenes que ejecutas.Gracias

[@RichardCookphotography]

Gracias. Some of these shots are on my flickr page. There are settings there 😀👍

[@laurencearnold5822]

Superb images Richard, I’m extremely happy with my om1 and 300 f4 , I also use the 1.4 TC and the images are just as sharp. Would love to get the 150-400 but have to wait until they become second hand👍

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Laurence. Yes the TC pairs really well with this lens. That 150-400 does look nice for sure 👍🙏

[@lesw.1748]

Nice shots as usual and interesting video. Is the Panasonic 100-400 going to be sold?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks Les. Not sure at the moment. Take care🙏😀👍

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

I have the OM-1 and the 150-400, and am debating whether to add this 300 or the 100-400, or would I experience buyers remorse on either given that I have the 150-400?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi and have not seen or held the 150-400, so can’t give a real opinion. I know the 300 mm is nice and compact and light and depending on how heavy the 150400 is,then it might be a nice alternative but from my understanding your lens is pretty amazing so not sure if the images would be any better. Sorry I can’t give you anything concrete. 👍🙏

[@ThatKayakingGuy]

i wouldnt bother with the 100 to 400 unless you really need something a bit more portable. lot of the images end up blurry unless its super sunny out. if anything i'd add the f2.8 40-150 to get something for darker conditions to complement the fancy lens u already got. there's also another zoom lens being developed. might be worth waiting to see what it is.

[@ammadoux]

i had this lens since 2016. used it with em 5 mark ii, pen f and the em 1 mark iii. always razor sharp details and beautiful results at early light of the morning. too bad now its more that sharp at f4 and not as sharp as i want at f5.6, because i drop it. so for my om 1 what shall i get, already have the 100-400 f6.3 oly one and the zuiko 40-150 mm f2.8 with the 1.4 tc all giving me nice details. but want to try the leica 200 mm f2.8, the used ones have better prices. or maybe see what omds have for us, hopefully something with in sync IS.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Difficult decisions to make. Good luck in your choice.👍😀🙏

[@krkzv]

Is it safe to carry camera + 300mm lens on PD starp connected to the body? No troubles with a mount yet? I just bought this 300mm and never had experience carrying large telephoto lenses (usually I do underwater macro xD) - so not sure if I should carry it with a body or with a collar during walk...

[@RichardCookphotography]

Hi...I haven't tried a full peak design strap just the clips. But I use them attached to a cheap strap and they work fine. Have never had any trouble with any lens mount and I have carried some very heavy lenses. I also carry holding the collar as well for extra protection but maybe this isn't necessary. Thanks👍

[@richardfink7666]

Your subscriber count doesn`t do your photos justice.

[@narinthip3058]

Yes, I agree.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks very much Richard. I appreciate it😀👍🙏

[@RichardCookphotography]

​@@narinthip3058 thanks Narin. That's kind!!🙏

[@jimburke7457]

Agree!

[@Dyfiwildlifephotography]

Do you switch the lens is off with high shutter speeds?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Yes I often do. I did a video about it a month or so ago😀👍😀

[@j16m02]

I'm curious Richard, what is your process for eliminating noise. I shoot with the OM-1 and really am not comfortable shooting above ISO 1600. You shoot much higher than that, and yet your images are spectacular. Makes me crazy. LOL

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks James. First I always try to expose to the right as much as possible. With editing I often switch my process but often I start putting the image through DXO pureraw 2 with zero sharpening added and then do my normal edit and then add a little selective sharpening at the end with topaz although sometimes the final step isn't needed. Hope this helps.

[@j16m02]

@@RichardCookphotography Appreciate it. I guess I'll have to give Pureraw a try. I've been using Topaz denoise AI, but my images sure don't look like yours. Thanks again.

[@RichardCookphotography]

@@j16m02 I don't always use DXO.. Sometimes I just do the edit and use topaz de noise at the end and depending on the image they end up usually looking pretty similar. I use the low light setting which I believe doesn't do much sharpening. With dxo you can try a month free, the original one doesn't support the OM1 so it has to be version 2. Pretty annoying because I had to buy it twice.👍😀🙏

[@j16m02]

@@RichardCookphotography 👍

[@smkunder1]

Fantastic video, your work is doing great! Do you ever have IQ concerns between this and your past system?

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thank you. I can honestly say I don't. I thought I would when I first switched but I hardly use my Nikon stuff now even though I would like to sometimes. With certain subjects there might be an advantage to a bigger sensor but those occasions are few and far between.😀👍🙏

[@Birding-with-Brian]

Nice work mate... subbed and folloing, keep up the good work

[@RichardCookphotography]

Cheers Pal👍🙏👍

[@godsinbox]

your IG link is completely wrong.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Thanks for letting me know. I will try to fix it👍

[@formermpc10]

I've shot m43 for years but after seeing what my Canon friends get in identical conditions I'm quitting m43. The EM1.2 has been a good reliable camera, the OM-1 has been much less so.

[@RichardCookphotography]

I think most systems these days do great jobs, much more about the photographer I think. Anyway enjoy your Canon😀👍🙏

[@spyder000069]

Years ago I started with a Panasonic G7 and then bought the GH5 when it first came out. I've had some great pics from those and had a good collection of lenses but pretty much gave up on the autofocus. Decided I would see what all the hype was about with Canon and got a R7 and some lenses. Wow. What a difference. The eye detect for animals has me shooting birds around my property and it works great. It was pricey to switch platforms but was totally worth it. I am hoping at some point there will be a m43 camera that will compete with features of my R7 so I can reuse my m43 lenses. I am not sure the OM-1 is that camera.

[@RichardCookphotography]

It might surprise you. The eye detect on the OM1 works very well. Not sure about old Panasonic cameras but I think the OM1 is probably quite a bit better. It picks up and tracks birds really well.👍

[@formermpc10]

​@@RichardCookphotography Photographic ability is not my weakness, my m43 gear is. Not sure which brand I will use next. Enjoy your m43!

[@pankajnjoshi9673]

@@formermpc10 After using OM1 for a year I can tell you that it is not mft gear alone. It may not be your photographic ability either. It is the style of your shooting. If you are shooting stationary birds from a hide or a vehicle and if your friends are using Canon gear sitting next to you, you will be cramped by the smaller sensor and lower resolution of mft. However, if you are willing to carry your lighter gear closer and shooting for elusive action shots, and if you have OM1 then you will be doing better than your friends.