Birds in Flight, Gear Reviews, Micro 4/3 (OM-D/M.Zuiko), Pro Capture

MC-14 at Grimsby Wetlands

8 Comments

This article features a selection of images of small birds-in-flight captured handheld with an M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter at Grimsby Wetlands. These photographs were taken earlier in the spring during a particularly productive visit to Grimsby Wetlands (also referred to locally as Biggar Lagoons Wetlands).

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/2500, ISO-1000, cropped to 3698 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 12 metres

When I decided to move over to the Olympus M4/3 system back in June 2019 I didn’t initially buy the M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter. I opted for the MC-20 instead as I was using it with the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 zoom as my primary birding set-up.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 473 mm, efov 946 mm, f/9, 1/2500, ISO-2000, cropped to 3512 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.4 metres

That combination performed extremely well, allowing me to shoot at f/5.6 with a focal length of 300 mm (efov 600 mm).  Since I was accustomed to the Nikon 1 system and using the wonderful Nikkor CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6, I did miss the reduction in overall reach.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 359 mm, efov 718 mm, f/8.7, 1/2500, ISO-1000, cropped to 3279 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 11.8 metres

I ordered the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS shortly after it was announced in the fall of 2020…, and purchased the M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter at that time. I thought this would be an ideal combination for me to expand my bird photography.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 359 mm, efov 718 mm, f/8.7, 1/3200, ISO-3200, cropped to 3803 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6 metres

Over the past three years this set-up has proven its worth time and time again. As long as I’m shooting in decent light I always use the MC-14 with the 100-400 mm. It gives me the added reach that I need… with a one stop penalty in light. This is a trade-off that I’m more than  happy to make as the optical performance of the MC-14 is excellent.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 3357 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 18 metres

Being able to successfully capture a small bird like the barn swallow above taking flight from 18 metres (~59 feet) away is a testament to the flexibility and capability of Olympus/OM System gear for bird photography.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 473 mm, efov 946 mm, f/9, 1/2500, ISO-800, cropped to 3531 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 12.4 metres

Whenever I’m in the field with my outdoor kit, both the MC-14 and MC-20 are in my camera bag, with the MC-14 being the workhorse of the two.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 3268 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17 metres

I regularly find that I am successful capturing images of small birds taking flight using the MC-14, that other photographers proximate to me don’t even bother to attempt.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-3200, cropped to 3731 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.8 metres

Having 100% confidence in one’s camera gear when out in the field is a critical success component. That inner feeling of confidence allows us to push ourselves and our equipment that little bit extra. And, we’re often rewarded with photographs we wouldn’t have otherwise captured.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-3200, cropped to 2972 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 12.7 metres

Using the MC-14 at Grimsby Wetlands on that morning back in May proved to be one of my best outings so far this year.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 3247 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.4 metres

During the spring 2023 birding season I only had one opportunity to photograph a Baltimore Oriole taking flight.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 2976 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17.4 metres

The M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter provided the additional reach I needed to help successfully capitalize on that photographic opportunity.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 3325 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17 metres

The M.Zuiko MC-14 and MC-20 Teleconverters are compatible with four M.Zuiko zoom lenses (PRO 40-150 f/2.8, PRO 300 f/4 IS, 100-400 f/5-6.3 IS, and PRO 150-400 f/4.5 IS) as well as the new PRO 90 mm f/3.5 macro lens.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-1250, cropped to 3533 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.2 metres

It isn’t my place to tell another photographer what they should, or shouldn’t buy as we all have our own specific needs. Some folks don’t want to lose a stop or two of light as they often shoot under low light conditions. That makes using a 1.4X or 2X teleconverter problematic for them. Others may feel that teleconverters erode image quality.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 2871 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 18 metres

All of the images featured in this article were captured during a three hour visit to Grimsby Wetlands. The additional reach provided by the MC-14 teleconverter was instrumental in me being able to create the majority of these photographs.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 370 mm, efov 740 mm, f/8.7, 1/3200, ISO-2500, cropped to 3912 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6.5 metres

For my style of bird photography, I wouldn’t leave home without the M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter in my camera bag. Only you can decide if using the MC-14 would make sense for your photography.

 Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. I used my standard Pro Capture H settings for all of the images in this article. I shot at 60 frames-per-second using a single, small auto-focus point. My Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter were both set to 15. This is the 1,315 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS with M.Zuiko MC-14 Teleconverter @ 560 mm, efov 1120 mm, f/9, 1/3200, ISO-2000, cropped to 3448 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 17 metres

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8 thoughts on “MC-14 at Grimsby Wetlands”

  1. I use the MC-14 with the 300mm F4 lens and like the additional reach since it cuts down the crop factor adding to the sharpness of bird images. However, when photographing jumpy warblers, I have found that AF is not fast enough so for me there are limits to its’ usefulness. Do you find that the AF is the same with and without the MC-14 with the 100-400 lens?

    Reply

    1. Hi Damian,

      I haven’t noticed any lag with the MC-14. On occasion there is some minor lag with the MC-20.

      I should mention that I take very few AF-C images of perched birds. The vast majority of perched bird images are with Pro Capture H as I try to capture birds in some kind of movement. So… most of the time I’m using AF-S at 60 fps with my E-M1X, with the first frame locking focus and exposure for the rest of the run. I’m not sure what body you are using as this can affect AF speed.

      Tom

      Reply

      1. Tom, I use the E-M1 Mark III body with the 300mm f4 lens. Maybe the E-M1X has a faster AF capability than the Mark III. I will try some pro capture with the AF-S setting you recommend. Thanks

        Reply

        1. Hi Damian,

          I haven’t used my wife’s E-M1 Mark III to provide a lot of first hand experience. I have found that the AF-C without tracking does work more reliably for birds in free flight. I do use Pro Capture L for free flying birds with her camera.

          Tom

          Reply

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