OM System OM-1 mk ii - Wildlife Photography Review

[@Bhakti-rider]

First time I've seen you; quite impressed with what you impart and your straight-forward, low-key delivery.

[@tonvanbruchem142]

Hi Marc 👌🏻 video I am so lucky to have 2 OM-1 mark II bodies they’re great . I use one mainly for photography and the other is setup for or video. Up to now I am glad that I can do that, it saves time depending on what my goal is. If photography is your main goal, it does not matter much if one has a OM-1 mk 1 or mk 2, both are great and/or the upgrade of the mk 2 features are needed for your specific needs. It’s a fact that their are now great price offers for the OM-1 mark 1 ! Ton

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Thanks for the comment Ton. Ah that's a lovely set up, sounds perfect! And yes, you're right about the photography side of things - they're both wonderful cameras.

[@richardfink7666]

You forgot one point. The human autofocus is much better than the OM1. P.S.: I should know because from time to time I "have to" photograph family events.🤣

[@marchumphreyphotography]

ah that's very true! My focus on wildlife photography is evidently a little too engrained as I didn't even think about giving the human autofocus a go!

[@BrentODell]

I've heard several people mention that C-AF+Tracking has been removed, but it's still in the manual as an AF option for the OM-1 mk ii. I'm confused.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Hi Brent - so the C-AF + Tracking is an option, but only if you have subject detection turned off. If you have any subject detection mode activated, you won't be able to click C-AF + tracking. Sorry, I definitely could have been more clear in the video.

[@BrentODell]

@@marchumphreyphotography Ah! That makes sense, thanks!

[@davidblack2632]

Very good review. I did trade in my OM-1 for the OM-1 MkII. I owned the OM-1 for a little over 2 years and now owned the OM-1 MkII for 6 months. I am pleased with the upgrade. Your re3view was right on. I wish I could have kept my OM-1 to be used as a second body but it took the money from trading it in along with trading in several lenses to help pay for the OM-1 MkII.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Thank you David, much appreciated. Glad to hear you're pleased with the upgrade, I'm hoping to join you on that in the near future

[@DerekKerley-qg7iq]

£1,650 for the Mark 2 at Panamoz…

[@marchumphreyphotography]

tempting...

[@bobf711]

Hi Marc - Just wondered if you have updated your Mk1 to the 1.7 firmware? If so, interested to hear if you think it makes much difference in AF performance. I believe it only affects 'all-targets' mode, so may be of value for the birds in flight shots. Thanks for another helpful vid and keep up the good work. Cheers

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Hi Bob, I haven't yet updated to 1.7 - no! I think I'll be heading out tomorrow for a test with it, so will let you know if I come across any significant changes. Thanks for the comment bob

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

hi Marc thank you for sharing your personal experiences with the `Om-1Mk II. Maybe Black Friday on November 29 will give you a nice offer. 'Until then you can save some nice money for it and you can make your move on Black Friday.😂👍🙏

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Haha, now that's a good idea! Now to start saving...

[@hanahoeo7073]

I just received my new MK-ii a couple of weeks ago. Was out today purposely shooting birds that were in tangles and behind twigs. My feeling is the bird detect and auto focus is improved. I was hesitant to upgrade myself but with $300 US discount along with 10% additional discount for MK I users I jumped in. I am not getting any younger so decided to treat myself while I am still able. Next Week will be on a pelagic trip so will be putting it to a real test. My MKi will be a backup and my dedicated macro setup. Cheers

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Sounds like you got a great deal Hanahoe! I'm glad you've seen the AF improvements - enjoy the pelagic trip!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

I'm just here to say hello to OM Systems for telling me there was no way for me to try one in the UK 😂 Sorry Marc! But a free comment 😊

[@marchumphreyphotography]

😂 we'll get you one to try Joe! Keep the faith

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@marchumphreyphotography They took too long my G9ii arrives in a few hours! Haha

[@neilcole3406]

I’m still learning my om1 and will be for the foreseeable future!

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Good plan! I've always been told never to change camera until you fully understand your current set up

[@frstesiste7670]

Also have the original OM-1. Although not a pro, I can afford an upgrade and AF improvements are always welcome, but it seems like a lot of money for a fairly small upgrade. Did you compare the Mk II to Mk I with the v. 1.7 firmware upgrade that came recently? I haven't upgraded yet so haven't seen any AF-improvements for myself.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Unfortunately this was tested against the v1.6 of the firmware for the mk1 - I haven't had the chance to test 1.7 yet, but will let you know if I find anything gamechanging.

[@Mthompson4545]

Hi Mark. Can you go into a little more detail about being able to assign different autofocus functions to the shutter and AF-On buttons? From reading the Mark II manual, it looks like you can tell one to do the subject detection and the other to use just the autofocus target point. But if you are using all points to track the subject, then switching to all points only without tracking will just focus on the closest object. I was hoping to have one button assigned to a single or small point without tracking, but want to use all points for subject detection. Have you found a way to do that?

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Hi Mick, Unfortunately I've now had to give the camera back... but I wasn't able to do what you suggested when I was playing around with it - which is quite frustrating! I tend to just use a small focus point with the subject detection engaged, and if that struggles I will just click AEL button to turn off the subject detection.

[@gregm6894]

I recently upgraded from the OM-1 to the OM-1 Mkll, and I have noticed a substantial improvement in bird detection and the camera's ability to acquire head and eye focus. I am getting a lot more shots where the eye and head are in sharp focus. The bird detection works so well that it even detects and focuses on Dragonflies in flight! I bought the Mkll primarily for the upgraded bird detection and AF, so I'm a happy camper.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Excellent news! Glad to hear you're loving the new camera - I really need to get out and test out the bird detect on dragonflies next summer

[@richardchew1767]

Thanks Marc for another honest appraisal and review. I don't think there are enough improvements to persuade me to upgrade to the OM-1 MkII and, as you rightly say, finances are always a consideration. I am very happy with my OM-1 plus I still have much of its functionality to learn!

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Thanks for the lovely comment richard! my thoughts are exactly the same as yours

[@tonyblake8841]

Hi Marc, thanks for the video. Is this review based on the new firmware updates for both cameras? I have the Mark 1 and with the 1.7 update I found AF, tracking and acquisition improved with the OM 100-400 but didn’t notice a difference with the 300 f4 pro. The 300 lens is great. Maybe reviews should include what lens were used. I still have lots to learn with the Mark 1 so not even tempted by the Mark 2.

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Hi Tony, it was based on the firmware 1.2 for the mk2 and 1.6 for the mk1 - I've not actually had the chance to test out the new 1.7 update yet. with the mk2 I used the 150-600, 300mm, 40-150 f2.8 and the 12-40mm f2.8. You're right, I probably should have mentioned those lenses. Thanks for the comment

[@tonyblake8841]

Thanks

[@marchumphreyphotography]

Thank you Tony! That's incredibly kind, much appreciated