GM1...for birds (1 Viewer)

Hello,
first post from an avid lurker.
I usually photograph birds using a D300+ 80-400 AFD, or a Fuji XS-1 (+TC). Perched birds mostly, due to AF-limitations.
After buying a GM1+ 20 mm for general photography I quickly realized that the sensor is far more capable than the one in my D300. So I wanted to try the GM1 for birds, too.
Two problems: Missing reach and missing viewfinder.
While there is a rather straightforward solution (getting a GX7 + Pana100-300) I was keen to try something a little less expensive...so I bought a display loupe, a Panasonic 45-175 and put my old Canon TC-DC52B on it.
Setting: a local park in mid-Germany, with a small river in the middle. The birds are thankfully not too shy, so all taken from distances between 3 to 10 meters.
All photos are cropped and some sharpening/contrast has been applied.

The Setup

Here are some pictures of the setup.

So how does it compare?
The effective reach is about 90% 'pixel on the bird' of the D300+80-400 combo. The handling of the Nikon (or the Fuji) is far superior - no surprise there.
Picture quality is a bit worse than the D300 combo but sufficient for my purposes (web display or small prints). Better than the XS1, though...
AF: close to the D300+80-400 AFD.

And the verdict (for me!) is: what a fun setup! Light, almost silent, AF and picture quality close to my 'heavy gear'. And very portable when disassembled.

Thanks for looking!

and some more....

again, 100% crops, slight p&p.

I'm wondering: would a Panasonic 100-300 give better results?

Nafews

From what I've researched the 100-300 is soft at 300 so I'm not sure about it . I'm waiting for 300 prime ! 45-175 is sharp as you can see in my m43 thread . I may try your extender though.

This must have been fun to figure out ánd to work with. The results look good.
Happy birding,
Sjerp

Nafews said:

again, 100% crops, slight p&p.

I'm wondering: would a Panasonic 100-300 give better results?

Nafews

Click to expand...

As Capdegat has mentioned the 100-300 is soft at 300 but it will still give you better sharpness than your present set up. No offense intended but your crops lack sharpness and some of the detail is lost. I've used the 100-300 for over three years on the GH1 and now the GH3. I too am waiting for a better lens on par with the quality of the X series 12-35 but so far there is nothing at the 300 range without sacrificing weight, size and auto focus.

Olympus is planning a 75-300 for 2015. If it's a good lens Ill probably switch at that point.

Hope this helps and again no offense intended.

Paul
Adds and upgrades to photo life list; http://paultavares.smugmug.com/Wildlife/Birds/AU14/

Hello Paul,

thanks for chiming in, absolutely no offense taken.

My GM1 setup gives good results for my purposes, but your impressive galery certainly shows one can do better with a GH3 + 100-300.

I attach some 'comparison' shots, taken with Fuji Superzooms and a Nikon D300+ 80-400 AFD.
In general I'd say the GM1+Tele+TC picture quality is somewhat better than the Fujis, but the Nikon beats them. The GM1 is just very convenient to carry and use, so I am more likely to take it with me...

Regarding the new Olympus lens, do you mean by any chance the 300/f4? I thought a 75-300 already exists.
But combined with a Panasonic body (except GX7) neither would have stabilisation - not sure that'll work for me.

Les and Sjerp, thanks for your contributions.

Regards,
Nafews

Nafews said:

Regarding the new Olympus lens, do you mean by any chance the 300/f4? I thought a 75-300 already exists.
But combined with a Panasonic body (except GX7) neither would have stabilisation - not sure that'll work for me.

Les and Sjerp, thanks for your contributions.

Regards,
Nafews

Click to expand...

Yes I meant the 300 prime although I thought it was a new zoom that was coming. Thanks for the clarification.

This is just a suggestion based on my experience. I started my photo life list when I got my first digital camera in 2003, a 2 MP Panasonic FZ1. I was thrilled with the results. I then progressively migrated every 3 to 4 years to the FZ30, the GH1 and now the GH3. I'll pass on the GH4. The FZ1 and FZ30 pictures looked great on a laptop and desktop with 1024x768 resolution but now on a 1920x1080 they do not look that good. But some of them are are still on my life list because I haven't managed a better shot and in some cases another opportunity may never present itself again.

Back then, the only better solutions were heavy and cumbersome DSLR's and the big heavy lenses. Now there are more solutions to achieve better quality. All this to say that although the quality of the images suits your purposes for now, your expectations may increase in the future and you may miss a few once in a lifetime experiences in the interim.

It really depends on how you see your interest evolving with time.

Thanks for the compliment on my gallery. I still have a lot to learn.

Paul