Choosing the Right Birding Lens

Choosing the right birding lens can vary significantly depending on our photographic objectives, and by the specific conditions we face.

This article shares some recent handheld images of perched birds captured with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II zoom lens. This is a follow up article to the recent one that discussed metering and composition with photographs captured at Bird Kingdom.

As photographers we often face pragmatic decisions in terms of which gear to use under various scenarios. My wife and I are planning a photography tour and we are limiting the number of lenses we are bringing to two each.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, 1/30, ISO-500, matrix metering, cropped to 4317 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.1 metres

My wife has decided to bring the M.Zuiko 14-150 mm f/4-5.6 II zoom lens, as well as the M.Zuiko 60 mm macro. These two lens will be ideal for the subject matter that she intends to photograph.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, 1/60, ISO-500, spot metering, cropped to 2964 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.7 metres

Since the main focus of our photography during our planned photo tour will be landscape, choosing the M.Zuiko PRO 12-100 mm f/4 IS was a ‘no brainer’ decision for me.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.3 EV, 1/100, ISO-64, matrix metering, cropped to 3797 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.9 metres

Where it became a bit more complicated for me was choosing which lens to bring for the occasional birding and nature photography that I may do during our tour.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.3 EV, 1/250, ISO-2000, matrix metering, cropped to 4296 pixels on the width, subject distance 3.4 metres

I have four lens from which to choose: M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 ISM.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 ISM.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 with MC-20 teleconverter… or M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7. Each of these lenses has advantages and challenges.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0,3 EV, 1/10, ISO-2500, centre weight average metering, cropped to 3877 pixels on the width, subject distance 3 metres

While the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS is a truly outstanding lens, it is far too big and heavy for me to take for some occasional bird photography. So, that was the first lens that I ruled out.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.7 EV, 1/160, ISO-800, matrix metering, cropped to 3849 pixels on the width, subject distance 10.8 metres

The M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 with MC-20 teleconverter was a tempting choice as it would also provide some low light capability. This happens to be my favourite M.Zuiko lens that we own. I ruled it out as I realized that I likely would not be in many situations where I would actually be close enough to birds to use the lens without the teleconverter. Plus… with the teleconverter attached, this lens is almost the same size and weight as the M.Zuiko 100-400… but would give me 25% less reach at only a 1/3 stop of light advantage.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 270 mm, efov 540 mm, f/6.7, 1/20, ISO-6400, matrix metering, cropped to 4728 pixels on the width, subject distance 2 metres

That left me a choice between the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS and the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7. I hadn’t recently shot with the M.Zuiko 75-300 in a sufficient range of lighting conditions to be comfortable making that decision. So, a few days ago I grabbed that lens and headed off to Bird Kingdom to put that lens through some additional hands-on testing.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, 1/80, ISO-5000, centre weighted average metering, cropped to 3864 pixels on the width, subject distance 4.7 metres

If you’ve been looking at the EXIF data for the images featured in this article, you will have noticed that I pushed the M.Zuiko 75-300 II quite a bit during my visit to Bird Kingdom. I shot this lens wide open throughout my visit. I also used some slow shutter speeds… as slow as 1/10 with the lens fully extended to 300 mm (efov 600 mm). I also shot the lens at some fairly high ISO values. It all cases it performed very well indeed.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 215 mm, efov 430 mm, f/6.3, 1/30, ISO-400, spot metering, cropped to 3912 pixels on the width, subject distance 6 metres

I was very pleasantly surprised with how little work the RAW files shot with the M.Zuiko 75-300 II required in post. Even shooting with this lens wide open, fully extended, and at higher ISO values, I didn’t have to use Topaz Sharpen AI with the overwhelming majority of images. Most of the time using Topaz DeNoise AI was all I needed at the end of my process to do some final tweaks.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 187 mm, efov 374 mm, f/6, 1/50, ISO-640, spot metering, cropped to 3270 pixels on the width, subject distance 4.5 metres

Another factor that needed to be considered in my choice of birding lens for our upcoming photo tour was how we would be travelling. A very good friend of ours will be joining us for this photography tour. We’ll be touring in the same vehicle, making numerous planned, as well as impromptu stops, every day. We’ll be constantly getting in and out of the car all day long. So… my wife and I really need to travel compact and light.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.7 EV, 1/100, ISO-64, centre weighted average metering, cropped to 4320 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.9 metres

In order to maximize my mobility throughout the day I’m not planning on bringing a camera bag with me for use during our daily car trips. Instead, our two extra lenses, 3 back-up batteries, and additional memory cards will all need to fit in our Cotton Carrier Lens Bucket and Dry Bag which I can simply attach to my belt (more on that in a future article).

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.3 EV, 1/100, ISO-250, centre weighted average metering, cropped to 3759 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.7 metres

My recent visit to Bird Kingdom with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II convinced me that this is the most suitable birding lens for me to take for our upcoming photography tour. Since it is not weatherproofed, I will need to bring a rain sleeve should I decide to use it in inclement weather.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.7 EV, 1/60, ISO-640, centre weighted average metering, cropped to 3759 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.4 metres

Choosing the right birding lens to bring with me for our upcoming photography tour has been an interesting experience.  The process forced me to think about a broader range of decision factors, as well as make me clearly define my birding lens needs for this tour.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 300 mm, efov 600 mm, f/6.7, -0.7 EV, 1/250, ISO-6400, spot metering, cropped to 4467 pixels on the width, subject distance 4.7 metres

To get the most out of the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II for birding it is helpful to use the most suitable metering mode. And when possible, shoot at acceptably slow shutter speeds.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 164 mm, efov 328 mm, f/5.8, 1/50, ISO-800, spot metering, cropped to 4798 pixels on the width, subject distance 4.2 metres

When writing this article I couldn’t help but go back in time in my mind… to my full frame days. Back then I used a Tamron 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 for birding. That lens, and the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II, were both introduced at about the same time.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 164 mm, efov 328 mm, f/6.3, -0.7 EV, 1/500, ISO-160, spot metering, cropped to 4476 pixels on the width, subject distance 2.1 metres

When shooting with the Tamron 150-600 fully extended I typically stopped it down to f/8 to improve the sharpness of my images. It occurred to me today that I don’t remember having to stop down any of my M.Zuiko lenses to achieve acceptable sharpness. Not even ‘consumer grade’ lenses like the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7. I’ve certainly stopped my lenses down to increase depth-of-field when needed… but not to improve sharpness.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II @ 109 mm, efov 218 mm, f/5.6, 1/80, ISO-4000, spot metering, cropped to 3968 pixels on the width, subject distance 6.4 metres

Choosing the right birding lens comes down to our individual needs and the unique situations that we will be facing with our camera gear. Some of those factors will be focussed on lighting, subject matter, and the end use of our images. Other important factors are not image specific. Things like size, weight and the travel constraints we may face.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,411 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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8 thoughts on “Choosing the Right Birding Lens”

    1. Hi Mark,

      If my memory serves the E-M1X and the E-M1 Mark III are both rated for 7 stops of IBIS performance. From a practical, in-field perspective I can handhold the E-M1X 1 to 1.5 stops better than the E-M1 Mark III. From a handling, comfort and ergonomic standpoint I find the E-M1X to be far superior. But… I have large hands and find that smaller cameras like the E-M1 Mark III create cramps in my right forearm, especially when used with heavier lenses like the PRO 40-150 f/2.8 or larger. But that’s my experience, other photographers may prefer the smaller body of the E-M1 Mark III.

      Tom

      1. I felt this with my OMD EM1 MK3 it’s a lovely camera but my little finger kept falling off the bottom of the camera and I found the switches cramped a little at times
        I have traded this and my little Panasonic Lumix GX80 to raise the funds through MPB here in the UK
        I should receive my EM1 x next week sometime

        1. Hi Mark,

          I experienced the same issues with the E-M1 Mark III in terms of grip and control functionality. My wife loves this camera but I find this body style falls short of my needs in terms of comfort, handling and ergonomics. If you are like me, you’ll find the EM-1X is a superb camera body. I shoot with a pair of these bodies and have no plans to replace them.

          Tom

  1. I have same doubts about mу неxt trip to Vietnam and Cambodia – to bring heavier and better PRO lense 40-150mm f2.8 with TC2.0 or bring the lighter 75-300mm and 12-40mm f2.8 PRO? This 75-300mm is often called Sunny lens because it needs more light but with OM1, I think it could pass the test of quality. Your images here prove that, I think. I have a question for you. You mention the importance of metering mode while shooting and I can see that most of the pictures you shot with spot metering. Could you be more specific about this topic?

    1. Hi ZOly,

      Each of us has our preferred shooting style and camera settings for various subject matter. Sometimes it can be helpful to adjust our metering mode to get a better/different exposure on a subject bird.

      Usually I’m outdoors in decent light when photographing birds… often in-flight. So, I find that matrix metering usually works well for me. The images in this particular article was taken indoors at Bird Kingdom under lower light conditions, with a number of high contrast conditions. In situations like these I will often use centre weighted average, or spot metering. The choice of metering is light dependent but can also vary depending on the creative intent of the photographer. Often spot metering can produce pleasing exposures on a subject bird, while taking the background darker, or lighter, depending on the overall light.

      If time permits… and the bird is cooperative… it can be instructive to photograph the same bird under the same lighting conditions but with various metering modes, just to see how the resulting images vary. You may find this earlier article of interest: https://smallsensorphotography.com/metering-and-composition-choices-at-bird-kingdom

      Tom

  2. I don’t doubt your logic in choosing the 75-300. However, not knowing exactly the nature of your upcoming trip, I thought I should share one observation from the trip I am currently on in Tanzania. While our trip is not specifically for bird photography, I have found the reach of the 100-400 essential for getting enough pixels on birds for satisfying photographs. The larger birds have been no problem, but the smaller sunbirds, bee-eaters, various parrots, lilac-breasted rollers, etc. have really demanded the extra reach of 400mm, FWIW.

    1. Hi Terry,

      Thanks for your comment. I hope your trip in Tanzania is an incredible experience for you. The primary focus of your trip appears to be to photograph wildlife.

      As noted in the article, our primary focus on this photography tour is landscape photography. In previous photo tours to this specific destination I would have only captured any images of birds maybe once or twice a week… so this subject matter is not a priority at all.

      I should mention that none of our planned stops during our photo tour is intended specifically for bird photography.

      Tom

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