MelospizaMelodiaFan
I photograph birds
There is a pro capture L (low) mode with continuous AF, but the frame rate is slower, and would not show wing beats in such detail.
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Upgrading from Bridge Camera to M43 (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter MelospizaMelodiaFan
- Start date
I don't know if that's right on my om1 (mark 1). I have it on pro cap2, and I'm pretty sure it is keeping up with subjects. Focus mode is c-af, and I use back button focusing which might affect things.
I know the exposure isn't monitored after the initial photo.
Best I've managed so far in terms of flight/action.
Needed a lot of cropping and noise reduction in lightroom to get to this point.
(Om-1 100-400mm, pro-cap in good light conditions. The limiting factor was definitely the link between my brain and muscles as the Sand Martins whizzed past!)
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MelospizaMelodiaFan
I photograph birds
I'm using E-M1 mk II so I'm sure the latest flagship has had some improvement to pro capture. Swallows are very tough subjects!
robinlanark
Active member
I would rather see this then any one more beautiful image. This is much more informative and alive.14 images taken with Olympus E-M1 mkII, Pro Capture H. I also learned to process this batch of photos using the same settings in my editing software, which will come in handy later.
Not all photos with Pro Capture turn out nicely, but it is something I am using more often. It is now one of my custom presets.
MelospizaMelodiaFan
I photograph birds
One feature I have not yet discussed is the focus limiter on my 100-400 lens. It has three settings: 1.3-5m, 1.3m-infinity, 5m-infinity. The first setting is limited to close subjects, the second allows focusing throughout the entire range (as a bridge camera would), and the last is for distant subjects. By limiting the range in which the lens hunts for focus, the camera will focus more quickly. I primarily use the 5m-infinity setting, because that is the distance for most birds I encounter. For very small birds, it is possible to get close enough to use the 1.3-5m setting.
To get this bald eagle photo, I had about one second to react. Luckily, the AF worked and I got the shot (about half of the time, I miss). I am sure the focus limiter helped.
Taking into account the size of a bushtit, you would conclude that I was darned close to get this level of detail. I definitely used the 1.3-5m setting. For tiny birds like bushtits, chickadees, and kinglets, you follow their incessant hopping through foliage and hope the AF can keep up. There have also been times when I missed shots because birds got too close and I was set to 5m-infinity. I try to place my thumb near the switch so I can quickly adapt, but it takes practice.
Could my bridge camera have gotten these shots? Yes, but I think the hit rate would be lower. There is more complexity and a steeper learning curve with pro grade gear, but each little advantage adds up.
To get this bald eagle photo, I had about one second to react. Luckily, the AF worked and I got the shot (about half of the time, I miss). I am sure the focus limiter helped.
Taking into account the size of a bushtit, you would conclude that I was darned close to get this level of detail. I definitely used the 1.3-5m setting. For tiny birds like bushtits, chickadees, and kinglets, you follow their incessant hopping through foliage and hope the AF can keep up. There have also been times when I missed shots because birds got too close and I was set to 5m-infinity. I try to place my thumb near the switch so I can quickly adapt, but it takes practice.
Could my bridge camera have gotten these shots? Yes, but I think the hit rate would be lower. There is more complexity and a steeper learning curve with pro grade gear, but each little advantage adds up.
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robinlanark
Active member
Great conversation. I have a Canon SX70 and it is so fast and fun that I enjoy it immensely for getting records for iNaturalist and (occasionally) great portraits. Last month I bought a Pana G9 and the Leica 100-400 lens in order to try to cross the bridge to better subject quality which is usually lacking in the Canon.
The bottom line is that I have to accept that I can get much better shots with the Pana IF it will focus properly in trees, but it struggles to do that with what I've learned so far (ie use the "One Area Human/Animal Detect" for smaller subjects). So I might have to modify my expectations and spend more time getting closer to subjects.
The bottom line is that I have to accept that I can get much better shots with the Pana IF it will focus properly in trees, but it struggles to do that with what I've learned so far (ie use the "One Area Human/Animal Detect" for smaller subjects). So I might have to modify my expectations and spend more time getting closer to subjects.
From curiosity: is this the G9 or the more recent G9-ii?
I never had any of those, but have the G85. As an alternative mode you could have as one of the custom modes on the dial, set the focusing square to the smallest possible (without subject detection), and see if you can focus on some part of the bird using this setting. I have had reasonable success with getting the camera to focus among branches using this. Additionally, for all settings you do, allow manual override (AF + MF setting), so that you can use the manual focus wheel to improve focus.
If you have the G9-ii, one of the videos mention a trick of assigning a function of forcing the AF to look further afield to one button and forcing it to look closer to the other (the person used the two on the right side of the camera front for this).
Niels
I never had any of those, but have the G85. As an alternative mode you could have as one of the custom modes on the dial, set the focusing square to the smallest possible (without subject detection), and see if you can focus on some part of the bird using this setting. I have had reasonable success with getting the camera to focus among branches using this. Additionally, for all settings you do, allow manual override (AF + MF setting), so that you can use the manual focus wheel to improve focus.
If you have the G9-ii, one of the videos mention a trick of assigning a function of forcing the AF to look further afield to one button and forcing it to look closer to the other (the person used the two on the right side of the camera front for this).
Niels
MelospizaMelodiaFan
I photograph birds
I think Niels' advice is spot on. For birds in thick foliage, I use the smallest focusing area possible. On my Olympus camera, it is a fine square. If the camera won't focus on the bird, I will focus at something roughly the same distance, but larger or better lit, then return to the bird. Also focusing on something with sharper contrast, like the perch, might be better than the bird if the camera is struggling. AF always does worse with low light, so you might consider opening the aperture as much as possible.
It's only been a month, so give it time. There are lots of settings to fiddle with on the G9. I find that some solutions are not obvious at the beginning, but only make sense with experience. Have fun!
robinlanark
Active member
Thanks for this. Sounds like a plan. I have the original G9.
I do not know if the original G9 has the trick built in to force the AF to change. Might be worth a look around for it.
robinlanark
Active member
I've noticed that my pinpoint focus mode is greyed out and not available on my g9i. I still have single point and all the others. I must have set something to lose that option but I didn't know what. I'll try the manual but if anyone knows, please let me know. Thx
robinlanark
Active member
Thanks. FWIW and for later reference, I could find nothing in the manual that refers to this situation by searching for pinpoint. I tried changing some settings a bit to see if that made a difference - I tried Shutter speed and Aperture priority, and tried the single and I and II drive modes, and have it on AFS or AFC. I'm using the manual with Firmware 2.5. I'm sure I'll run across what I've changed at some point. Thanks for the suggestions.
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I've just finished reading this thread and wanted to say thank you very much to MM particularly and to the other posters too for providing a really informative and thoughtful commentary on a theme that will be relevant to many of us thinking about upgrading. It has been great reading about and seeing how your shooting has evolved as you've grown into your new set up. Inspiring stuff!
Your experiences have helped me decide to stick with my bridge camera (Canon SX60) for the time being. I will look to upgrade in the medium term but, like Missy, am going to keep having fun and developing my skills - and creativity - in the meantime. In MM's words "there really is no need for a better camera, just a better photographer"!
For me personally, the limitations of a bridge camera do push me to try and be a little creative with my shots. Most of the time that doesn't work, but it's always fun trying! The attached pensive looking grey heron and female linnet through the yellow gorse are a couple of efforts I was happy enough with.
Your experiences have helped me decide to stick with my bridge camera (Canon SX60) for the time being. I will look to upgrade in the medium term but, like Missy, am going to keep having fun and developing my skills - and creativity - in the meantime. In MM's words "there really is no need for a better camera, just a better photographer"!
For me personally, the limitations of a bridge camera do push me to try and be a little creative with my shots. Most of the time that doesn't work, but it's always fun trying! The attached pensive looking grey heron and female linnet through the yellow gorse are a couple of efforts I was happy enough with.
Attachments
robinlanark
Active member
I had nothing but fun and excitement using my various bridge cameras since 2015. They opened a world of detail that I never dreamed was possible in my previous 40 years of photography. But the fly in the ointment was the lack of detail that is so wonderful in shots from full-sized sensors and MFTs. I got a Pana G9 and 100-400 lens a year ago and I would say that although the photography is much more work, the results are finally sharp much of the time But it's a good thing I sold my SX70 or I'm sure I'd be doing it the easy way, and complaining about the muddy results.
MelospizaMelodiaFan
I photograph birds
Thanks for the kind words. I like your photos, they show the thought that went into them. The foreground on the linnet is nice!
MiguelATF
Well-known member
The shots with the heron and the linnet are very, very nice. I think you are doing exceptionally nice photographic work with your SX60. Most photographers, myself included, have a secret part that always wonders whether a newer or better camera or lens will produce better pictures - but bridge cameras, even those with 'small' sensors, can be seriously capable photographic tools. My only advice is... keep on shooting!
