This article features a selection of M.Zuiko 75-300 heron images. All were recently captured handheld during a visit to Hendrie Valley. Many photographs are displayed as full frame captures, while others have been cropped. The degree of cropping done is detailed in the EXIF data where appropriate.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
I started my visit early in the morning and decided to try some slow shutter speed test images with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II fully extended to 300 mm (efov 600 mm).
Often stoic in nature, Great Blue Herons make excellent subjects for this type of test. After capturing a number of consecutive images successfully at 1/20th of a second, I lowered my shutter speed to 1/10th of a second to take the photograph above. I’m not sure if this is the slowest that I can realistically do… more testing is required!
During my morning visit I had a few opportunities to capture Great Blue Herons in flight. I love the colouring of their wings and bodies.
My best opportunity for a close up run of images happened when a Great Blue Heron took flight, then circled around and came back in to land. The following seven images are from the same AF-C run (continuous auto-focus, high sequential silent shutter, 15 frames-per-second).
Great Blue Herons can be very territorial and aggressive behaviour between individual birds can sometimes ensue. Before hostilities break out the birds will often signal their intent with a threat display.
Outstretched wings accompanied by a raised neck and up-tilted head is a classic threat display.
I was treated to some very nice light during my morning visit. This enabled a couple of additional opportunities to capture images of herons coming in to land.
Rather than only focus on herons in flight, I also used the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II to capture some photographs of standing birds as you can see in the following four images.
Towards the end of my visit I had the chance to photograph Great Blue Herons in flight. In the photograph below you can see that the bird was approaching me on a bit of an angle.
The last image in this article was a pretty aggressive crop of about 39% on the width (i.e. 3161 pixels from 5184 pixels). As with the other the bird photographs that I’ve captured with the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II thus far, I was pleased with the image quality from this cost affordable, lightweight telephoto zoom lens.
If you are considering the M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II you may like to see my earlier article that featured osprey in flight captured with this telephoto zoom lens. The M.Zuiko 75-300 mm f/4.8-6.7 II will appeal to photographers looking for a small, lightweight and cost affordable telephoto zoom lens. It provides an equivalent field-of-view of 150-600 mm. This lens is not weather-proof.
We own the M.Zuiko 75-300 f/4.8-6.7 II with which the photographs in this article were captured.
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. Most photographs were cropped to taste, then resized for web use. The degree of any cropping done is detailed in the EXIF data.
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Wow, Super picture, Your capturing style is really brilliant, Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome Kaushik!
Tom
Great test of the lens with some great results, especially at very slow shutter speeds.
The high ISO captures seem very clear, assuming you applied some noise reduction, what did you use?
Thanks for the review
Hi Jim,
I used my standard process with DxO PhotoLab 2 with its PRIME noise reduction as my main RAW processor. Then I exported a DNG file into PhotoShop CS6 for some adjustments, and also in the Nik Collection. I applied Topaz Denoise AI at the end of the process. I find that doing noise reduction twice in my multi-program process works very well for me.
Tom
Thanks
An eye candy set of photos. Much appreciated Mr. Stirr.
Glad you enjoyed them Lewsh!
Tom
Tom,
Most interesting set for me as far as the blue heron is concerned. The sequence of flying then landing shows how the bird moves to “slow down and create drag” then “brake” for a splash-free landing. I especially dig it that the sequences you share gives us readers a split-second (literally) slice of how birds fly, glide, prepare for landing, takeoff.
Oggie
http://www.lagalog.com
Thanks Oggie!
This was one of those unexpected situations where I was anticipating that the bird would fly left to right. At Hendrie this is the typical flight path taken by herons. So, I was planning on panning with the heron as it flew over the surface of the water. Instead, it flew in the opposite direction over the berm, and at an angle which made photographs basically impossible (everyone has a sufficient number of photographs of the backsides of birds in flight 🙂 ). Surprisingly the heron banked around and came back in to land at basically the same spot that it had just vacated. Needless to say it was greeted with with a barrage of shutter clicks from the photographers in the area.
Tom
Tom,
I love role playing and I can only imagine “anthromorphizing” what the blue heron could be thinking — hey, I’m being stalked by people so what if I bank around and come back to where I came from? Reminded me of a BBC Earth video I saw of a lyrebird imitating not only shutter clicks but also a camera motor drive (www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSB71jNq-yQ). Must be where this subject of Sir David Attenborough got the camera imitation act from 😀
Oggie
http://www.lagalog.com
🙂 Great comment Oggie!
Sometimes I wonder if birds just perch and watch people to help train us in the art of patience!
Tom
Tom,
Could be 😀 On another note but still on the topic of birds, one profound effect of the lockdown and quarantine in our city (Metro Manila) is the incursion of birds not commonly seen further inland in densely-populated areas (I thought I spotted a Brahminy Kite on a mall rooftop and up close, captured shots of a Black Crowned Night Heron at another mall’s park pond espying a meal of kois). Anyway, the term “bird brain” is turning out to be a falsity when used to connote little in terms of intelligence.
Oggie
http://www.lagalog.com
Hi Oggie,
Sadly habitat loss has been having a negative effect on many bird species in North America. During the COVID-19 lock down earlier in the spring some photographers I know did report quite a few more sightings of bald eagles and ospreys than in past years. So, perhaps all is not lost.
One can learn much about human behaviour by watching birds and other animals.
Tom
Thomas,
Just received my new Olympus OM D 1 Miii. After using a Sony hybrid for years, somewhat overwhelmed with buttons, dials and menu! Suggestions for you tubes, books, etc? BTW, two lenses, 12-100mm and 100-400mm. Retired, in my 70’s, photography my favorite hobby.! Thanks!
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard,
Get ready for hours of enjoyment with your new Olympus gear! It may take a bit of time to get used to the menu, settings etc.
The first thing that I did was print off a copy of the Owner’s Manual. I refer to this periodically as I need to understand where to find specific features.
Olympus has some good starter information on its website:
https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/learn-center/get-to-know-your-camera/getting-started-with-your-om-d-e-m1-mark-iii
https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/learn-center/photography-tips/settings
https://learnandsupport.getolympus.com/
There are a number of people that have good information on a wide range of subjects on their YouTube channels:
Joseph Ellis
Joe Edelman
Gavin Hoey
Tim Boyer
Robin Wong
I’m sure readers have additional suggestions.’
Great choice of lenses! They will give you exceptional focal length coverage, especially if you add the MC-14 and possibly the MC-20 for the M.Zuiko 100-400. We just ordered the same two lenses. The PRO 12-100 f/4 has arrived but we still waiting on the 100-400.
Tom