Testing the OM System OM-1 MkII for Flying Bird Photography!

[@cliveturner6702]

Hi Guido. I'm not a bird photographer, i watch you for your stunning landscape photography, but i have to say the shots of the birds are wonderful 👍

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Thanks, that is very kind of you. I used to do lots of birds years ago, but I fell in love with landscapes, and I will always keep doing that. But something different every now and then will only benefit my photography skills, I guess 🙂 thanks for your support i really apriciate it! Grt guido

[@jakesdewet3567]

Reading through the below comments, it is great so see people comment on the great images and not go crazy about how M43, blow FF out of the water, or destroy XYZ brands completely. I have shot OM until recently, and it is a great system, with top end technology build into the OM-1 and OM-1mii. Very good lenses etc. Fact is that the sensor has it's limitations and with AI nowadays you can turn dung into desert, if that is what you want to do. There are however other aspects of the system that does not suit the needs of those who commit the unforgivable sin to not think M43's is the only way to photography heaven. But it is not a competition, photography to me and many others remain a creative process, to use the tool of choice to capture images, explore life and the great outdoors, and indulge in what we captured. To many gear owners today, spend endless hours talking about the tools, and how it destroys the other tools. Yet we never see a decent image taken. Test charts, or a duck on a pond, 200m away, cropped to -1 mp, or the old pet dog or cat or fish shot to show the incredible DR or "sharpness". Great pictures and environment. Enjoy your channel.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I agree with you that these days, lots of videos are about who has the biggest, best, and most expansive gear. I totally relate to you that it is far more about what you can do with the gear. That's why 95 percent of the videos on my channel are shot on location and not about gear. But about compositions, light, and the whole creative process that I go to when I go out for photography. There are also lots of examples of images that I shot miles away in the distance. Anyways, thanks for watching and your comment. I appreciate it! Grt guido

[@tonydelphi4961]

I just bought an OM1 camera with the 150-600mm. Just love it.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Happy to see you like the camera and lens! Where are you from? Grt guido

[@PhotoTrekr]

Great shots.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Thanks I was surprised myself that they worked out that good 😊 grt guido

[@cryptographerchris4856]

Wonderful images. Fantastic place to see those birds up close.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

They really trained those birds so good, and they tread them real good also. The funny thing is that the woman takes over when the man walks away for a minute. But when he returns, the birds immediately get back to him. They just love that guy 😊 thanks for watchibg grt guido

[@davidwilliams4839]

Awesome photos Guido. That's a beautiful lense.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

That lens is the most amazing piece of equipment that I have ever used. The only problem is that it is not mine 😅 at least not yet... who knows, someday 😉 thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it! Get guido

[@nicolinekronast7904]

Beautiful images Guido. Particularly loved the head shot of the eagle. I was mesmerised by the patterns in the eye. I was wondering if it was a reflection of some sort or blood vessels. Nevertheless a great testament to the lens you were using. The Tawny Frogmouth is an Australian Native, a master of camouflage and they have the cutest chicks ever seen. Another wonderful video and look forward to the second half.🙂🙂

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

It is indeed the blood vessels that you see on the eye. It's amazing to see those details. The campuflage is amazing indeed. I'm pretty sure that I would walk past them in the wild without noticing. Specialy when those eyes are closed. I'm going to look up those chicks, haha. This sunday is the second to last episode of my sweden trip. Hopefully, on Thursday, I will finish part 2 of this video. Thanks for watching grt guido

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Omg... that has to be the cutest bird chick that I have ever seen! I see lots of images of multiple chicks sitting together. That's pretty unfommon for most birds 🙂

[@johnpark8297]

Interesting video Guido and some fabulous images. Thanks for posting 👍

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Thank you 🙂 apriciate your comment! Grt guido

[@hemlockwood]

Great birds in flight shots Guido. Are you thinking of doing more bird photography? I am sure you would excel. I have really enjoyed your Swedish trip. Stunning images.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

The goal that I have set for myself is that I want to become as versatile as possible. Now, I sometimes struggle when conditions aren't great. On those days, I want to be able to make a switch to macro or birds or even some creative stuff at home. I just love landscape photography, and that will definitely be the biggest part of what I do, but some change every now and then can only be a good thing. I'm happy to see you like the sweden trip. I still have 2 episodes, and I really like those myself. Some of my favourite images from the trip in those videos. I will release them this and next Sunday. Thanks for watching and you're kind words I apriciate it! Grt guido

[@mk1photography62]

Amazing what that combination can give you

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I was surprised myself. I don't photograoh bird much anymore, but this really set a spark for the future. I love landscapes, but every now and then, something else for a change would be nice 😊 next week, I'm going to do the same with the 150-600, and I was surprised by the results.

[@sarahgrassi9648]

wow what an amazing place and opertunity to have. amazing photos as always. dream place.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

It's such a great place. I will probably go there again someday, but my next goal is to try to get some wild bird images 😅 thnx for watching grt guido

[@andrewbatchelor5498]

Some excellent shots and I particularly like the way you have presented your findings. It made relating the scene to the images more interesting for me at least ! 🙏👍

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I'm happy to see you liked the video. I will make another video where I'm going to look at these and other images I shot with the new camera. Probably next week or the week after. I'm still running true some episodes of my sweden trip. Next week, part 2 of this video, where I'm going to test the 150-600 lens. Thanks for watching and you're comment I appreciate it. Grt guido

[@thomasphillips5850]

Great video Guido. I think I said this awhile ago, I see birds in your future. Thats a great system for bird's. I am awaiting the other bird shots as well as the last parts of the Sweden trip. Bthanks again.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Haha yeah but I will always do landscapes as my main photography. But to do something else every now and then can only be a good thing. Thanks for watching and your comment! Grt guido

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Oh, and I just finished the last two episodes from Sweden, and I think they are worth watching. They will come this Sunday and next Sunday. Grt guido

[@narinthip3058]

Thanks for sharing the video and experiences. Nice works as usual. This looks like a place to visit if I have a chance for sure. I definitely would have my 200mm F2.8 and 300mm F4 with me with 14MC. Might not need to bring 40-150F2.8 at all. About the details of images, I mean you were so close. I think it played big role in that regardless of the lenses you would be using. The quality different will be more noticeable when you are shooting in the real world when you cannot get close to these fantastic animals. I do expect the BWL will provide noticeable IQ different in those situation. Cheers.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I do agree with you. If the birds are further away, of course, you lose a little bit of details. But still, in most images, I kept 8 to 10 meters distance, I think. In next weeks video, I photographed a mouse with the 150-600. Was surprised by the results. If I would go there again, I'm definitely taking the 40-150. For the flying birds, it's much easier, I think. Thanks for watching. Grt guido

[@jpsteiner2]

Impressive! I'm considering the OM-1 mkii to photograph birds flying low over the water in a seaport harbor near sunrise. Probably with the 25mm f/1.2 or 45mm f/1.2.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

You will have to get quite close to the birds with those lenses Will become more of a wide angle shot. Don't know ow what the situation is but it could be quite nice results. I see a bit of a hybrid between landscape and bird photography. The camera is absolutely a delight to use. I own the 45 f1.2 lens, but I feel it's more of a portrait lens, and since I never do portraits, it actually eats dust in my closest. Thanks for watching abd your comment! Grt guido

[@gregfeeler6910]

Beautiful shots! Looking forward to seeing the differences with the 150-600mm lens. Thank you.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Thank you!I think the video with the 150-600 will be out next Thursday. Grt guido

[@rudolfappel7236]

Lunteren, je was nog dichter in de buurt met deze prachtige combi. Ongelofelijk mooie foto’s die alle twijfels wegnemen van een overstap van Nikon full frame naar OM System MFT. Moeilijke keuze omdat ik veel van mijn Nikon toestellen en lenzen genoten heb. Zijn rond de wereld met me geweest. pinguïns in zuid Australië gefotografeerd. Deze combi slaat alles, gezien de compacte bouwvorm en kwaliteit. Je bent ook terecht een OM System ambassadeur.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Was ik in de buurt? Waar woon je als ik vragen mag? Denk dat ik weleens vaker in die omgeving ga komen. Zag best wat locaties onderweg waar ik bog nooit gewesst ben. Ik kan me zo voorstellen dat je met een full frame kit iets minder makkelijk rondloop. Er stonden ook wat mensen om mij heen waarvan ik dacht wow daar zou je elke dag mee op pad moeten. Dat moet wel een ervaring zijn geweest in Australië! Ik heb ze meerdere keren in zuid Afrika gefotografeerd maar dat is een sndere soort geloof ik. Pinguins zijn by far mijn favoriete diersoort 😅 dus wie weet moet ik dat tripje Australië ook maar een maken haha. Helaas geen geld voor maar wie weet ooit... wellicht kan je trouwens een keer een set lenen om te testen. Geeft toch altijd een beter gevoel denk ik als je het zelf geprobeerd heb. Ik heb echter geeb twijfel dat je het geweldigbzal vinden 🙂 bedankt voor het kijken grt guido

[@irisotte83]

Leuke video geworden Guido! en mooie foto's gemaakt! Was leuk je te ontmoeten bij deze sessie van de Valk Roofvogels. En ja als je een keer geweest bent, kom je vaker terug ;).

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Was zeker een leuke dag! Dit was pas de eerste helft volgebde week doe ik de 2de helft haha. Herriner ik het me goed dat jij degene Was die op het matje de eendjes lag te fotograferen? Zelf nog tevreden met je fotos? Grt guido

[@irisotte83]

@@GuidoVanDeWater Goed onthouden, jup dat was ik. En ja was zeker blij met mijn foto's. Ik had zelf een nieuwe lens mee, maar die is ook goedgekeurd. Leuk dat je het opgesplitst hebt in twee delen. Ben benieuwd naar deel 2👍

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

@irisotte83 ja dan had ik het goed onthouden. Moet er nog even aan wennen dat mensen me gaan herkennen 😅 vond het wel erg lastig filmen daar met zoveel mensen er omheen. Dat ben ik met de landschappen nooit zo gewend. Lekker in mijn eentje op pad haha. Na de koffie heb ik de nieuwe om system 150-600 lens erop gezet dus vandaar dat ik de video gesplitst heb. Iets makkelijker zoeken als mensen apart voor de camera of de lens iets willen weten. Maar zeker leuk je even gesproken te hebben 🙂 grt guido

[@siofna9709]

Hello Guido Amazing images and I see you are realy coming from wildlife photography. I am to slow for making pictureres of birds in flight :-). Grt Ernesto

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I did a lot of wildlife photography in the past, indeed. Maybe I will pick it up again from time to time. I love landscape photography, but a little variety from time to time can only be a good thing 🙂 thnx for watching grt guido

[@CluelessYoutuber]

Beautiful shots Guido! Not much of a bird photography enthusiast (don’t know how to spot the birds 😂), but those are superb results. The sharpness and detail you captured looked great. Im sure those birds were a happy model if they could speak 😂

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Haha, they seemed happy, but I don't dare to give them a cuddle specialy that bald Eagle. I think het eats fingers for breakfast 😅 are there any reserves with birds in your area? I will go out for some realw ild birds someday but first the weather has to improve 🙂 grt guido

[@Flashman36175]

I really like the picture of the Ducks.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I shot that looming in the flip out screen from the top while holding the camera close above the water. Totally relied on the bird tracking and auto focus. I'm also very happy with those results. Thanks for watching. Grt guido

[@peterlowe6621]

Amazing shots and tempted to discover this location as finding birds over the winter in the Netherlands has been tough. I have an OM-1 with the 100-400 and struggle to get sharp images, indeed i have the impression the autofocus is going off the subject limiting sharpness. Any advice would be welcome

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Hi peter, if you mean the 100-400 f5 -6.3, then remember that above the 370mm, the lens loses a little bit of its sharpness. Something that I didn't notice with the 150-400 and the 150-600. But my advice would be to keep that shutter speed up high enough to prevent the movement of the subject and camera. When in flight, I use c-af, all focus points, and bird tracking, and you could even turn on proncapture if your camera supports that. And make sure the focus distance switch on the side of the lens is in the right position. Then it's just practice, i guess. If I can do it, everyone can. I'm not that much of a bird photographer these days. It's a wonderful place to practice photographing birds. I can also recommend burgers zoo. They have a bit more challenging condition because its a bit darker. But beautiful bird in the jungle, dessert, and mangrove area, and it's covered so perfect for a rainy day. Thanks for watching and good luck with the birds! Grt guido

[@jonathanscherer8567]

How do you find the color science and white balance of the OM-1 Mii when compared to the original OM-1? I've heard it is slightly warmer, which is a positive if it's true. I love the bird photos you got here, also. I love the music and subtle nature of your video. Speaking of video, did you use the OM-1 Mi for all the video footage? Thanks for all your work. You seem to be coming into your own rhythm here on YT.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

All shots of the birds a filmed with the om-1 mkii all shots of me talking are with the osmo pocket. But olympus / om system cameras are known for they're colours often being a bit warmer but really natural. I always shoot in raw, so the images are really flat without editing. So, I always use auto white ballans on all of my shots because I always correct it in post-processing. It's actually quite difficult to keep the 2 videos a week rhythm up. Specialy with this disaster winter here in the netherlands. So I'm happy I can fill the channel with material from Sweden and, for example, this lens test. I almost finished my studio at home, so I will probably start making some more tutorials from home. You can see the first glimps of the studio in Thursdays video, which will also be the second part of this video that you just watched. Hopefully you will like that also. Thanks for watching and your support. i really appreciate it. Grt guido

[@kimraymond2749]

Strange to see a Tawny frogmouth in Europe it is a common native in Australia

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I have never seen that bird anywhere before, not even in a zoo. And to be honest, I'm pretty sure that I would walk straight past it if I came across one in the wild. What a master of camouflage! Thanks for watching grt guido

[@heikkineumann1092]

Very informative video. Thanks What serial photo setting did you have? What AF sensitivity did you use?

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Thank you. I'm happy to see you liked the video. I don't really know what you mean "serial photo setting and af sensitivity." I think I just didn't change anything... I just controlled the iso, aperture, and shutter speed, and that was basically it. Grt guido

[@malcolmstoker2277]

Great video. Thank you. In your opinion how does the autofocus for birds in flight with the OM1 mk2 compare with the OM1?

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

The honest answer is that I never really tried something like this on the om-1. But if you know that I don't have much experience with flying birds and I get these results on a first attempt, then you know the camera had to do very good, haha. I was surprised by how easy it went even with the white birds that are hard to track because of the lack of contrast. So my experience is that it is very good but I just can't compare it with the om-1. Thanks for watching I'm happy to see you liked the video! Grt guido

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Hoi Guido Leuk en leerzaam vergelijk.ben benieuwd hoe de 150-600 zich presenteert .Ik vond de laatste vogelfoto’s, en dan met name de laatste 2 met de groene/blauwe vogels in hun groene omgeving er toch wel uit springen, echt heel erg mooi. Vogels met witte veren is voor ieder camera systeem een grote uitdaging en kwelling. Het wit loopt in bijna 99% van de gevallen dicht.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Klopt dat was mijn ervaring ook. Met de giervalk ging het goed maar met de sneeuwuil kwamd de zon door dan zie je toch al snel dat een deel van de vogel tegen het overbelichte aan komt helaas. Ik was zeker niet terleurgesteld in de 150-600 enige jammer is dat er na de koffie maar 1x gevlogen werd met de vogels. Hoop dat ik wel een goede ertussen heb daarvan 😅 die turaco vond ik idd ook niet tegenvallen met dat gras erachter. Bedankt voor het kijken. Grt guido

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

@@GuidoVanDeWater ik denk, dat de Turaco het erg goed doet aan de muur, en dan groot, iets van 120X 120 cm. De kleuren van de Turaco vond ik er mooi met veel detail in de veren.

[@furiousdoe7779]

Yep definitely the 150-400 better but the 150-600 is not bad either ... for the ones who cannot afford Gandalf the Big White .

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Could not agree more. In my opinion its more about usability the 150-400 is just far more pleasant to carry around all the time. Thanks for watching. Grt guido

[@michaelhall2709]

I’m surprised; I was under the impression that you owned the 150-400.

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

No, I had it on loan from om system for my sweden trip, and somehow, I still haven't returned it. But using it has set a spark, haha. I would really like to have one, but I don't know if I will ever have the funds to buy it 🤔 thanks for watching. Grt guido

[@renshubers9523]

Waarom geen video’s in het Nederlands Guido?

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

Ik ben me bewust dat ik niet iedereen tevreden kan krijgen. Uiteindelijk komt slechts 6.5 procent van de kijkers uit nederland dus vandaar dat ik het in het engels doe. Toch bedankt voor het kijken. Grt guido

[@Grga17]

How can anybody afford these expensive gear just for its hoby?

[@GuidoVanDeWater]

I always ask myself the same question, but when I walked around, I saw these exteeme expensive lenses and cameras appear everywhere. And then I'm still lucky with my om system / olympus gear because the full frame equivalents are most of the time double as expansive. But I'm also convinced that you can take these shots with the 100-400 witch is much cheaper. You might loose a little of the details but for the amount of money difference I would find that excitable. Thanks for watching and your comment. Grt guido

[@JoeMaranophotography]

Have you never noticed there are complete idiots walking around with bundles of cash all over the world? This is new information to you? You have never seen anyone driving a Land Rover to collect a single child from school? Or people with designer clothes etc? Life isn't fair but any adult should know this lol