This article features a selection of E-M1 Mark III BIF images. All photographs were captured handheld using an M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom with the M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter. The combination has an equivalent field-of-view of 160-600 mm.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
I went to Grimsby harbour for a couple of hours to do some initial BIF testing.., photographing gulls in flight with our Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
All of the photographs in this article were captured using Cluster Area C-AF at 18 frames-per-second with silent shutter.
I don’t expect to use the E-M1 Mark III very often as this is my wife’s preferred OM-D camera.
While gulls are not the most photogenic species, they are readily available. As such they make good test subjects when comparing different camera bodies and lenses.
I found the auto-focus performance of the E-M1 Mark III to be quite fast and accurate.
The E-M1 Mark III was certainly up to most of the BIF challenges that I presented to it. My initial impression was that it was just a hair less responsive, and not quite as consistently accurate, as my E-M1X.
Don’t get me wrong… the auto-focusing on E-M1 Mark III is still very fast and accurate. It’s just not quite up to the performance of the E-M1X when the camera is pushed hard. The E-M1 Mark III BIF images in this article demonstrate that the camera is well suited to this subject matter.
As I’ve become more accustomed to using the Cluster Area C-AF, the more that I am enjoying this particular auto-focusing mode. I find that it does a good job acquiring focus and adjusting to the size and shape of a bird-in-flight. This makes panning with an incoming bird easier.
Since I have large hands I don’t find the E-M1 Mark III to be very comfortable to use. There’s no room on the grip for my pinky finger, and I find it awkward to place it underneath the camera body. This is my personal preference, and other photographers may not feel the same way as I do.
The E-M1 Mark III ‘s smaller form factor may result in some photographers using it with a grip when using longer and heavier telephoto lenses.
The Cluster Area C-AF did quite a good job staying with a bird even when it flew through some traffic (as you can see in the image above) or past a busy background as illustrated in the photograph immediately below.
Here are a few additional sample images of E-M1 Mark III BIF images.
Overall, the E-M1 Mark III was easy to use for this subject matter and performed very well.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured hand-held using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. The degree of cropping is indicated for each image.
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I thought cluster only works in “low setting” you mention you set 18fps, isn’t that high?
Hi Andrew,
18 frames per second is the fastest frame rate this is available when using sequential low silent shutter with my E-M1X. 60 frames per second is the fastest frame rate available when using sequential high silent shutter.
Tom
Thanks for the article Tom. Great captures.
I love my M1 mk iii combo with the 40-150 with the MC-20, except when the subjects get too close😀.
The crispness, clarity, sharpness are something to behold!
Haven’t had a chance to try the cluster C-AF yet, but will when I get a chance.
Hi Jim,
The M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 is the finest lens that I have ever owned. As you know, it is amazingly sharp and very versatile. Worth every penny. I’m glad you enjoyed the images! You may also enjoy cluster area C-AF once you try it.
Tom
Hi Thomas
The colors; gesture; contrast; pinpoint sharpness are excellent. I am quite surprise such a small camera sensor can produce this level of quality images, when used with great optics.
May I ask you, to comment on the DXO Photolabs 4 and particularly it new DeepPrime denoiser, and improved HSL ?
Thank you for this BIF shooting writing.
regards
Luc
Hi Luc,
I think what you are observing is the optical quality of the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom lens. It is the finest zoom lens that I have ever owned. This is a superb lens with excellent optical performance, even when used with the M.Zuiko MC-20 teleconverter. OM-D cameras like the E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III have fast and accurate auto-focusing. This, combined with the optical performance of M.Zuiko PRO lenses produce wonderful image quality allowing the Olympus kit to ‘punch above its weight class’ in terms of optical results.
I do use PhotoLab 4 as the first step of my process in post. I only use the standard automatic lens corrections and some other minor tweaks including using DeepPRIME to a value of 15. I find anything above that value with DeepPRIME is counterproductive as it causes too much loss of detail. I do not do any other adjustments with PhotoLab 4. The balance of my adjustments in post are done with PhotoShop CS6 and the Nik Collection. I finish my images off with Topaz Denoise AI.
I do not use the HSL adjustment in PhotoLab 4.
Tom
Thanks for the quick reply
regards
Luc
You’re most welcome Luc.
Tom
Hello Thomas
Your articles on bird photography using the OMD system very interesting / helpful. Using the E-M5ii (love this camera) since 2017 as my go to camera with my main passion close up / macro. Want to expand beyond this so just purchased the E-M1 iii for features such as ND filter, starry skies, pro capture, auto focus ability (for example with bird photography) that isn’t feasible with the OMD 5 series. With the June announcement by Olympus, not optimistic seeing all of these items make there way down to the OMD 5 series in the future. Currently reading through the manual as a winter project (more of a March to November photographer).
So thanks for the articles. Will be referring back to them.
Have to go…….getting near the end of the photography mushroom season in my area.
GBL
Hi GBL,
I’m glad that the website has been helpful for you! There are likely technical limitations based on the hardware in various cameras that may make it difficult for particular features to migrate throughout the OM-D range of cameras. And, from a marketing perspective OM-D Digital Solutions may choose to limit certain features to differentiate various camera models.
Tom