OM1 - Swallows in Flight using the 150- 400mm F4.5

A video where I show how to photograph Swallows in flight using the OM1 and the 150-400mm F4.5 lens. I am photographing at a location on the Suffolk coast, and trying to get good action/flight shots using Pro Capture SH2. In the second half of the video I show how I obtain shots of Swallows and other birds bathing in a `constructed` puddle.

[@SwanSycorax]

Thanks Roger, great video and some excellent tips - especially, carrying some cartons of water to create a water-hole.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment BRian. Its always worth doing in the summer. You never know when the oportunity will arise.

[@hansjorgbreithaupt6803]

Dear Roger, Thank you for your bird photography videos. I live in Germany. I also take photos with Olympus gear and accidentally came across your KZbin videos. As a beginner in bird photography, I learned a lot very quickly and was able to implement it myself. Thanks very much!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Hansjorg, Glad you have enjoyed the videos and found them helpful. I will aim to produce a new one every 2 pr 3 weeks. Olympus cameras and lenses are brilliant for natural history photography.

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

The puddle was such a brilliant idea. Shows of the usefulness of Pro Capture as well. Beautiful captures and nice commentary.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thank you. Much appreciated

[@camnature1147]

Thank you so much for the great tip. I next time will take some water with us during the hot day. Your video is really interning Roger.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment, and glad you found it helpful.

[@wildcat1065]

Another brilliant video Roger. The 150-400 looks beautifully sharp.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thank John. Its a lovely lens and as you say, very sharp.

[@keithhider2170]

Thanks Roger - great video. Not sure if you've done a video where you go through all your camera settings for birds in flight so can I suggest that please? In particular, what CAF sensitivity are you using, are you using bird subject recognition, and do you use CAF + tracking or just CAF? Thanks.

[@rogerhance5883]

I have not made a video on my settings yet. Maybe in a few weeks. Mike Lane will shortly be uploading a video on the settings he uses on the OM1, so look out for that. Regarding CAF sensitivity. I have tried altering this but found it made very little, if any difference. With subject detection - bird recognition, I am not sure the CAF sensitivity is as important as it was on the older cameras.. I could be wrong .

[@JwelshPhotography]

These are fantastic 🤗 that puddle idea is genius 😁, especially with the heat wave at the moment. I tried photographing swallow today in Devon 😅 I think I got 20 out of 150 photos lol I did get a few on some wires but I wanted flight shots more than anything

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment. 20 out of 150 is not a bad result. Well done.

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

Good video, Roger. I had just watched Simon Eardly's OM1 video and a few days ago I watched Mike Lane's video. I'm 80 years old and declining somewhat. I'm beginning to find the D850 with telephoto lens a little much and have been thinking about getting something lighter. You, and the others, have given me something to think about with the OM1. Thank you very much.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video Clifton. I found that it was a strain carrying heavy DSLR`s when I was 66, so your doing well still using them at 80 ! Changing to the OM1 is certainly something worth considering.

[@RichardCookphotography]

Great video again Roger. Well done 😀

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Richard. Thanks for the kind comment .Glad you liked it.

[@Paul-nj6fl]

Hi Roger Just looking at your swallows in flight vid and noticed a wooden support on the Arca swiss lens mount could you tell me were you got it from . Very good video Regards Paul

[@rogerhance5883]

If you contact me via my web site. I will let you know where I obtained it. It was hand made by a friend.

[@SkylarkFields]

Your OM-1 with that super lens certainly gets some great results. (I must say that filling a hollow with water is a brilliant idea! I shall remember that!) I enjoy all your videos but this one was exceptionally interesting to me. I want to change my camera, and I am considering one other besides the OM-1. The other (+100-400 lens) is cheaper and lighter than the OM-1+100-400mm lens (but doesn't have the Pro Capture which really, really appeals to me!) Watching your videos is swaying me towards the OM-1!!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video. I am glad you liked it. Pro Capture is absolutely brilliant, and its worth buying the OM1 for that alone. I would never have achieved some of the shots that I have without it. My advice is go for the OM1.

[@SkylarkFields]

@@rogerhance5883 Thank you. I look forward to seeing more of your videos and experiences with the OM-1!

[@rogerhance5883]

@@SkylarkFields Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@christofabt8958]

I live in a village in South-West Germany. There are lots of swallow nests at the neighbour's house and they are flying around our every afternoon and lots of them. Unfortunately they never land on a post or wire fences. These German swallows are very difficult to photograph.

[@rogerhance5883]

Sounds like they are. Hope you find a way of getting some good shots.

[@414cts2]

loved it

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks very much. Very appreciated.

[@abulka]

The tips of the bird wings look blurry in many of your photos in this video - though it looks like you are using 4000/sec and decent f5.6 in some of your photos - perhaps the swallow wings are faster than such settings can handle? Any advice on achieving edge to edge sharpness on birds would be appreciated.

[@rogerhance5883]

Very difficult to get all the bird sharp.If I stop down to get more depth of field I loose shutter spped so thats not the answer. I suppose the way to go is to up the ISO to achieve shutter speeds of 1/8000th sec ?

[@Bassbarbie]

Fabulous idea about the water. Great video. New subscriber 😊 I use the 300mm with 1.4 ext. usually. Trying to resist GAS for that lens 🤔😂

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment and for subscribing. ITs much appreciated. The 300mm + 1.4 is a great combination. Very light and pin sharp. I used it for a number of years.

[@mikeupson4967]

Hello Roger, just curious to know why you're not prepared to say where you are, after all it's a public car park and anybody has access.

[@rogerhance5883]

To be honest Mike, its a place that is quite well know and it does tend to get a lot of photographers there. I have been asked not to `advertise` the place because at times it can get over saturated with photographers. It is a public place so anyone can go there. If you message me from the contact page of my web site, I will tell you where it is.

[@paulisraelsonisraelsonlaw654]

Another excellent video. I was wondering what CAF sensitivity level you have been shooting at and what shutter speed, for small birds in flight? Thank you. PJI

[@rogerhance5883]

As I explained to Keith, I am not convinced CAF sensitivity makes much difference with the OM1. With bird subject detection, it seems to lock onto the bird whatever sensitivity I set. I am still experimenting with it though. Mike Lane will be uploading a video on this shortly.

[@LexTNeville]

The C-AF sensitivity setting applies to whether you will have objects closer to you than your subject. For example, if you wish to track a bird flying behind branches or other birds, setting the sensitivity low will keep focus on your bird. If you set it to high, the camera will be more eager to focus on the foreground objects.

[@kbruff2010]

Thank you kindly for this information. The pictrues are great. What handle did you apply to the bottom of your camera?

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video Kevin. The handle was made for me by a friend. He does wood truning on a lathe.Its really useful and good for hand held shots. I dont think they are comercially available.

[@kbruff2010]

@@rogerhance5883 you are welcome 🙏 great video

[@richardbedford6166]

East Lane? Minsmere at the sluice is also great, or used to be.

[@rogerhance5883]

Correct Richard. The sluice at Minsmere can also be good.

[@TerryD23]

Which lens cover is that on your 150-400?

[@rogerhance5883]

Its this one. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125395688039?var=426409447699&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB77333145&amdata=enc%3A1f_U_T874R5CvR_H-jXG6PA23&_trkparms=ispr%3D1

[@meneerhalfwerk7096]

Still look a bit like pictures taken by a phone with a really good tele. Prefer the IQ of different camerabrands sadly, they're so fantastic and light the Olympuses.

[@fgb3126]

Hi. I never heard of any location that was known for photographing swallows! LOL. Raptors? yes. Ducks? yes. Shorebirds? sure. But swallows?? I must say you have a very "understanding" wife to let you spend about US $10,000 on a camera-lens combo! She must be a pearl indeed! By the way did you identify the swallow species? I don't recall you saying that in your Intro. 'Course I am only 2.5 mins. in...if you were in North America your swallows would be identified as Barn Swallows [Hirundo rustica] - but do you have that species in Old Blighty? I notice you are also a "FRPS" like my friend Mike Lane [q.v.]. But as yet I have not taken the time to look up what those initials mean. I am guessing Fellow Royal Photographers' Society. Correct?

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment. Yes, FRPS is `Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society`. I have noticed that they do call Swallows -`Barn Swallows` in America/Canada. I think they are the same bird, just a different name, but I could be wrong.

[@frednorman1]

Hi from Northern California here. I noticed you didn’t try capturing any of these swallows in flight. I’ve been trying to photograph Cliff swallows here and even with a very good Canon 100 to 500 mm lens with a mirror camera at 1/4000 sec, it’s virtually impossible to capture themin mid flight

[@rogerhance5883]

I have recently done some Swallows in flight butas you say, its very difficult. Getting the bird in the frame is the most difficult part because their flight pattern is very erratic.

[@wayneemery5709]

Roger you are a very lucky man for your wife to allow you to buy this lens. My wife would divorce me for even asking her if I could buy this lens 😂😂 Really nice photos Roger 👍

[@rogerhance5883]

I had to do an awful lot of begging and crawling to allow her to give me permission ! 🤣

[@frednorman1]

I’m from Northern California. Are these barn swallows? And apparently you didn’t try photographing them in mid air?

[@rogerhance5883]

Yes, they are what you call `Barn Swallows` in the USA

[@christofabt8958]

I see the swallow close to the pond. In my father's garden they fly over the pond to get some water.

[@johnatherton8602]

Thank you for the great video, I always learn something from you. Very much appreciated

[@rogerhance5883]

Really glad you find them helpful John. Getting comments like that makes the effort in producing them worthwhile.

[@franciscojavierramosballes9926]

Dear Roger: I am an enthusiast of your work and I am waiting to receive a 150-400mm F$,5. I would be delighted if you could tell me what focus system you use in these shots. Regards

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment. I use ProCapSH2 for the birds as they take flight. All focusing points selected, C-AF and a fast shutter speed to stop the action.

[@im2p]

Good Evening Roger, at your Video about the Swallos with the 150-400, you have a wooden handgrip, fitting to the Arca Swiss plate. Is it selfmade, or can one buy it somewhere? I'm looking for that quite a long time. Best regards from Bavaria. Matthias

[@rogerhance5883]

Unfortunately Mattias, it was made by a friend on hos lathe and he doesn ot make them commercially. Sorry.

[@klackon1]

Lovely images, Roger, as I've mentioned before on FB. That lens is fantastic, but I'll stick with my 300mm f4 + MC14 and MC20. Unfortunately, my only good spot for swallows is the far end of a private field, where the water trough is located - a bit too far for highly detailed images such as yours. Still, perceverance is the key.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Pete. The 300mm + converters is a great combination. I used these for most of my bird shots before getting the new lens.

[@richardfichera2971]

Please, what settings for Lens IS Priority and any other related settings do you use for the OM1 with this lens? I want to rent one for a trip, but I can't find any info about best settings. Thanks,

[@rogerhance5883]

I use the default setting for Lens IS priority. Generally speaking I use ISO 1600, C-AF, and all focusing points selected. Birds or mammals selected in the subject detection menu, dependant on what I am photographing. For a bird taking of or fighting, I use ProCap SH2. Look at some of Mike Lanes videos for settings. I hope you H=have a good trip and best of luck.

[@sebjungo]

Your pictures are amazing, Roger! I was in awe at each of your Swallows action shots. Thank you so much for sharing🙏🏽

[@rogerhance5883]

That is really kind of you to say so Sebastien. Many thanks.

[@winheiMR]

Hallo, mich würde interessieren ob das alles Fotos aus RAW sind die gezeigt werden oder JPG aus der Kamera? Hier sieht es so aus als ob den Bildern die Details fehlen, kann aber auch an der Videoauflösung liegt. Ich glaube ich bleibe lieber bei meiner EM1X. Danke dir.

[@rogerhance5883]

The pictures are taken in Raw rather than Jpegs, so it could be the video compression.

[@StewartBairdPhoto]

I’m edging closer to getting this lens. So expensive thought

[@rogerhance5883]

It is an expensive lens Stewart. I had to wait some while to save up for it.

[@user-kk9cw]

Cracking beanbag Roger where did you get it from?

[@rogerhance5883]

I bought from somewhere in the USA some years ago. You can buy the same thing from Mike Lane. www.wildlifephotographyshop.com/Grappler_bean_bag_Leaf_pattern/p2203723_18046822.aspx

[@catherinetremerryn]

Wonderful shots, Roger. My Swallows have been behaving beautifully albeit that would laugh i dismay at my shots. Will have have ago withe Pro capture and try and perfect… what h this space. Many thx for all yr tips.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Catherine. Glad you liked the video and good luck with your Swallows.

[@ammadoux]

absolutely fantastic, now i am trying with swallows using the 40-150 mmf2.8 alone, as they are flying around me quite low and close, the thing is that i got nice shots for the common swifts and the pale crag martins accidently only knew they are different when i brows the images, still have to try more with swallows. no mater how early i go still can't get them perch. thanks a million for this very informative video. hope i can get even better results now.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment. Much appreciated.

[@joanantonim.p.2400]

👌👍👍🙏 👋🙋

[@rogerhance5883]

Cheers Joan. Much appreciated,

[@stephenwilliams6682]

Hi Roger, another great video. What is the palm support you are using on the lens foot?something like that would help me. Many thanks.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video. The palm support was made by a friend of mine who does wood turning on a lathe. I don`t think they are commercially on sale. I would think there must be a market for them though.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Your best film so far Roger. Great.

[@rogerhance5883]

Cheers Mike. I thought this one came out well.

[@brianlaunchbury4491]

Lovely images. Where I am they all fly 200ft up! Apart from an occasional dive bomb at full speed. Frankly I can't keep up with a Rook these days (aeroplanes at 30000ft are ok though 🤣).

[@rogerhance5883]

They are very difficult to photograph when they are flying high up.

[@stevemurnan1702]

Nice images Roger. All I need is for my 150-400mm to be delivered although my 300mm F4 & MC14 combo is pretty good tbh.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Steve. Much appreciated. I had to wait some while for the 150-400, but it is worth the wait. Having said that, I managed quite well for a number of years with the 300mm + MC14.

[@mjsmith8741]

Cracking video Roger, am inspired to try setting a pool on my local Bagshot heaths to see what it may attract down.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Mike. Its definately worth a try. I have another loacation where I may try it for a future video. Good luck on the heath.

[@MartinJSmithPhotographyUK]

Great tip that with the water Roger, I went out to try to get the Swallows, but it was the start of the breeding season and they were just to fast for me and it was a windy day as well, thanks for sharing Rodger.

[@rogerhance5883]

Glad you like the video Mike. Swallows do fly incredibly fast and trying to track them in flight is very difficult, even with the OM1. Once the OM1 autofocus locks on its fine. Its getting the bird in the viewfinder in the first place thats the problem. Its a lot easier when they are taking off or at a puddle.

[@CheikoSairin]

The Pro Capture function in this OM System is so useful and the bird-in-flight image is so sharp and beautiful. Nice shot. Big like for you. I'm a new friend here. Greeting from Singapore.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Cheiko. Glad you liked it.

[@allenthomas4280]

So appreciate of your commentary during your videos. Very helpful. I look forward to a video on the lens from you eventually. I would love to own one, but not sure about the bit of extra weight over the 300 f4. I rarely use a tripod. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video commentary Allen. Yes the 150-400mm is heavier than the 300mm, but not a lot. I was amazed how light it was when it first arrived. The 300mm is a great lens . I had to sell mine to help finance the 150-400. Its a shame because I loved the 300mm and would have liked to have kept it as a spare.

[@thomasreed49]

Your presentation is so good Roger. not to mention those fantastic images. As for rain I’m in Cambridgeshire we haven’t had rain for at least four weeks.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Thomas. Your comments are much appreciated.

[@metehakan]

Woo perfect share ! and many new ideas :)

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks and glad you liked it.

[@philiphadley2280]

Excellent video Roger thanks for sharing and a lot of good ideas there mate.

[@rogerhance5883]

Cheers Phil. Much appreciated.

[@DCGibson]

Well done, Sir!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment Daniel. Its much appreciated.

[@laurencearnold5822]

Great video 👍thanks for some inspiring ideas like the water

[@rogerhance5883]

Glad you liked it Laurence. I think there may be few photographers carrying bottles of water in their car during this hot weather.

[@charlesfarnell1127]

Hello Roger a nice informative video and great idea to carry water. I hope you don't mind and I dont want to appear picky but that wagtail was a juvenile pied wag. Kind regards Charles

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the video Charles. Yes, the Wagtail is a juvenile. You are correct.

[@jimklosiewski5196]

Roger, thank you for another informative production. I’ve seen butterfly photographers use the same water technique to attract butterflies. It works really well. I am presently waiting for a rental 150-400 I have on order and can’t wait to try it out on my OM-1. I have been enjoying the OM-1 with my 300 PRO for BIF photography but, must admit I am getting frustrated by an ongoing “issue.” When I am photographing swallows on the wing feeding and taking drinks at a local pond the camera performs very well up until the point a bird gets close to the water and especially when it hits the water and flies back up and out if the water. The camera loses focus the majority of the time and focuses on everything else, including the water, and I am left with mundane images of the birds approaching and clearing the water after their feeding/drinking activity . Have you tried this type of photography and if so I’d love to see you produce a video on it. On another note, it looks like you have a wonderful tripod collar foot palm pad made out of oak perhaps. Is this custom made or can it be bought online? A fan in Wisconsin.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks for the kind comment about the videos Jim. Trying to get them as they skim over the water is incredibly difficult. Probably one of the most difficult shots to attempt. I have only had one go at it, and failed badly. I think for this I would need 1/6400th sec to stand any chance. The best shots I have seen of this are done with a flash trigger. Stephen Dalton pioneered this technique years ago. I have a friend who has produced some quite good shots of swallows doing this , so I will ask him how he did his. Unfortunately its one of those very difficult shots to do, and you are going to get hundreds of failed attemps. I had the same thing when trying to do wide angle birds in flight.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

Nice images! Wouldn't have a hope in hell chance of getting focus on those swallows with my G9 pre burst!

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Joe. How many shots do you get with G9 pre burst ?

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@rogerhance5883 20fps with SH1 Pre and 60fps with SH2 Pre I believe it is although SH2 pre can only do 50 shots before it hits the buffer. There's also the 4k and 6k photo mode both delivering 60fps non stop I believe but jpeg only. I should really invest in faster UHS2 cards but its a very unique scenario the pre burst/pro capture shooting.

[@rogerhance5883]

@@JoeMaranophotography Having a faster card makes a lot of difference Joe. I have a couple of fast ones for Pro Cap, and the slower speed cards for normal shooting.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@rogerhance5883 Yeah its just one of those things as they are so expensive. I have the fastest UHS1 SanDisk cards but not sure i can justify the UHS 2 yet.

[@rogerhance5883]

@@JoeMaranophotography Yes Joe. They are £100+ , so thats why I only have two. They are quite expensive.

[@canonlensesandcameras4425]

1.4 converter ????

[@rogerhance5883]

Should be 1.25 extender

[@davidosborn3356]

Certainly did enjoy the video Roger. Lovely birds and some fabulous shots, I really must try it out next year. Nice to see your subscription numbers shooting up.

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks David. Yes the subscriptions are starting to creep up now.

[@davidosborn3356]

@@rogerhance5883 I forgot to mention the new lens. Pleased to see you’ve got it at last. I’m guessing your video was shot at that site you told me to go to at Bawdsey? Always meant to go, but like most things life beats you😀

[@rogerhance5883]

@@davidosborn3356 Yes David. That`s where it was shot. I am very pleased with the new lens. It was worth the wait !

[@davidosborn3356]

@@rogerhance5883 Really pleased to hear that you’re pleased with your new lens. It certainly was a wait but as long as it was worth it. If I’m not treading on your toes I’ll see if i can drive down next summer and give Bawdsey a go. I seem to remember you saying June/ July was the best time and is it a reserve or just a coastal car park?

[@rogerhance5883]

@@davidosborn3356 You certainly would not be stepping on my toe. If you let me know when you are going perhaps we could meet up. Its not a reserve. Just a coastal car park.

[@WMedl]

I waited the whole video for learning what type of AF you are using, did not hear anything but CAF. Did you use bird detection? What about the size of the focus fields(s)? Did you use focus delimiter?

[@rogerhance5883]

I used `birds` selected in the Subject Menu. I just used C-AF ( I had previously used C-AF=TR but now use C-AF ). As long as you have `birds` selected in the subject selection menu, I find simple C-AF works just as well as C-AF + TR. I used a 50% grid ( Large - not All ) I did not use the focus limiter. Its was not necessary for these shots. I explained the setting in my previous video on Birds in Fligh at Bempton Cliffs. Hope this helps.

[@WMedl]

@@rogerhance5883 Thank you for the concise and prompt answer! P.S. your images are impressive

[@rogerhance5883]

@@WMedl Thanks for the kind comment. Much appreciated.

[@rogerhance5883]

Watch out for MIke Lanes next video. He will be going through his setting for birds on the OM1. Should be available tomorrow.

[@stephencopland1053]

👍

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Stephen.

[@alanryder]

Thank you again Roger - you continue to make interesting and helpful videos and I always look forward to watching them. Are you using CAF plus tracking and bird detection with ProCapture SH2 in order to keep the bird in focus as it moves away from the initial plane of focus or are you expecting the birds to remain more or less in the initial plane of focus given that at 50fps, things are going to be over quite quickly? I too would be interested in what you have attached to the foot of your lens and its purpose. Every time I watch your videos three words pop into my head: "Location, location, location"! Finding the right place to be at the right time of day is absolutely key for this sort of thing and you have definitely nailed that particular skill. Thank you for continuing to publish this sort of content.

[@rogerhance5883]

That`s really kind of you to say so Alan. I emailed you about the setting for the OM1. I forgot to answer your question about the hand support for the 150-400mm. It was made for me by a friend who turns wood on a lathe. It makes holding the lens easier when out and about. It screws on to the lens platform and just make it more comfortable to hand hold.

[@DennisJacobsenWildlife]

Really great video and i must say the OM1 performs super! :) beautiful photos and video :)

[@rogerhance5883]

Thanks Dennis. Your kind comments very much appreciated.