Bird Detection AI, Birds in Flight, Micro 4/3 (OM-D/M.Zuiko), Pro Capture

Ducks in Flight at 1200 mm efov

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This article features a selection of handheld photographs of ducks in flight captured at 1200 mm efov (equivalent field-of-view) with the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge. To view this article in a range of other languages click on the Canadian flag in the upper right corner.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4536 pixels on the width, subject distance 45.7 metres

Last Thursday I was out for a couple of hours doing some additional intensive practice, photographing ducks in flight. There were times when the action was plentiful, and very fast breaking. I ended up capturing a total of 5,629 images in a little over two hours.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3732 pixels on the width, subject distance 43.3 metres

I used a range of focal lengths… and for part of the session I focused on capturing images using my M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS fully extended to 600 mm, or an equivalent field-of-view of 1200 mm.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3763 pixels on the width, subject distance 30.9 metres

I’ve been out at this location a few times over the past 10 days or so, and could definitely feel that my eye/hand coordination was improving during this time frame.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3408 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.7 metres

These successive practice sessions resulted in me deciding to try to capture images of ducks in flight at 1200 mm efov. I hadn’t done this for quite a few months so I wasn’t sure how it would work out, as the angle of view at this focal length is only 2.1 degrees.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-800, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3972 pixels on the width, subject distance 33.3 metres

Fortunately the ducks cooperated with many of them flying out over the ice berm towards Lake Ontario. This extra distance gave me more time to get them in my viewfinder when they returned from the lake.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3984 pixels on the width, subject distance 33 metres

After observing the ducks for a few minutes it became clear to me where along the ice berm that they were most likely to appear as they flew back towards the shoreline.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3192 pixels on the width, subject distance 58.8 metres

I visually picked up a number of the ducks in my viewfinder from a fair distance, as you’ll be able to see from the details in the EXIF data. For readers who are not familiar with the metric system, multiply the number of metres of subject distance by 3.28 to calculate the number of feet.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3988 pixels on the width, subject distance 53.8 metres

Many of my image opportunities were ducks in flight that were well separated and not near any other birds. However, it is important to include some practice photographing ducks landing close to other birds… as you can see with the image above and the four that follow.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4101 pixels on the width, subject distance 58.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 2563 pixels on the width, subject distance 57.1 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3805 pixels on the width, subject distance 51.8 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3481 pixels on the width, subject distance 42.9 metres

I don’t typically spend too much time photographing groups or pairs of ducks in flight when doing an intensive practice session… but during some relative lulls in the action I did capture a few images.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3508 pixels on the width, subject distance 120.2 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4008 pixels on the width, subject distance 65.1 metres

My attention is normally focused on birds that are coming in to land, and not too far from the surface of the snow. These birds tend to have more interesting wing and body positions. I did capture a few images of ducks in free flight.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-800, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4704 pixels on the width, subject distance 33 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, full frame capture cropped on height only, subject distance 28.3 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4632 pixels on the width, subject distance 31.6 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3792 pixels on the width, subject distance 39.2 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-800, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4069 pixels on the width, subject distance 28.6 metres

My favourite images are usually of ducks in flight that are starting to slow down their speed as they approach the surface of the snow… or turning /banking during their approach… or back peddling with their wings.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-800, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3686 pixels on the width, subject distance 37.6 metres

The M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom is a lens that not everyone would find manageable handheld, given its size and weight. For me, this telephoto zoom is undoubtedly my preferred ‘go to’ lens for bird and nature photography.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 4041 pixels on the width, subject distance 30.8 metres

I absolutely love this lens as it extends my imaging potential considerably. I estimate that 25% of my images (or more) were captured with this lens fully extended to 600 mm (efov 1200) during last Thursday’s practice session.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-400, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3186 pixels on the width, subject distance 56.3 metres

Getting this amount of reach without having to use a teleconverter… and not losing any light… is simply incredible.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-500, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3604 pixels on the width, subject distance 53.5 metres

I also love the handling of the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens as it enables me to be very responsive to action around me. I’ve found that the image quality that it delivers is perfect for my needs.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, cropped to 3087 pixels on the width, subject distance 54.2 metres

My M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS doesn’t get used as much as it did in the past. It still earns a place in my camera bag on those occasions when I need a good telephoto performer that is smaller and lighter for travel.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 600 mm, efov 1200 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-640, Bird Detection AI Subject Tracking, Pro Capture L, full frame capture, subject distance 22 metres

Many of us who enjoy bird photography go out hoping to capture that ‘one shot’ that will make our outing that day worthwhile. The image above is that ‘one shot’ for me from last Thursday.

It is a full frame capture… without any cropping at all… of a duck in flight only 22 metres away from me, with my 150-600 mm zoom lens fully extended to 1200 mm efov.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. Pro Capture L at 18 frames-per-second was used for all of the images in this article. Pre-Shutter frames were set to 15. Frame Limiter was turned off. The M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens was used fully extended to 600 mm (efov 1200 mm). This is the 1,508 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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14 thoughts on “Ducks in Flight at 1200 mm efov”

  1. Ducks fascinate me. They are so ungainly on the ground but such excellent flyers!

    These are excellent captures and thanks for sharing them with us. I appreciate your commentary on the approach as well.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Wonderful article. I am always very impressed with your skills. I am lucky if I can get a good picture using my 100-400mm MKII of a bird in flight and I can’t imagine trying it with 150-600 lens! I have my mind up to rent the 150-600 once Spring shows up in Maine and see if I can handle the weight. Again thank for posting articles like this and I am re-reading your e-book on Birds and I have learned a lot from it.

    Reply

    1. Hi John,

      It is great to read that you have been enjoying the website and my eBook on Handheld Bird Photography… and finding them useful! I appreciate your kind words…

      Tom

      Reply

  3. Wow absolutely fantastic images. They look tack sharp and wonderful texture in the wings and their feather detail. This puts to bed the argument about the lens native sharpness of course. The light was ideal with light reflection from the snow . Fantastic work Thomas you have shown that lens at its very best.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mark,

      I’m glad you enjoyed the images.

      Having used various M.Zuiko lenses for almost 7 years now, my experience it that they represent good value for the investment in terms of image and build quality.

      Some critics of the M.Zuiko 150-600 claimed it was nothing more than a rebranded Sigma lens. They didn’t bother to investigate the various glass elements actually used in the lens and how they differed significantly from the Sigma product. This information was readily available on manufacturers’ websites. I’ve written about this before so I won’t waste time repeating that information in my reply.

      After hundreds of thousands of images captured in the field, I’ve found the M.Zuiko 150-600 is worth every penny that I paid for it.

      Tom

      Reply

      1. Yep many of the comments about this lens were negative. Everyone said it’s a rebadged sigma lens but that’s not true at all.
        You get wonderful results from it and at 1200mm just brilliant. Again the EM1-x is a wonderful camera and may get the same lens when my pensions come in!
        I don’t really think the camera can be beaten. I follow someone on flikr and he uses the EM1-x and like me the old 100-400 and his work is amazing – this still proves the camera and lens is a winner 🏆

        Reply

      2. Hi Tom there’s been a fair bit of negativity in the forums etc.
        My son rented one for Motorsport photography and got some amazing images with it, he found that tyre haze was major issue but never blamed the lens. I was returning it to the rental company and had a go at birds briefly, I took an image of starlings chatting in a tree a fair way off.
        It absolutely blew me away how much reach it had! I am discussing with my financial advisor recently and he said spend whatever we want for the next 3 years – I will never sell my EM1-X but I will be definitely considering the lens you have.
        I follow a gentleman on Flickr who shoots with the EM1-X and original 100-400 his work is amazing Richard o’Rourke have a look

        Reply

        1. Hi Mark,

          I think a lot of the negativity are from people who have never used lens… and probably have never even held one in their hands. Many people just parrot what they see/read. That used to happen all the time with the Nikon 1 system… it was far more capable than was recognized in the market. C’est la vie.

          Tom

          Reply

      3. Good morning, Thomas, from western Nevada. I generally ignore critics for the usual reasons, especially those who fall back to such simple comparisons. I’m not in the Zuiko world, so don’t have much to offer there.

        I paid a lot for my Fujinon 100-400mm and it is a very good lens, better than I am. I have a notion to carry it some this spring in the sagelands (where my dog and I hike). I sometimes see a Kestral on the hike, but it is furtive and difficult to capture without more reach.

        Reply

        1. Hi Dave,

          I don’t have any functional knowledge or experience using Fuji camera gear… so I don’t know if a teleconverter may be an option for you to increase reach.

          I always assume that individual photographers make informed camera equipment choices and whatever they are using represents the best choice for their specific needs.

          Tom

          Reply

  4. Your hours (years) behind the lens definitely pay off. The images demonstrate the possibilities. The results don’t come without effort. Well done.

    Reply

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